Student & Family Update
11/12/2021
Dear Students and Families -
I am very excited to announce Christopher Buckland as the new Principal at MTRS beginning January 3, 2022. You can read the press release announcement in Superintendent Stanton’s S’Update or here: www.mtrsd.org/Press-Releases Thank you to all of the stakeholders who gave us feedback after meeting with both candidates. In the meantime, I am honored to serve as Acting Principal of MTRS until Mr. Buckland joins us in January.
Kindly,
Diane Zamer
Looking Ahead:
Monday, November 15 is picture day
Wednesday, November 24 is a ½ day of school with dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, November 25 and Friday November 26 - NO SCHOOL (Thanksgiving break)
Picture Day - say “cheese!”
SEAN O’DEA named 2021 Superintendent’s Award recipient
Mohawk Trail Regional School is proud to announce senior Sean O’Dea as the recipient of the 2021-22 Superintendent’s Award. O’Dea is currently ranked second in his class and is a valued member of the MTRS school community both in-and outside of the classroom.
O’Dea excels in the classroom and consistently takes a full course load of honors and advanced placement courses; having earned straight As throughout his high school career. His current GPA is 4.53. O’Dea has taken a variety of MTRS’ most challenging courses offered, including AP U.S. and World History, and has participated in classes at Greenfield Community College (where he once again earned an A for his work).
In addition to being an exceptional student in the classroom, O’Dea is also an incredible peer leader at school. He is an active member of Key Club, and has served as secretary for the past two years; is the treasurer for National Honors Society; has served as class President (9th/10th) and now as secretary; has served on student council throughout his high school career and now holds the position of vice president; and also serves as the student representative on the school committee. He uses his voice and energy to enact positive change and provide a variety of fun, engaging opportunities for his school.
O’Dea is also an active member of MTRS athletics. He has served as a captain of the junior varsity basketball team and is captain of the cross country and track teams. O’Dea is quick on his feet - having placed in the top 50 runners in the Western Mass championships and received an All-League Award in 2019 and 2020. He is also a committed, dedicated member of his wider community and has been involved with numerous community service projects throughout high school including serving as a Project 351 representative; volunteering as a server at the athletic association Bridge Dinner; hosted a youth track program for elementary students; and was an integral member of the MassIDEAS MTRS Weekend Design Institute where he provided important student feedback and helped lay the foundation for the schools redesign work.
An accomplished student, athlete, and dedicated member of his community, O’Dea is a shining example of all the qualities an MTRS student embodies. We are incredibly proud of his work in the classroom, community service, and leadership at MTRS and honored to recognize him as a recipient of the Superintendent’s Award this year.
Athletics
Congratulations to our Varsity Volleyball team who made it all the way to the second-round of the MIAA playoffs last weekend where they squared-off against a tough Bourne High School team. Our team put up a good fight and played with heart. It was great to be there and see all of the hard work they have put into their season out there on the court. A huge shout-out to Robin Pease and Greg Vouros for their work at arranging two fan buses to head out to Bourne to cheer on our team. The fans were AWESOME! Thank you to our athletes, coaches, families, and our super fans for a great day and for representing MTRS is such a positive way. A
nd congrats to the cross-country team for their awesome effort at the PVIAC championship on Saturday at Stanley Park! It was great seeing you gearing up to run the varsity race! A shout-out to senior Dennis Simmons for placing third overall (with a time of 16 minutes, 17.10 seconds) and eighth grader Ellie Pinkham placing in the top 20 (15th to be exact!) with a time of 21:03.08. Our student athletes have been working so hard this season and we’re truly proud!
Click HERE for this week's Athletics Newsletter
Winter Sports Begin Monday November 29!
