We've made it ~ It's time for February break! With warm days like the few we had this week, we can feel spring is upon us! I'm excited for the busyness of the weeks ahead and the promise that spring always brings with it--a chance to re-energize after a long winter.

There's so much to look forward to in the upcoming months--an MTRS musical, spring sports, student fundraisers and trips, transition ceremonies, graduation and more! And remember, while you're on break, continue to follow the FAB FIVE to help keep our communities healthy and safe!

And before you head out for break... here's what's happening:

* MTRSD FY23 budget updates

* COVID-19 updates

* MTRSD Community Engagement and Enrichment Programs

* In the News

* School Spotlights

This week the Mohawk Trail Regional School District school committee held its public hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 16 to present and receive feedback regarding the draft FY 2023 budget to the community. A copy of the budget presentation materials can be found on our website at www.mtrsd.org/business-services. If you missed the presentation, you can rewatch it any time by visiting the school committee page on our website and clicking on "Recently Recorded School Committee Meetings."

A school committee vote on the proposed FY 2023 budget is scheduled for next Wednesday, Feb. 23.

We continue to follow local town mask mandates. FRCOG and our local Board of Health officials are considering updating mask mandates for early to mid-March. The COVID-19 school planning task force continues to meet weekly to review the most recent COVID-19 information and caseload data in our area. We will host a virtual town hall in early March with our local health experts, so stay tuned for more details, date, and time!

For those who currently participate in our at-home testing program, a reminder from COVID-19 Nurse Leader Donna Weber to test this Saturday (Feb. 19) as scheduled, but NEXT week prior to returning to school, test on Sunday, Feb.27. If you did not receive a kit OR would like to sign-up for the at-home testing program, please contact your school nurse.

As we slowly begin to see COVID-19 caseloads decrease throughout our community, please remember to continue to follow our mitigation strategies and the FAB FIVE to help keep us moving in the right direction.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to Superintendent Stanton at sstanton@mtrsd.org or our COVID-19 Nurse Leader Donna Weber at dweber@mtrsd.org.

MTRS middle school students can now enroll in our Girls Who Code Club offered for FREE on Tuesday afternoons starting March 1 (until 3:30 p.m.). Visit www.mtrsd.org/ceep to learn more!

AND Parent’s Night Out at MTRS is back on March 25! This FREE program, open to all district students in grades K-6 are invited to sign-up for a fun night of games, fun, and friendship!

Thanks to our generous program sponsor, WEST END PUB, we’ve EXPANDED our Parents’ Night Out event… Participants will join us for pizza and games before we head into the auditorium to watch The Lego Movie on the big screen. Registration is now open and space is limited, so be sure to sign-up today to reserve your spot! Contact Alia Woofenden at awoofenden@mtrsd.org. Here is the enrollment link for the programs.

Liaison for Community Engagement and Enrichment Programs

https://www.mtrsd.org/ceep

https://www.facebook.com/MTRSDCEEP/

THANK YOU to our incredible MTRS student speakers and community members who attended the MTRS virtual event "What is a Trailblazer" on Tuesday, Feb. 15. If you are a caregiver of an elementary-aged child or a current MTRS family who wants to learn more about the Trailblazer model and how MTRS prepares students for life post-high school, you can still catch the broadcast here: https://vimeo.com/mtrsd/trailblazer22 Learn how YOU can blaze your trail with us at MTRS! #BlazeYourTrailatMTRS

This week our Nordic Ski Team competed in the state championship race at Prospect Mountain and today (Feb. 18) MTRS student athletes Chay Mojallali and Dennis Simmons will compete at the Division 5 indoor track championship meet while Logan Moore and Will VanVleet will head to Fitchburg for the state wrestling meet.

We are so proud of our student athletes and all their accomplishments! CONGRATULATIONS & GOOD LUCK to our incredible MTRS athletes for finishing up an awesome winter season!

Some of the talented members MTRS senior class were singin' ALL the hits on Valentine's Day as they delivered song grams to lucky recipients and raised money to help offset the cost of prom. We especially liked the red carpet treatment. Click on the link below to watch the video and visit @mohawktrailregional Facebook page to see even more of their fun (even Principal Buckland was serenaded!). Thank you again to everyone who helped spread a little love and cheer through supporting the seniors' fundraiser!

Are you interested in helping with our after school activities? We are looking for someone to help supervise students during the after school hours as they finish their activities and are waiting to be picked-up. Initial hours from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays starting the week of Feb 28. Want to learn more? Interested in volunteering? Please contact Principal Chris Buckland at cbuckland@mtrsd.org

The Sanderson Academy library was "awash with hearts, crayons, and doilies galore," said Librarian Robin Wilson as students in Kindergarten through grade six came together to make valentines for elderly members in the community who live alone. The project was completed in collaboration with the Ashfield Police Department and the Food Pantry.

"Some grades also took inspiration from Eileen Spinelli’s book Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, which tells the story of a lonely man who receives a valentine along with a note that reads, 'Somebody loves you!' He is so uplifted by this anonymous gesture of love that he completely transforms. Ask your child how the story turned out! Students did a wonderful job creating valentines that will surely spread some cheer," said Wilson.

Sixth graders at Colrain Central School have been collecting food to benefit the Hilltown Churches Pantry as part of their service learning project focused on food insecurity. The project was completely student-driven--the food drive concept, posters and flyers they shared around the school and community, and community outreach for collections! Food was collected at the Griswold Memorial Library for the past two weeks and thanks to our incredible community support, the class exceeded their donation goal!

Superintendent of Schools

Mohawk Trail/Hawlemont Regional School Districts

sstanton@mtrsd.org

Twitter: @mtrsdsuper