Gator Bites- 10/6/23
Important Dates:
Monday, October 9 - No School-Columbus Day!
Tuesday, October 17-Half Day for students-Professional Development for Staff
Wednesday, October 18 and Thursday, October 19-Half Days for students-Family Conferences
School Safety Information
We appreciate your understanding and patience as we had to active our safety plan and collaborate with our police partners to assess a report made last week. It is frustrating and scary to not be able to share every detail with families--we can and will share as much as we are able to in the timeliest possible manner. With that being said, we prioritize the investigation at hand to be thorough and as efficient as possible to determine how to proceed. If you have questions or feedback, please do reach out to Superintendent Smidy directly with your questions and comments. You are also welcomed to communicate with the police directly at any time.
It is important to reiterate if you see or hear something that is concerning or questionable, please report it to a staff member. Oftentimes, these reports lead to proactive measures that can support the needs of our community and prevent issues from occurring before they have a negative impact.
Also, the district will communicate in different ways depending on the situation. In the last edition of Gator Bites, we shared how to ensure that your preferences are up to date so you can get the information sent out by our schools. Revisit our last newsletter to get those instructions again if you want to update your preferences.
Barr Foundation Grant-It's survey time!
Attention Gateway Families, Community Members, and Alumni!
We NEED to hear from YOU!
As you know, Gateway was selected to receive a grant from the Barr Foundation. This grant requires the district to hear from YOU to understand how we can shift our practices to make sure we are engaging EVERY STUDENT in their education.
Families: Please take one survey for each child enrolled.
HIGH SCHOOL SURVEY LINK: ytsurvey.org/barrfamily23
MIDDLE SCHOOL, LITTLEVILLE, AND CHESTER SURVEY LINK: ytsurvey.org/gatewayregionalfamily23
Community members and alumni: please take one survey from the link below.
COMMUNITY MEMBER AND ALUMNI SURVEY LINK: https://tinyurl.com/GRSDcommunitysurvey
If you are a student or staff member, a different survey link will be shared with you.
The photo below may not be linkable, but use the link above to take the survey.
GRHS/MS Winter Sports Sign Ups!
Interested in winter sports at Gateway Regional MS/HS? Sign ups can be found on our website by clicking the last link on the right hand side "Sports Sign Ups".
Fall Sports Schedule
Come cheer on our Gators in the last few weeks of the fall season!
Celebrating Cross Country!
The cross country team has had a very successful first half of the season, earning a 7-1 overall record with a 6-1 record in the Pioneer South league. Also, freshman, Anya has had two individual race wins so far this season. Seniors Alex and Sawyer were celebrated at the last home meet this past week.
Celebrate National School Lunch Week with us Oct.10th-13th and Farm to School for the month of October...and BEYOND!
Our Gateway MSHS, Littleville, & Chester Elementary Cafeterias are serving up lots of delicious, nutritious, and LOCAL foods...and we are beyond excited!
We have partnered with Marty's Local out of South Deerfield, MA who distributes meats, produce, and other farm fresh goodness; all from our own local and area farms within a 400 mile radius!
Next week we will be featuring farm fresh SWAZ potatoes from Hatfield for our Loaded Baked Potatoes being served Thurs.10/12! Also, ripe and juicy tomatoes sourced from Boston Market will be featured on our Caprese Flatbreads on Friday 10/13! As always, we are currently serving up delicious and crisp apples from our own Outlook Farms in Westhampton!
In the weeks following we will be featuring more locally grown/produced foods in our lunches, such as Roasted Chicken Drumsticks on Oct. 24th with chicken sourced from Hager's Farm located in Shelburne Falls, MA. Also, our hand-cut oven fries on Oct. 27th will be sourced from Joe Czajkowski Farm in Hadley, MA! Many more locally sourced foods will be offered in our lunches throughout this school year, so be on the lookout!
October Lunch Menu
Click here for our October lunch menu!
High School Yearbooks for sale!
A Message from our Nurse Leader
Massachusetts State Mandated Screenings to begin in October
Beginning in October the nurses of Gateway will begin doing health screenings. These screenings are not diagnostic, but serve to identify students who may need further medical evaluation. We will only contact parents with results if they are outside of normal limits and need follow up for further evaluation. If you would prefer to have your child screened by their primary care provider please contact your school nurse to make arrangements to gather required documentation.
Postural Screenings
In preparation for scoliosis screening, it is suggested to watch the video below with your child about scoliosis and the screening process.
Catch the Curve Scoliosis Education Video
Postural screening is not diagnostic, but a program to identify students who should have further medical evaluation. In Massachusetts, postural screenings are performed in school for children in grades 5 through 9 because this is a time of rapid growth and the most likely time period in which children can develop problems of the spine or scoliosis. For a proper and more accurate visualization during postural screening, female students are encouraged to bring a two-piece bathing suit or halter-top to school. This type of clothing permits a more accurate observation of the child’s back. Please be assured that privacy will be maintained at all times. Parents will be contacted with results only if there is a need to follow up with a physician or licensed practitioner for further evaluation.
