Gator Bites
April 6, 2023
Gateway Explorers and Jr. Explorers Summer Camps are Full
We've had such a positive response to our summer programs and enrollment has been steady. With the booming enrollment, that registration is closed and we are starting a wait list.
This year's summer camp for Gateway students GOING INTO Kindergarten -10th grade NEXT YEAR will start on Monday, July 10th and go until Thursday, August 10th. This year camps will be five weeks with tons of summer fun at both the Jr. Explorers (going into K - 4th grade) and Explorers Camps (going into 5th -10th grades). There are some changes this year. One of the main changes is that our Explorers Camp (grades 5 - 10) in no longer a drop-in weekly camp. This is a 5-week program camp. Of course, we understand that vacations are planned and that's fine. We just ask for advance notice.
If you have questions, please contact Martha Clark at: mclark@grsd.org or 413-685-1003
Upcoming Events at Gateway!
Banking Day
- GRMS and Littleville Elementary - the first and third Tuesday of the month.
- Chester Elementary - the first and third Wednesday of the month.
trivia night
Friday, April 7 - NO SCHOOL for Good Friday
Monday, April 17 - Friday, April 21 - No School SPRING BREAK
Friday, May 5 - 6:00pm Gateway MS/HS play - The Bros. Grimm Spectaculathon
Saturday, May 6 - 1:00pm Gateway MS/HS play - The Bros. Grimm Spectaculathon
Friday, May 26 - High School Prom
It's Prom Time!
If anyone going to the Prom is in need of a dress for Prom or would like to look at the beautiful gowns in our Prom Closet, please contact Mrs. Clark.
Mark Your Calendars for this year's Drama Production!
The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are turned on their heads in this fast-paced, rollicking ride as two narrators and several actors attempt to combine all 209 stories ranging from classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel to more bizarre, obscure stories like The Devil's Grandmother and The Girl Without Hands. A wild, free-form comedy with lots of audience participation and madcap fun.
Public Comment Requested
Per Chapter 86 of the Acts of 2014, which amended G.L. c. 71, §370, the anti-bullying statute, every school district in MA is required to have an approved bullying plan and update it every two years.
Recently, a team of dedicated staff joined together to form our Anti-Bullying Task Force and collaborated to revamp the bullying plan for Gateway and it was also tuned by the leadership team. Because there have been quite a few updates, we invite staff, families and the community to provide public comment to the plan before it is finalized. You can view our draft bullying plan here.
Much of this updated plan is taken from the Department of Elementary and Secondary's model bullying plan (which is encouraged, since it aligns with state laws and protocols), and we have worked to personalize the plan for Gateway.
You can find the model plan and other resources aligned to this state law at this site:
https://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/bullying/.
Please email Superintendent Smidy with any questions or comments about the plan no later than April 14. Your comments may be shared with the Anti-Bullying Task Force including Nancy Blume, Scott Caron, Cathy Servaes, Amy LaPlante, Missy McCaul, and Kristen Smidy.
The GEF's Funds for Learning at Work
Below are Littleville students programming and working with robots purchased by a grant from Gateway's Funds for Learning grant program. Our elementary STEM teacher, Greg Baker, wrote and was awarded funds from the grant and immediately put the robots and robotics instruction to use in our elementary schools.
A Round-Table Meeting with Representative Boldyga and Senator Mark
On March 28th both Representative Nick Boldyga and Senator Paul Mark visited Gateway Regional School District. They sat down with our district's Leadership Team, members of the Gateway Education Association and members of our School Committee. It was an important meeting and gave us the chance to advocate for our needs. Superintendent Kristen Smidy commented, "I love how our reps got to hear what we love about Gateway and the importance of advocating for our needs. Both (Rep. Boldyga and Senator Paul) reiterated to me that they were pleased that so many folks showed up to listen and share."
Going forward Gateway hopes that you will consider helping us follow up on the meeting based on Senator Paul's and Representative Boldyga's recommendations by:
1. Continuing to advocate for rural aid to the ways and means chairs
Senate Chair: Michael.Rodrigues@masenate.gov
Senate Vice Chair: Cindy.Friedman@masenate.gov
Assistant Vice Chair: Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov (from Western MA!)
