We're already half-way through October and we have so much happening in our schools! This week, things were extra festive at MTRS as our students celebrated Booster Week and will cap-off the week-long fun with their traditional bonfire and an outdoor homecoming dance. COVID-19 may have had to change the way we do some of our traditional events, but one thing is for sure, our students consistently rise to the challenges and come up with creative ways to STILL have some good ole'-fashioned fun.

And now... here's what's happening!

* MTRSD School Committee approves district's strategic plan

* Pool testing to begin next week at elementary schools

* Family data still needed for state reporting

* MTRS Booster Week

* Educators in Action: Trailblazers. Leaders. Educators. What's YOUR superpower?

* School Spotlight: Sanderson Academy

* MTRSD SEPAC newsletter & next meeting dates

* Community Corner: West County to host free flu clinic (registration required)

School committee members had an opportunity to weigh-in on the initial draft plan during their professional development meeting in September which provided additional insight and clarifications. The final plan approved this week includes four "big bucket" core priority areas: Build Community (Prioritize Relationships); Innovate (Reimagine Learning); Invest in Our Shared Future (Create Sustainability); and Foster an Inclusive Community of Learners (Honor the Student Experience and Expand Awareness Within Our Community).

It's an exciting time for us in the district as we have now set our shared priorities and look to the future to make our district not only a GREAT place to learn and grow; but the BEST place to learn and grow.

A copy of the final plan will be included on our district's website (www.mtrsd.org) next week; so please stay tuned!

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 Weber at dweber@mtrsd.org or Superintendent Sheryl Stanton at sstanton@mtrsd.org.

If you have not yet signed-up, but still need or want to - it's easy!

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.

Testing launched at MTRS began last week and Nurse Weber reports rollout was much smoother this week and saw an increase in participation (197 at MTRS tested last week; 228 this week).

As a reminder, in addition to testing - practicing our FAB FIVE will continue to help us mitigate the spread of COVID-19. So don't forget to: Trust the Facts and Get the Vax; wear your mask; wash your hands; practice physical distancing; and stay home when you are feeling unwell. This helps to keep our community healthy & safe!

As you may know, our district receives additional state and local funding to support learning for students whose families are identified as "low income." The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) identifies most of these students already, by identifying students who receive public assistance, but not all.

We're reaching out to you in hopes that if your family falls within that category, but you've not yet filled out paperwork, please do so today! While breakfast and lunch is free for everyone this year, filling out these forms helps us to qualify for additional funding through the state, which in turn is a benefit to all of our students.

As a reminder, the information you provide (on this form and any supporting documentation) will be maintained by the district and only used by the district or DESE to verify household income to determine the state and local funding we receive.

IMPORTANT: This Supplemental Low-Income Data Collection Form is not an application for free or reduced-price school meals. Please refer to the School Meals Household Application in order to apply for those benefits.

Please be aware that this is a voluntary process. Families are not required to submit this information. If you need assistance completing any portion of the form or gathering other required information, please contact your building principal or front office staff.

This position is a one-year, grant funded position and will remain open until it is filled.

To apply, or for more information, please contact: Alia Woofenden, Liaison for Community Engagement and Enrichment Programs at awoofenden@mtrsd.org.

The FREE West County flu clinic will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mohawk Trail Regional School. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED and a COVID-19 self-screen is required prior to attending. Face masks and physical distancing also required.

For full clinic details and to register, please visit the FRCOG website at: https://frcog.org/flu-clinic/ *Please visit the site regularly as information is updated frequently.

Oct. 20 at 6 p.m.

Oct. 27 at 7:15 p.m.

Click on the newsletter below for full details!