Gator Bites- 12/15/23
The last newsletter of the 2023 calendar year!
Important Dates:
Tuesday, 12/19-High School Band, Jazz, and Chorus Concert at 6:30pm
Friday, 12/22-Half Day for all-start of winter break!
*As a reminder, wrap around is not in session over winter break.*
Tuesday, 1/2/24-School Resumes for all
Monday, 1/15/24-No School-MLK
Tuesday, 1/16/24-Half Day for students-Professional Development for Staff
Lots of Spirit Happening This Week!
See below for the spirit themes of this week! You may wonder why the whole district doesn't have the same themes for spirit week. It's a great opportunity for each school to demonstrate their unique community's spirit. We hope you join in the fun when you're able!
High School
Middle School
Chester Elementary
Littleville Elementary
Safety Info for Families : CORI and Fingerprint Checks
A safety tip or reminder will be included in each Gator Bites. This edition, we will focus on CORI checks!
The law also allows schools to conduct CORI checks on subcontractors or laborers commissioned to do work on school grounds that may have direct and unmonitored contact with children. This includes school bus or van drivers employed by a transportation company under contract with the district to provide transportation services to students.
CORI certification is valid only for two years. Therefore, schools and districts that have been previously certified by the CHSB to obtain CORI must renew their certification every other year by submitting to the CHSB an Application for Renewal of CORI Access Certification.
In January of 2013, Massachusetts added a law under Chapter 459 of the Acts of 2012, “An Act Relative to Background Checks” which required fingerprinting checks in addition to the CORI. This new law expands what public, private, and parochial schools, including approved private special education schools and child care facilities, already do in conducting state CORI checks on all employees. It requires a fingerprint-based state and national criminal record check for all school employees and contractor employees. All newly hired school employees, including educators, student teachers, maintenance staff, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers, who work in the schools and may have direct and unmonitored contact with children are now required to complete the new fingerprint-based state and national background check.
Therefore, if you plan to volunteer in our schools, work as a staff member or a contractor, you will be required by law to complete this process. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter!
Barr Foundation Grant Update
We are excited to transition into the "Dream" phase of this grant! The Dream phase includes students, staff, families, and stakeholders imagining all the possibilities that could ensure that every student at Gateway Regional is engaged in learning and able to meet their goals. Part of this process includes visiting other schools to see how they are meeting students needs in new and creative ways. If you are interested in attending a school visit, please reach out to the school principal or Superintendent Smidy.
A message from the Commissioner of Education about Chronic Absenteeism
Please see the following letter from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner, Jeff Riley:
Dear Families,
We are writing to invite you to join your school, your district, and the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in a campaign to improve student attendance.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted a lot of routines, including the habit of going to school every day. We know that there are often valid reasons for students to be absent, but, to a troubling extent, students are missing more school now than they did previously. Before the pandemic, 13 percent of students were chronically absent, meaning they had missed 10 percent or more of the school year. Last year, 22 percent of students – close to 1 in 4 statewide – were chronically absent.
Missing that much school – 18 days or more from a typical school year – can cause a child to fall behind in their learning and miss opportunities to build positive relationships with other students and with school staff. These losses may result in increased anxiety and interrupted social and emotional development.
Chronic absenteeism appears in every type of district – urban, suburban, rural, regional, traditional public schools, career technical schools, charter schools, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.
Many research studies have concluded that regardless of family income or background, students whose parents are involved in their schooling are more likely to have higher grades and test scores, attend school regularly, have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school. We want all our students to have the opportunity to achieve all of these things.
The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is committed to supporting your district as it works to ensure that every school is safe, welcoming, and supportive, with engaging and creative instruction and joyful classrooms. Your district and schools are committed to partnering with you to find ways to remove any barriers that may be hindering any child from coming to school every day. We are asking you to commit to making daily school attendance part of your family’s routine again. As a leader of your family, you are the best and most important influencer of your child. When you make a point of getting them to school every day, they will understand that it is important for their success.
None of us can change chronic absenteeism by ourselves, but we believe that by working together to bring students to school and offering engaging, supportive environments, our students will learn, grow, and thrive.
GRHS/MS Winter Sports Schedule
Lunch Menu for December
Fundraisers and Events
Gateway Hats on Sale!
Looking for a practical gift idea? Look no farther--The Pease Store in Chester is selling Gateway Hats!
The cost for the hats pictured below are 20 dollars and are currently available!The store is open on Saturday between 9am-2pm and it is located on Main Street in Chester.
Hats are also available by emailing ksmidy@grsd.org.
GEF Trivia Night--Save the Date!
Get your thinking caps on--March 23rd at Stanton Hall for Trivia Night 2024!
From our Community Partners
It Takes A Village Toy Distribution to Gateway Families!
It Takes A Village will be distributing toys to hilltown families, particularly Gateway Regional families, on Thursday from 1-7pm. Toys will be distributed from their location at 2 East Main Street in Huntington. This event is for hilltown families ONLY.
Hilltown Family Center Story Walk
Check out the Hilltown Family Center's Jan Brett Trifecta of StoryWalks for December. Come into playgroup and take home a winter book and check out the Hilltown libraries' events this month.
Upcoming Events at Porter Memorial Library!
Here’s a list of some incredible upcoming events at the Porter Memorial Library in Blandford!
Special Book Squirms: PreK littles and their caregivers are welcome to join us for play and stories at the usual times, but this week we will have special activities ready for your older siblings!
Tuesday 12/26 4:30-5:30pm and Wednesday 12/27 10:30-11:30am
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Pokemon Party for elementary age kids! Bring your cards to trade, play games and make a Pokemon craft! Wednesday 12/27 2-6pm
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Teeny Tiny Painting Party for Tweens and Teens! Join us to make a tiny painting and you may win a prize! Thursday 12/28 2-6pm
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Bouncing off the Walls! Elementary and middle schoolers will like this chance to make their own bouncy ball and then try them out at the town hall gymnasium. Friday, 12/29 3-4pm
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Book Squirms: Every Wednesday 10:30am
Storytime for littles under 5 and their caregivers! We read stories, sing songs and play with sensory bins and toys. Join us with your little ones to borrow books and meet other families!
Book Squirms: Every Tuesday at 4pm
Our preschool program is so popular, we decided to add another time slot! Pre-K kids and their families can join us at 4pm on Tuesdays starting 9/5. We will read books, sing songs, play in sensory bins and make simple crafts. If you can't make it Tuesday, join our Wednesday morning group at 10:30am.
Free Parent Webinars
Cartwheel Care has a free webinar series for parents, caregivers, and school staff: their upcoming webinar on January 10 at 7pm will focus on when and how parents might consider seeking mental heath support for their child, and tips for how to go about finding a mental health professional. Anyone who registers for the webinar will be emailed a recording, so if you're interested but can't attend, go ahead and register anyway! You can register here, or by using the QR code on the attached flyer.
Contact Information:
Chester Elementary School:
Principal Vanna Maffuccio vmaffuccio@grsd.org
Littleville Elementary School:
Principal Melissa McCaul mmccaul@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