House Chair: Aaron.M.Michlewitz@mahouse.gov
House Vice Chair: Ann-Margaret.Ferrante@mahouse.gov
House Assistant Vice Chair: Patricia.Haddad@mahouse.gov
2. Requesting to our state associations to advocate like MASC, MASS, MSAA, and MTA
3. Advocate to ensure that the Millionaire's Tax is allocated to Education with the House and senate
4. Ask friends and other schools not from rural communities to also advocate
Chester students advocate for full Rural Aid funding...
Aviation Programs at Gateway Middle and High Schools
Learn to Fly is coming this fall to our high school 9th and 10th grade students. We are very excited to announce that this fall our partnership with Wright Flight is expanding and we're offering a new program. This 12 week program will be taught by a certified flight instructor after school. It is geared toward 9th and 10th grade students and will lead to the students taking their Private Pilots Exam at the end. Students need to be at least 15 years old to "sit" for the exam and can wait until their 15th birthday to take it if they are not yet 15 when the course is over.
Gateway's Early Childhood and Care Program Freshman working with our preschoolers
Preschoolers at the store!
Preschoolers at the salon!
Preschoolers at the post office!
Early Education and Care students participate in the SKILLS USA Competition
This year, our students competed against 5 other students from two Western Mass Chapter 74 EEC programs. Students who earn a gold or silver medal, by receiving the top two highest scores on the District exam, will move on to the State level of the competition which will be held in April. States is the hands-on portion of the competition.
CONGRATULATIONS:
We are thrilled to announce that Gia Marchese earned the bronze medal in the competition and
Kyleigh Benson earned the silver medal. Kylie will now will move on to the State competition in April.
Gateway High School's Elm Futures Students
We are hoping to offer a second session for a new cohort of students later in the spring.
Our high school concert band earns Bronze!!
Our band participated in the Massachusetts Instrumental Choral Conductors Association event in Belchertown. The students performed in front of other bands as well as for a group of music teachers from around the state. Those music teachers then score each band and award medals to them. In addition, each band participates in a workshop with one of the judges. It is a fantastic opportunity for our students. Congratulations to our band students!
Affordable Connectivity Program
WPI Presents.... Celebrating Middle School Girls Who Love Math
GRSD on the fields
ALL-STATE/All STAR News
Congratulations to Eli Gilbert for making the All-State Westling Tournament. Eli wrestled hard competing against division I,II, and other division III wrestlers in the tournament.
Congratulations to Liam McKellick for being making The Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Association's All-Star List for the 2022-23 boys ice hockey season.
It's kindergarten Screening Time for the 2023-24 School Year
Chester Elementary School: https://forms.gle/BQPwidUh8v3hwXUy7
Littleville Elementary School: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceUUHAO2IHxE8p4tEKsf4tAClkJrJlrlYbuKFyTeG4t7MgDQ/viewform
Families with MassHealth Need to Renew Coverage
Families with MassHealth need to renew their coverage this year in order to maintain coverage. Coverage protections put in place during the pandemic will end soon, and MassHealth will return to standard annual eligibility renewal processes. Please help inform MassHealth families that they need to take the following steps:
- Update contact information – make sure MassHealth has their most up-to-date address, phone number, and email so that they do not miss important information and notices about what else is needed.
- Report household changes to make sure MassHealth knows about any changes in their household, like a new job, address, changes to income, disability status, or pregnancy.
More information is available on the MassHealth’s Redetermination website, and school leaders can help spread the word with this Redetermination flyer, poster, and toolkit.
Job Opportunities
- Gateway Regional School District is looking for substitute teachers and nurses.
- The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission is hiring laborers at the treatment plant the reservoir and on Provin Mountain. The Commission runs a treatment plant on the Blandford/Westfield line and also manages property at Cobble Mountain reservoir and on Provin Mountain in Feeding Hills. They are currently hiring Labors at the treatment plant, the reservoir, and Provin. Often, people who are interested in getting into the water treatment industry start as Laborers while they are working on getting their treatment plant operator license. These are full time positions. To apply click here: https://waterandsewer.org/about-the-commission/careers/
What's Happening in our Community
Upcoming Russell Library Events:
Russell Public Library Open House, Celebrating Children’s Library Mural Artist Yasmine Porath.
