Tuesday, October 31, 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: “The great aim of education is not knowledge, but action.” - Herbert Spencer
COMING EVENTS: A schedule of activities for the week ending November 11, 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! If you missed last week’s School Committee meeting, you missed discussion on the Superintendent’s Goals for the current school year, an update on influenza pandemic planning and discussion on approving a Spanish trip to New York City. 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). The public is invited and encouraged to attend all meetings.
WINTER WEATHER CLOSINGS AT GATEWAY: Although today is forecast to be balmy, winter is nonetheless approaching and parents and students may wish to review our protocols for announcing school delays and cancellations. Whether you use the telephone, Internet, or other media—you’ll want to take note. Also, be advised that these same systems will be used in a school emergency. Click here for details.
‘PAYING FOR COLLEGE’ SEMINAR: College isn’t free, but this seminar is! Mr. Troy Davis, a representative from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) will present a college financing seminar on Monday, November 20th from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. Complete details in the article.
INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT ON THURSDAY: The Gateway High School music department is offering a special concert on Thursday, November 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. The concert will feature the Concert Band and Jazz Band. This will be one of the final performances led by Gateway HS Band Director Kevin McAvoy, who is leaving at the end of December. The public is invited and admission is free. There will be fundraising sales during intermission.
NOVEMBER SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS: Students will have 4 ½ days off in November for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving holidays. The complete schedule and Wellness Center hours for the holidays are in the full article.
PARENT COMPLAINTS LEAD TO BANNED ENERGY DRINK: Responding to complaints from parents, the 7-Eleven chain of convenience stores announced last week that it has asked its managers to refrain from selling the controversial ‘Cocaine’ energy drink. But the ban might be just what the manufacturers want: to increase the product’s notoriety and appeal to a teenage audience, MSNBC reported on October 25, 2006.
REMINDERS:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, December 13th at Blandford Elementary School. Read the complete article for details.
- 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.
IN CLOSING, the Superintendent’s Corner for this week is attached. This week, Dr. Hopson reports on progress underway with planning a district-based response to an influenza pandemic or other disaster. Read the entire column for details.
Have a great week!
Wendy V. Long, Editor
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