March 1, 2011
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 GRSD News Archive (under “News” on the district website). As always, your feedback and any suggestions for improvements are welcome.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "Heart is what separates the good from the great." - Michael Jordan
UPCOMING MEETINGS: The Gateway Regional School Committee will hold the March 2nd Public Hearing on the Budget and "One Person, One Vote", beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. The committee anticipates voting on the 2011-12 budget at its March 9th meeting, which is 45 days ahead of the first town meeting. Please note that any questions or concerns should first be brought to the appropriate district staff member (i.e. a specific teacher, principal or Central Office staff member). The first agenda item of every school committee meeting is hearing issues that are not on the posted agenda. The Friends of Gateway meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 9:30 a.m. in the Superintendent's Office. The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 1st New members are welcome to join this group, which supports district communications and volunteers.
GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM AT HOME TONIGHT: The Gateway High School Girls Basketball Team (8) takes on Granby High School (9) tonight in the first round of the Division 3 Western Mass Girls Basketball Tournament. Gateway (17-2, 15-1 in league play) are the Tricounty League regular season champs this year. Granby went 10 - 10 this season (2-7 in their league). MIAA admission will be $5 for students, $7 for adults.
LITTLEVILLE RAISES OVER $2,000 FOR HEART ASSOCIATION: "Most people do not realize that risks for later heart disease are often set in childhood, with early changes visible even in children as young as 3 to 5 years old," wrote Jodi Fairman, the event's coordinator, in a letter home to parents.
MARCH CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS: The March calendar includes an early release day on March 8th and Parent-Teacher Conferences on March 14th. For high school parents, teachers will be available from 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. to meet with parents or guardians. Please schedule an appointment (for high school only) with Jeanene Iglesias at 685-1110.
MARCH SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The Gateway Regional School Committee will meet three times this month.
WINTER RECESS CHANGES: The district has recently lowered the temperature requirements for winter outdoor recess. On overcast days, the temperature must be above 0 degrees Fahrenheit (after taking wind chill into account). On sunny days, the temperature must be above -10 degrees Fahrenheit (after wind chill). Please be sure to send children in with clothing appropriate for daily weather conditions.
PARENT SUPPORT GROUP TO MEET: The Gateway Sped-PAC Parent Support Group will meet on March 1st in the high school Career Center (2nd floor) from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Parent support group meetings are an informal chance to meet other parents/guardians of children who have special needs. Come and share stories, resources and tricks that work to help lives run a little smoother!
HERSHEY TRIP REMINDER: A reminder to all student musicians going on the trip to Hershey, PA: March 4th is the deadline to turn in payment and roommate selection forms.
CABIN FEVER CONCERT: Student musicians in grades 5 - 7 are hosting the Annual Cabin Fever Concert on Friday, March 4th at 7 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. This event will include a bake sale and raffle ticket fundraisers.
LITTLEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNCIL: The Littleville School Council will meet on Wednesday, March 9th at 4 p.m.
CHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NOTES: The Playground Committee will meet at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2nd. The Chester Parent Center committee will meet immediately following the playground committee. There will be a school assembly at 9:15 a.m. on March 4th. And don't miss the Children's Artisan Sale to benefit the T.J. O'Connor Animal Shelter on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Finally, the Chester PTO will meet on Monday, March 7th at 6 p.m.
MIDDLE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL: The Gateway Middle School Improvement Council will meet on Monday, March 8th at 4 p.m.
BAND BOOSTERS MEETING: The Gateway Band Boosters will meet on Tuesday, March 11th. Start time is 6:30 p.m. for parents of band members in grades 5 - 7, and 7:00 p.m. for parents of band members in grades 8 - 12. The meetings will be held in the band room.
COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP AT GATEWAY FAMILY CENTER:
Caro Lambert, Pediatric Speech and Language Pathologist, will hold a workshop at the Gateway Family Center (9 Russell Rd., Huntington) on March 7th from 10 a.m. to noon. She will address the topics of speech, language use and comprehension, pragmatic communication, oral motor and sensory motor mechanics and feeding. This event is free and open to the public. Parents are encouraged to RSVP by calling Kim Savery (667-2203 ext. 3) and childcare is available.
