UPCOMING MEETINGS:  The next meeting of the Gateway Regional School Committee will be April 9th at 7:30 p.m. in the Middle/High School Library Media Center (2nd floor). The school committee will present certificates to honor teachers who were nominated for this year’s Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award. The next meeting of the Friends of Gateway will be May 6th at 7 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office. The public is invited and encouraged to attend all meetings.

 

VISITING FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR PROPOSES EXCHANGE: Fulbright Scholar Edward Rodolfi visited Gateway Regional High School last week to learn more about American education and to propose a school partnership with his school in Frankfurt, Germany.

2008-09 GATEWAY CALENDAR APPROVED: The Gateway Regional School Committee approved the 2008-09 School Year Calendar at their March 26th meeting.

HIGH SCHOOL BAND SPONSORS CAN AND BOTTLE DRIVE: Turning your returnable bottles and cans in for the high school band fundraiser may result in a cleaner basement or garage, and new music for the high school band!

CORRECTION ON PRESCHOOL SCREENING SCHEDULING DEADLINE: Parents wishing to schedule an appointment for Preschool Screening have until April 18th to call 685-1017 for a slot; this is a correction from prior notices. Any child who will be 3 or 4 years of age by April 28th is eligible to participate in the district’s annual Preschool Screening, which will be held at Littleville Elementary School on April 28th. Preschool screenings are not required, but they are highly recommended and help parents assess the strengths and needs of each child.

STUDENT COUNCIL SPONSORING FOOD DRIVE: The Gateway Regional High School Student Council is sponsoring a Food Drive from Monday April 14 to Wednesday April 16. Please bring non-perishable food items (no Ramon Noodles, please) to Block One classes, where they will be tallied. Student council members will collect the food. Classes will earn spirit points for participating.

FAMILY CENTER SPONSORS RAE GRIFFITHS AND HER TEACHING CREATURES: This event will give preschool-aged children a hands on experience with different members of the animal kingdom. It will take place on Tuesday, April 15 at 9 a.m. at the Gateway Family Center, 9 Russell Rd., Huntington. As always, this event is free and open to the public. This program is generously funded by the Gateway Community Partnerships for Children, through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. For more information, please call Kim Savery at 667-2203.

ALL CHILDREN NEED TO BE ACTIVE FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR EVERY DAY: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health advises that an active child does better in school, will sleep better at night, has a better self esteem, has a healthy weight, gets along better with other kids, grows strong bones and muscles, and does better at solving problems and general thinking skills. With beautiful weather (FINALLY) approaching, their website has tips for making active time fun and safe for preschoolers, and helping children of all ages become more active.

REMINDERS:

• COME TO THE CABARET! It is time for the annual CABARET at Gateway Regional High School, showcasing the schools elite performance groups—the Show Choir and Jazz Band. Cabaret will be held in the Gateway Performing Arts Center on Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m. Admission is $2 for students and $4 for adults.
• BAND BOOSTERS BOTTLE AND CAN DRIVE: The Gateway High School Band will conduct their annual Bottle and Can Drive fundraiser on Saturday, April 19th from 9:30 to 3:30. Donations can be brought to the high school during that time, or dropped off ahead of time at the band room from 2 – 4 p.m. on Thursday April 17 or Friday April 18. All bottles and cans with a Massachusetts deposit will be accepted.
• EARLY COLLEGE PLANNING FOR GRADE 9 AND 10 STUDENTS & PARENTS/GUARDIANS: The Gateway Regional High School Guidance Department is pleased to offer an Early College Planning Seminar for freshmen and sophomores, and their parents/guardians. The event, presented by the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, will be held on April 16 in the Gateway Performing Arts Center, beginning at 6 p.m.
• DOMESTIC TASK FORCE SPONSORS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT 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.
• AREA SENIOR CITIZENS INVITED TO GATEWAY SHAKESPEAREAN EVENT: Senior citizens from the seven Gateway hilltowns are invited to share an upcoming presentation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with students at Gateway Regional High School. The event will include a fifteen-minute “audience talk-back” at the end of the performance. Seniors are asked to r.s.v.p. to 685-1003 to reserve seating. There is no charge to attend.
• 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.
• EARLY RELEASE ON APRIL 8TH: Students in all Gateway Schools will have an early release day on April 8th, so that staff can stay for professional development. Dismissal times are outlined in the article.
• HIGH SCHOOL REPORT CARDS: Principal Kathleen McSweeney has announced that third term grades will close on April 9th, and that report cards will be issued the week of April 14th.
• 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 TO PARTICIPATE IN STATE SPECIAL EDUCATION SURVEY: Parents and guardians of Gateway students who receive special education services will receive a survey from the State Director for Special Education in Massachusetts in April. Click here for details.
• 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 invites town officials and everyone concerned with educational issues to attend a presentation on April 30th forecasting the budget for the next five years. Read the entire column for details.

Have a great week!