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:  “If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.” – Colin Powell

COMING EVENTS: A schedule of activities for the week ending October 2, 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, September 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gateway Performing Arts Center. Agenda items include budget projections and continued discussion of the consolidation/closing of elementary schools. 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 October 13, when plans for district-wide fundraising and filing for a 501(c)3. 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.

 

JESS HOPSON NAMED AP SCHOLAR WITH HONOR: Jessica L. Hopson, a senior at Gateway Regional High School, has been named an “AP Scholar With Honor” due to her high achievement on tests given by the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program (AP).

Gateway Senior Jessica Hopson.

FINAL DAYS FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: Area residents are reminded that the deadline for submitting written comments regarding the futue of Gateway Elementary Schools is approaching.

R. H. CONWELL GRINDER SALE: The R. H. Conwell School PTO is offering pre-ordered grinder dinners the evening of Open House (September 30). Dinner includes a grinder, chips, brownie and drink for $8 and orders must be in by September 23. Famillies may pick up their meal from 5 p.m. on the evening of Open House. The PTO is also having  Scholastic Book Fair during Open House.

PARENT NOTES INTO SCHOOL: When sending in a note for your child regarding absence, dismissal, or any other matter, please include a date, your child’s first and last name and their teacher’s name (through grade 6) on that note.

LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT: R. H. Conwell Elementary School is seeking volunteers to help in the school library. Please let school secretary Sharon Barnard know if you are able to help.

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

PLANNING FOR COLLEGE: HOW SOON IS TOO SOON? Thinking about college for your child? Whether you have a high school senior or a preschool student, the College Board has a helpful website that can help your family today and in the future. Familiarize yourself NOW with these financial and academic planning tools for your child’s future!

REMINDERS:

• TOWN OFFICIALS INVITED TO WEIGH IN ON SCHOOL CLOSINGS: Selectboard and Finance Committee members from the seven Gateway hilltowns have been invited to a meeting in the Gateway Performing Arts Center on September 23 to discuss the potential for some elementary schools to close next year.
• SECOND ANNUAL FAMILY CARNIVAL AT LITTLEVILLE: Scheduled to coincide with National Family Day—A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children—Littleville Elementary School’s Second Annual Family Carnival will be held on Saturday, September 26 at the school.
• SEPTEMBER 22 EARLY RELEASE DAY: Students in the Gateway Regional School District will have a two-hour early release day on Tuesday, September 22nd; lunch will be served at school.
• 14TH ANNUAL ALUMNI SOCCER GAME ON SEPTEMBER 26: All alumni who played soccer for Gateway Regional High School are invited to participate in the 14th Annual “Blue and Gold” Game. See the flyer for complete details.
• SEASONAL FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE FOR GATEWAY STAFF: The Gateway School-Based Health Center is offering seasonal flu vaccine for Gateway staff. The fee will be $20, first come first served. Limited quantities are available and staff must make an appointment at the SBHC.
• PSAT’S FOR SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS: Sophomores and juniors who are thinking about attending college are advised to sign up now for the PSAT. The PSAT is the best practice for the SAT since the format and directions are the same for both tests. On average, students who take the PSAT score higher on the SAT than those who don’t. You also get free online access to My College Quickstart, a great college and career planning tool that lets you review your PSAT, provides you with a customized SAT study plan, and gives a personalized list of colleges, majors and careers. Juniors who take the PSAT may also qualify for scholarships and other programs. The PSAT will be given at Gateway Regional High School on Wednesday, October 14th. Students must sign up in the Guidance Office by Friday, October 2nd for this test. Cost is $14 (cash or check payable to the school), which must be paid at sign-up. You will then receive more information on the test as well as a practice test. Please contact the Guidance Office (413.685.1107) if you have questions about the PSAT.
• NEW HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE POLICY: High school families are probably aware that an attendance policy has been in effect for many years; however, students and parents/guardians should take note of the new guidelines in place this year.
• GATEWAY ELEMENTARY OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE: A wonderful opportunity to meet teachers and staff face-to-face, look at student work, and see our beautiful schools!
• 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 667-2204, who would be happy to help.

• FEES FOR 2009-10: As was reported earlier this year, student fees will be increasing for the coming school year.

• 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.

• HOW TO FIND THE FALL HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULE: The high school sports schedule for fall sports is posted online at www.highschoolsports.net . Fall season tryout schedules are already posted on-line. Home games will continue to be posted in the “Week at a Glance” column of Breaking News.

• 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 strategies that Gateway has put into place in the past few years, which are expected to yield improved academic achievement for students. Read the entire column for details!

                                                                                           Wendy V. Long, Editor