March 23, 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: "Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music." - William Stafford
UPCOMING MEETINGS: The next meeting of the Gateway Regional School Committee will be March 23, 2011. The public is welcome to attend the meeting, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the high school library (2nd floor). Agenda items include several new and updated policies for consideration. 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 next meeting of the Friends of Gateway will be Tuesday, April 12th. New members are welcome to join this group, which supports district communications and volunteers.
HOOPS FOR HEART: In the past five years, the annual Faculty-Student Basketball Game has raised over $12,000 for the American Heart Association.
PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN SCREENINGS: A reminder that district parents can call and schedule appointments for Kindergarten and Pre-School Screenings, which will take place in April.
SICK CHILD GUIDELINES: The Gateway nurses have assembled guidelines for parents to refer to, in deciding whether or not children are too sick to attend school.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETINGS: In addition to voting on next year's school budget, voters at this year's Annual Town Meetings will consider a proposal that would fix Gateway's "One Man, One Vote" issue. The link gives a list of the meeting dates by town.
PNAS SURVEY FOR GRADES 8, 10 AND 12: Parents of all students in grades 8, 10 and 12 were notified in a letter that the Prevention Needs Assessment Survey (PNAS) would be given to students in those grades. This survey is anonymous has been given in alternating years to Gateway students in those grades, to determine trends over time and to compare Gateway students to those in other Hampshire County towns. Parents need to let the district know by March 25th if they do NOT want their child to take this survey (instructions in the letter).
CHESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING: The Chester Elementary School Council will meet on March 29th from 4 - 5 p.m. at the school.
ASVAB CAREER EXPLORATION ASSESSMENT FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS: The Gateway Guidance Department is offering the ASVAB exam for juniors and seniors on April 14th. Results of this 3-hour exam gives insight into skills and talents each student has and possible occupations that match those abilities. Parent permission must be submitted by March 31st.
LITTLEVILLE FUNDRAISERS: The Littleville PTO is selling spring sweatshirts and scented pencils (or "Smencils") as a fundraiser.
WEBLINK OF THE WEEK:
YOU WERE ACCEPTED TO COLLEGE; NOW WHAT?! Parents and seniors are invited to attend a free workshop on paying for college, offered through MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority--a non-profit resource for planning, saving and paying for college). The workshop will include an overview of the college billing cycle, understanding the bill, and what various award letters mean. This presentation will be held on April 7th at Amherst and April 13th at Central High School. Visit MEFA to rsvp or find out about additional dates and location. Feel free to contact your student's Guidance Counselor with questions.
REMINDERS:
- MCAS TESTING IN MARCH, MAY AND JUNE: Testing has already begun
for the annual Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) in
all Gateway schools, affecting students from grade 3 and older.
- ALGEBRA READINESS TESTING SCHEDULED: The
JRHS Guidance & Math Departments have scheduled the annual algebra
prognosis testing for 7th grade students for Tuesday, March 29th.
- COLLEGE PLANNING NIGHT FOR JUNIORS: The
Gateway Guidance Department is hosting an evening workshop for high
school juniors and their parents/guardians on how to plan for college.
This event will be held on Thursday, March 31st from 6 - 7 p.m. in the
Gateway Performing Arts Center.
- NATIONAL SURVEY LINK EMAILED TO GATEWAY PARENTS, STAKEHOLDERS: Last
week, about 1,300 Gateway parents and community members received an
email with instructions and a link to the National School Public
Relations communications survey. Gateway is one of 100 schools in the
country selected to participate in this survey. We hope that you will
take ten minutes and complete this survey. It will provide us with
important information to guide the future of our communications program.
The survey will close on April 1st. All responses will be anonymous.
- SAVE THE DATE FOR CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL: The Gateway Regional
School District is hosting a Children's Festival to celebrate children,
families, teachers and all who work with and care about children, on
Saturday, April 9th. More details to come, but for now--click here for the flyer.
- JR. HIGH STUDENTS LAUNCHING BENEFIT COLLECTION:
Students from Gateway Jr. High School are gathering used books, gently
used clothing, childrens items and are raising money to support "Cradles
to Crayons"--a statewide organization that several students volunteered
for as part of Project 351, held earlier this year. Read the complete
article, then click here for a flyer with more details.
- ASBESTOS STATEMENT NOW POSTED TO GRSD WEBSITE: Brian Wing, Gateway Facilities Director, has announced that the district has developed Asbestos Management Plans for all Gateway schools.
- SPRING PLANT SALE: Spring plants are now on sale, as a fundraiser
for the Sophomore Class. Orders are being taken March 15 - March 28.
Anticipated delivery is Thursday, April 14th, with pickup at the school
from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Click here for an updated order form.
- MARCH SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The Gateway Regional School Committee will meet three times this month.
- 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 congratulates Gateway's three winners of the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards. 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