Tuesday, October 24, 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: “A sense of the value of time--that is, of the best way to divide one's time into one's various activities--is an essential preliminary of efficient work.” Arnold Bennett
COMING EVENTS: A schedule of activities for the week ending November 3, 2006 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 on October 25th at 7:30 p.m. at R. H. Conwell Elementary School in Worthington. Agenda items include: approval of the Superintendent Goals for 06/07, an update on influenza pandemic planning and MOU’s, and consideration of approval for the Spanish trip to New York. 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 public is invited and encouraged to attend all meetings.
NEWS FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION: The Massachusetts Board of Education voted today to raise the minimum passing score on the MCAS exam to 240, as a condition for graduation. This goes into effect for the Class of 2010 (current Freshmen). By way of comparison, 88% of 10th graders passed the ELA and mathematics exams in 2006. With the higher score, only 67% of 10th graders would have passed--at least on their first try.
DISTRICT TO UNDERGO PLANNING TO EXPAND SCHOOL TIME: The Gateway Regional School District was one of 29 districts in Massachusetts to receive a planning grant to explore increasing the amount of learning time provided to students at all seven district schools. The district will convene a committee that includes staff, students, parents, community members, and administrators to lead the planning process, which will feature opportunities for all involved stakeholders to provide input. Much more in the complete article.
PUBLIC INVITED TO PANDEMIC FLU PRESENTATION: Stephanie Bozzigian-Merrick, Infectious Control Nurse for the Department of Public Health, will be one of the presenters on Pandemic Flu on Wednesday, November 1st from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center at the Middle/High School. This event is open to the public at no cost. We deal with flu every winter, but a pandemic flu involves a new strain of influenza that strikes worldwide. Because it is new, people have little or no immunity to it and it causes widespread illness. Statistically, we are overdue for a pandemic. Read more in the complete article.
OCTOBER HIGH SCHOOL FORUM ON THE 30TH: Gateway High School Principal Kathleen McSweeney will continue her monthly forums to discuss high school issues, answer questions, and to obtain input from the public. The next forum will be held on Monday, October 30th from 5 – 6 p.m. Assistant Principal Laurie Marvel will join her that night—and one evening a month for the remainder of the school year—for dialogue with any interested parents, students and community members. The public is invited and encouraged to participate in these evenings with high school administrators.
EXPANDED LEARNING TIME: HOW DOES IT WORK? The Massachusetts 2020 Foundation is a driving force and probably the foremost authority in the state on Expanded Learning Time (ELT) programs. Describing themselves as an “action tank” their website contains a wealth of information on sample student schedules and lessons from current ELT schools, teacher schedules and lessons, and ELT research. Follow the links to more information.
REMINDERS:
- GATEWAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE COMING TO A TOWN NEAR YOU: The Gateway Regional School Committee has announced that it will again hold meetings in all seven district towns during this school year, so that town officials and area residents will have greater access to those meetings. The next “town” meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25th at R. H. Conwell Elementary School. Read the complete article for details.
- SAVE THE DATE—FINANCIAL AID NIGHT FOR PARENTS OF COLLEGE BOUND SENIORS: The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) will be at Gateway on Monday, November 20th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. to offer a free seminar on paying for college for parents. More details will be coming soon on this important event!
- DISTRICT SAFETY HOTLINE: A reminder that the Gateway Regional School District has a confidential Safety Hotline in place, for students and community members to share their concerns. Just call 685-1050 and leave a message.
- LITTLEVILLE LITERACY NIGHT: The staff at Littleville Elementary School are hosting a Family Literacy Night on Wednesday, November 1st from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Parents of Littleville students in grades K, 1 and 2 will participate in reading activities and learn about simple ways to help their children read at home. Refreshments and prizes will follow a question and answer period. Childcare will be provided.
- ANNUAL BANDSTER BASH COMING UP: Band Director Beth Guertin is pleased to announce that the 7/8 Grade Band will be holding their “Bandster Bash” on Friday, October 27th at 7:00 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. The 7/8 band—dressed in Halloween costumes—will perform, followed by dinner with band families. Fifth and Sixth grade band members are also invited to attend, observe the concert and participate in games that will take place afterward. (Reservations were turned in last week.)
IN CLOSING, the Superintendent’s Corner for this week is attached. Speaking of time, this week Dr. Hopson explains the process of developing the school calendar each year, and the pros and cons of starting school before September 1st. Read the entire column for details.
Have a great week!
Wendy V. Long, Editor
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