Tuesday, December 12, 2006
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: “Practice is the best of all instructors.” -Publilius Syrus
COMING EVENTS: A schedule of activities for the week ending December 22, 2006 is now posted. (Items for this calendar should be submitted at least two weeks ahead of time!)
UPCOMING MEETINGS: The next meeting of the Gateway Regional School Committee will be on December 13th at 7:30 p.m. at Blandford Elementary School. Agenda items include a presentation on the Middle School Afterschool Program, a report on increasing behavioral issues, information from the first Capital Improvement Advisory Committee meeting, a discussion on instructional time and holidays, and updates on pandemic planning. The Friends of Gateway will begin meeting the first Tuesday of every month, starting in January. Their next meeting will be January 2nd at 7 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office. New members are needed and should feel welcome to attend. As always, the public is invited and encouraged to attend all meetings.
BIOTECHNOLOGY TEACHER PUTS GATEWAY ON THE (EUROPEAN) MAP: High School Biotechnology teacher Cyndi Jensen spent a week in Europe last October, attending an orientation on an educational project of the Boston Museum of Science and Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research. Her students will be using research and laboratory practices while working with high school students in Germany to design a home pregnancy test. Read on for details on how students from both sides of “the pond” are using technology to share research findings.
FIRST TERM REPORT CARD AWARDS: Effort awards and honor roll lists have been posted for students in grades 5 – 12. Click on these links to see the Middle School Effort Awards and the High School Honor Roll.
GATEWAY WELLNESS CENTER TO ADD YOGA, AEROBICS CLASSES; COLLEGE WINTER BREAK MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE: Making a fitness New Year’s resolution? Here’s one strategy: sign up now for new fitness classes at the Gateway Wellness Center. The Center is also offering discounted memberships for college students home on winter break. Details in the complete article.
HIGH SCHOOL MOVES FORWARD IN ACCREDITATION PROCESS: Last year, staff at Gateway Regional High School worked with stakeholders to complete a self-study process in preparation for their accreditation visit this year by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Recently, Principal Kathleen McSweeney and two teachers attended a seminar with NEASC as another step forward in the process. Details in the complete article.
DECEMBER HIGH SCHOOL FORUM ON 18TH: High School Principal Kathleen McSweeney will continue her monthly open forums with parents and community members to discuss high school issues, answer questions, and obtain public input. This month’s Forum will be on December 18th from 5 – 6 p.m. in the Principal’s office. The public is encouraged to attend and speak with Principal McSweeney and Vice Principal Laurie Marvel.
GATEWAY FAMILY CENTER NEWS: The Gateway Family Center will start a Friday lunchtime parenting and family education series in mid-January. “We have some really exciting programs this year; however, we are still looking for childcare,” notes Kim Savery. Child care will be needed every Friday from 10 – 12 beginning January 12, 2007. Payment will be $10/hour and candidates must pass a CORI check. If you are interested, please call Kim at the Center (667-2203 ext. 3) for more information.
KEY TO YOUTH FITNESS? KEEP IT FUN! Not surprisingly, researchers at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) have found the key to getting teens moving. In a small-scale study, researchers found that “personal fulfillment”—or having a good time—was the strongest single factor in getting teens to exercise. "Understanding
what gets [adolescents] moving is important to consider in creating public health interventions to increase physical activity," says author Katie Haverly. "We think this [study] shows that personal fulfillment is a concept that should be further explored in more in-depth research with larger, more diverse groups of students."
REMINDERS:
- HOLIDAY CONCERT SERIES AT MS/HS THIS WEEK: Student musicians from the Middle and High School are putting finishing touches on their performances in preparation for next week’s holiday concerts. The grade 5 and grade 6 bands will perform with the Middle School Jazz Band on Monday, 12/11. The Grade 7/8 band will join the Jazz Band on Tuesday, 12/12. Finally, the High School music groups—Chorus, Show Choir, Jazz Band and Concert Band—will perform on Thursday, 12/14. All concerts begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center and are open to the public, free of charge.
- STUDENTS COLLECTING FUNDS, MITTENS: High school student groups are as busy as elves this month, preparing to make some holidays a little brighter. National Honor Society members are collecting money until December 8, 2006, which they will use to purchase toys for underprivileged children who live in the hilltowns. Student Council members are collecting mittens, gloves, scarves, hats and warm clothing through December 14, 2006, which will also be distributed to those in need.
- MONTHLY BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC ON THE 13TH: The Gateway School-Based Health Center will be holding their free monthly blood pressure clinic on Wednesday, December 13th from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome and may come in through the main entrance of the school; the SBHC is located off of the main foyer.
- HOLIDAY WISH LISTS: If you are Student Council Advisor Diane Uliana, then you are hoping for a donated used cash register that can be used in the student store at Gateway. And teachers at Littleville Elementary School have made their wish lists as well, which can be accessed by clicking here.
- LITTLEVILLE CAN COLLECTION TO SUPPORT INJURED ATHLETES: A reminder that Littleville Elementary School will be collecting rinsed returnable beverage containers as a fundraiser to support two young athletes who were paralyzed while training. Cans may be brought to the building before 8:30 a.m. or after 3:15 p.m.; no alcoholic beverage containers please.
- WINTER WEATHER CLOSINGS AT GATEWAY: Although the month has been unseasonably warm, winter is nonetheless approaching and parents and students may wish to review our protocols for announcing school delays and cancellations. Whether you use the telephone, Internet, or other media—you’ll want to take note. Also, be advised that these same systems will be used in a school emergency. Click here for details.
- 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, December 13th at Blandford Elementary School. Read the complete article for details.
- DISTRICT SAFETY HOTLINE: 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 describes the upcoming budget process and the first decision that must be made by the School Committee: will we develop a level funded, level service, or progressive budget for the 2007-2008 school year? Read the entire column for details.
Have a great week!
Wendy V. Long, Editor
|
