Student & Family Update
April 29, 2022
June 17th, 2022
Good afternoon everyone!
We are almost at summer break!
Monday is a holiday, Tuesday is a full day and Wednesday is an 11:30am finish - with reports available in Aspen from 11:30am.
Please make sure that you talk to your children about:
- Returning their Chromebook and charger on Tuesday/ Wednesday (They will not be issued a new one in August until this has happened)
- Returning outstanding Athletic Uniforms on Tuesday/ Wednesday - They will not be eligible to participate in Fall sports.
Please take a few minutes to enjoy updates on what has been an action packed week for students fortunate to be at MTRS and to have such amazing teachers!
Thank you for being a part of 2021/22 at MTRS
Best
Chris
MTRSD STEAM Fair is coming this fall for students in grades 5-8, and we couldn’t be more excited! We are hoping to recruit caregiver and community members to our cause: to connect our students with a diverse range of new and interesting hands-on experiences in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Volunteers needed to run sessions or help with logistics. Tentatively scheduled for Wed., November 9, we would love to have you join us; click here for more information.
Chrome Book Return
Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd - all students must return chrome books and chargers to Suzor who will have a return cart set up in the lobby at MTRS
Whole School Community Event!
Our amazing Community Activity Coordinator Ms. Woof created a fantastic opportunity for all of our students this week. Tuesday morning all students watched a watershed presentation by FRCOG. A big thanks to Allison Gage and Nic Miller for sharing their work with us. Our school will be expanding its climate change curriculum moving forward and we are lucky to work with some of our community partners to highlight the type of action being taken to deal with such local issues as bridges, undersized culverts and how the region can work together to combat climate change. Here is a link to the slideshow presentations for anyone interested in learning more about this local project.
Afterwards, the 9th grade class accompanied Nic to a part of Clesson Brook on route 112 to look at some erosion occurring, the outdated culvert and a bridge that needs to be fixed. Then we enjoyed a nice walk back to MTRS through the beautiful woods.
Important Dates to Remember
Upcoming dates
June 20th - Juneteenth Holiday
June 21 & 22nd: Chrome Book/ Technology return
June 22nd Student last day
June 23rd Staff last day of school
August 23 & 24: Family Registration events: 7:30-10:30, 3:00-6
August 29th: First day of school: 11:30 dismissal for MS & HS
Academic calendar for 2022/23 (some events like Graduation 2023 need to be confirmed)
Solar Panels at MTRS
A group of community members, faculty, and students have been working to get a proposal approved for solar panels on the Mohawk trail regional school roof
This would be at no cost to the school district and would in fact save the school district around $500,000 over 20 years. It would also position the school to lead in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fighting climate change.
Please complete this petition if you’re in support of this effort and please consider joining us at the July meeting with the building committee to move this exciting project forward!
What happened at MTRS this past week?
Campus Clean Up event
As part of their Civics Project students in Grade 10 organized a campus-wide clean up for the last hour of Thursday. Each advisory group took a section of the school and picked up litter for the last hour of Thursday. By the end of the event we had collected over 9 bags of litter - from soda cans to tires and discarded exercise bikes!
This was a fun way for students and staff to do an end of year clean of our unique learning space.
We will repeat this again in August when school starts again!
Field Day
The MTRS Field Day took place today and everyone involved had a great time. The Student Council worked with Ms. Rutz, Mr. Mastorakis, Ms Woofenden and all teaching and paraprofessional staff to get students involved in the following activities:
Battleships, Capture the Flag, Water Relay Race, Fire Fighter Training, Foursquare, Kickball, Wall Jump, Tug of War, Frisbee, Ping Pong and a movie.
A huge thanks to our Regional Fire Association members for running some amazing activities - more information on how students can become junior fire fighters will be coming soon!
Grade 6 to 7 Step-up day
Monday 13th was a big day at MTRS:
We welcomed Grade 6 students to campus. They spent the day working with Grade 7 students and teachers, visiting classrooms and participating in fun activities. We can't wait to see you on August 29th for your first day!
