Dear Friends of Gateway:

Here is this week’s installment of Gateway’s weekly e-newsletter.  As always, your feedback and suggestions are welcome. 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “While we are postponing, life speeds by.” – Seneca (3 BC – 65 AD)

COMING EVENTS:  A schedule of activities for the week ending November 2, 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 Gateway Regional School Committee will be October 24 at 7:30 p.m. Chester Elementary School. The first half-hour of all School Committee meetings this year will be dedicated to planning for the future. Click here for specifics on this week's meeting. The Friends of Gateway will meet on November 6th at 7 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office. The public is invited and encouraged to attend all meetings.

“BE AWARE: CROSS WITH CARE”: That’s the theme of National School Bus Safety Week, which takes place October 22 – 26, 2007.  Most transportation safety experts agree: one of the biggest dangers for children riding school busses is the failure of motorists to stop when the bus does—it happens far more than you’d think! The National School Transportation Association and others have compiled a guide that includes what students riding a school bus should do, what crossing students should do and what kids and parents need to know about school bus safety. Click here for more information. 

Littleville Principal Joanne Blocker gives

appreciation cards and pins to bus drivers

Carl Bray (L) and Michelle Oliveira,

as part of National School Bus Safety Week.

RAISING FUNDS FOR SOLDIER’S SON: The Student Council at Gateway Regional High School is taking up a collection for Jeremy Bouffard’s son, Caleb. Jeremy, his widow, and his sisters all attended Gateway. Jeremy was killed in Iraq on August 22. Members of the Student Council will be collecting donations during lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next two weeks. The jar will also be in the School Store through the month of October; the school store is open Monday through Thursday from 2:10 until 2:30 p.m. If donating by check, checks should be made out to the Jeremy Bouffard Memorial Fund for the Benefit of Caleb Bouffard c/o Citizens Bank.

MIDDLE SCHOOL WORKS TO CREATE CARING COMMUNITY: Any Gateway Middle School student observed doing something nice for someone else just might be nominated for a “Gateway Gotcha” award—nominees will enter a lottery for character wristbands at the end of each month. It all kicks off at a special assembly on October 26th. Read the complete article for details.

FALL CONCERT AND PASTA SUPPER FUNDRAISER AT HIGH SCHOOL: Students, parents, faculty and community members are all invited to attend a fall concert at Gateway Regional High School on Thursday, November 1st at 7 p.m. Want to make it a complete evening out? Attend the pasta dinner before the concert to benefit the high school concert band and jazz band. Read the complete article for details on time, location and admission prices.

ATTORNEY TO SPEAK WITH PARENTS OF YOUNG ADULTS WHO HAVE DISABILITIES: Attorney Hyman G. Darling will address parents of young adult students with disabilities about legal issues that should be considered as students age out of public school. Topics will include guardianship, durable power of attorney, health care proxy, SSI benefits and financial planning for adulthood. Click here for details.

LITTLEVILLE PTO HOLDING GIFT CENTS FUNDRAISER: If you order by November 19th, you can purchase all of your holiday gift certificates at face value, and the Littleville PTO will earn a percentage of the sales. Patrons simply order the gift card in its available denomination—for example, Barnes & Noble Gift Cards can be purchased at $10, $25 and $100 levels. If you select a $25 card, your payment is just that--$25. But the school will earn 7% of that sale through this program. To order, see a Littleville student or parent, or click these links for list of available cards and an order form. Return to Littleville School PTO with payment by November 19th.

MEDIA COVERAGE PROMPTS MRSA CONCERNS: Breaking News subscribers received a special email from Gateway last Thursday in response to numerous calls to our school nurses with concerns about MRSA. It is important that people understand that we do NOT have any reported instances of MRSA infections in our schools. The Centers for Disease Control issued a formal report last week, which was accompanied by several highly profiled deaths of school-aged children from the infection. Public health officials in the state and country emphasize that the best prevention is hand washing and proper care of any wounds or sores. Click here for another fact sheet.

MCAS REPORTS HAVE BEEN MAILED HOME: Gateway Principals report that test reports from students in grades 3 – 10 who took the MCAS exam last spring, have been mailed home.

HIGH SCHOOL LEADERS HOST OPEN FORUM: Principal Kathleen McSweeney and Assistant Principal Laurie Marvel will host an open forum for parents and community members who wish to discuss high school issues. The October Forum will be on Monday, October 29th from 4 – 5 p.m. in the Principal’s Conference Room (high school office). All are welcome to attend.

FREE TRAIN TRAVEL FOR COLLEGE VISITS: Parents who are accompanying their junior or senior on a college visit can receive a free ticket if they are traveling by train. Amtrak has a Free Companion Offer for campus visits. See the Gateway High School Guidance Office for details.

DESPITE STUDENT COMPLAINTS, ACLU WILL NOT TAKE ON SCHOOL BUS SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS: The Boston Globe article, Smile Kids, You’re On School Bus Camera published October 7th reports on the increasing number of school districts who are installing cameras on school busses. (Yes, Gateway busses do employ cameras on an as needed basis). And while some students believe this is an invasion of privacy, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will not be taking on this issue, ruling that school busses are public places and students should assume no right to privacy on the bus.