Registration for MTRS Winter Sports is STILL OPEN! Click HERE or visit the link below to our FamilyID portal to sign-up today! Registering is EASY -- If you've never used the site before, you'll need to create a log-in for first-time use. As a reminder ALL student-athletes MUST register via Family ID in order to participate, and need an updated sports physical on file with the MTRS Nurse's Office. In addition all student-athletes MUST sign the consent form to sign-up for COVID-19 pool testing. Click HERE for the link to sign-up for online COVID-19 pool testing or visit the link below. Paper copies are also available in the MTRS main office. If you need any help or have questions along the way, don't hesitate to reach out to Athletic Director Greg Vouros for more information at gvouros@mtrsd.org
Family ID Link: https://www.familyid.com/mohawk-trail-regional-schools
Covid-19 Online Pool Testing Sign-Up: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma?district=null
Our Winter Sports offerings include:
Alpine Skiing
Basketball
Indoor Track
Nordic Skiing
Wrestling
Message from the Library
INFO for 8th Graders
At MTRS, we prepare you for your future. Whether you're looking for hands-on learning; personalized support; advanced placement or honors courses; or a variety of athletics and extracurricular opportunities -- there's something for you right here! To learn more, check out the information and video below for a sampling of student life at MTRS. Want to learn more? Contact the MTRS Student Services office and let us show you how you can blaze YOUR trail to graduation!
Capstone: Tyler's Toy Drive
Robotics Club!
Heads-up middle schoolers! Looking for something fun to do after school? Check out our robotics club, hosted by the MTRSD Enrichment Programs! Robotics club will be held on Friday after school starting in December. To sign-up, visit www.mtrsd.org/ceep!
Message From the Nurse’s Office
COVID-19 pool testing
As a reminder, POOL TESTING is required for athletics, extracurriculars, and before- and after-school programs. ALL information can be found on the district’s COVID-19 Information page at www.mtrsd.org/covid-19-information OR by clicking on the “Helpful Links” drop-down from any of the school websites. If you participate in one of the above activities (including coaches and volunteers) -- you MUST sign-up for testing! If you have any questions surrounding the process, procedure, or need additional information, please reach out to our district Nurse Leader Donna Weber at dweber@mtrsd.org or Superintendent Sheryl Stanton at sstanton@mtrsd.org.
TO SIGN UP ONLINE: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma?district
Select: Consent Now → Mohawk Trail → (select your school)
For staff, coaches, or anyone over 18 years of age, please select “Sign consent form for yourself.”
For caregivers who need to give consent for their child/ren, please select “Sign consent form for a minor.”
If you are unable to complete the online sign-up/consent, please contact Donna Weber for a paper copy to complete.
Please see this document on when to stay home from school. With the concerns surrounding the Delta variant, it remains important to do the daily screening prior to coming to school every day and staying home if you’re sick. Over the next few days, the district nurses will be updating the COVID-19 section of our family guidance handbook and sharing it with you all.
Also, just another friendly reminder to please complete and send in the annual health form in order for your child to be treated in the health office. If your child has a medication, inhaler, or epipen, the health office will also need a completed medication form from their PCP office. If you are exempting your child from any vaccines, please send in a signed note with the appropriate information.
Currently, there is an issue with a few faxes in the building so please use the front office (413) 625-6652 to send over any necessary paperwork. You can also take a picture or scan and send the paperwork directly to me at this email: Larissa Harrison, lharrison@mtrsd.org
What to Return to School: Information from our Nurse
If your child has any one of the major symptoms or two of the minor symptoms below your child must remain home from school and follow return to school guidelines.
Major (1 or more)
Fever over 100.0 degrees
New muscle or body aches
New loss of taste or smell
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Minor (2 or more)
Body chills without fever that won’t go away
Cough
Sore throat
Extreme fatigue with unknown cause
Nasal congestion or runny nose
Headache
Extreme nausea
Vomiting and/or diarrhea (if only this symptom, they need to have no vomiting or diarrhea for at least 12 hours and be able to keep food and fluids down to return to school)
In order to return to school after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms the following must be met:
Your medical provider has determined a different illness than COVID-19 and cleared your student to return to school/work. Note must be provided to the school nurse.