WEBLINK OF THE WEEK:
KAT TOOMEY IS STUDENT OF CHARACTER: Jerilyn Beauregard, high school vocal music director, nominated Gateway Senior Kathleen ("Kat") Toomey as a "Student of Character". Each week, Channel 40 news and the Republican Newspaper select and feature a different nominee. Kat Toomey was featured on February 22nd. At stake for the overall Western Mass Winner: a scholarship to American International College.
REMINDERS:
- STUDENT PANEL, ACTIVITIES FAIR AND TOURS MARK GRHS ORIENTATION: Area
eighth graders and their parents/guardians are invited to an
informative presentation on the transition from Jr. to Sr. High School.
- JON BERMAN TO ENTERTAIN AT GATEWAY VOLUNTEER DINNER: Entertainment
at Gateway's 7th Annual Volunteer Dinner will be provided by area
saxaphonist Jon Berman, who has shared a bill with The Dirty Dozen Brass
Band, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and numerous others. This event is
free of charge to all Gateway volunteers (this probably means YOU) and
their guests. Details in the complete article.
- PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN SCREENING: Parents
of 3, 4 and 5 year-olds take note of this article, as the screenings
will be part of the lottery for preschool slots and serve as the
registration process for this fall's Kindergarten class.
- FINAL REMINDER ON VOCATIONAL SCHOOL DEADLINE: The
Gateway Guidance Office will be open from 7 AM to 3:30 PM Tuesday
through Friday of vacation week, if parents have questions or need
additional information next week. Please contact Jeanene Iglesias,
Guidance Secretary, at 685-1107.
- ELEMENTARY REMINDERS: Please call
the school office before 9 a.m. to report that your child will be
absent. If a change in transportation occurs during the day, please let
the office know before 2 p.m. When sending in notes, please make sure
your child's name, teacher's name and the date are on the note.
- FAMILIES, COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BE PART OF NATIONAL SURVEY: Gateway
will be one of 100 schools in the country to take part in the
"Communication Accountability Project", led by the National School
Public Relations Association. People will receive an email invitation in
a few weeks, to take the online survey.
- STUDENTS HELP HOMELESS ANIMALS: Chester
Elementary Students are sponsoring an Artisan Sale and profits will
benefit the T. J. O'Connor Animal Shelter in Springfield.
- NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIR ON MARCH 7TH: Gateway
11th graders have the opportunity to take a field trip to the "National
College Fair" on the Big E fairgrounds on Monday, March 7th. So far,
there are 200 colleges from 20 states attending! This is a great chance
for students to learn more about colleges and to speak with college
representatives. Permission slips are due back to the high school
guidance office by Friday, February 18. (See the Weblink of the Week,
below, for more information).
- SAVE THE DATE FOR ANNUAL SPORTS BANQUET: Student athletes,
coaches and parents should put Wednesday, June 1st on their calendar for
the Annual Sports Banquet, which recognizes all high school sports
teams from the 2010-2011 school year. The event will take place from 6 -
10 p.m. at Tekoa Country Club. Ticket prices will be $25 for adults,
$10 for athletes, coaches and children under 12. More details to come!
- GATEWAY SCHOOL SAFETY HOTLINE: A
reminder on one way to report harassment, bullying, drug or alcohol
concerns, vandalism, and school safety issues, as a way to keep Gateway
schools safe for all students.
- HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULE ONLINE: The
boys basketball team had their season opener last night. Don't miss
another boys or girls basketball game, wrestling meet or alpine skiing
race! For a look at all of the home and away sports contests this
winter, click here (may be found at www.highschoolsports.net).
- ONLINE ACCESS TO STUDENT GRADES FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Parents/guardians of students in grades 5 - 12 can now monitor their student's assignments, homework, grades and attendance online.
- The Application for Free and Reduced Lunch
- STUDENT FEES FOR 2010-11: Information on student fees for parking and athletics, and building use fee information are posted in this article.
IN CLOSING, this week's Superintendent's Corner is now posted. This week, Dr. Hopson reminds all Gateway volunteers of the March 10th Annual Volunteer Dinner. Read the entire column for details!
Have a wonderful week!
Wendy V. Long, Editor
To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, please send an email request to gatewaynews@grsd.org
“Breaking News From Gateway”
Is published weekly by the Gateway Regional School District
12 Littleville Rd.
Huntington, MA 01050
For questions or feedback, please contact Wendy Long @ (413) 685-1003 or email wlong@grsd.org
© 2011, Gateway Regional School District