May 3, 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: "The Commonwealth requires the education of the people as the safeguard to order and liberty." - inscription on the Boston Public Library.

New members are welcome to join this group, which supports district communications and volunteers.

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: Students from Gateway Jr. High School at Westfield State University's Early College Awareness Day (right); below--last week's Autism Awareness Day at the Gateway complex. Articles on both of these events are below.

AUTISM AWARENESS DAY AT GATEWAY: Members of the Gateway Social Club partnered with the high school's art department and led a school-wide Autism Awareness Day on Thursday, April 28th.

GATEWAY SENIOR TO BLOG FROM COMPETITION TRIP: The Gateway HS instrumental and choral groups leave Friday for a performance competition in Hershey, PA. Not only is this the first trip for the musical groups since 2006, it is also the first time a student has blogged on the Gateway website. Read more in the complete article.

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS SHOWCASE AT GHS: The 2nd Annual Visual and Performing Arts Showcase will take place on Thursday, May 12th at Gateway Regional High School. Student artwork (grades K-12) will be displayed in the cafeteria; the spring concert will begin at 7 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center.

FORTY-TWO 7TH GRADERS GO TO COLLEGE: "I think the experience was really good and a great opportunity for anybody thinking about college," remarked 7th grader Lily Wyand.

EARLY RELEASE ON MAY 10TH: Students in the Gateway Regional School District will have a two-hour early release day on Tuesday, May 10th. This is the final early release day of the 2010-11 school year.

SAVE-THE-DATE FOR GATORROO MUSIC FESTIVAL: The 2nd Annual GatorRoo Music Festival will be held on Saturday, June 4th from 1-8 p.m. on Booster Field. New this year: craft show vendors will be on grounds from 1 - 7 p.m. that day (vendors, click here to register for a space).

THIRD TERM HONOR ROLL FOR HIGH SCHOOL: Principal Laurie Marvel has announced the honor roll for the third term of the 2010-11 school year.

ANTI-BULLYING WIKI: Created by the Massachusetts School Library Association, here is a wonderful Wiki of anti-bullying and school climate resources. A "must read" for anyone with concerns or interests in this area.

• COMMUNITY INVITED TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF ERIC CHAMPINEY: The entire Gateway community is invited to the "Champiney Challenge" at Gateway Regional High School on Friday, May 13th, beginning with a community picnic on Booster Field at 6 p.m.. The Class of 2011 is sponsoring this event to honor their classmate Eric Champiney, who died of a pre-existing heart condition in 2005.
• OUTDOOR ADVENTURE AND EXPLORATION SUMMER CAMP: The Gateway Middle School After-School Program is offering a full day, four-week summer program to students who will be attending Gateway in grades 5, 6 and 7 in the 2011-12 school year. Click here for a pre-registration form.
• GATEWAY SPED-PAC TO HOST "BASIC RIGHTS" WORKSHOP: This training will be provided by the Federation for Children with Special Needs, and is open free of charge to any parent in the area who has a child with disabilities. May 3rd from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the high school Career Center. Please register in advance.
• CLASS OF 2014 TO HOLD DISNEY DINNER: A "Disney Dinner" will be held at the Blandford Country Club on Saturday, May 14th, to help the Class of 2014 defray the cost of their senior class trip to Disney World. Servers will be decked out in Disney costumes, entertainment will include high school students performing your favorite Disney tunes, and tables will be decorated a la Disney. Silent auction.
• 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 STUDENT ARTISTS INVITED TO 5TH ANNUAL HILLTOWN SPRING FESTIVAL: Gateway students up to age 13 are invited to participate in the Kids-Made Craft Bazaar at the 5th Annual Hilltown Spring Festival on Saturday, May 14th at the Cummington Fairgrounds. Kids can show, sell and barter their hand-made crafts and arts. Participants must pre-register.
• GATEWAY FEES MAY NOW BE PAID ON-LINE: Gateway parents/guardians and students may now pay for many student expenses--including their school lunch, athletic fee, Wrap Around program fees, or even their high school yearbook--online!
• SOUTHERN HILLTOWNS ADULT EDUCATION CALENDAR FOR APRIL: If you read last week's Breaking News, you know that the Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center (SHAEC) has moved into room 152 of Gateway High School (685-1052). Click here for a calendar of April classes and events. SHAEC will have an Open House on May 11th at 5:30 p.m. to show the community their new site!
• 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.
• 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.
• SAVE THE DATE FOR GRADE 4 ORIENTATION: Fourth grade students from Chester and Littleville Elementary School will have tours and special orientation activities during the school day at Gateway Regional Middle School on Wednesday, June 1st. 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: Softball and baseball seasons are underway. For a look at all of the home and away sports contests this spring , click here (may be found at www.highschoolsports.net).

IN CLOSING, this week's Superintendent's Corner is now posted. This week, Dr. Hopson reports on some upcoming student activities, as we head into the final two months of the 2010-11 school year. Read the entire column for details!