Grade 8 Policy Summit
The 8th graders are putting on their Policy Summit on June 14, 15, and 16th in the Library. With topics ranging from Equity in our schools to algae blooms in Ashfield Lake, students were asked to find a problem within their community that they cared about. In their STEM and Civics classes they've collected data, interviewed experts, and drafted policy changes to help make their communities better places to live as part of their MA Civics Projects.
Grade 10 Civic Action Projects
The 10th graders have been hard at work this semester with our first ever round of Civic Action Projects! This course requires students to identify a community issue, and develop an action plan in order to address it. During our last full week of school, sophomores will present their work to 9th and 11th graders and recruit them as volunteers to help bring their projects to life! Some project topics include invasive species management, building a pollinator garden, reducing litter on school grounds…we could go on. The sophomores have really stepped up to the plate with their level of dedication and creativity with these projects – well done!
Grade 11 Capstone
Grade 11 spent a lot of their week working with Capstone and College and Careers staff. They were immersed in preparation for their senior Capstone project, a graduation requirement for all seniors, as well as working with outside speakers on resume building, interview skills and college and employment applications.
The Senior Capstone course is a culminating academic experience that takes place during the fall semester. All seniors take the course and learn how to direct their own learning on a topic of their choice to encourage you to think critically, solve challenging problems, and develop skills such as
oral communication, public speaking, research skills, media literacy, teamwork, planning, self-sufficiency, and goal setting—i.e., skills that will help prepare you for college, modern careers, and adult life! Capstone projects also encourage students to connect their learning to community issues or problems, and to integrate outside-of-school learning experiences, including activities such as interviews, scientific observations, creative events or internships. Over the course of the semester students propose, design, research, execute, present, and reflect on their project. All students also take part in the Capstone Presentation Event which is attended by the community at large. This is a team-taught course with a number of faculty directly involved.
More information about Capstone and graduation requirements can be found in the course catalog, here.
Grade 11 College Book Awards
The Junior Book Awards are sponsored by various regional colleges and universities to recognize 11th grade students and their achievements. The colleges provide the criteria for each award and select a book that reflects their college values and mission. The MTRS faculty then
selects the recipients for each book award.
Congratulations to the students for being recognized for these awards.
There are 7 awards this year:
The Smith College Club of Franklin County Book Award honors a female junior in the top 10% of her class who exemplifies the leadership qualities, academic achievements, and concern for others that characterize the generations of women who have graduated from Smith College.
Savannah Simmons
The Brandeis Book Award recognizes an outstanding high school junior in the top 15 percent of the class who demonstrates a commitment to civic engagement, community service, political activism, social justice, or volunteer work.
Emery King
The Dartmouth Club Book Award "The Dartmouth Book Award is given to recognize a junior who ranks in the top ten percent of their class. The award singles out a student who has demonstrated intellectual leadership, has made a positive contribution to the extracurricular life of their school, and who demonstrates a sense of adventure and love of the outdoors."
Paige King
The Harvard Book Award
The Harvard Book Award: As defined by the Harvard Alumni Society, the Prize is to be awarded annually to an outstanding high school student in the junior year who demonstrates outstanding character and academic excellence, combined with achievement in extracurricular activities.
Clare Wasileski
The Western New England University Book Award is presented to a recipient who shows a high level of leadership through extracurricular activities and community service.
Rylee Hager
The Yale Book Award is presented to a member of the junior class who has “outstanding personal character and intellectual promise”.
Seth Healy
The Saint Michael's College Book Award for Academic Achievement with a Social Conscience is presented to TWO members of the junior class who "attains mostly A's and B's in honors, AP and dual enrollment classes and are inductees of the National Honor Society. Students demonstrate sustained and sincere commitment to community service, issues of peace and justice, and concern for others".
Gracie Hicks
Reality Fair
8,9,10 & 11 Grade students took part in a self selected career site: GCC, Small Corporation or The Western Massachusetts Food Processing Center to learn about a variety of careers. Following this, they returned to MTRS to participate in the Reality Fair organized by Junior Achievement & Greenfield Savings Bank.
