WINTER SANDAL WEARERS: BEWARE OF FROSTBITE: Our school nurses are reporting that a number of students are seen wearing flip flops and sandals in our hallways. A number of students change into their flip flops upon arrival, but nurses caution that there might not be time to change back if there’s a fire drill or evacuation drill. Cold temperatures are back this week, and parents of any active, outdoorsy kids—regardless of footwear choices—should learn to recognize the signs, symptoms and treatment of frostbite.

• HIGH SCHOOL ORIENTATION FOR 8TH GRADE STUDENTS/PARENTS – “IT’S NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT TO ATTEND” – With the Class of 2012 having to pass four MCAS exams in order to graduate, attending the High School Orientation has never been more important for 8th graders and their parents/guardians. Click here for complete details.
• MID-YEAR EXAM SCHEDULE: High School mid-year exams will be held on January 24th, 25th and 28th. Exams for blocks one and two will be held on Thursday, January 24th. Exams for block three and four will be held on Friday, January 25th. (The 24th and 25th are half-days.) Mid-year exams for block five will be held in the first period of January 28th. The last day of the first semester will be January 29th. Second semester will begin on the 30th, and students will switch their lunch and advisory times for the remainder of the year.
• JANUARY CALENDAR NOTES: This 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.

• GATEWAY CALENDAR CHANGE APPROVED: The Gateway Regional School Committee voted on November 14, 2007 to change the district calendar for the current school year.  The parent-teacher conference day initially scheduled for March 24, 2008 will now be held on March 20, 2008, which will be a day off for students. The change was made to accommodate MCAS testing.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

                                                                                           Wendy V. Long, Editor