Gill-Montague District News
"Challenging and Supporting Every Student"
GMRSD District Updates July 16, 2020
Welcome to Superintendent Brian Beck
Dear Gill-Montague Families,
In the chaos of the pandemic, I have not yet taken the time to reach out and introduce myself. I am very happy to be here as the new Superintendent and have deeply appreciated the support and direction of so many people working over the summer, including administrators, administrative assistants, participants on the Pandemic Response Advisory Committee and members of the School Committee.
I have been an educator in Massachusetts for 23 years, including the last 16 years as a high school/middle school administrator at Mohawk Trail Regional, Athol High School and Hopkins Academy. I learned a great deal from students, parents, colleagues and the vast network of community agencies I have worked with in these positions.
For parents, our greatest concern is how the schools will deal with re-opening in the fall. As you are aware, our Pandemic Response Advisory Committee includes parents and your individual contributions in surveys has been an exceptionally valuable source of insight, to inform the draft of our learning plans. While it is too early to release any details I can share this general summary of work to date and plans:
- We are drafting and preparing to share 3 learning models for in-person, hybrid in-person/remote, and fully remote learning. These will be submitted to DESE and shared publicly in mid-August. These models are being developed using guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Office of the Commissioner of Education.
- Decisions regarding which model we will use to start the school year will be made with approval from local and state public health officials. That decision will be made as close to the scheduled start of the school year, as is reasonably possible, to ensure that we have accurate data on COVID -19.
- Decisions on any learning model will also allow parents flexibility to keep their children and family safe, as long as public health agencies believe that COVID-19 remains a threat to the public.
I look forward to serving your children and hope that we will be able to see each other in person soon!
Sincerely,
Brian Beck
Brian Beck
Superintendent of Schools
Gill-Montague Regional School District
413.863.9324
Pandemic Response Advisory Committee & Reopening of Schools
1) In-person instruction for all students
2) Remote learning for all students
3) Hybrid or blended plan that includes both in-person instruction and remote learning for all students.
All three plans need to meet health and safety requirements as put forth by DESE and the MA Department of Public Health.
The school district has sent out a "return to school" survey to our district families via email. We also will have this survey posted on our website and will send out a notify reminder phone call to alert families. We value input from our families and request all parents/guardians complete one survey per each student. We ask for one survey per student so we can capture information relative to developmental differences and perspective a family may have based on age and/or status of different family members.
"Return to School" Parent/Guardian Survey
As we plan for reopening school, we want to hear from you! Your feedback is critical. Please provide your thoughts to help us better understand your family's needs and preferences as we approach the upcoming school year.
As you fill out the survey, please note the minimum (but not limited to) safety requirements that the state has issued to all public school districts:
- All students in grade 2 and above and all staff must wear face masks/coverings (recommended for Pre-K-1st grade students)
- Social Distancing at a minimum of 3 feet
- Practicing regular hand hygiene
- Regular cleaning and disinfecting of the buildings
- Clear messaging to families and staff about staying home if sick.
For more information, go to this link to the MA Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education and download the "Initial Return-to-School Guidance" document from the first page of http://www.doe.mass.edu/
* Please fill out one survey per child *.
Summer Meals Program and Distribution Sites
We are pleased to continue to offer our summer meals program at area distribution sites. Please click on the link below for our menu for the next three weeks.
Please note our summer meals program will continue through August 21, 2020.
I-Ready Access for Elementary Students
Summer Reading for Grades Pre-K to Grade 5
All Elementary School students in GMRSD are invited to participate in a community summer reading book. For Preschool to Grade Two students, the selected text is Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena. And for Grade Three to Grade Five Students, the selected text is A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead. Families will receive information from their school principals regarding distribution of these books. We are so excited for our entire district community to read together!
In addition, we encourage families to participate in summer reading programs offered by our local libraries.
https://montaguepubliclibraries.org/p/7/Summer-Reading-Program-2020
Summer Math Resources...Check This Out!
