Student & Family Update
April 29, 2022
January 19th, 2023
Good afternoon everyone,
I hope you have had a great week.
Seniors presented their Capstone Projects this week and we are thankful for family and community members who have sat on panels. Please see the District Perspective below for more details.
Don't forget that we will be holding Student Led Conferences next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday is a 12:50pm early release day, Thursday and Friday are two hour delayed starts (9:45am). Our advisors look forward to meeting you in person/ virtually and having you participate next week.
Finally, in the community section of the newsletter you will find resources for care providers that might be helpful when talking to your children about safe social media use.
Please see below for more information related to upcoming events at MTRS:
- There has been in a change in the grading schedule: Grades close on Friday 2nd February and reports will be published in Aspen on Monday, Feb 5th..
- Please find a one-pager, here on the SLC. Please find below a simplified student-facing schedule for the three days. Please note that although in the schedule there is a specific time set aside for Student Led Conferences on Wednesday 1/24, the SLC will continue through Thursday and Friday, depending on the timeslot the parent/caregiver chooses with their child’s advisory teacher.
- Auditions for YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN have been postponed to January 25th
- MTRS was recently awarded a Barr Foundation Grant to support different elements of our school. An overview of what the grant is and how it will support students was shared at the school committee meeting on 1-10. Please see the Teaching and Learning section below for a version of this presentation. Caregivers are also warmly encouraged to ask questions at Principal Buckland's next virtual drop-in at 8-9am on February 9th.
- SEPAC is organizing a virtual meeting from 6-8pm on Jan 22nd: Basic Rights- Evaluation and Eligibility (more info on the posters below)
- Graduation information for the Class of 2024 - please see below! As a reminder (in newsletters since August of 2023: Graduation will be on Friday 31st May, indoors in the MTRS Auditorium)
If you are reading this newsletter on a phone or laptop, don't forget to click on "read entire message" in order to see the complete newsletter.
Finally, we do our best to convey information to our community from a variety of sources, lots of them community rather than school based organizations. Unfortunately we are not able to share images and posters with live links through Smore but always ensure there is an email for inquiries. If you would like an e-copy of a poster with live links, please feel free to reach out to the office directly.
Have a nice weekend
Chris
Important Dates & Information
Upcoming dates
Jan 24/25/26th:Student-Led-Conferences
Feb 2nd: MTEA Family movie night: Times TBD
Feb 19-23rd: Vacation
March 3rd: 6:30-8:30pm: Student Council dance
March 27th: District Celebration of Learning
April 12th: Middle School Career Speakers in Advisory
May 3 and 4th: Spring Musical: You're a good man, Charlie Brown
May 15 & 16th District Music Concert at BSE
May 18th: MTAA Spring Fling
May 18th: Prom
May 30th: Senior Awards evening
May 31st (Friday) -6-8pm: High School Graduation. Indoors at MTRS (This is a correction to the published date of June 1st)
June 3rd - Grade 6 Step up day
District Calendar for 2023/24: Link
Quarter 2: 50 days (including student-led conferences)
First Day: Friday, November 3, 2023
Last Day: Friday, January 26, 2024
Q2 progress report grades close on: Friday, December 8, 2023
Q2 progress report grading window: Thursday, Dec 7 - Thursday Dec 14 at 11:59pm
Q2 progress reports will be distributed on: Friday, December 15, 2023
Q2 grading window: Thursday, January 18 - Fri, February 2nd, 2024 at 11:59pm
Q2 report cards will be available in Aspen on: Monday, Feb 5th, 2024
Semester 1 Student-led conferences
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 - (Early Release)
Thursday, January 25, 2024 - (2 hr delay: 9:45am school starts)
Friday, January 26, 2024 - (2 hr delay: 9:45am school starts)
9th grade Biology to the Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College.
"Overall, the field trip was a fantastic educational experience. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and engaging. For example, the guide demonstrated how a mammoth might have passed away in such a way that it would have been preserved. He even proceeded to get on his hands and knees to capture the moment. Lunch was also cool as we got to experience a college dining hall. Finally, we got to hear about the new science building. I appreciated that it was built and designed to meet the standards of students. Students made suggestions and they listened!" -Valerie B '27
9th grade Biology to the Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College.
9th grade Biology to the Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College.
9th grade Biology to the Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College.
Spring Musical Announcement!
Auditions postponed to January 25th & rehearsal schedule information
Auditions for YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN have been postponed to Thursday January 25th from 2:30-4:30 in the auditorium. Please come prepared to sing HAPPINESS. Copies of the sheet music are in the library and on the school website under activities. Please bring your Contact form as well. We are sorry for the inconvenience and can't wait for January 25th!!
