Student and Family Update
4/30/21
Dear Students and Families,
Here we are, over a year later, preparing for our full in-person learning model! On Monday, May 3 we welcome all in-person students for a full, 5 days a week learning model--and we are so excited to have our students with us each day! Today, advisors shared information and expectations for next week with students. Advisors will help to support students on Monday as navigate this transition together. If you are riding the bus, the bus routes are listed on the MTRSD website under the transportation tab. On Wednesdays, athletes are permitted to remain on campus until their practices begin and will have space in our cafeteria (they can have lunch and work on homework).
On April 8, we hosted a Virtual Town Hall where we shared information and details about our full in-person return. If you missed the livestream, you can watch it anytime on the district’s VIMEO page.
Below is the new daily schedule for in-person and remote only students.
Student Services
The Protect Young Eyes cyber education presentations for students and caregivers this week were met with positive feedback! Parents left with practical tips that they can begin to implement immediately. If you missed the first session, there is a second opportunity to see the Caregiver presentation on Tuesday, May 4 from 1-2 p.m. via Zoom. To participate, click this link to register (and a Zoom link and reminders will be emailed to you): https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sHpoH4EfQreRWFTWijNZPA
Student Services updates for 7th, 8th, & 9th grades this week will be sent via email by Ms. Ruggeri.
Class of 2021 Updates
The Class of 2021 graduation will be held on Saturday, June 5 at 5 p.m. (rain date is Sunday, June 6 at 1PM). Due to COVID-19 social distancing measures, graduation will be limited to graduates and their families only. Each graduate will be allotted a certain number of tickets and each ticket must be registered in advance. This year, the Senior Awards ceremony will be blended with graduation.
Additionally, I am happy to announce that yearbooks for the Class of 2021 will be provided at no cost for each graduate (no need to order one online)!
MTRS Walkathon Slated for May 22
Community members - our students need YOUR support! On May 22, the MTRS 9th graders will lace-up their sneakers and make their way to the MTRS track for a walkathon to raise money for their class and the Baystate Health Foundation! Recognizing how COVID-19 has financially strained many members of our community, the students wanted to combine their efforts to make an impact not only on their class fundraising efforts, but also to help their neighbors in need.
These incredible students will be walking to fulfill both those needs--helping them to plan for their future needs to offset costs of annual events while impacting their community in a meaningful way.
While the event is a month away, they've already started their fundraising efforts and are currently collecting pledges. They've created a website--https://sites.google.com/mtrsd.org/walk4health/homepage --so head there to learn more and make a pledge today! *Note from their class adviser: the pledge form is linked to the site, and checks are made out to MTRS.
MCAS Update
Commissioner Riley released a statement that he is submitting a recommendation to the Massachusetts Board of Education to waive MCAS graduation requirements for the Class of 2022. I do anticipate that it will be approved and will update families after the Board has voted. At this time, students in Grade 9 and 10 still have MCAS as a requirement. In order to best support students in Grade 10 for ELA and Math, teachers will be hosting office hours over the next few weeks to support students who would like additional support. Please reach out to Mr. Charette or Mr. Colbeck for more information on math and Ms. Hoogstraten, Mr. Drake or Mr. Sussbauer for information on ELA office hours.
MTRS Athletics Updates
Please click here for the weekly newsletter. With outdoor athletics, athletes are still required to wear masks and special distance when possible. Spectators watching athletic events, regardless of being vaccinated, are also required to wear masks and social distance.
Library News
International Student Trip to Spain and Italy - Summer 2023
Yearbook
Yearbooks are a very special way to hold on to your high school memories for the rest of your life. Visit MTRS's yearbook page for more information on how to order your 2020-2021 yearbook. Seniors: Please be sure to send your senior photo and at least 3 other photos to ewillis@mtrsd.org. For more information for seniors, go here.
District Updates
Looking for district updates or information? Be sure to check the district website, www.mtrsd.org for the most up-to-date information on district events and happenings! Miss an edition of Superintendent Stanton’s weekly updates? Find them on the district website, www.mtrsd.org/news OR on our school’s website alongside our MTRS Student & Family updates at www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org/news.
For COVID-19 updates, information, and our data dashboard, visit: www.mtrsd.org/covid-19-information. The dashboard is updated each Thursday evening. As a reminder, we urge you to continue to practice the FAB FOUR: wear your mask; wash your hands; practice social distancing; and stay home when you are unwell! These mitigation strategies, combined with the procedures we have in place in our buildings, will help to keep our school and community healthy and safe.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR FRCOG: For those residents aged 18+ who are interested in obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine, please visit https://frcog.org/covid-vaccine Our local health representatives have reminded us that vaccine appointments are now available and easy to obtain.
Mohawk Trail & Hawlemont Literacy Planning Survey for Caregivers *MTRS Middle School Parents - we need your voices!
The Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School System is planning to rework our approach to literacy in grades PK-8 so that our programs, teaching approach, and support for students are consistent in all schools and are based on research about how children learn to read.
We would like the input of caregivers to support this process. Please complete these questions based on your child's experiences* in the Mohawk Trail-Hawlemont System.
The survey has been extended until Monday, May 3.
*This is a great time to talk with your child (or children) about their experiences in English Language Arts/Literacy at school! If you are unsure how to answer a question, please ask them for their input.
To complete the survey, visit:
https://forms.gle/kzZaGAHLNX8sQ85V6
Marisa