November 9, 2010
Dear Friends of Gateway:
Here is this week’s installment of Gateway’s weekly e-newsletter. Back issues of Breaking News and past Superintendent’s Corners are posted in the GRSD News Archive (under “News” on the district website). As always, your feedback and any suggestions for improvements are welcome.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "Bread for myself is a material question. Bread for my neighbor is a spiritual one." - Nikolai Berdyaev
UPCOMING MEETINGS: The Gateway Regional School Committee will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 10 in the Gateway Library. Agenda items include the 2010 Auditor's Report, a technology update, subcommittee updates, budget update, one person/one vote options, future planning, Facebook and social networking policy, and bullying policy. The public is welcome to attend School Committee meetings, as an important way to learn more about how the district operates. Please note that any questions or concerns should first be brought to the appropriate district staff member (i.e. a specific teacher, principal or Central Office staff member). The first agenda item of every school committee meeting is hearing issues that are not on the posted agenda. The Friends of Gateway typically holds their meetings on the first Tuesday of every month at 9:30 a.m. in the Superintendent's Office. The next meeting will be Tuesday, December 7th. New members are welcome to join this group, which supports district communications and volunteers.
MIDDLE SCHOOL "EATS THEIR HOMEWORK": Students at Gateway Regional Middle School were treated to a special lesson that will enable them to help their community and eat their homework.
Holly Squires, Gina Ciancia, Henry S, Gabby G and Kurstyn S after the bread-baking demo at school.
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POST SEASON STARTS TONIGHT: The GRHS athletic teams begin their post-season play with a double-header at home this evening. The boys play against Mt. Everette at 5 p.m. and the girls play Westfield Voke at 7 p.m. Both games are on Booster Field. The gymnastics team travels to Agawam tomorrow evening, and the Cross Country Teams run in the Western Massachusetts Championship on Saturday. Click here for photos from yesterday's Sports Rally.
DON'T FORGET: This Saturday's Recycling, Shredding, Can/Bottle Drive, Coat Drive, Cell Phone Drive, Grinder Sale, Poinsettia Sale and Wellness Center Open House (8 - noon) at Gateway, 9 - 1; Look in the "Reminders" section below for details.
BULLYING INFO, FLU CLINIC AND LOCAL RESOURCE FAIR: ONE STOP SHOPPING AT GATEWAY ON NOVEMBER 17: Area residents have a number of opportunities open to them at the Gateway Campus (Littleville Rd., Huntington) on Wednesday, November 17.
WINTER WEATHER CLOSINGS AT GATEWAY: Actually, experience has shown that schools can be closed for a variety of reasons! Whatever the reason, read the complete article to be sure you know how to find out if school is cancelled or students are dismissing early.
PAYING FOR COLLEGE WORKSHOP: The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) will be at Gateway on November 23rd to give Gateway seniors and their parents/guardians a workshop on how to finance a college education.
60+? SAVE THE DATE FOR ANNUAL BRUNCH AND CONCERT: The Gateway district extends a warm invitation to area residents (age 60+) for the Annual Holiday BRUNCH and Concert. Spread the word!
WENDY WOODS: The Gateway community was saddened to learn of the death of former elementary principal Wendy Woods, who died at Baystate Medical Center on October 20th. Wendy was a Gateway principal from 1999 to 2009. Memorial gifts may be made to the D'Amour Center Cancer Care, 3350 Main St., Springfield, MA 01199, or to the American Heart Association, 54 C Wayside Avenue, West Springfield, MA 01089.
ITS NOT TOO LATE TO ENROLL IN GATOR GRINS! Gator Grins, Gateway's dental outreach program through Hilltown Community Health Centers, Inc., reminds parents/guardians that they can still enroll students in the program (click here for an enrollment form). Gator Grins now provides screenings, cleanings, x-rays, fillings and other dental care in all Gateway schools. They recently received grant funding to set up a second portable clinic, and is now serving even more students! Parents are reminded of the importance of providing updated health history forms each year, so that your student can continue to receive the best care possible.
ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR AT LITTLEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: The 14th Annual Holiday Bazaar--originally held at Russell Elementary School--comes to Littleville this month, with high end crafters, raffles and an array of lunch items for hungry shoppers!
NOVEMBER SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETINGS: Read the complete article for the dates and times of each school's Improvement Council meeting. Please note that Chester Elementary School needs parents from Blandford and Chester to join.
NOVEMBER CAREER CHAT: The high school guidance department will have Fran Case speak with students on Civil Engineering on Wednesday, November 17th during lunch. Topics include explaining what civil engineering is, a "day in the job", and educational requirements. Interested students should sign up in advance in the guidance office.
