Tuesday, November 7, 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:  “Upon the education of the people of this country, the fate of this country depends.” - Benjamin Disraeli

COMING EVENTS:  A schedule of activities for the week ending November 18, 2006 is now posted.  (Items for this calendar should be submitted at least two weeks ahead of time!)

UPCOMING MEETINGS:  The Friends of Gateway are seeking new members who want to help promote community involvement in education.  They will meet on Tuesday, November 7th at 7 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office.  Stop by and see if this committee is for you! The next meeting of the Gateway Regional School Committee will be on November 8th at 7:30 p.m. in the Gateway MS/HS Library. (Please note the change in location). Agenda items include a budget overview and spending comparisons between Gateway and similar districts, an update on pandemic preparation, emerging behavioral issues in the district and approval for two educational field trips: the high school music department trip to Ohio and the Class of 2010 trip to Hawaii their senior year. The public is invited and encouraged to attend all meetings.  

LITTLEVILLE CELEBRATES AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK: Principal Joanne Blocker has announced a special project in honor of American Education Week, November 12 – 18. Students will be both writers and readers next week, as they celebrate being part of a “Great Public School”.  Read more in the complete article.

ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR AT RUSSELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: This very popular annual event will take place on Saturday, November 18th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fun-filled day will include fine handcrafts, silent auction, raffles and bake sale.  While you are there, enjoy a hot lunch of soup and/or baked potatoes.  Shop locally for the upcoming holiday season! Proceeds will benefit the Russell Elementary students. (snow date: November 19th).

HIGH SCHOOL SPONSORS FOOD DRIVE: The Student Council at Gateway Regional High School is sponsoring a Food Drive just in time for the holidays, to benefit the community Food Pantry located at the Assembly of God Church in Huntington.  Food items will be collected during advisory from November 7th through November 15th.  Everybody will be keeping close count of the items donated, as the class bringing in the most food will earn points toward the high school’s annual Spirit Trophy!

GATEWAY TO HOST ELDERS FOR 15TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT AND LUNCHEON: The Gateway Regional School District is pleased to extend a warm invitation to area senior citizens for the 15th Annual Holiday Luncheon and Concert at the Middle/High School complex on Wednesday, December 6th.  Read the complete article for details.

SBHC HOLDS BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC: The Gateway School-Based Health Center at the Middle/High School campus is pleased to offer its monthly blood pressure clinic on Wednesday, November 16th from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.  This event is open to all and free of charge.  The next clinic will be held on December 13th.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT FRUIT SALE: The Gateway High School Music Department is taking orders for its annual fruit sale until Monday, November 27th.  Oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and tangelos are all available—along with some combination orders.  See any band or chorus member to order.

GATEWAY FAMILY CENTER NEWS:  The Gateway Family Center at 9 Russell Rd., Huntington will present “Mommy and Me” yoga classes, taught by Sally Barber of the Westfield Yoga Center.  The class is geared toward the development of toddlers and young children, and helps develop fine and gross motor skills as well as calming and relaxation techniques.  Classes will be on Tuesdays from 11 to 11:45 beginning on November 14th; suggested donation is $30 per family for the 6-week program.  All are welcome regardless of ability to pay.  Class size is limited, so please contact Kim Savery at 667-2203 ext. 3.  Also, the Family Center is offering a CPR certification course on Saturday, November 18th at 9 a.m. This course is free but a $30 donation is suggested to cover costs of materials for non-members.  Call Kim to register.

ALCOHOL ADVERTISING UNDER FIRE: Last week, we reported on parents successful efforts in having the ‘Cocaine’ energy drink removed from 7-Eleven convenience stores.  This isn’t the first time that consumers have successfully impacted questionable products and advertising. Parents in Oregon got Macy’s to remove a series of beer-related T-shirts from back-to-school advertising aimed at teens. Now the Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment about alcohol advertising practices, as it prepares questions for the beer, wine and liquor industries.  They are soliciting comments from the public until November 24th.  To register a comment, click here. 

REMINDERS:

IN CLOSING, the Superintendent’s Corner for this week is attached. This week, Dr. Hopson reports on the Expanded Learning Time planning grant, and our need for staff, students, parents and community participation in the process. Come to the meeting at 7 p.m. on November 29th and read the entire column for details.

Wendy V. Long, Editor