If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to opt out of this screening, please contact your school nurse.
Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening
BMI is a measure that is used to show a person’s weight for height for age. It is calculated using an individual’s height and weight. Just like a blood pressure reading or an eye screening test, BMI can be a useful tool in identifying possible health risks, but it does not provide a diagnosis. Massachusetts schools have taken students’ heights and weights each year since the 1950s. According to the state’s new BMI screening regulations (approved in 2013), schools must now collect the heights and weights of students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10. BMI data collected for all children in these grades will be gathered and reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as a combined number. No individual student’s BMI results will be shared with anyone other than you. The school nurse will supervise your child’s screening and will make sure your child’s privacy is respected at all times. Your child’s height, weight, and BMI measurements are strictly confidential – results will be kept in your child’s school health record and will not be shared with anyone without your written permission.
The Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
The SBIRT program screening process will be incorporated into our annual state mandates screenings; and be done once in middle school and once in high school. All screenings will be conducted by our school nurses confidentially in private one-on-one sessions. We will utilize the CRAFFT-N screening tool, the most commonly used substance use screening tool for adolescents in Massachusetts. This year SBIRT will be done with grades 7 & 11.
Students who are not using substances will have their healthy choices reinforced by the screener. The screener will provide brief feedback to any student who reports using substances, or who is at risk for future substance use. If needed, we will refer students to our counseling staff for further evaluation. This program focuses on harm prevention and does not generate disciplinary action. Results of the screening will not be included in your student’s school record. As with any school screening, you have the right to opt your child out of this screening. Please contact the Health Office at (413) 685-1240 if you have any questions about this program or if you wish to opt out. Additionally, screening is voluntary and students may choose not to answer any or all of the screening questions. We encourage all parents/guardians to talk with their child about substance use. Together, schools and parent/guardians CAN make a difference for our youth.
Resources
“7 Ways to Protect Your Teen From Alcohol and Other Drugs”
http://files.hria.org/files/SA1011.pdf
Underage Drinking Prevention Parent Resources from SAMHSA
http://www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking/parent-resources
Marijuana Talk Kit
Fundraisers
Pizza! Pizza! For the Class of 2025!
The Class of 2025 is running the Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraiser again this year! Feel free to click the link below to order pizza, breadsticks, and cookies delivered right to your home. This fundraiser will run through the end of the month!
https://fundraising.littlecaesars.com/products?support=9d7e549b-f140-473d-ab7a-0a71168cf093
Gateway Socks for Chester's Playground!
Get your awesome Gateway Socks here and support Chester Elementary's playground project fundraiser at the same time!
T-Shirts for Sale!
The Gateway Education Foundation will be selling shirts. Please consider purchasing a shirt to support this great cause and to sport your Gateway Gear! Adult and child sizes are available! Sweatshirts and new sizes are also available for preorder!! Here is the updated order form with sizes and costs. Deadline for orders is October 13th.
GEF Trivia Night--Save the Date!
Get your thinking caps on--March 23rd at Stanton Hall for Trivia Night 2024!
From our Community Partners
At the Russell Public Library!
What’s the Buzz! Bee Keeping with Bob Broga
A live bee learning experience for adults and the whole family. Bob will talk about honey bee behavior, forming and maintaining a hive,
processing honey and related items and preparing for pollinators in the spring. He brings lots of hands on materials and his buzzing friends. Hope you will bee there.
Saturday, October 14th, 2-4 PM
Register by email rpldirector@townofrussell.us, call 413-862-6221 and
leave a message, or come in and sign up at the library.
Kids, Happy Fallidays
Join us for our Celebration of Fall Story Time
Saturday, October 21th, from 10:30 -12:00.
Leaf Crafts and Pumpkin Eats, A full morning of fabulous fall fun and a story too. Open to everyone, no registration required
For Adults and Teens: “Guided Pastel Painting of Georgia O’Keeffe’s Famous Lily,” with artist Gregory John Maichack.
Thursday, November 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00PM
This pastel painting workshop serves beginners to advanced artists, and all materials are provided. Mr. Maichack’s workshops have been so well-liked that he has been booked annually at the Russell Public Libraryfor a number of years.
Register by email rpldirector@townofrussell.us, call 413-862-6221 and
leave a message, or come in and sign up at the library.
This program is supported in part by funds from the Russell Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
At the Blandford Public Library!
From the Hilltown Community Health Center
StoryWalk Available in Huntington!
Happy Reunion, Class of 1971!
The Gateway Regional class of 1971 meets annually to join together to reconnect. Cheers to another 52 years of being a Gator!
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