UPCOMING COLLEGE REP VISITS FOR HIGH SCHOOL: Johnson & Wales at noon on 11/9, Bentley University at 12:50 on 11/10; and New England Institute of Technology at 10:45 on 11/16. This schedule is subject to change and students should check frequently for additions. Students should sign up in the Guidance Office in advance.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK: Dedicated to helping Gateway parents raise strong, safe, healthy and high-achieving kids!NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT MONTH: Did you know that if you are employed full time, five days a week, 50 weeks a year for 40 years, you will spend about 10,000 days or 80,000 hours working? The Gateway Jr./Sr. High School guidance department is sponsoring a number of career exploration activities this month, such as the civil engineering "career chat" (see above), an in-school field trip to the Gateway welding program, and a presentation on how to apply and gain acceptance to a vocational high school. Please contact Mr. White (rwhite@grsd.org or 685-1207) to participate. The National Career Development Association has a wonderful website with numerous links to web-based career planning tools.
REMINDERS:
- MORE DETAILS ON NOVEMBER 13 RECYCLING EVENT: Area
residents are invited to start the holiday season with tidy basements,
attics and closets, with help from the Gateway Regional School District!
Click here for a flyer of all of the day's activities. Click here for a poinsettia order form; click here to pre-order a grinder for the 13th (orders also taken at the school that day).
- FLU VACCINATION CLINIC AT GATEWAY FOR THE PUBLIC: A
seasonal flu clinic will be held on Wednesday, November 17 from 3:30 -
7:30 p.m. at Gateway Regional High School. Also, a local resource fair
will take place during that time. At 6:30 p.m. on that date, the public
is invited to hear more and weigh in on the proposed district bullying
plan. Please read the complete article for details.
- SAVE THE DATE FOR CHARLES NEVILLE, THE SKELETONES, AND ELEMENTARY STUDENT CONCERT: Third
and fourth grades students attending Littleville and Chester Elementary
Schools, will hold a special concert on Tuesday, November 23 at 6 p.m.
in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. Click here to download a CD order form of the concert; forms and payments will be collected at the concert (all CD's must be pre-paid).
- GATEWAY ALUMNI SOUGHT FOR COLLEGE FAIR: Graduates
of Gateway Regional High School are invited to return the day before
Thanksgiving, to speak with students about their college and military
experiences.
- GATEWAY SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR VETERANS DAY: All
schools in the district will be closed on Thursday, November 11 in
recognition of Veterans Day. Read the complete article for Wellness
Center and Wrap Around Program details.
- STUDENT COUNCIL SPONSORS FOOD DRIVE: Food will be collected at the student store before and after school, and will earn spirit points for each class.
- SR. DISTRICT AUDITIONS: The
Western Massachusetts Music Educators Association is holding auditions
for the Sr. District Music Festival on Saturday, November 13 at
Westfield State College. Please see Mrs. Guertin (instrumental) or Ms.
Beauregard (choral) if you wish to audition. The snow date is November
20.
- CRAFTERS SOUGHT FOR ANNUAL HOLIDAY FAIR: Crafters are sought, and shoppers should save the date for this high end craft fair and schoolwide fundraiser.
- SBHC HAS FLU VACCINE FOR STUDENTS AT HIGH RISK: The
Gateway School-Based Health Center has a limited amount of injectable
flu vaccine available for students in grades 5 - 12 who have high risk
medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or other
chronic conditions. Students and parents/guardians who are interested
can schedule an appointment with June Tanski (667-0142 ext. 1).
- ONLINE ACCESS TO STUDENT GRADES FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Parents/guardians of students in grades 5 - 12 can now monitor their student's assignments, homework, grades and attendance online.
- SCHOOL SAFETY HOTLINE: As part of the district's ongoing commitment to school safety, a school safety hotline is in place for all schools. Anyone wishing to report harassment, bullying, drug or alcohol concerns, vandalism, and school safety issues can call 685-1050.
- TRANSPORTATION UPDATE: Parents/guardians and students are reminded that all Gateway school buses are now at 75% capacity or higher. As a result, we can no longer issue passes to guest riders from other buses.
- The Application for Free and Reduced Lunch
- STUDENT FEES FOR 2010-11: Information on student fees for parking and athletics, and building use fee information are posted in this article.
- HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULE ONLINE: For a look at all of the home and away sports contests this fall, go to highschoolsports.net and enter "01050" for the Gateway HS Sports Calendar.
IN CLOSING, this week's Superintendent's Corner is now posted. This week, Dr. Hopson reminds students, parents/guardians and staff how and when the decision to close school due to inclement weather (and other factors) is made. Read the entire column for details!
Have a wonderful week!
Wendy V. Long, Editor
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“Breaking News From Gateway”
Is published weekly by the Gateway Regional School District
12 Littleville Rd.
Huntington, MA 01050
For questions or feedback, please contact Wendy Long @ (413) 685-1003 or email wlong@grsd.org
© 2010, Gateway Regional School District