Grade 5 & 6 grade students who are interested- please have caregivers email Ms Eva at stagemanager@mtrsd.org for all information for their auditions.
Here is the rehearsal schedule for play (links)
Dean Brault's Student Culture Corner
Senior Capstones have been happening yesterday and today. The students have prepared well and are presenting some fabulous information about their experience! Thank you to the teachers who have been helping them throughout the semester.
As I am writing this, the temperatures have plummeted. Please let your student’s counselor know if they need warmer clothes, a jacket, or boots/shoes. The building remains chilly as well so layers are a must.
Stay warm!
The District Perspective
Carol Foote, Communications and Outreach Coordinator, cfoote@mtrsd.org
Senior Capstones Conclude
At Mohawk Trail Regional, the work of members of the senior class on their capstone projects spans the 15 week first term of senior year. These individually driven projects allow seniors to choose a topic they are interested in and explore it in ways they might not otherwise. This week Mohawk Trail seniors have shown off all that they put into these projects which may have included research, past experience, hands-on work, interviews, and more. As noted by Senior Weston Den Ouden, “This project as a whole has been an extremely beneficial experience, and it’s forced me to come to terms with myself in a way that I might not have otherwise. As a result, I’ve questioned a lot of the predeterminations I made earlier this year regarding what I want to do as I move forward in my life." As the students stood before their slide decks and gave their summative presentations in front of a panel of reviewers, one could observe a sense of tension, relief, increased knowledge, pride and definite growth. One panelist shared, "Glad that MTRS students have real world experiential learning opportunities!" Congratulations to members of the class of 2024 for completing this substantial work!
Another student-directed initiative rooted in the Trailblazer model are the upcoming student-led conferences (SLC) happening January 24, 25, and 26. This gives the power of the narrative to the students as they share with their caregivers what and how they are learning. Teachers offer support and insights in this setting.
BSE’s Got Talent
The annual Talent Show is TONIGHT, 1/19/2024, at 6pm! Come to Buckland-Shelburne Elementary to see the students demonstrating their talents in a super showcase.
Please note the spaghetti dinner fundraiser has been canceled for 1/20/2024.
Cellular Developments at Colrain Central
Members of the Colrain Central 6th grade class learned that each living thing is made up of cells which are the most basic unit of life. Once they learned the parts of the cells and their functions, their task was to build their choice of either a plant or an animal cell, in 3-D, with all the organelles properly labeled. As the students created their cells, their organelles had to resemble the actual organelles in shape and number. Students were generally surprised by how many parts of a cell there are and how something so tiny can be so complex. Teachers were surprised by the level of creative thinking that went into representing the cell parts and were impressed with the time and attention that went into the finished products. Well done, 6th graders!
Bright Future for Sanderson’s Music Program
Starting in third grade, Sanderson students begin playing the recorder, and performing at all-school assemblies. In fourth grade, students are invited to pick up an instrument of their choosing and join the band. New and exciting this year - Sanderson has an orchestra! The introduction of strings at Sanderson at the beginning of the school year was met with enthusiastic response and students are learning to play violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Like the band program, the orchestra students have weekly lessons in their particular instrument, then join together for orchestra rehearsal every other week.
Sanderson embraces the C.A.R.E.S approach (cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, self-control) which music teacher Julie Meservey sees reflected quite strongly in their instrumental music program. Band and orchestra members are learning that consistent practice makes a difference and that confidence comes with being prepared. These students take responsibility for themselves, help each other, take risks, and understand that results take hard work. Sometimes things don't always go as planned, and that's okay, too. Sixth-graders are particularly strong role models and they are setting a high bar. The skills, cooperation and leadership demonstrated in the music program support the C.A.R.E.S culture at Sanderson Academy. Bravo!
Hawlemont Enrichments Are a Big Hit
On Thursday afternoon, Hawlemont hosted the first afternoon of winter enrichments. They had students on the slopes, doing STEAM projects, and visiting the Dr. Seuss Museum.
Students worked on coding and using Sphero Bolts and Bee Bots, created a gaga pit or maze for Hexbugs, used Augmented Reality to see their drawings come to life, completed an unplugged coding map and, in art, used tessellation (think Escher!) and upcycling techniques. Some students had an outdoor adventure while others built Lego creations, marble runs, magnetic sticks or created lanterns.
Grade 12 students completed their Capstone presentations this week
Grade 12 students completed their Capstone presentations this week
Grade 12 students completed their Capstone presentations this week
Teaching and Learning
MTRS has been awarded a Barr Foundation Grant!
An overview of how the Barr Foundation Grant will be used to support different elements of the student experience was shared at the school committee meeting on 1-10. Please find an shorter version below. Caregivers are also warmly encouraged to ask questions at Principal Buckland's next virtual drop-in at 8-9am on February 9th or to email with questions.