Our Elementary School families (PreK-5) are encouraged to check out the Bridges Math program site. Our district has adopted Bridges as an evidence based mathematics curriculum program. The site offers unit overview and standards by grade level. Families may find this helpful as you review the past year or look ahead to the coming year. Materials are presented in English and Spanish.
https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/families/bridges2
We also suggest families in K-5 use the Bridges Math at Home site for activities of the day, practice problems, family games, and online games that will be sure to strengthen your student's problem solving skills!
https://www.mathlearningcenter.org/home-learning
Are you looking for something else? We want to thank our colleagues in the Cambridge Public Schools who have developed these wonderful summer calendar math resources. Students and families are invited to explore and utilize these resources to practice math skills over the summer months. The calendars are set up for students in grades K-8. In addition, the site offers standards information and guidance on middle school and high school level math including instructional videos.
https://www.cpsd.us/office_of_curriculum_and_instruction/math/district_information/summer_math_work
Summer Reading for Middle and High School
All middle and high school students are expected to read over the summer in preparation for the start of the new school year. We also encourage our students and families to participate in the Montague Public Libraries summer reading program.
https://montaguepubliclibraries.org/p/7/Summer-Reading-Program-2020
Listed here are ten recommended reads from Common Sense media for middle school students. The link also includes a description and recommended age level for these texts.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/10-books-for-middle-schoolers-to-read-over-the-summer
For our high school students, who may not be sure what they are interested in, you could visit the NY Libraries website and will be sure to find something captivating!
- YALSA Teen Book Finder! YALSA has launched the Teen Book Finder Database, which is a one-stop shop for finding selected lists and award winners. Users can search this free resource by award, list name, year, author, genre and more, as well as print customizable lists. This new resource will replace the individual award and list web pages currently on YALSA’s site that are not searchable and that are organized only by year.
- Stuff for the Teen Age: The Best in Books & Media
- Celebrating Stories of Teen Activists
- 2020 Teen Top 10
- 2019 Teen Reads from NPR
Dean's Beans Invests in "Kids Stimulus Package"
On behalf of Gill-Montague we are humbled by this act of generosity! We will continue to utilize district resources, including this donation, in support of our meals program, the students and families in our community, and in forging connections to area resources that support families. We want to do our part to lessen hunger and food insecurity in our community.
For more information about Dean's Beans organic coffee that embraces corporate and social responsibility please visit their website at:
or follow on social media at:
twitter @Deans_Beans
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeansBeansOrganicFairTradeCoffee/
Friendly Reminder! Please complete your Census
We want to take a quick moment to urge families to complete your census if you haven't already! Responding to the census is not only your civic duty; it also affects the amount of funding our community receives, how our community plans for the future, and our representation in government.
Specifically, data from the 2020 Census are used to:
- Ensure public services and funding for schools, hospitals, and fire departments.
- Plan new homes and businesses and improve neighborhoods.
- Determine how many seats your state is allocated in the House of Representatives.
Responding to the Census
The 2020 Census is happening now. You can complete your questionnaire online, by phone, or by mail.
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT CORNER
Local Summertime Fun
Stacey Langknecht
Family Engagement Coordinator
413-863-7210
Community Resource Information and Events
4SC + The Partnership
Mass Support Network
How We Can Help?
MassSupport Network provides community outreach and support services to residents of all ages in response to the unprecedented public health crisis, COVID-19. This Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and managed in partnership between the MA Department of Mental Health and Riverside Trauma Center, a program of Riverside Community Care. Our anonymous, confidential, and free program is for individuals (including youth), families, schools, organizations, businesses and communities. We provide emotional support, coping strategies, resources, and up-to-date, factual information; also psycho-educational presentations, consultations and group supports.
Contact 888-215-4920 or MassSupport@riversidecc.org.
Some of our Western Mass team’s outreach clinicians:
Anna-Stina Wardlaw, M.Ed. awardlaw@riversidecc.org, 781-805-5573
Monica Bellucci, LMHC mbellucci@riversidecc.org, 781-805-5456
Sean McHugh, RN smchugh@riversidecc.org, 781-805-5353
Team Leader Sarah Gaer, MA sgaer@riversidecc.org, 781-805-5422
Community Action Programs & Family Center
Community Action Family Center located at 90 Federal St., in Greenfield offers a range of resources for Gill-Montague Families. This includes, but is not limited to, early childhood activities, support groups for new moms, diapers, formula, and basic needs (food, clothing) and community supports and connections. Being a parent is a tough job, made much more challenging, with Covid-19 and emergency measures. You can check out the Family Center and their current offerings at their website.
https://www.communityaction.us/family-center
Community Action also offers Nurturing Fathers groups, fuel assistance, WIC, HeadStart, youth & teen programs, training, and more.
GMRSD Student Services & Family Engagement Department
- Special education
- Guidance & School Psychology
- English Learners
- Specialty services- OT, PT, speech & language
- Nursing & health education
- Home & hospital tutoring
- Homeless education and more
- Family Engagement Coordinator
Dianne M. Ellis, Director of Pupil Services
Email: dianne.ellis@gmrsd.org
Website: http://www.gmrsd.org/
Location: 35 Crocker Ave., Turners Falls, MA 01376
Phone: 413 863-7508
Twitter: @Director_Ellis