December 21, 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: "But I want to grow up. There's a million things I want to do; people to meet, worlds to explore...Nutcracker, I do love you, but I can't stay in the land of the Dolls forever." - Clara speaking to the Nutcracker in "The Nutcracker Prince".
UPCOMING MEETINGS: The Gateway Regional School Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the library of the Gateway campus. Town officials are invited to participate in a One Man One Vote discussion at that meeting, to help determine which option is brought before the voters this spring. 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, January 4, 2011. New members are welcome to join this group, which supports district communications and volunteers.
THE WEEK IN PICTURES:
Photos from the Nutcracker project at Littleville, and Holiday Bazaars (Article below)
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ART, MUSIC CLASSES BRING 'NUTCRACKER' TO LIFE: "True wonder and amazement are rare things, and to be brought into part of the story of the Nutcracker is an experience they will never forget," said Littleville Music Teacher Paul Sawyer.
FAFSA HELP NIGHT AT GATEWAY: The event will be held on Wednesday, January 12th from 6 - 7 p.m. in room 154; space is limited so please RSVP by January 5th to Carolynn Laurenza (claurenza@grsd.org or 685-1107). See details in the complete article.
GATEWAY SCHOOL SAFETY HOTLINE: A reminder on one way to report harassment, bullying, drug or alcohol concerns, vandalism, and school safety issues, as a way to keep Gateway schools safe for all students.
PSAT RESULTS WORKSHOP: All students who took the PSAT in October will have a workshop on test results and next steps on Tuesday, December 21st during Advisory. The workshop will include finding test results and understanding what they mean, along with using free college and career planning tools and resources that test-takers now have access to.
TIME SHARE RAFFLE: A time share at Laconia, New Hampshire (good in February 2011) is being raffled off to benefit the Gateway choirs. Raffle tickets, which were sold at the winter concert and the penny social earlier this month, are still available. Please contact Gail LaBrecque at 354-0223 for details or to purchase tickets. Raffle tickets are $1.00 each or $5.00 for six tickets. The drawing will take place on December 23rd.
ELEMENTARY NOTES: Please send mittens, hats, boots, snow pants/extra pants and jackets daily for your children. Recess is held outside as long as the temperature is 18 degrees or above...if we have a two-hour delayed start, please know that the school does NOT serve breakfast on those days.. please continue to remind children to wash their hands frequently, to keep the spread of colds and flu down for everyone's sake!
STAYING UP-TO-DATE WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES: Parents--have you seen the Middle School website lately? If you go to the "What's New" page (under the news drop-down menu) you will have access to pages on many special classroom projects that have taken place this year, complete with photos!
CHESTER WRAP AROUND WINTER DETAILS: The Chester Wrap Around program, which is in its first year of operation, will adhere to the following when school is delayed, canceled or released early due to winter weather. Wrap Around will start at 9 a.m. on delayed start days, to allow time for the parking lot to be cleared. If children are released early due to weather, and your child is scheduled to be at Wrap Around that day, your child will be kept at school until you pick them up (as close to dismissal time as possible). If school is cancelled, children from Chester Elementary School are welcome to join the Littleville Wrap Around Program. Please speak with Mrs. Sanderson if you think you will pursue that option. The Littleville Wrap Around Program number is 685-1340 (Mrs. Melinda Slowey).
SAVE THE DATE FOR SEMI-FORMAL: The Gateway Regional High School Student Council is sponsoring the Annual Semi-Formal dance, to be held on February 4th from 6 - 10:30 p.m. at Tekoa Country Club. More details to come.
LITTLEVILLE RECYCLING FUNDRAISER: The Littleville PTO is conducting a recycling fundraiser. Protect the environment by donated used items (cell phones, digital cameras, laptops, digital video cameras, ink jet cartridges, MP3 players and more). Items may be dropped off at the school on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays and this will be an ongoing fundraiser.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK: Dedicated to helping Gateway parents raise strong, safe, healthy and high-achieving kids!
FREE TALK ON CYBERBULLYING, SEXTING, AND UNWISE SOCIAL NETWORKING: Sponsored by the CENTER at Westfield State University, this free workshop for parents and professionals will discuss the role of parents in addressing safety and bullying issues that are emerging trends through cyberspace. Presenter Dr. Sameer Hinduja is the author of the award-winning book, "Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying." He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Criminal Justice (with a focus on cybercrime) from Michigan State University, and is a member of the Research Advisory Board for Harvard University's Internet Safety Task Force.
REMINDERS:
- GATEWAY HOLIDAY VACATION: All
schools in the Gateway Regional School District will be closed from
December 24 through January 2 for the holiday vacation week. Read the
complete article for Wrap Around and Wellness Center schedules.
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LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS: The Gateway Wellness Center is offering three different membership specials
this month; give the gift of good health and consider buying a monthly,
annual or college break membership. ALSO, Mass 1to1 has a small number of laptops available for purchase. Please contact Angela Burke (aburke@grsd.org or 685-1020) for details.
- CHESTER PTO CAN AND BOTTLE DRIVE: If
you are having a crowd at your home over the holidays, put those extra
returnable cans and bottles to good use. The Chester PTO will take
donated cans and bottles in three convenient locations, the week of
January 3rd, as a way to raise funds and help you clean out your garage
for the new year!
- HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULE ONLINE: The
boys basketball team had their season opener last night. Don't miss
another boys or girls basketball game, wrestling meet or alpine skiing
race! For a look at all of the home and away sports contests this
winter, click here (may be found at www.highschoolsports.net).
- 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.
- 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.
IN CLOSING, this week's Superintendent's Corner is now posted. This week, Dr. Hopson shares his holiday wishes for the region, and explains some of the challenges the holiday season poses in schools. Gateway Regional School Committee. 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