Dear Friends of Gateway:

Here is this week’s installment of Gateway’s weekly e-newsletter.  As always, your feedback and suggestions are welcome.  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 any suggestions for improvements are welcome.   

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:  “Never argue at the dinner table, for the one who is not hungry always gets the best of the argument.” – Richard Whately  

COMING EVENTS: A schedule of activities for the week ending December 5, 2009 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, December 9th at 7:30 p.m. in the Gateway Library (2nd floor). 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, December 8 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.

 

FOUR GATEWAY SENIORS COMMENDED IN NATIONAL MERIT PROGRAM: Principal Kathleen McSweeney has announced that Martin J. Cotti, Jessica L. Hopson, Leland J. Martin and Elizabeth H. Rock have been named Commended Students in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program.

GIRLS SOCCER TEAM STATE RUNNERS-UP: The Gateway High School Girls Soccer Team lost to Millis High School in the Division III State Championship game on Saturday night, in a 0 – 2 contest. The Gateway girls took the Western Massachusetts Championship on Saturday, November 7th and advanced to the state finals after defeating Central champs Sutton High School last week. Congratulations to the Gateway Girls Soccer Team for an amazing season!

EARLY DISMISSAL ON DECEMBER 1: All schools in the Gateway Regional School District will be dismissed two hours early on Tuesday, December 1, for staff professional development.

 UPDATE ON WELLNESS CENTER SCHEDULE FOR THANKSGIVING: The Gateway Wellness Center will be closed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (September 26 – 28) of the Thanksgiving break.

ANNUAL HOLIDAY CRAFTS AND BUFFET BRUNCH AT BLANDFORD: The Blandford Elementary PTO reports that the annual Holiday Craft and Buffet Brunch event will be held on Sunday, December 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome to share in the good food and fun! Make and take crafts will be available for kids. A buffet brunch complete with holiday goodies will be served throughout the event. The buffet is $6 for adults and $4 for children (aged 3 – 12).

SENIOR CITIZENS REMINDED TO RSVP FOR HOLIDAY CONCERT/LUNCHEON: Area senior citizens are reminded to rsvp to their town contact person for the Annual Holiday Luncheon and Concert, to be held on December 2 at 11:30 a.m.

RESULTS OF HIGH SCHOOL FOOD DRIVE: The GRHS Student Council reports that they collected a total of 420 food items from the Huntington food pantry. The senior class won with 159 items donated, followed closely by the junior class (110 items), Sophomore class (82 items) and freshman class (69 items). Advisor Diane Uliana reports that the friendly competition is great for getting students actively involved in both school spirit and a community effort. Spirit points will be awarded to each class based on the number of items, to go toward the school’s Annual Spirit Trophy.

CAREERS IN WELDING: Click here for a flyer on the “Careers in Welding” opportunity that 16 eighth graders attended, as part of National Career Development Month!

R. H. CONWELL FOOD DRIVE: Students at R. H. Conwell are collecting food for the Gateway Hilltown Food Pantry, as part of a larger community effort to collect 1000 food items for the pantry. These donations help local families who are currently struggling to provide adequate food to their children. Please be as generous as possible. The food drive will run from November 23 to December 21. Items may be brought to the school.

CHESTER GRADE 3-4 HOLIDAY WISH LIST: Students in Ms. Cabral’s Grade 3-4 classroom have updated their wish list of needed materials.

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

KEEP AN EYE ON THE MEDICINE CABINET: Survey results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health point to friends and family as the most common source of prescription drugs misused by American youth. Young people reported misusing stimulants (50%), tranquilizers (47%), and sedatives (47%) in the past year, said they had received those medications for free from friends or family.

REMINDERS:

• STUDENTS, TEACHER PREPARE FOR CONCERT WITH CHARLES NEVILLE: Parents, staff and community members enjoyed last weekend's Playwright Performances! On Tuesday, November 24, come see the Gateway 3rd and 4th graders open for Charles Neville and the Skeletones! Both events in the Gateway Performing Arts Center.
• COORDINATED PROGRAM REVIEW TO BE UNDERTAKEN AT GATEWAY: Margery Gerard, Director of Pupil Services for the Gateway Regional School District, has announced that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be conducting its Coordinated Program Review the week of December 7 – 11. Any member of the public may ask to be part of a telephone interview by the visiting team. Read the entire article for details.
• SCHOOLS CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK: Students will have a half-day on Wednesday, November 25th, as they depart for the holiday recess. (Lunch will not be served that day). Details in the complete article.
• LITTLEVILLE “HOME TEAM” SCHOOL REWARDS PROGRAM: Littleville Elementary School families are participating in a fundraiser whose main requirement is to make dinner! By using “Fast Fixin’” or “Fast Classics” fully cooked frozen chicken, beef or pork—and sending back the Home Team Logo from the box—families can earn 30 cents for each clipped logo. Details and flyers were in last Friday’s Red Folder.
• R. H. CONWELL GIFT EXCHANGE: A holiday gift exchange will take place at the school in December. Parents and community members are asked to donate items that are in good condition, for this project. Items suitable for teenagers and men are in short supply!
• WINTER ATHLETICS: The winter sports season begins November 30, 2009. All paperwork must be completed before a potential student-athlete may tryout. Please see Mr. St.Peter in the Wellness Center for details.
• GATEWAY TO HOST ELDERS FOR HOLIDAY CONCERT AND LUNCHEON: The Gateway Regional School District extends a warm invitation to area senior citizens for the annual event, to be held on Wednesday, December 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Doors open at 11 a.m.
• COLLEGE FINANCING WORKSHOP ON NOVEMBER 24: Parents/guardians and students are invited to attend MEFA’s free comprehensive presentation on college Financing. The seminar will be hosted by the Gateway Regional High School Guidance Department on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. An experienced MEFA representative will discuss the financial aid process, and teach families how to apply for financial aid, compare financial aid award letters and seek available financing options. Participants will receive a seminar booklet which serves as a year round resource. There will be a question-answer period at the end. See the program flyer for rsvp information.
• GATEWAY BANDS FUNDRAISERS:  The Gateway bands (5 – 7, 8 – 12) are selling Butter Braids and fruit to raise funds to support competitions and educational field trips. Click for order forms.
• SPRINGFIELD TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE SAME-DAY ACCEPTANCE: Seniors at Gateway Regional High School can submit an early application to STCC on December 8th, and get offered acceptance that same day! A STCC Representative will be at Gateway on December 8 to meet with students headed for the college. Qualified students will be offered conditional acceptance on the spot. Students must prepare and bring a completed STCC application, official high school transcript and their MCAS scores to the meeting. Interested students should meet with their Guidance Counselor in November, and must sign up for a meeting slot with STCC no later than December 2. For more information, please contact Carolyn Laurenza at 685-1107 or claurenza@grsd.org .
• WINTER WEATHER CLOSINGS AT GATEWAY: HOW WILL YOU KNOW? With winter fast approaching, it is time for parents and students to review how to find out if school is delayed or cancelled due to winter storms. In addition to your morning phone call, you can check the following avenues.
• WINTER BUS STOPS--A THING OF THE PAST: The Gateway Regional school District has confirmed that bus stops that were eliminated for the 2009-10 school year will not be restored for the winter months.
• 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.

The Superintendent’s Corner for this week is attached.  This week, Dr. Hopson discusses the Elementary Advisory Committee’s report to the Gateway Regional School Committee at its November 18 meeting. Read the entire column for details!

                                                                                           Wendy V. Long, Editor