Grade 8 Semi-Formal & Send off!
Last Friday teachers and our guidance team helped chaperone a Semi-Formal and Send off for Grade 8 students.
Parent and care providers took photos of students before the music started. As well as dancing and having fun, students enjoyed Pizza, Ice Cream, Lemonade, Water, and other treats.
Library new
Don't forget that we need borrowed books back! Bring them in as soon as possible.
Please see the latest library news here
Academic News
August registration dates
Aug 23 7:30-10:30 am and 24th 3pm - 6pm
7 & 8 schedules will be available and families of 7-12 will be able to complete pupil information, medical & athletic forms.
Zamer's Corner ~ Highlights from our Assistant Principal
Our building was busy with end-of-the-year presentations, group projects, and some reflection on the year. The eighth graders presented their Policy Summit projects, our 11th graders were getting ready for next year’s Capstone projects, students got a dose of reality at our Reality Fair (budgets, taxes - all the fun adult things we get to do!), and our 7th graders kicked it back to the 80s and dressed up for their field trip to the roller rink. A big thank you to our 10th grade Civics students for organizing volunteer opportunities through their Civics Action Project - our campus looks great thanks to you. Phew! Today is the day to celebrate all of the great learning and our community is having a blast during their Field Day. Thanks to all the students and staff for a great year of learning!
Community Activities & Engagement
How can you get involved at MTRS?
Community Update
Do you or someone you know need first aid/CPR training? Thanks to the local fire associations and Mary Lyon Foundation we are offering this certification for FREE this summer here at MTRS on July 30th from 9-3. Anyone ages 12 and up is welcome to enroll in this program. Here is a flyer with more information.
A Summer Day at the Buckland Common: A Community Event July 23rd
Are you interested in working that day? We need student helpers and we are PAYING $20/hour, contact Mrs. Woof for more information at awoofenden@mtrsd.org
Here is more information about this event.
And this fall the Zoar Kayaking program is back and students in 7th to 12th grade are invited to join. We have scholarship ship money available too.
Here is the information about this 2022/2023 program
The Communities That Care Coalition is holding parent focus groups next week
Are you a parent? Do you know any parents? The Communities That Care Coalition is holding parent focus groups next week!!! Please share this message widely. Please use the attached flyer to register, or contact Nora Finnerty nfinnerty@umass.edu
Greenfield Summer Eats Program
The Greenfield Food Service Department is excited to announce our 2022 Free Summer Eats Program and Summer Eats Kick Off event. We need the community's participation now more than ever, and we hope that you will help us spread the word! Please share the attached flyers widely. We also have posts on our Instagram and Facebook page (@GreenfieldSchoolFood) that you can share. We are encouraging folks to respond to our Kick Off Facebook event so we can estimate attendance and plan accordingly.
The Kick Off will be a great community event, featuring many of your wonderful organizations! It will take place next Wednesday the 22nd at the Green River Swimming & Recreation Area from 4-6pm. The rain date is the 23rd. We will be serving up a free cookout meal to kids 18 and under and any adult family members or guardians who accompany kids to the event. The menu features burgers (or veggie burgers) with a side of local potato salad, local pickle chips, fresh watermelon, and milk and or water. We will have a variety of community organizations providing free activities and resources for families. We will also be composting at the event, thanks to the Compost Cooperative! Additionally, expect lawn games, recreational equipment, music and giveaways!
Our Summer Eats program will run June 27 - August 19 at 10 sites across the city. We will be serving breakfast and lunch Monday - Friday. There is no grab & go this year, so kids will need to eat on site. We will be raffling off awesome prizes each week, and every meal earns a ticket. Prizes include gift cards, electronics, scooters and more!
Thank you in advance for all of your help getting the word out about these free opportunities for families!
Best,
Greta
--
Greta Shwachman (she/her)
Food Service Director
Greenfield Public Schools
195 Federal St. Suite 100, Greenfield, MA 01301
Office: 413-772-1335 | Cell: 413-834-9171
Follow us @GreenfieldSchoolFood!
