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 on the News Archive (under “general information” on the district website). As always, your feedback and suggestions are welcome.   

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:  "Let us follow our destiny, ebb and flow. Whatever may happen, we master fortune by accepting it." - Virgil

 

COMING EVENTS: A schedule of activities for the week ending January 23, 2010 is now posted.  (Items for this calendar should be submitted at least two weeks ahead of time!)

UPCOMING MEETINGS: The Gateway Regional School Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. The Elementary School Consolidation decision is scheduled to be considered. The Friends of Gateway have changed their standard meeting time to the SECOND Tuesday of each month, at 6:30 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office. The Friends of Gateway will next meet on Tuesday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office. New members are sought and are welcome to join this group, whose goals include improving communications, parent involvement, and volunteerism in support of student achievement. The public is invited and encouraged to attend all meetings.

 

 

SEVENTH GRADE BRINGS NEW MEANING TO "MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY": Guidance Counselor Richard White submitted this photo of 7th graders whose assignment was to make a plant or animal "cell" out of baked goods and candy.

SOME GATEWAY BUSES HAVE NO ROOM FOR GUEST RIDERS: Due to changes in several bus routes this year, a number of school buses are now at full capacity and can no longer transport friends of students in grades 5 – 12.

GATEWAY SCHEDULE FOR WEEK STARTING JANUARY 18: A holiday and two half-days for students are on tap for the week starting January 18th. UPDATE ON 1/13/10: THE LITTLEVILLE WRAP AROUND PROGRAM WILL BE CLOSED ON JANUARY 18 DUE TO LOW ENROLLMENT FOR THAT DATE.

GATEWAY GIRLS’ SOCCER TEAM TO BE RECOGNIZED AT FALCONS GAME: The Gateway Girls Soccer Team—runners up for the Division III State Soccer Championship—will be recognized on Friday, January 15th at the Mass Mutual Center during the Springfield Falcons Game!

SESSION II OF AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM EXTENDED: Afterschool Program Coordinator Shannon Madden has announced that the second session of the program will be extended until February 5. The third session will begin on February 8. More information will be posted in an upcoming edition of Breaking News.

 

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK: Dedicated to helping Gateway parents raise strong, safe, healthy and high-achieving kids!

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP CHILDREN DO WELL IN SCHOOL: The good news, according to the University of Delaware Families Matter website, is that “all children are born learners.” While this link will bring you to some great tips on how to help children with their homework, browse around for some other wonderful articles for parents who have kids of all ages!

REMINDERS:

• JANUARY SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The school committee will meet on the first and third Wednesdays in January and will determine the future of elementary education at their January 13 meeting.
• VOCATIONAL SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS: Parents of students living in the Gateway Regional School District are advised that applications are now available for students interested in applying to vocational school. Those applications must be submitted by March 1, 2010.
• UPCOMING SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETINGS: Principal Kathleen McSweeney has announced the dates for this month’s School Council meetings for the high school and junior high school.
• MID-YEAR BUS CHANGE ANNOUNCED: Due to a decrease in the number of Grade 5 – 12 students served by some bus routes, the Gateway district is reducing the total number of buses being used. Effective January 4, 2010, some students will be reassigned to new buses and bus stop times. Those families were sent a letter late last week. Click here for the addresses effected.
• LITTLEVILLE LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA FUNDRAISER: The Littleville PTO is holding a Little Caesar’s Pizza Fundraiser in time for the Superbowl. Information went home in Red Folders on December 18. Prizes will be awarded to top selling classes, the top two individual sellers, and to every student who participates. All orders and money should be turned into the school by January 18.
• R. H. CONWELL LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA FUNDRAISER: Orders will be delivered in time for Super Bowl Weekend! Orders and money are due Friday, January 16. Delivery will be Wednesday, January 27, with pickup between 4:30 and 5.
• CONWELL COOKBOOK PLANNED: The R. H. Conwell PTO is seeking best recipes for a cookbook fundraiser. Please email your favorite recipes to zeus405@aol.com or drop them off at the R. H. Conwell office before February 1, 2010.
• SAVE THE DATE FOR ANNUAL SPORTS BANQUET: Students and parents who participate in Gateway Jr./Sr. High School athletic programs: the Gateway Athletic Booster Club has announced the date of the Annual Sports Banquet. This year, the banquet will be held at Tekoa Country Club in Westfield on June 2. Ticket information will be coming later in the school year. Please save the date for this special event!
• APPLICATION FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH: The application form is posted to our website. If you need assistance, please contact John Bergeron or Diane Meehan at 667-2203, who would be happy to help.
• DISTRICT CALENDAR FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR: The district calendar for the coming school year is posted on-line, and contains Open House Dates, parent conferences, holidays, vacations, graduation and student early-release days.

• 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.

 

In closing, the Superintendent's Corner for this week is attached. This week, Dr. Hopson discusses the Race To The Top program and the reason that Gateway will not be participating if Massachusetts wins their bid for grant funding. Read the full column for details!

 

                                                                                           Wendy V. Long, Editor