SPECIAL LAPTOP OFFER FOR GRADUATING SENIORS: Technology Director Angela Burke has announced a special purchase program for the Class of 2008—or for families who wish to surprise them with a new laptop computer for college. Complete and return the registration form (which includes details on the program) by May 23rd. Payments can be made in full, or over a 3 month period (May, June and July).

EARLY RELEASE ON MAY 6TH: Marking a change from the original 2007-08 calendar, a reminder that the May Early Release day will take place on May 6th (not May 20th). Read the complete article for details and a reminder on the June 10th “make-up” early release.

LANGUAGE OF THE ANCIENTS PROGRAM HELD AT MIDDLE SCHOOL: Thanks to the Local Cultural Councils and Middle School Band Boosters, students at Gateway Regional Middle School were treated to—and participated in—a special music program on new sights, new sounds.

GHS SPORTS BANQUET ON MAY 29TH/NOMINATIONS FOR HALL OF FAME ACCEPTED UNTIL MAY 9TH: The Annual Sports Banquet for Gateway High School will be held on Thursday, May 29th from 6 – 10 p.m. at Tekoa Country Club. Recognition and awards will be given to J.V. and Varsity athletes from all sports, all seasons. Ticket prices and further details in the complete article.

HIGH SCHOOL THIRD QUARTER HONOR ROLL: A listing of students from each grade who made first, second and third honors last term.

UPCOMING STUDENT EVENT ON DRINKING AND DRIVING: Don’t be surprised if the Gateway complex has a number of police, fire, ambulance and other emergency vehicles on site next Monday!

HIGH SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING: The Gateway Regional High School Council will meet on Monday, May 5 from 4 – 5 p.m. in the Principal’s Conference Room. Parents and community members interested in serving on the school council are invited to attend, or can contact Principal Kathleen McSweeney at 685-1103 for more information.

ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB TO MEET: The Gateway Athletic Booster Club’s May meeting will be held on May 4th at 7 p.m. in Stanton Hall (center of Huntington). The Booster Club is still actively looking for new members. If you can’t attend but are willing to help, please call Deb Lariviere at 667-3121.

 

REMINDERS:

• 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.”

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• FINAL WEEK 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.
• 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 presents some of the highlights from the April 30th budget trends presentation, for those who were not able to attend. Read the entire column for details.

Have a great week!