December 7, 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: "The pursuit of perfection, then, is the pursuit of sweetness and light." - Matthew Arnold
UPCOMING MEETINGS: The Gateway Regional School Committee will meet on Wednesday, December 8th at 7:30 p.m. in the library of the Gateway campus. Agenda items include a holiday presentation by the HS Jazz Band and Chorus, the new Facebook and Social Networking Policy, the new Bullying Policy, a budget update, One Man One Vote options, and future planning. 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 meets 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.
THE WEEK IN PICTURES:
Photos from the Jr. HS Awards Assembly and the 19th Annual Holiday Brunch and concert.
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FIVE JR. HS STUDENTS HONORED FOR PERFECT MCAS SCORES: Sarah Fellows, jenna Margarites, Katelyn Murray, Charlotte LeBarron and Tyler Kornacki all earned perfect scores on the 2010 MCAS exams.
WINTER CONCERTS SCHEDULE: Two student concerts are scheduled for the week of December 13th in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. Click here for a printable flyer for the HS concert.
SAVE-THE-DATE FOR 2ND ANNUAL "FAFSA HELP" NIGHT: Work with experts to begin filling out your Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on-line application, which is required in order to obtain financial aid and scholarship money for college. Experts will be on hand to help you get started in completing this (for some of us DAUNTING!) form. Space is limited, so Gateway seniors and their parents are urged to RSVP by January 5th. Click here for a flyer.
SPED PAC DECEMBER MEETING: The second Sped-PAC meeting of the school year will be held on December 14 in the HS Career Center, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
DECEMBER CAREER CHAT: Katie Case will be available to speak with interested students about a career as a Veterinary Technician, on Wednesday, December 8th during lunch (12:25-12:50 p.m.). This Q & A session will review what the job is like, how much schooling one needs, and how to make contacts in this field. Students should sign up in guidance in advance.
PENNY SOCIAL FOR GATEWAY CHOIRS: A reminder that the Gateway Choirs are hosting an old-fashioned penny social in the Gateway cafe on Friday, December 10th. Auction items include a time share week, gift certificates from area businesses, jewelry, and toys. Proceeds will help fund new performance costumes and the competition trip to Hershey, PA next spring.
CHESTER PARENT STILL NEEDED FOR SCHOOL COUNCIL: The Chester Elementary School Council still seeks a member from the town of Chester. If interested, please contact Principal Candice Judd. The School Council is a partnership of parents, teachers and community representatives that meets during the school year and is responsible for forming and monitoring the required School Improvement Plan.
YEARBOOKS, PARENT ADS STILL ON SALE: Parents and friends of Gateway seniors can still purchase a parent ad for this year's Portal. Go to the Portal Website for ordering information. Also, yearbooks are still on sale. Please see Mrs. Durken or order online at Jostens.
REMINDER TO SCHOOL VISITORS: Please park in the parking lot when visiting the schools. Passing
a school bus/van is punishable by a minimum $150 fine. Bus drivers can,
and will, report your license plate number and a citation will be
issued in the mail. For the safety of all children, please obey all bus
laws.
ELEMENTARY REPORT CARDS: Elementary report cards for grades 1-4 will come home in red folders on Friday, December 10th. If you have questions for your child's teacher, please schedule a time to meet with them.
LITTLEVILLE BANK DAY: Parents are reminded that the Littleville Bank Day for December is this Thursday, December 9th.
HOLIDAY BAZAAR REMINDERS: Holiday Bazaars are being held at both elementary schools, and are an opportunity for children to purchase small gifts for family members. These events are sponsored by each school's PTO. Littleville's Holiday Bazaar will be held during school on December 9th and 10th; Chester's will be during school on December 16th and 17th.
SBHC UPDATE: The Gateway School-Based Health Center still has flu vaccine available for both staff and students. Please contact the School-Based Health Center at 667-0142 to schedule an appointment. A $20 fee will be charged for staff, to cover the cost of purchasing the vaccine.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK: Dedicated to helping Gateway parents raise strong, safe, healthy and high-achieving kids!
WHY DOES ARTS EDUCATION MATTER? Despite difficult economic challenges in recent years, the Gateway Regional School Committee has remained dedicated to educating the "Whole Child"--which includes arts education. Next week, the public has the opportunity to come to Gateway for two student concerts with student arts displays. Why is arts education important. Click here for Dr. Maisah Robinson's summary of music and art education research (on the Associated Content website)--showing, among other things, higher SAT scores for student musicians.
REMINDERS:
- STUDENTS LAUNCH SERVICE PROJECT TO BENEFIT CAT SHELTER: "It's
a lot of work, meetings and coordination," said one student, when
interviewed about the collection effort to benefit the Westfield
Homeless Cat Shelter.
- EARLY RELEASE DAY DECEMBER 7: Students will have a two-hour early release on Tuesday, December 7th, to bring staff members together for training.
- DECEMBER PARENT SUPPORT GROUP MEETING: The
Gateway Special Education Parent Advisory Committee is holding a Parent
Support Group meeting on Tuesday, December 7th from 6:30 - 8 p.m. in
the high school Career Center.
- DECEMBER SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETINGS: The
Gateway Regional Sr. High Council will meet from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. on
December 8th. The Jr. High School Council will meet from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
on that same day. Both meetings will be held in the Jr./Sr. High School
conference room.
- DECEMBER SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING: The Gateway Regional School Committee will hold one meeting in December, on December 8th in the Gateway campus library.
- 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.
- 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 recaps the holiday brunch and concert held for area residents last week and previews the upcoming winter concerts, which are open to the public. 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
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