Gator Bites

Saturday, May 6 - 1:00pm Gateway MS/HS play - The Bros. Grimm Spectaculathon

Thursday, May 11 - 6:30. High School Band and Chorus concert

Saturday, May 13 - 4:00 TRIVIA NIGHT - a Gateway Education Foundation Fundraiser

Saturday, May 20 - Chester on Track - 7th - 12th grade band will be marching in the parade

Thursday, May 25 and Friday, May 26 - Pre Kindergarten Screening (see below for details)

Friday, May 26 - High School Prom

Monday, May 29 - Blandford and Russell Memorial Day Parades - 7th - 12th grade band will be marching in the parades

Tuesday, May 30th 6:30-8:30 - Gators 2022-23 Sports Banquet. The banquet will be held in the GRHS cafeteria and more details will be coming out soon. Please send sports photos to the Gateway Athletics Booster Committee: gateway.athletics.booster@gmail.com

Friday, June 2 - High School GRADUATION

Sunday, June 11 5:00pm - Gateway Night at the Westfield Starfires Baseball Games - Come to the game at Bullens Field in Westfield on June 11th to celebrate the end of the year at Gateway Night!! Tickets are $10. Use the QR code above to purchase your tickets in advance. Our band will be playing, our chorus will be singing, there will be lawn games between innings for the kids and our baseball and softball teams will be with the Starfires team during the National Anthem.

• Band parents, please use this link to let us know if your child will be coming and participating in this fun event. Their entrance fee is covered by a grant. Link: https://forms.gle/sk1WGrZfRDf12rcXA

Banking Day

• GRMS and Littleville Elementary - the first and third Wednesday of the month.
• Chester Elementary - the first and third Tuesday of the month.

The Gateway Education Foundation is thrilled to invite you to our 2nd annual Trivia Night Fundraiser that will be held on Saturday, May 13th at Strathmore Park in Russell. Doors open at 4:00 PM. Trivia at 5:00 PM. There will be an exciting trivia competition, a penny social, a 50/50 auction, music and adult-style humor by announcer Matt Collins. Pack a picnic, bring your beverages of choice and join us for an adult night of fun.

Pre-paid Tickets are $25 each or get your friends and family together! Book a table of 8 for just $175!

We can’t wait to see you there!

Click: https://www.gatewayeducationfoundation.org/trivia to purchase tickets.

All proceeds support the Funds for Learning (FFL) Program

Each year the members of the senior class nominate five of their peers for the prestigious Golden Achievement Award. After the five nominees are selected, the names go out to our middle and high school staff who then vote for one of the five nominees for the Golden Achievement Award. This prestigious award is presented to the one member of the senior class who best exemplifies 1. Outstanding Academic Achievement 2. Outstanding Leadership to School and Community 3. Outstanding Service to School and Community.

The nominees this year are:

Olivia Kanner - Olivia is from Blandford. Her volunteer and service work include: Project 351, Booster Club Volunteer, Rays Farm Volunteer, Whip City Animal Volunteer, Hilltown Community Help Volunteer and National Honor Society Volunteer Work. Her extra-curricular activities are GRSD Yearbook Editor, Student Council President, Student Government President, member of the Varsity Soccer Team, Varsity Soccer Team Captain, and member of the Varsity Softball Team. She is planning to attend Bridgewater State University and major in Communication Sciences and Disorders - Speech Pathology.

Olivia Dame - Olivia is from Russell. She volunteers often at The Village Closet in Huntington. Her extra-curricular activities are Student Government Vice President, Student Council Representative, Yearbook Senior Editor, National Honor Society, and member of the Varsity Softball Team. She plans on attending the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and majoring in Health Sciences - Radiological Technologies.

Liam Bowler - Liam is from Huntington. He has been awarded the Presidential scholarship and the

Dartmouth outdoors scholarship. His volunteer and service work include: working at the Blandford animal hospital as an assistant, being an American kennel club helper and volunteering with Hilltown holiday help. His extra-curricular activities are member of the Varsity Baseball Team, member of the IEA Team, internship at Blandford animal hospital, dog breeding and showing as well as Pet hotel employee and dog bather/groomer . He plans on attending the University of Vermont and majoring in Veterinary sciences.

Nancy Mueller - Nancy is from Russell. She has been awarded the Three County Fair Scholarship as well as the All-American Junior Sheep Show Scholarship. She was chosen and participated in Girls State in 2022 and was the Gold Medalist 4 Weapon E Meet for Fencing in 2022. Her volunteer and service work include: National Honor Society volunteering and volunteering at Whip City Animal Sanctuary in Westfield. Her extra-curricular activities are Varsity Basketball, Varsity Basketball Co-Captain, Fencing, member of the Gateway Jazz and Concert Bands, member of the GRHS Student Government, and member of the Pioneer Valley Young Shepherds 4-H Club. She plans to attend Elon University and major in International Relations/Foreign Affairs and diplomacy.

Lucy Pitoniak - Lucy is from Montgomery. She was named All-Star cross country runner and has earned High Honors all four years of high school. Her volunteer and service work include: Volunteer Firefighter for Montgomery, EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) for Hilltown Community Ambulance Association, National Honor Society volunteer and she works on a local dairy farm. Her extra-curricular activities are member of the Cross Country Team, Captain of the Cross Country Team, member of the Basketball Team, Co-Captain of the Basketball Team, and member of the National Honor Society. She plans to attend both SUNY Cobleskill where she will major in Dairy Production/Management and a state fire academy where she will earn her paramedic certificate.

