JANUARY CALENDAR NOTES: Next week is a short week for Gateway students, with Martin Luther King Day falling on the same week as half-days for teacher professional development and mid-term/mid-year exams. Details in the complete article.
WRAP-AROUND SURVEYS HOME TO BLANDFORD, CHESTER, CONWELL & RUSSELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: Wrap-Around Program surveys are going home in red folders this month to families of students in the afore-mentioned schools, to measure whether or not there is enough interest in before and after school child care to start a program at those sites. This program has been very successful at Littleville Elementary School, and is even open during school vacation weeks, late-start days, some holidays and half-days—a tremendous benefit to working parents. Enough families need to participate at each site for the program to be self-sustaining.
COLLEGE WORKSHOP FOR JUNIORS AND THEIR PARENTS: Save the date for a special post-high school planning meeting for high school juniors and their parents. The GRHS Guidance Department is hosting an evening college and career planning workshop for juniors on February 5, 2008 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. Click here for a flyer.
ORDERS DUE FOR LITTLEVILLE SCHOOL SPIRIT SHIRTS: Last call for School Spirit Shirts from Littleville Elementary School. Students and parents have been admiring the shirts worn by the Littleville staff —and they’ve now been offered to everyone as a PTO fundraiser. The shirts are royal blue with an embroidered red schoolhouse and the words “Littleville Elementary” on them. Sizes and styles for kids and adults available. Please see Jodi Fairman at the Littleville Office for an ordering form. Orders must be pre-paid.
FAFSA REMINDER FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS: The Gateway Regional High School Guidance Office reminds parents and high school seniors that any student seeking federal financial aid can now fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov (*only use this government site: don’t be fooled by ANY site that asks you to pay to fill the form out!) In addition, there is an opportunity to get FREE assistance in filling out the application on January 27th, 2008 at an event called College Goal Sunday: see www.FAFSAday.org or call 877-4CGSMAS for more information!
The Guidance Department can also assist with questions about the financial aid process.
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL APPLICATION DEADLINE: Any Gateway 8th grade student or Gateway High School student who is interested in applying to Westfield Vocational-Technical High School or Smith Vocational-Agricultural High School program must apply before the cut-off date of March 1, 2008. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Interested students should contact either the Middle School or High School Guidance Office for an application. Please contact Jeanene Iglesias at 413-685-1107 if you have questions or need any additional information.
LITTLEVILLE MORNING DROP-OFF CHANGES: Adults are reminded that Littleville Elementary School has changed the way it directs cars to drop off children. The circle in the parking light is now designated as a BUS LOOP ONLY. Others who are dropping off children should go straight in and turn left by the sidewalk, and leave the circle free for busses. If there is a bus with red lights flashing, you must stop and wait.
FACEBOOK/MYSPACE AGREES TO PARENTAL CONTROLS AFTER PRESSURE FROM STATES: Facebook and MySpace—the hugely popular online hangouts for teens, ‘tweens and the college set—has also benefited cyber-bullyers and sexual predators. Owners have signed a deal with 49 State Attorney Generals to input a parental monitoring system, increase the speed by which offensive and inappropriate material/links are taken down, block teens whose parents have registered them, and attempt to verify ages and identities of registered users. Check out the New York Times coverage of this landmark deal.
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