OR
You have a negative PCR test result done by a healthcare professional for COVID-19 and significant improvement in symptoms. Results must be provided to the school nurse.
OR
At least 10 days have passed from your first clinical symptoms AND
You have been at least one day (24-hours) fever free without the use of fever-reducing medications (Tylenol/Ibuprofen) AND
Your symptoms have greatly improved.
Thank you for helping to keep our school and community healthy. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact your school nurse.
Lunch Menu
Please follow this link to the food services page for the posted menus.
MTRS International Trip
New trip info! Please click here for information on Mrs. Camarda’s trip to Italy and Greece in June of 2024. Email Mrs. Camarda for more information: lcamarda@mtrsd.org
Let’s get social - Follow Us on Facebook & Instagram!
Get a glimpse of our students and staff in action! Follow our official pages and stay connected! Our official school Facebook and Instagram pages are @mohawktrailregional.
MTRS sports fans, we also have MTRS Athletics Instagram and Twitter pages! Follow your favorite teams @MTRSAthletics.
DISTRICT NEWS:
To view the superintendent’s weekly S’UPDATES, please visit www.mtrsd.org/news.
You’re invited! District families with children ages PreK - 2nd grade - Join us for Family Literacy Night - Wednesday, Nov. 17 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Mohawk Trail Regional School cafeteria and JOIN US for some literacy FUN! https://www.facebook.com/events/4707687879276409
* Small read aloud sessions led by MTRS students & community volunteers
* FUN, movement-based literacy activities
* Refreshments
* Book Giveaways and Raffles courtesy of the Mary Lyon Foundation!
* Village Closet Pop-Up hosted by It Takes A Village! FREE clothing exchange for children Ages 2-8! Stop by the closet pop-up, drop-off clean and sorted clothing, and take home new items! Need something else? To request non-clothing items (or other sizes), contact our partners at It Takes A Village at closet@hilltownvillage.org and they'll bring what you need to the event! Want to donate/drop-off items in advance? There will be a drop-off bin in front of MTRS beginning Monday, Oct. 25.
Need more information? Contact Us!
Alia Woofenden, MTRSD Liaison for Community Engagement and Enrichment Programs at awoofenden@mtrsd.org.
Want to help promote literacy skills in our district and how the Mary Lyon Foundation can help? Contact Kristen Baker at kbaker@marylyonfoundation.org for more information and to sign-up for the Foundation's mailing list!
A big thank you to our community partners at the Mary Lyon Foundation and It Takes a Village for helping to make this a great event for our families!
SAVE THE DATE - PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT (Grades K-6)
PARENTS - you need a night out and your children need a fun-filled night IN with us at MTRS! We’re bringing back a crowd favorite and hosting a Parent’s Night Out Movie Night for students in Grades K-6 on Friday, Dec. 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mohawk Trail Regional School.
5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. Games in the MTRS gym
6:15 p.m. - 8 p.m. Snacks & Movie time in the MTRS auditorium
Caregivers head out for a night of fun and food and support our movie night sponsor while your child is at the movie!
HERE’S THE LINK to the FB event: https://fb.me/e/1aIYrv6ad
To learn more about the district’s enrichment program offerings, visit www.mtrsd.org/ceep and follow MTRSD Community Engagement & Enrichment Programs on Facebook! Find us at www.facebook.com/mtrsdceep!
Special Education Updates
Mohawk Trail SEPAC Member and Parent
Do you have a question about your child, their services, or resources specific to your needs? If you or someone you know would like to be added to the private list and receive emails and event notifications, please send an email to: MOHAWKSEPAC@gmail.com Please indicate your email, title (such as parent of a student with IEP/504), District, Interested Party or other)
Disclosure: SEPAC maintains the list of contacts and keeps the information private. This email is maintained by a parent and volunteer. Our goal is to respond in a timely manner. We will get back to you as soon as we can. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
'Every student can learn, just not on the same day or in the same way'
-George Evans