Shelburne Cultural Council (SCC)
Last chance!!!!! Input Survey--win a free gift certificate to Mo's Fudge Factory!
The Shelburne Cultural Council (SCC) is a committee of volunteers that helps artists and organizations, including schools, to fund their programs. We are very interested in hearing what our younger residents—you!—want to experience. Please help us by ticking off answers that interest you and/or what you would like to see more of. Thank you! Link
Outdoor Advisory Committee (OAC) Update
Grade 10 Civic Action Projects focus on helping bring our MTRS campus back to life!
Grade 10 have been busy this week with a variety of different activities designed to get all students and adults interested, invested and active with our wonderful campus. Students have designed and implemented projects in relation to:
Campus Clean up
Court Yard Garden Preparation
Signposting around the building
Removal of Invasive Plants
We are excited to plan a start of year Campus Clean up day and will bring you news of this nearer the time!
In the meantime, more information about the OAC projects can be found on the MTRS website, here.
Our next meeting will be virtual on July 13th, 5-6pm. Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend. Details are below:
(US) +1 470-210-0524 PIN: 190 585 623#
MTRS International Trip
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
Athletics News
AD updates
Click Here to access this weeks’ MTRS Athletics Newsletter
MIAA Student Advisory Committee applications are being accepted now - please see AD Vourus for more information.
MTRS game schedules available on ARBITER SPORTS App!
Download the APP via the App Store or Google Play and add MTRS as a favorite for quick access to all of our teams’ game schedules. You can also access our schedules by visiting the “Arbiter Live” website:
https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=14937
If you need any help or have any questions don't hesitate to reach out to Athletic Director Greg Vouros for more information at gvouros@mtrsd.org
Theatre
Play interest 2022/23
Thanks to everyone who helped our students put on the show, Bits of Broadway last weekend; it was fantastic to see students singing and acting on the stage at MTRS after almost two years of silence!
We would like to continue to build out our drama and musical program in the district and are tentatively planning to run a play in the Fall of 2022 and a musical in the early Spring of 2023. If you are a student and would like to be involved in our drama and musical offerings for 2022/23, please complete this survey.
We would also like to ask families of students who will be in grades 5 and 6 if their student would be interested in participating in an after-school drama activity on Wednesdays in the fall and in rehearsals for the musical on wednesdays in the Winter/ Spring. Please complete this survey to help us plan.
Mohawk Trail Equity Alliance - MTEA
Pride
Dear Mohawk Trail Families,
This year, members of the Mohawk Trail Equity Alliance and our school community have been invited to march in the Franklin County Pride Parade in Greenfield on Saturday, June 11th.
Students, staff, and community members are invited to march with us! All participants must arrive at Greenfield Middle School at 11AM to lineup for the parade which begins at 12pm. The parade route goes down Federal Street and finishes at Energy Park where there will be celebration and rally until 3pm. The rally will feature performances and speakers, including some of our MTEA members.
During the rally, students will no longer be under school supervision and will be free to either 1) explore the events and vendors 2) be picked up or 3) return to their cars and travel home as pre-arranged with their families.
Because this is a club event, students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the event. Students should bring appropriate and comfortable clothing and shoes, sun protection, water, snacks and/or money for food at the rally.
Please complete the attached permission slip and have your student return it to any of the MTEA advisors by Thursday, June 6th.
Thank you,
Mohawk Trail Equity Alliance
Leanne Blaszak
Tamara Brown
Nick Lawrence
Community listening hours!
Pop-in for a chat ~ Virtual office hours with Principal Buckland
Have a virtual coffee or tea with me! Pop-by and tell me about your experiences at MTRS and the Trailblazer model. Each month I'll host two virtual drop-in hours for caregivers and hope you'll stop by to say hello!
Second Friday of each month: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Meeting ID: meet.google.com/jtz-yhet-ipo
Phone Number: (US)+1 (813) 773-5581
PIN: 636 883 303
Third Friday of each month: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Meeting ID: meet.google.com/sru-mshz-rht
Phone Number: (US)+1 (218) 301-2866
PIN: 136 064 523
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.
Chris Buckland
Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional