Tuesday, January 2, 2007

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:  “As we approach the new millennium, we see how much remains to be done to give our young and future generations a better world to live in: a more peaceful society with a healthier, cleaner environment and a pattern of sustainable development which seeks to eradicate poverty. Education is the single most powerful means to improve the quality of life... the single most powerful weapon against poverty and intolerance. Education builds a culture of peace ... it empowers human beings, both young and adult, to be effective in their chosen sphere of activity ... education in its essence, opens doors to both personal and social development. “ – Frederico Mayor (1999)

COMING EVENTS:  A schedule of activities for the week ending January 13, 2007 is now posted.  (Items for this calendar should be submitted at least two weeks ahead of time!)

UPCOMING MEETINGS:  The next meeting of the School Committee will be on January 10th at 7:30 p.m. in the Library Media Center (2nd floor) of the middle/high school campus. Agenda items are likely to include a vote on the Chester Recreation Committee’s request to use the elementary gym, discussions on the 2007-2008 budget development process, and an update on the Expanded Learning Time 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.  

EXPANDED LEARNING TIME COMMITTEES TO MEET ON JANUARY 9TH:  Students, parents, staff and community members who have signed up to serve on an Expanded Learning Time committee are reminded of our upcoming meeting on Tuesday, January 9th at 7 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center.  This planning process is to decide whether or not to increase the school day/year by 25% for the 2008-2009 school year.  For more information, read the complete article and visit our Expanded Learning Time web pages.

IMPORTANT: VOCATIONAL SCHOOL DEADLINE: Any 8th grade or high school student interested in applying to vocational school for next fall needs to do so before March 1, 2007.  Please read the entire article for additional information.

DENTAL OUTREACH PROGRAM COMING TO GATEWAY:  You want to have your child seen by a dentist, but you work 30 miles away from home and it would involve taking time off from work.  There must be a better way.  What if your child could be seen at school?  Wouldn’t that be easier? Read more in the complete article.

RESOURCES ON NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: January was named by the Romans for the god Janus—in charge of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances.  Janus is usually depicted with two faces: one looking ahead to new things, the other looking backward and reflecting.  A survey of 300,000 people revealed that many of us seek the same goals in making New Year’s Resolutions:  lose weight and get fit, stick to a budget and reduce debt, spend more time with family and friends, quit smoking, get organized, and help others are among the top ten.  Here are some websites that offer interesting information on the kinds of calendars that were developed and used throughout history, as well as a personal contract to help you keep this year’s resolutions!    

REMINDERS:

IN CLOSING, the Superintendent’s Corner for this week is attached. This week, Dr. Hopson maps out the budget development strategies that School Committee will be using, and seeks continued public input as we move along in the process. Read the entire column for details.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wendy V. Long, Editor