Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Dear Friends of Gateway:
Here is this week’s installment of Gateway’s weekly e-newsletter. As always, your feedback and suggestions are invited.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “If you have always done it that way, it is probably wrong.” – Charles Kettering
COMING EVENTS: A schedule of activities for the week ending April 27, 2007 is now posted. (Items for this calendar should be submitted at least two weeks ahead of time!)
UPCOMING MEETINGS: The next regular meeting of the Gateway Regional School Committee will be on April 25th at 7:30 p.m. at the Library/Media Center at the Gateway complex (2nd floor). Discussion will continue on the new building use fee proposal as well as the potential for consolidating elementary schools if Version 2.0 does not pass at town meetings. The Friends of Gateway are now meeting the first Tuesday of every month. Their next meeting will be May 1 at 7 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office. They are working on a fundraiser for the new foundation. New members are needed and should feel welcome to attend. As always, the public is invited and encouraged to attend all meetings.
STUDENTS LAUNCH RECYCLING PROGRAM AT GATEWAY: An interest in recycling and the need to conduct a school service project her senior year led Kathleen Ryan to look into recycling paper at the high school. But what has followed from this student’s determination is nothing short of remarkable. Click here for details.
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY TO INDUCT 17 MEMBERS: “Tap Day” was held on April 11th, when current NHS members entered advisory classrooms and identified the finalists for the 43rd induction into the Dana O. Webber Chapter of the National Honor Society. Read more in the complete article.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE ADOPTS VERSION 2.0 FOR 2007-08 SCHOOL YEAR; Hard Choices Ahead if this budget does not pass: Responding to pleas from several member towns, the Gateway Regional School Committee voted unanimously to adopt a new budget for the 2007-08 school year, reducing assessments to the towns by $347,868. But some town officials are saying that this level service budget is not enough to help them, and will recommend voting it down at their town meetings. The end result could cut deeply into educational programs throughout the district. If you don’t read another article this week, read this one.
SBHC SPONSORS MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER: The Gateway School-Based Health Center is sponsoring presentations by motivational speaker Dr. Steven Sobel to Middle and High School students on April 24, 2007. Students will hear him speak on the “Prescription for Success, Happiness and Humor” and “Creating High Self Esteem—It’s Now Within Reach.” He will also discuss the importance of working hard, student achievement, and what defines “good” behavior within the family, school and community. Each school will spend about 40 minutes with Dr. Sobel in the Performing Arts Center. For more information on the presenter, visit his website .
EIGHTH GRADE TRIP TO WASHINGTON D.C.: “We all had a great time,” said trip coordinator Patricia Diefendorf, who reported that 63 students, 6 staff and 14 parents attended the trip from April 3rd to April 5th. Click here for a group photo in front of the white house, taken by teacher John Zmud.
MONTHLY BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC AT SBHC: Staff and community members are invited to attend a free blood pressure clinic at the Gateway School-Based Health Center (off the main entrance of the Middle/High Schools) on Wednesday, April 25th from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER: ALCOHOL-FILLED FLIP FLOPS: The Baltimore Examiner reports that parents and school officials should be vigilant about a new flip flop sandal produced by the company Reef. Each flip flop holds an ounce of liquor and comes with a miniature funnel and measuring bar. The shoes can be identified by the imprint of a mixer on the shoe’s sole. The shoes are selling for $45/pair, but are earning criticism for promoting alcohol use. Read the full article.
REMINDERS:
- MULTIPLE FUNDRAISERS AT GATEWAY ON SATURDAY OF CANOE-RACE WEEKEND: If you’re out and about on Saturday, 4/21, stop by Gateway to drop off returnable cans, have lunch, browse through a community tag sale, grab a bake sale item, and (weather permitting) have your car washed. It’s all part of a multitude of fundraisers to benefit high school class trips and the band. Read on for more information.
- COME TO THE CABARET! The Gateway High School music department will hold their annual Cabaret performance at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 27 in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. This is the annual showcase for the Gateway Show Choir and Jazz Band. Donations are still being sought for the silent auction (click here for details). Admission will be $3.00 for senior citizens and students, and $5.00 for general admission. Tickets will be available at the door.
- SUMMER PROGRAMS TO BOOST STUDENT MCAS PERFORMANCE OFFERED: Students in Middle and High School who have struggled to pass the MCAS exam in the past, have been invited to a attend a summer program designed to boost student achievement. A four-week program is offered for students currently in grades 8 and 9; a three-week program is available for all others. Read why.
- GATEWAY ATHLETIC BOOSTERS SEEK HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS: The Gateway Athletic Booster club is seeking nominations for their Hall of Fame, honoring athletes, coaches and others who have made significant contributions to Gateway athletics. Awards will be announced at the annual sports banquet on May 29th. Please read the complete article for eligibility and nomination information.
- SPRING SPORTS BANQUET: The Gateway Athletic Booster Club is pleased to announce that the annual sports banquet will take place on Tuesday, May 29th from 6 – 10 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel in Northampton. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for athletes and children under age 12 (correction from earlier information). Tickets are available through Patti Trzasko at the high school or by calling Deb Lariviere at 667-3121. Athletes, coaches and families are invited.
- 8TH GRADE MOVING UP CEREMONY: For parents of 8th graders looking for information on the Moving Up Ceremony, Principal Peter Curro reports that it will take place the final day of school and will be scheduled for 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. The School Committee will be verifying the final day of school later this spring, and the exact date will be released at that time.
- GATEWAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE COMING TO A TOWN NEAR YOU: The Gateway Regional School Committee has announced that it will again hold meetings in all seven district towns during this school year, so that town officials and area residents will have greater access to those meetings. The next “town” meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9th at Chester Elementary School. Read the complete article for details.
- GATEWAY SCHOOL SAFETY REMINDER: A reminder that the Gateway Regional School District has a confidential Safety Hotline in place, for students and community members to share their concerns. Just call 685-1050 and leave a message.
IN CLOSING, the Superintendent’s Corner for this week is attached. This week, Dr. Hopson details the potential budget complications that could arise if Version 2.0 is not passed at annual town meetings. Read the entire column for details.
Have a great week!
Wendy V. Long, Editor
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