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:  “To give without any reward, or any notice, has a special quality of its own.” – Anne Morrow Lindbergh

 

COMING EVENTS: A schedule of activities for the week ending March 27, 2010 is now posted.  (Items for this calendar should be submitted at least two weeks ahead of time!)

UPCOMING MEETINGS:  If you missed last week’s meeting of the Gateway Regional School District, you missed field trip approvals, a discussion and vote on adopting Version 1.1 of the budget, and approval of the Superintendent’s trip to attend the National School Business Managers Annual Meeting in Florida, and reconsideration of eliminated bus routes. The Gateway Regional School Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. at R. H. Conwell Elementary School. The Friends of Gateway meets on the first Tuesday of the month, at 9:30 a.m. in the Superintendent’s Office. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, April 6. We welcome new members to 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.

 

JOANNE BLOCKER TO BECOME DIRECTOR OF ACADEMICS: Dr. David B. Hopson has announced the appointment of Elementary Principal Joanne Blocker to the position of Director of Academics for the 2010-11 school year.

Joanne Blocker will have district-wide responsibilities starting July 1st.

 

VOLUNTEERS TREATED TO DINNER: About 140 Gateway volunteers and family members attended the 6th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on March 11. This year’s theme was “Together We Shine.”

“HOOPS FOR HEART” FUNDRAISER ON MARCH 25: Organizers hope to top the $2800 that was raised for the American Heart Association last year.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ADOPTS BUDGET: The Gateway Regional School Committee voted 12-2 to adopt Version 1.1 of the budget for the 2010-11 school year, and defeated a motion to calculate town assessments based on the regional agreement formula.

MCAS TESTING BEGINS THIS WEEK: Parents are reminded that students who have a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast can do their best on the MCAS tests.

 

NEW SCHOOL, NEW MISSION (STATEMENT): Students from Gateway Jr. High School joined their principal to present the school’s newly formed mission statement to the Gateway Regional School Committee at its March 3rd meeting.

KINDERGARTEN AND PRESCHOOL SCREENINGS: Details in the complete article; contact Julia Guazzo at 685-1360 (ext. 1121) or email her at jbelliveau@grsd.org for an appointment.

TALENT SHOW ON MARCH 26: High school students are preparing acts that feature instrumental and vocal music, dance and comedy routines as part of a fun evening designed to raise money for the yearbook.

STUDENTS CONTINUE COLLECTION FOR DAKIN: Last week, students from Gateway Middle School and Jr. High School launched a community service project to benefit the animals cared for by the Dakin Animal Shelter..

APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE!: This section of Breaking News will feature an outstanding accomplishment by a Gateway student. This week, we recognize Gateway senior Kirsten Huff, who won her fourth straight individual title at the Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference (PVIAC) ski race last month. She is the first girl to win four consecutive titles. Huff took second in the state championship race in March.

BUNNIES AND FROGS AT RHC: Students at RH Conwell Elementary School jumped rope, jumped like frogs and bunnies, and saw how far they could jump in a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. School nurse Cynthia Roberts led the children in jumping during health class the week of March 1st.   It was great fun and $366 was raised for the American Heart Association. 

BLANDFORD SPAGHETTI SUPPER REMINDER: If you like spaghetti and want to support a local elementary school, please join us for a benefit dinner! The Blandford Elementary PTO will hold a spaghetti supper at the school on Saturday, March 20 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. Tickets ($6 for adults and $4 for children 5 to 12 years old) may be purchased at the door. Children under age 5 are free. Profits from the dinner will be used for field day and enrichment programs for Blandford students. This is a fun, community event so bring your neighbors and friends to enjoy good food and to socialize. As in the past, the dinner will be prepared by caterer Staci Iglesias.

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

TEST TAKING TIPS: It's that time of year again! Whether you are gearing up for the SAT’s, an AP Exam or the upcoming MCAS, the Teacher Vision website has some great tips and strategies for doing your best.

REMINDERS:

• GATOR GRINS RETURNING TO LITTLEVILLE THIS MONTH: The Gator Grins school-based dental services program will return to Littleville Elementary School this month. They will continue to treat students enrolled in the program, and complete their bi-annual cleanings and exams. If your child is not currently served by Gator Grins and you want to enroll, please get a packet in the school office. Contact Kiirsten Cooper at 667-3009 ext. 239 or email her at kcooper@hchcweb.org if you have questions.
• EARLY COLLEGE PLANNING NIGHT: The Gateway High School Guidance Department is hosting a workshop for 9th and 10th graders and their parents/guardians. This night will be held on Thursday, March 25 from 6 – 7 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. Topics may include: college options, college entrance testing, the college search, financial aid, college visits, and getting organized for all of it! The time to start making decisions about life after GRHS will be here before you know it!
• SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN MARCH: The Gateway Regional School Committee will have three meetings in March, and will hold two of those meetings away from the Gateway complex.
• ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WILL CLOSE INTRA-DISTRICT SCHOOL CHOICE FOR 2010-11: Students will be assigned to Littleville and Chester Elementary Schools next fall on the basis of their town of residence, so that staff and materials can be distributed in a planful way for the fall.
• GATEWAY SCHOOLS UNAVAILABLE FOR OUTSIDE GROUPS THIS SUMMER: Gateway schools (Littleville, Chester and the 5 - 12 complex) and facilities will not be available to outside groups this summer.
• NEW SCHOOL START TIMES ANNOUNCED FOR 2010-11 SCHOOL YEAR: The Gateway Regional School District voted to approve a change in school starting and ending times for the 2010-11 school year, at its January 27 meeting. The changes were made in accordance with recommendations from an independent transportation audit, conducted by the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials (MASBO).
• ELEMENTARY TRANSITION UPDATES: Transition planning is now underway regarding the consolidation of Gateway elementary schools. Details will be announced as they occur, and we are building a new website for parents, staff and community members. Information will also be announced in Breaking News each week, so please encourage every elementary parent you know to subscribe! Please email subscription requests to gatewaynews@grsd.org.
• 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.

IN CLOSING, the Superintendent’s Corner for this week is attached. This week, Dr. Hopson answers a frequently asked question: why doesn’t Gateway’s budget go down as the number of students we serve declines? Read the entire column for details!

 

                                                                                           Wendy V. Long, Editor