Gator Bites
February 10, 2023
Summer Camp is COMING!!!!!!!
This year's summer camp for all of Gateway's students GOING INTO Kindergarten -10th grade NEXT YEAR will start on Monday, July 10th and go until Thursday, August 10th. This year camps will be five weeks with tons of summer fun at both the Jr. Explorers (going into K - 4th grade) and Explorers Camps (going into 5th -10th grades). There are some changes this year. One of the main changes is that our Explorers Camp (grades 5 - 10) in no longer a drop-in weekly camp. This is a 5-week program camp. Of course, we understand that vacations are planned and that's fine. We just ask for advance notice. Please see the flyer above or click on the Camp flyer link below. To register for either Jr. Explorers and/or Explorers camp click here: https://forms.gle/9AbQfXvLsURNRB5n7
If you have questions, please contact Martha Clark at: mclark@grsd.org or 413-685-1003
Upcoming Events at Gateway!
Next week, February 13 - 17 is spirit week at the high school:
Monday - Favorite Sports Team
Tuesday - Color Wars day
Wednesday - Western Wednesday
Thursday - Soccer Moms vs. Soccer Dads
Friday - Groutfit Day (basically wear grey colors)
February 16 6:00pm - SEPAC welcomes back guest speaker Angela Ferreira who will provide an introduction to parents’ rights and responsibilities under current federal and state
special education laws. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88988097209
February 20 - 24 - February Break
Friday, Feb. 17 - Random Acts of Kindness Day
Tuesday, March 7 - Half day for students and Professional Development Half Day for staff
(if there is a snow day, late start, or early dismissal, the PD half day will move to March 14)
Thursday, March 9 - ASVAB testing for students in grades 10,11 and 12
Thursday, March 9 - Open House - times for each school will be coming
March 9 Open House Night - A Community Event for Everyone
Everyone is invited to come and visit our schools on March 9th where you'll be able to learn about our programming, see our schools, meet our staff and visit our new and state of the art Welding shop at the high school.
At our elementary schools, see our fantastic programming for all students.
At the middle school, visit our classrooms, meet our teachers, and learn about not only our academic programs but our What I Need, enrichment and after school programming as well.
At the Gateway Regional High School, come and learn about our Vo Tech programs, our new Career Training Tracks, our College Prep academic programs, sports teams and our after school options like clubs, Wright Flight aviation program, Golf and more.
Open House Times are as follows:
Chester and Littleville Elementary Schools - 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Gateway Middle School and High School. - 6:00pm - 7:30pm
We hope to see you!
Chester's Mrs. Kakimoto is Gateway Regional School District's Teacher of Excellence!!!
Mrs. Jenna Kakimoto has been selected by the Gateway Regional School District as the 2023 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award Winner.
After combing through the numerous nominations from parents and staff describing the incredible work done around the Gateway Regional School District by many amazing educators, we are honored to announce that this year's Pioneer Valley Teacher of Excellence Award went to Mrs. Jenna Kakimoto a Special Needs teacher at Chester Elementary School.
Kristen Smidy, Gateway Regional’s Superintendent, made the surprise announcement to a group of teachers, staff and administrators from both Chester and Littleville schools as well as our district offices. Chester Elementary’s Principal, Vanna Maffuccio took the numerous nominations for Mrs. Kakimoto and integrated them into one beautiful speech. Mrs. Maffuccio announced that, “...her (Kakimoto’s) commitment to her career to serve students goes above and beyond the school day.” She is extremely involved in school events/committees as well as district committees and panels. Mrs. Kakimoto is a role model. She capitalizes on professional development opportunities and is a lifelong learner She consistently works to improve her knowledge base and practices by taking advantage of opportunities to learn. Mrs. Maffuccio stated, “She consistently ensures that all of her students are supported with exactly what they need!. Above all, Jenna is kind, giving and honorable. Jenna is thoughtful beyond measure, especially to our earth and to everyone here inside our sweet little cafeteria today at Chester Elementary School. Jenna is often the one ensuring we all come together to celebrate others, but today we come together to celebrate her, Congratulations, Jenna Kakimoto on winning Gateway Regional School District’s 2023 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award!”
Mrs. Kakimoto will be honored at an in-person banquet at the Log Cabin in Holyoke on April 26, 2023. The program will feature a festive awards presentation honoring the winners, who will each receive an engraved plaque and a check for $250, along with generous tuition incentives and scholarships offered by seven major colleges and universities in the region: Elms College, Bay Path University, Mount Holyoke College, Springfield College, Western New England University, Westfield State University, and the University of Massachusetts.