The Barr Foundation grant will help support the following:
To continue to develop and refine our MTRS Advisory program and continue to build a positive building culture
PD support for developing and strengthening our Restorative Practices and developing opportunities for student voice to lead
PD to support our Standards Based Teaching and Learning and further development of Student-Led Conferences and students leading their own learning
To develop structures to support Internships, WBL and College-based opportunities for students linked to their Capstone/ specific interests
Stipend supported leadership opportunities for staff
Opportunities for all staff to participate in site visits to partner schools
We are thankful that the Barr Foundation will enable us to partner with three leading consultants:
Restorative Practices - Suffolk Centre for Restorative Practices
SBTL - EL Education
SLC and SBTL progress tracking - LiFT
How will this financial support be utilized?
Supporting opportunities to innovate our schedule and the learning experiences that students have at MTRS
Staff PD and mentoring from our consulting partners
Supporting and promoting staff leadership opportunities to ensure that distributed leadership
Site visits to inform and refine our practices
What are the aims and objectives of our Barr Foundation supported work?
Aims
As a result of continued work on culture and advisory, student surveys will show a 10% increase in sense of belonging in school by the end of the grant period. This will be measurable through twice-yearly surveys as well as end of semester student focus groups.
As a result of the school wide implementation of restorative practices and increased student voice, by the end of the grant period, school data collection processes will show a 15% decrease in behavioral referrals to administration and a 10% reduction in out of school and in school suspensions.
By the end of the grant period, as a result of the implementation of SBTL in all classes, 80% of students in Grade 10 will be Meeting or Exceeding expectations in ELA and Math MCAS.
By the end of the grant period, MTRS will be established as a model of dynamism and innovation in a rural school context, evidenced by MTRS hosting four visits from other schools in the region and at least 1 media mention per academic quarter - 8 in total.
By the end of the grant period, based on survey results collected at the end of each semester.
80% of students and employers will report that internship and work-based learning experiences are positive, useful, and relevant.
Objectives
By Jan 2026, 100% of staff will complete tier 1 and tier 2 restorative justice training, as evidenced by attendance at trainings.
By Jan 2026, MTRS will publish its school-specific model of Standards-Based Teaching and Learning which prioritizes rigor and opportunities for students to engage in authentic learning.
By Jan 2026, 80% of all caregivers will have taken part in at least one end of semester student-led-conference
By Jan 2026, at least 60% of teachers will visit at least 2 schools during the grant period in order to provide feedback and refine the MTRS model.
By Jan 2026, at least 80% of Grade 12 students will have completed or will have scheduled a work based learning or internship placement to be completed by the time they graduate in June of 2026
Caregivers are also warmly encouraged to ask questions at Principal Buckland's next virtual drop-in at 8-9am on February 9th or to email with questions.
Graduation Information for the Class of 2024!
Class meetings will take place in the next two weeks and the Class of 2024 will be planning their involvement in the following events:
Graduation
Prom - Saturday 18th May
Senior Send off - Weds 22nd May
Senior Soak - Thursday 23rd May
Last Day - Friday May 24th
Memorial Day - Mon 27th May
Finals and rehearsals for Awards/ Graduation - Tuesday 28th May and Wednesday May 29th
Elementary school visit and MTRS staff cookout - Wednesday 29th May
Awards Event - Thursday 30th May (5-7pm)
Graduation Celebration - Friday May 31st 6-8pm indoors at MTRS (auditorium)
Scholarships
Please keep checking the Student Services section of the website in order to stay on top of deadlines. Last year the Class of 2023 walked away with over $100,000 in scholarships from our MTRS community!
This section of the newsletter will be updated as we progress through the year, so please check back in regularly!
Library Updates
Check out what is new in the library!
Take a look at our MTRS Library January 2024 newsletter: “Check It Out!”
Student Services
Also don't forget to be checking the Senior Scholarship Bulletin.
Students and parents, please reach out with any specific questions - happy to help! Mrs. Cairney acariney@mtrsd.org Students to book an appt visit: https://acairney.youcanbook.me/
Bus Schedules and Questions
Please make sure that you check the Bus routes on district site. Care providers can call Dawn at the bus company on 413-489-3195 at ext 3304 or call the school and ask to speak to Robin Pease.
Community Events
How can you get involved at MTRS?
We want to hear your voice!
Local Education Council (LEC)
This meets virtually every second Wednesday of the month between 3:45 and 4:30pm. More information can be found here. The next meeting will take place on February 14th
The virtual joining information is as follows:
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 813-435-9650
PIN: 741 012 215#
Principal Drop-ins
As was the case last year, I will hold regular virtual office hours. You don’t need an appointment to come and talk with me and share your thoughts on what goes on at MTRS. I will try to be available for the whole 60 minutes but can't always guarantee it at our busy school. The next drop in will take place on February 9th.
