GATEWAY TRIP TO SSO WILL FEATURE STUDENT ARTISTS, GATEWAY COMPOSER: Over 100 Gateway third and fourth graders will attend the Springfield Symphony Orchestra on Monday, April 28th—a trip that will have special significance to Gateway on several fronts.

PAST AND FUTURE FISCAL TRENDS PRESENTATION ON APRIL 30: Superintendent David Hopson will give a presentation on town and school budget trends over the past five years, and projections on both for the next five years. This event will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30th in the Gateway Performing Arts Center.

MS TALENT SHOW TO BENEFIT AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM: The Annual Talent Show for Gateway Regional Middle School will take place next week in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. Tickets will be available at the door ($3.50 for students, $5.00 for adults) and patrons can attend a matinee, evening, or both performances.

FUTURE SUCCESS PROGRAM OFFERED TO GHS SENIORS, PARENTS/GUARDIANS: The Gateway Regional High School Guidance Department is pleased to offer an in-school presentation to seniors, and their parents/guardians, entitled “Making College and Career Count.”

“HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS SURVEY” TO BE GIVEN TO HIGH SCHOOL 4/29: Principal Kathleen McSweeney and Project Liaison Wendy Long sent a letter home with students last Friday, informing parents that students would be taking a 20-minute survey on April 29th. The survey is a repeat of one given in the 2005-06 school year, which formed the basis of the Healthy Relationships poster campaign throughout the school. Data from the original survey—along with student comments—was used by students and project advisors to create the series of posters that have been displayed throughout the school in the past two years. Any parent who does not want their student to take this survey should complete and return this form by Monday, April 28th.

SAVE THE DATE FOR RETIREE RECEPTION: Fourteen Gateway staff members are retiring this year, and the Gateway Regional School Committee will honor them at a reception at 6:30 p.m. on May 28th in the courtyard. This event is open to students, parents, family, friends, colleagues (present and past) and alumni who would like to wish them well! Retirees are Linda Battles, Lynn Boyce, James Hale, George Hart, Elaine Hollander, Pauline McCarthy, Michael Meehan, Christine Mulcahy, Christine Scherpa, John Scherpa, Susan Schiller, Robert Shipman and Nancy Shutt.

EIGHTH GRADE SPRING TRIP TO WASHINGTON D.C.: This annual rite of passage for Gateway 8th graders took place April 8 through 10. Sixty students, 18 teachers and parents and Principal Todd Gazda embarked on the whirlwind trip. Click here for a group photo on the steps of the U.S. Capital.

JUNIOR CLASS WINS FOOD DRIVE SPIRIT EVENT: High school students collected 400 food items for the local food pantry, according to Student Council Advisor Diane Uliana. The Class of 2009 brought in half of those items, giving them a significant lead in the pursuit of this year’s Spirit Trophy. Ms. Uliana extends her appreciation to all who participated.

RAISING TEENS—PART II: Last week, we announced the new report released by the Harvard School of Public Health entitled “Raising Teens: A Synthesis of Research and a Foundation for Action.” Last week’s focus was on understanding the Ten Tasks of Adolescence.  This week, we recommend taking a look at The Five Basics of Parenting Adolescents, which outline the ways that parents can influence the healthy development of their teenagers. These five approaches are: 1) Love and Connect; 2) Monitor and Observe; 3) Guide and Limit; 4) Model and Consult; and 5) Provide and Advocate. The report includes specific strategies that parents can use with their teens, along with a summary Key Message in each basic.  “Most things about their world are changing. Don’t let your love be one of them.”  The overview of the five basics is on page 10; full research runs from pages 47-64.

REMINDERS:

• 2008-09 GATEWAY CALENDAR APPROVED: The Gateway Regional School Committee approved the 2008-09 School Year Calendar at their March 26th meeting.
• BLANDFORD ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AND STAFF MAKE UP LOST TIME WITH EARLY START: A day missed because of a broken water main in Blandford will be made up with earlier school start times from April 28th to May 22nd. Students and staff at Blandford Elementary School will begin their school day 20 minutes earlier, as approved by the Gateway Regional School Committee at their April 9th meeting.
• STILL TIME TO SUBMIT ENTRIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL RESPECT CONTEST: Students who submit a written or artistic work that reflects the theme “What respect means to me” will compete for cash prizes offered by the Southern Hilltowns Domestic Violence Task Force. Entries must be submitted to the high school office by April 30th.
• POTTY TRAINING AT THE FAMILY CENTER: The Gateway Family Center will present a workshop on the art of Potty Training, with the lively, funny and knowledgeable Sarah Patton (Hampshire Educational Collaborative) presenting. This event is free and open to the public, with childcare provided. The workshop will be held Wednesday, April 23 at 10 a.m. Support for this program is provided by the Hilltown Community Health Centers and a grant from the Massachusetts department of Early Education and Care through the Hampshire County Family Network.
• ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME NOMINEES SOUGHT: The Gateway Athletic Booster Club is seeking nominations for the Gateway Athletic Hall of Fame, which honors athletes, coaches and others who have made significant contributions to Gateway athletics. Nominations must be in by May 9th. The complete article contains details.
• CHEERLEADERS RUN ECO-FRIENDLY FUNDRAISER: The Gateway Regional High School Cheerleaders are raising money to help send the team to summer cheerleading camp. Your donation of small electronics items, including used cell phones, DVD movies, video games, portable DVD players, laptop/notebook computers, MP3 players, video game consoles, digital cameras, digital picture frames and portable navigation and GPS devices will be recycled or refurbished. Collection will run through the end of the school year. More details in the flyer and on the EcoPhones Website.
• GATEWAY CALENDAR CHANGES FOR PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE AND EARLY RELEASE DAYS: This article outlines three major calendar changes that will be taking place in March, May and June. Read more about the dates in the complete article.
• FOURTH GRADE PARENTS/STUDENTS—SAVE THE DATE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL ORIENTATION: Gateway Regional Middle School will be welcoming current fourth graders in June, as they prepare to transition from their elementary schools to the regional middle school next fall. Students will visit the Middle School for a morning of activities that includes tours, sitting in on fifth grade and special subject classes, a scavenger hunt, having lunch, and being treated to a brief concert by the current Grade 5 band. Blandford and Russell visits will take place on June 9th. Chester, Conwell and Littleville students will visit on June 10th. Students will be bussed from their elementary school, and the visits will take place from 9:30 to noon. The week’s activities will conclude with a student and parent/guardian orientation on Thursday, June 12th from 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. Save the dates for these fun and informative events!
• GATEWAY PHONE DIRECTORIES ON SALE AT ALL SCHOOL OFFICES! You can still purchase a Gateway Phone Directory at any school office. Get one and keep it by your phone the next time you want to know if school is cancelled due to bad weather, report your child as absent, or follow-up with the school nurse on a playground injury. Read more in the complete article.
• GATEWAY SCHOOL SAFETY HOTLINE: As part of Gateway’s School Safety Plan, the school safety hotline (685-1050) will remain in place for the coming school year. Monitored by the district’s Security Monitor, the hotline is a voice mailbox that can be used to report harassment, drug or alcohol concerns, vandalism, and school safety issues. The purpose of the hotline is to help keep Gateway schools safe for all.

IN CLOSING, this week’s Superintendent’s Corner is now posted. This week, Dr. Hopson discusses the value of the active, hands-on end-of-year programs and trips underway as we move toward the end of the school year. Read the entire column for details.

Have a great week!