Quarter 2 Honor Roll at Gateway Regional High School
Our elementary schools celebrate the 100th Day of School!!
From our Nurses: Health Screenings
Counselors' Corner
Littleville's First Grade celebration
Littlville's First Grade celebrated the completion of their unit on Early American Civilization. They learned about the Mayan, Aztec, and Inca civilizations and cultures. To celebrate, family members in to share were invited to share in fun activities! Students created emperor/empress headdresses, chinampas (floating islands), maize, and sculptures.
Families with MassHealth Need to Renew Coverage
Families with MassHealth need to renew their coverage this year in order to maintain coverage. Coverage protections put in place during the pandemic will end soon, and MassHealth will return to standard annual eligibility renewal processes. Please help inform MassHealth families that they need to take the following steps:
- Update contact information – make sure MassHealth has their most up-to-date address, phone number, and email so that they do not miss important information and notices about what else is needed.
- Report household changes to make sure MassHealth knows about any changes in their household, like a new job, address, changes to income, disability status, or pregnancy.
More information is available on the MassHealth’s Redetermination website, and school leaders can help spread the word with this Redetermination flyer, poster, and toolkit.
GRSD on the Mats and Courts
Girls Basketball Schedule:
Monday 2/13 Away Pathfinder at Pathfinder 5:30 PM
Tuesday 2/14 Away Baystate Charter at South End Community Center 6:00pm
Senior Night at the Lady Gators Basketball Game
GYAA youth joins our Gator high school basketball team on the court.
On Tuesday, February 7th Gateway Youth Basketball Night was held during the Gators game against Smith Tech. The 5th and 6th grade GYAA boys team was introduced at halftime and joined the Varsity boys on the court. Then, the GYAA teams scrimmaged each other at halftime. The young Gators had a ton of fun as did our crowd! A special thank you goes out to Nick Balboni and Jill Roach for giving these young Gator basketball players opportunities to learn, grow and dream!
Spring Sport Sign-ups are open NOW
Hilltown Community Health Needs Your Help
Hilltown Community Health Center (HCHC: www.hchcweb.org) is a nonprofit health care provider with sites in Huntington, Worthington, and Amherst that serves all individuals, regardless of ability to pay. HCHC provides medical, dental, behavioral health, and optometry services. We take seriously our responsibility to identify and address the needs of the community. We are asking people in our community to consider taking a few minutes to fill out our Community Health Needs Assessment. Here is the link for taking the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/chna23. It can be completed in English and Spanish. If you would like to take the survey and speak another language, we will happily make an appointment and provide an interpreter. Please let the school know or email ddistefano@hchcweb.org in your language, including information regarding how to contact you. We will get an interpreter so that you can share with us. We thank you so much for your consideration!”
Protect Against COVID-19 & Get Gift Cards During February Break
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is offering free, family-friendly “Get Boosted” clinics where anyone ages 6 months and up can get a COVID-19 vaccine or updated booster. As part of a special promotion, Massachusetts residents who get vaccinated (first dose, second dose, or booster) at participating Get Boosted clinics will receive a $75 gift card while supplies last.
The Department of Public Health is encouraging people to get up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations during February vacation and has a toolkit of materials that schools and districts can use to promote COVID-19 vaccination.
Investigate! A Teen Program at The Connecticut Science Museum
Calling all high school students!!! Join the Connecticut Science Center to uncover the science behind our everyday lives! Investigate through a series of short courses focused on the weird, cool, and potentially messy ways STEM impacts us. Participants who complete a full session of the Investigate! program are eligible for the Teen Innovation Ambassador program. Program starts February 25
SEPAC bring back Featured Speaker on PARENTS' RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Gateway SEPAC welcomes back guest speaker Angela Ferreira who will provide an introduction to parents’ rights and responsibilities under current federal and state
special education laws. She will also review tools to help parents participate with their child’s school in the creation of effective IEP and 504 plans for their children. This presentation is free and open to the public.
February 16 at 6pm
RSVP to Sepac_Chair@grsd.org
Zoom Link:
Fundraisers:
Help Support Gateway's Best Buddies Club
GRSD Band Raffling off Complete Drum Set
For the month of February the GRSD Band Boosters will be selling raffle tickets for $10 each for a chance to win a5-Piece Pearl Vision Drum Set - valued at $800!
Contact bguertin@grsd.org or a band student to buy tickets.
The drawing will take place on March 3.
February Break at the Huntington Public Library
Chester's Hamilton Memorial Library
Blandford Public Library
Come celebrate Tacky the Penguin (our StoryWalk book)! Wear your tackiest, wackiest outfit, make our tacky craft, and listen to some tacky stories!
What's Happening in our Community
Want to see what white water canoe/kayak racing is all about? Join the Westfield River Wildlife Committee for two race clinics this April. Build your skills and learn from experts on April 8th and 15th, 12:30 - 4PM. Bring your kayak or canoe to downtown Huntington, MA. Boats in the water just off the green bridge where Rte 112 meets Rte 20 near the DPW yard.
The 10th Annual Easthampton WinterFest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11 in locations throughout the city. The festival is organized by the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee and is a fundraising event created to bring public awareness about ongoing efforts needed to keep Nashawannuck Pond healthy for generations to come. To view the full list of activities, please visit the event calendar: https://www.nashawannuckpond.org/winterfest.html
Upcoming Russell Library Events:
- Kids Valentine Extravaganza!
Saturday, February 11th, from 10:00 -12:00.
Open to everyone, no registration required
Hear a story and Create Awesome Crafts
February Vacation Activities for Kids
- “Skulls and Scat" -Things you might find while hiking with Bob Kidd
Tuesday, February 21, from 10-12
No registration required
Animal Identification games to follow
- Cardboard Architecture- Build your own creations with cardboard and ingenuity
Thursday, February 23, from 10-12
No registration required
All materials provided
Upcoming Blandford Library Events:
- Every Wednesday from 10:30 -11:30 the Book Squirms preschool and toddler group meets. We read a story, sing songs, play with sensory bins, and socialize.
- Come and join our DIY Valentine Craft Party on Saturday February 11. We are busting out our glitter collection and all of our craft supplies to help you make the perfect Valentine cards! Stop by anytime between 10 AM and 2 PM, all ages welcome.
- February 18 at 10 AM: Come celebrate Tacky the Penguin at a Tacky Party! Wear your tackiest outfit for a tacky fashion contest, make your own Tacky the Penguin, and listen to lots of Tacky's stories read to you by Nicole.
- Drop in Mural Coloring - All week!
- Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 3-4 PM: Valen-slimes Party: Make two kinds of slime and have fun experimenting and playing with them.
- Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 10:30 AM: Book Squirms Bubble Bash: Let your little one go wild with our indoor bubble machine to get those wiggles out.
- Thursday,. Feb. 23 from 3-4 PM: Obstacle Course, of course! Try to get through our open gym obstacle course at the Blandford Town Hall.
- Friday, Feb. 24 from 3-4 PM: Sing me a Story: Enjoy a musical story and craft time with Ashley.
- Saturday,. Feb. 25 at 11 AM: Big and Little Craft Time- Sew a Stuffie Pet! Come make a plush cat or dog with your little one at the library. Perfect for kids age 5 and up and their favorite grown up.
Past Gator Bites
Past Gator Bites
January 9: https://www.smore.com/mu6h0
December 19: https://www.smore.com/hm943
December 7: https://www.smore.com/5yn3t
November 29: https://www.smore.com/4zs6ax
November 14: https://www.smore.com/u49t2
November 7: https://www.smore.com/mb78u
October 26: https://www.smore.com/gmqb5October 19: https://www.smore.com/w2fk5
October 10: https://www.smore.com/m9uke
October 3: https://www.smore.com/pnds3
September 23: https://www.smore.com/q0x4c
September 16: https://www.smore.com/bkwp3
September 9: https://www.smore.com/uyc4m
September 1: https://www.smore.com/vu28z
August 25: https://www.smore.com/k2jehc
Contact Information:
Chester Elementary School:
Principal Vanna Maffuccio vmaffuccio@grsd.org
Littleville Elementary School:
Principal Andrew Samuelson asamuelson@grsd.org
Principal Jason Finnie jfinnie@grsd.org
Assistant Principal Will Sullivan wsullivan@grsd.org
Athletic Director Matt Bonenfant mbonenfant@grsd.org
Superintendent Kristen Smidy, ksmidy@grsd.org
Gateway Regional School District
Website: grsd.org
Location: 12 Littleville Road, Huntington, MA, USA
Phone: 413-685-1100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GatewayRegionalMA?mibextid=LQQJ4d