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
Digital Safety Resources for Parents/ Caregivers
It is time for a digital check up
Social Media 101
Who are your kids talking to online?
Athletics
WARRIOR WRESTLERS CONTINUE TO BRING HOME HARDWARE!!
Welcome back sports fans! It is finally feeling like winter out there, and all of our teams have been competing at the highest level! It has been an action packed week, so buckle up!
WARRIOR WRESTLERS CONTINUE TO BRING HOME HARDWARE!!
Hot off of a tremendous showing at last week’s Keene New Hampshire tournament, the Mohawk Trail Wrestling team took a trip to the Berkshires to compete in the Taconic High School Wrestling Tournament last Saturday in Pittsfield. Different weekend….Same result. Senior Will VanVleet took home another gold medal in the 215 pound weight class, while Junior Logan Moore earned another silver medal in his ultra competitive 150 weight category! In addition to these accolades, our younger JV wrestlers had the opportunity to compete in the West Springfield JV wrestling tournament on Martin Luther King JR Day. Seventh grader Wade Purington went undefeated in his 106 pound bracket and took home 1st place!
ALPINE SKIERS CONTINUE TO DOMINATE SLOPES!!
The Mohawk Trail Girls Alpine Ski Team continues to leave zero doubt as to who is the top dog in the PVIAC. Winning by an astounding 58 SECONDS, the Lady Warriors took four of the top seven placings Thursday in Charlemont. Sophomore Addie Loomis and Senior Emmy Sisum took the top two spots, per usual, while seventh grader Lydie Pinkham and Junior Sophia Slocik-Gritzner took 5th and 7th, respectively.
Not to be outdone, The Mohawk Trail Boys Alpine Ski Team cruised to victory by 11 seconds by earning the top two overall placings on the leaderboard. Senior Weston Den Ouden finished in the top spot, while Senior Gage Patenaude was right behind in second place.
Both teams return to action next Tuesday at Berkshire East. Races start at 5:00.
SPRING SPORTS REGISTRATION OPENING SOON!!!
While it has just started to feel like winter with snow and cold temps, the Mohawk Trail Athletic Department is preparing to open Spring Sports Registrations on JANUARY 29TH!!! We will be offering boys and girls track and field, baseball, softball, and tennis. A link will be shared in next week’s newsletter with registration information and instructions, so don’t forget to check your inboxes! Please reach out to District Athletic Director Greg Lilly with any questions at glillyAD@mtrsd.org.
Trail Wrestling team took a trip to the Berkshires to compete in the Taconic High School Wrestling Tournament last Saturday in Pittsfield
Trail Wrestling team took a trip to the Berkshires to compete in the Taconic High School Wrestling Tournament last Saturday in Pittsfield
Trail Wrestling team took a trip to the Berkshires to compete in the Taconic High School Wrestling Tournament last Saturday in Pittsfield
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.
Special Education Contact Information
Person
Role
Contact Information
Leann Loomis
Director of Pupil Personnel Services
413-625-0192 x1025
Melissa Plesnar
Assistant to Director of Pupil Personnel Services
413-625-0192 x1015
Erin Beaudet
7-12 Liaison
413-625-9811 x1314
Carolyn Goodnow
1-6 Liaison
Mohawk Trail District
413-625-2521
Kate Dwyer
1-6 Liaison
Hawlemont District
413-339-8316
Amy Socquet
Early Childhood Coordinator and Liaison
413-625-6194
About Mohawk Trail SEPAC
The Special Education Parent Advisory Council is an advisory group led by parents within our community. We are looking to support each other and help the school district to better serve its students. The SEPAC is open to all caregivers within the district with an IEP or 504 plan, and to interested members of the community. Please reach out to us to learn more!
SEPAC meetings
We meet monthly via Zoom. Upcoming meetings: Sept 28, Oct 23, Nov 27 at 6:30 pm
We welcome caregivers, staff, and interested members of the community to learn about SEPAC and meet local families. The public meeting will be followed by a private caregiver support discussion.
MOHAWK SEPAC MEETING
MONDAY NOV 27TH AT 6:30PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81146390541?pwd=cGVyR0hFelYrTWhTZ2pzK0kwWnBWQT09
Meeting ID: 811 4639 0541
Passcode: 453118
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,81146390541# US (Chicago)
+16468769923,,81146390541# US (New York)
Email us to learn more: mohawksepac@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MohawktrailSEPAC
Rights and Responsibilities workshop
January coffee hour
Upcoming meetings
Chris Buckland
Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional
MTRSD Director of Communications