See Yasmine's art; Yasmine's mural work , Curbside canvas
Saturday April 8th from 10:00 to 1:00, with a presentation at 11:00 am
Meet the artist
Join us for community, conversation and yummy snacks
Open to everyone, no registration required
(Photo: Children’s Library Mural)
Kids, Recycle, Repurpose, Reduce, Pre-Earth Day Program!
Saturday, April 15th, from 10:00 -12:00.
Create table top composters using recycled materials
(you can bring your own 2 liter soda bottle)
Build structures from repurposed cardboard (back by
popular demand)
Read about ways to care for the Earth and reduce
your footprint
Open to everyone, no registration required
(Photo: Kids Cardboard Architecture)
Two April Vacation Events for Young People and Families.
Guided Group Drumming for Everyone with Ellen Klegg, “Drumming enhances wellness and creative expression in people of all ages. Open to people of all ages.
Russell Public Library Tuesday, April 18th, 10:00 -12:00
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 a grant from the Russell Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.”
(Photo: Ellen Klegg leading drumming workshop at Noble View Outdoor Center)
Making Paper with Ms. Dawne, Stay with our April theme of Recycle, Repurpose, Reduce and make new paper from recycled paper scraps. Open to people of all ages.
Russell Public Library Thursday, April 20th,
10:30-12:30
Register by email rpldirector@townofrussell.us, call
413-862-6221 and leave a message, or come in and sign
up at the library.
An Underwater World: Critters and Creatures in the Stream (AMC WMA Chapter Family Outings Event at the RP Library) Come splash in the stream behind the Russell Public Library for some Earth Day Family Fun! We will look for the creatures who live under the water at the river’s edge and investigate the many invertebrates from the brook with Sonya Vickers, former Science Teacher, naturalist and Springfield Naturalist Club board member. Families Welcome!
Russell Public Library Saturday, April 29th, 10:00 -11:30 AM
Register by email rpldirector@townofrussell.us, call
413-862-6221 and leave a message, or come in and sign
up at the library.
Upcoming events at the Hilltown Family Center:
The Forest Park Zoo's Wildlife on Wheels Program will be at the Hilltown Family Center Friday, April 14th during our free play-to-learn group from 10:00 to 12:00. Come see the live animals, learn about all our programs, and socialize with others in our community.
Wildlife on Wheels is an educational outreach program of the Forest Park Zoo that brings animal ambassadors to schools and other locations. Wildlife on Wheels programs are designed to provide information about the animals, including their special adaptations, habitats, behaviors, diets, and status in the wild. The educators will bring a variety of animal ambassadors to our Wildlife on Wheels program including mammals, reptiles, birds, or invertebrates. Animal ambassadors are always selected on the day of the program by the educator. The selection of animals depends on a variety of factors.
Want to see what white water canoe/kayak racing is all about? Join the Westfield River Wildlife Committee for two race clinics this April. Build your skills and learn from experts on April 15th, 12:30 - 4PM. Bring your kayak or canoe to downtown Huntington, MA. Boats in the water just off the green bridge where Rte 112 meets Rte 20 near the DPW yard.
Past Gator Bites
Past Gator Bites
February 10: https://www.smore.com/3n2tj
February 3: https://www.smore.com/ubjsq
January 9: https://www.smore.com/mu6h0
December 19: https://www.smore.com/hm943
December 7: https://www.smore.com/5yn3t
November 29: https://www.smore.com/4zs6ax
November 14: https://www.smore.com/u49t2
November 7: https://www.smore.com/mb78u
October 26: https://www.smore.com/gmqb5October 19: https://www.smore.com/w2fk5
October 10: https://www.smore.com/m9uke
October 3: https://www.smore.com/pnds3
September 23: https://www.smore.com/q0x4c
September 16: https://www.smore.com/bkwp3
September 9: https://www.smore.com/uyc4m
September 1: https://www.smore.com/vu28z
August 25: https://www.smore.com/k2jehc
Contact Information:
Chester Elementary School:
Principal Vanna Maffuccio vmaffuccio@grsd.org
Littleville Elementary School:
Interim Principal Mark Folta mailto:mfolta@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