Dear Friends of Gateway:

Here is this week’s installment of Gateway’s weekly e-newsletter.  Back issues of Breaking News and past Superintendent’s Corners are posted in the News Archive (under "General Information"). As always, your feedback and any suggestions for improvements are welcome. 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “We know what we are, but know not what we may be,” William Shakespeare

COMING EVENTS:   School will end on Friday, June 26 (a half day for students). Students will return on September 2, 2009. Have a safe and wonderful summer!

UPCOMING MEETINGS: The next meeting of the Gateway Regional School Committee will be on Wednesday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the MS/HS Learning Resource Center. Agenda items include an update on the consolidation/closing of elementary schools; the letter of intent for a Horace Mann Charter School at R. H. Conwell School; a presentation on a request for afternoon preschool; and a discussion on school committee minutes. The public is invited and encouraged to attend all meetings. The public is invited and encouraged to attend all meetings.

SIXTH GRADE “SCIENCE EXPO”: Projects were wide-ranging and far-reaching, stemming from scientific questions such as: Which gum has the longest lasting flavor? And can a lemon conduct electricity?

Left to Right: Jessie Walton, Darcy LaPointe, Walker Lee, Cole Main, Ali Fisk and Charlotte LeBarron show the results of their two-month research projects in science

REMINDERS:

• ADMINISTRATORS ANNOUNCED FOR 2009-10: Superintendent David B. Hopson has announced the administrative assignments for the 2009-10 school year.

• GATEWAY/PIONEER VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION SUMMER FILM CAMP: Aspiring Steven Spielbergs (or those who just want to learn more about making movies) are invited to attend our free, annual Film Camp. This year, students will have a real, hands-on assignment: to create Public Service Videos for the Southern Hilltowns Domestic Violence Task Force. Click here for dates, details. Space is limited; call or email Angela Burke (413 685-1020 or aburke@grsd.org ) to register.

• EIGHTH GRADE STEPPING UP CEREMONY:  Principal Todd Gazda has announced that the annual eighth grade stepping up ceremony will be held on June 26, starting at 8:30 a.m.

• FALL SPORTS SIGN-UPS NOW UNDERWAY: Students in Grades 7 - 12 who wish to play a fall sport (Boys and Girls Cross Country, Boys and Girls Soccer, Coed Gymnastics) are advised to sign up with Athletic Director Gary St.Peter. He will be available in the Gateway Wellness Center from 2:10 - 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you have questions, please call Mr. St.Peter at 685-1040. Also, the Gateway School-Based Health Center is conducting sports physicals until the end of school. Students should stop in for paperwork, schedule an appointment, and return the paperwork prior to the appointment.

• 1to1 LAPTOPS READY FOR ANNUAL UPDATES: Any student leasing a laptop can bring that laptop into the technology help desk for updates during the final two weeks of school. Please bring your laptop to Mrs. Paiva in room 156 in the high school. It is strongly suggested that you back up your files before bringing the laptop in.

• FINAL DAY OF SCHOOL IS JUNE 26: The Gateway Regional School Committee voted to affirm that the final day of school for students will be Friday, June 26. The last three days of school will be half-days for students. Preschool programs’ last day will be June 23.

• GATEWAY DISTRICT AND SCHOOL SUMMER OFFICE HOURS: Read the complete article for details on office coverage this summer.

• SCHOOL COMMITTEE VOTES ON BUDGET CUTS; MIDDLE SCHOOL REORGANIZATION AHEAD: Responding to the latest state budget numbers, Superintendent David B. Hopson presented a prioritized list of cuts for the 2009-10 school year totaling $679,615, to be implemented once the state finalizes its budget and exact revenue losses are known. Click here for the list.

• GATEWAY TO OFFER SUMMER ACADEMIC HELP: Students in grades 5 – 11 can sharpen their academic skills and begin preparing this summer for next year’s MCAS exams. Click here to download an enrollment form. The program will be filled first come, first served.

• CLASS OF ’77 REUNION: The Gateway Regional High School Class of 1977 will have a combined reunion and 50th Birthday Party for its members on Saturday, June 27 at the Rapids Restaurant in Huntington. The event will start at 1 p.m. If you are a Gator from ’77, be sure to stop by. Please rsvp to brendagardner1@verizon.net See you there!

• WEBSITE ON THE FUTURE OF GATEWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: Parents of students in Gateway elementary schools have a new resource for information as the district grapples with tough economic decisions and the possible closure of some schools. Click here for the website.
• SCHOOL COMMITTEE RAISES FEES FOR 2009-10 SCHOOL YEAR: At its March 11 meeting, the Gateway Regional School Committee voted unanimously to raise student fees for the coming school year, expected to bring in an additional $5,500 for the district. Gateway is presenting a less than level-funded budget next year in support of its cash-strapped member towns.

IN CLOSING, the Superintendent’s Corner for this week is now posted. This week, Dr. Hopson reflects on the success of our students and staff this year and asks parents and community members to ensure that students are engaged in reading and other learning activities through the summer. Read the full column for details!

                                                                                           Wendy V. Long, Editor