CONTACT:  Wendy V. Long, Public Relations

                        (413) 685-1003

Expanded school day committees scheduled to meet

Huntington- Students, parents, staff and community members who have signed up to serve on an Expanded Learning Time committee are reminded that the committees will meet on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center.

The committees are part of a grant-funded planning process that will determine whether or not Gateway students will increase their time in school by 25% in the 2008-2009 school year.

The planning process is being led by a district-wide steering committee, which will include students, parents, and the head of each union (or designee). In addition, there will be three committees—Elementary, Middle, and High School levels—that will explore possible partnerships with community organizations that could be used to build an expanded school day or year. The redesign of the school schedule at each level will include additional time for core academic and enrichment programs, as well as more planning and professional development time for teachers.

A number of staff and community members have signed up to serve on one of the planning committees.  Currently, the District Steering Committee includes Jeanene Iglesias (secretary), Virginia Maxwell (school adjustment counselor), Wendy Long (grantwriter), Todd Gazda (assistant principal), Cheryl Hopson (parent), Hal Martin (parent), Kathleen McSweeney (principal), Tom Nadolny (principal), and Janice Doppler (curriculum coordinator).

The Elementary Committee includes Julia Belliveau (Early Childhood Coordinator), Debi Robbins (secretary), Laurie Jasmin (teacher), Jodi Fairman (paraprofessional), Sue Henson (teacher), Melissa Saunders (parent), Joanne Blocker and Wendy Woods (principals). 

The Middle School Committee consists of Nancy Bigos (school psychologist), Cathy Negri (teacher), Peter Curro (principal), Margaret Dondiego (parent), Shannon Madden (Afterschool Program Coordinator) and Bill Randolph (21st Century Learning Centers grant). 

High School Committee members include Jill Eldridge (parent), Jessica Hopson (student), Laurie Marvel (assistant principal), Chris Bresnahan (parent), Tonya Caputo (parent), Linda St. Onge (paraprofessional), and Tyler Ragazzini (student).

The Gateway Regional School District was awarded a $15,000 planning grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education to investigate increasing the amount of learning time provided to students at all seven district schools.  Gateway was one of 29 districts in Massachusetts to receive a planning grant.

Anyone who wishes to serve on a district-wide or level-based committee working on this grant is invited to contact Stacy Stewart at 685-1011, or by email sstewart@grsd.org.