This past week 10th grader, Kyleigh Benson, competed in Early Childhood Education at the Skills USA Massachusetts State Conference in Marlborough Ma. Kyleigh was among approximately 1000 CTE students from all over Massachusetts competing in 104 vocational contests.

The Early Childhood competition was 6 hours long and consisted of a written test, planning, preparing and presenting a group lesson for preschool children in front of judges and spectators. In addition, a resumé and written lesson plan were required. Kyleigh was recognized on stage as a State Finalist in Early Childhood Education.

CONGRATULATIONS KYLEIGH!!

Last week in Marlborough, MA at the Skills USA State Conference, Gateway High School's EEC instructor, Kelly Bartolo, accepted an award for starting an official chapter of Skills USA at Gateway. Joining Mrs Bartolo at the Chapter Recognition Banquet was EEC 10th grader, Kyleigh Benson.

The Massachusetts House passed a budget earlier this week that does not include fully funding Rural School Aid and the Senate will be looking at the budget next week. On Thursday, May 4 the Massachusetts Association of School Committees held its annual Day on the Hill legislative advocacy event. This year the Day on the Hill was devoted to advocate for additional rural aid, fully funding The Student Opportunity Act, Chapter 70 and other funding priorities. There will also be a read of the bill filed by Representative Natalie Blais that includes funding rural school aid along with a number of other supports for education. Jason Fraser, Vice President of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the Chair of the Legislative Committee said it best, "We need to stand shoulder to shoulder as districts, all school districts in the state, to support Rural School Aid."

To help advocate, a bus trip this event was organized by Mohawk Trail Regional School and they invited Gateway to join them. We went wearing Fully Fund Rural Aid T-shirts, our priorities listed and a map to Representative and Senator offices to visit and have personal conversations about the need to fully fund rural aid. A huge thank you goes out to our fantastic Superintendent, Kristen Smidy, Mohawk Regional's Superintendent, Sheryl Stanton and Mohawk Regional's School Committee Chair Martha Thurber for organizing this impactful trip.

Boomer, our district therapy dog, officially retired this week. He has been a fabulous addition to our programming at all of the schools in our district and will definitely be missed. We are hopeful that Boomer's younger brother, Henrik, will be ready to take Boomer's place before the end of the year.

All parents interested in Pre School at Gateway for their child(ren)Screening, must sign their child(ren) up for screening. Screenings will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023: Appointments every 45 minutes between 9:15-11:30 & 12:45-3:00 and on Friday, May 26, 2023: Appointments every 45 minutes between 9:15-11:30. All screenings will take place at Chester Elementary School. To sign up please contact Stephanie Conway in the Pupil Services Office at 685-1017 between Monday, May 1, 2023 and Wednesday, May 10, 2023. NO EARLY CALLS PLEASE.

All children interested in enrolling in any of Gateway’s Integrated Preschool Programs must participate in preschool screenings as part of the registration process to be considered for a peer partner slot.

Thank you to all of the hard work, care and dedication to our school cafeteria workers!! Each one of you is a Superhero!!! To show their appreciation, Mrs. Hyjek's 2nd graders wrote letters of appreciation to the Littleville Cafeteria workers.

This May, we’re giving you 20% OFF GATEWAY REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT hoodies, tees, shorts, hats and more when you spend $100+. No need to pick and choose. Now you can score it ALL. Just tap in code MAY23 at checkout—sales ends 5/31.

http://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/massachusetts/huntington/gateway-high-school

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.

May 20, 2023 will mark the 33rd anniversary of Chester on Track. This awesome event will be held from 9am - 4pm. There will be a massive parade, Revolutionary War, CCC Camp and Irish railroad re-enactors, blacksmith demos, a train show, and a craft fair. The National Historic Landmark Chester Railroad Station will be open as well. Also happening during Chester on Track will be the garden tractor pulls, 'one-lug' steam & gas engine demos, a classic car show, the infamous duck race, a petting zoo and so much more!!! Live music will start at 11 at the Station will also be live streamed to You Tube and will be shown live on the Chester on Track site. The site includes all of the activities, shows, etc. for the day as well as other important information. Click here for the site: http://www.chesterontrack.com/. There is also information attached below.

3:30 Monday, May 1 -Varsity Softball vx. Westfield Tech - AWAY

• 4:30 Junior Varsity Softball vs. Holyoke High School - HOME

4:00 Tuesday, May 2 -Junior Varsity Softball vs.Franklin Tech - AWAY

4:00 Wednesday, May 3 -Baseball vs. High School of Commerce - AWAY

• 4:00 Varsity Softball vs. St. Mary's - AWAY

4:00 Thursday, May 4 - Junior Varsity Softball vs. Westfield Tech - AWAY

Congratulations to Gateway Senior, Liam McKellick, for making First Team All-Western Boys Ice Hockey! Gateway Regional has an agreement with Southwick so our boys can play with their boys ice hockey team. This is a great opportunity for our Gateway competitive hockey players. Way to go Liam!!

Please see the attached Field Trip Fact Sheet to answer any questions that you have about medications, etc. on field trips.

You can still purchase a Middle School Memory Book, the yearbook for our middle school. The cost is $13. Make checks payable to Gateway Regional School District and reserve your Memory Book today with Mrs. O'Malley.

• Gateway Regional School District is looking for substitute teachers and nurses

• Gateway's Special Education Summer Camp is hiring for:
• Special Education Teachers: $50/hour (Sped and/or Early Childhood certified
• preferred)
• Special Education Paras: $25/hour
• Summer Camp Nurse
• Contact Kurt Garivaltis at 413-685-1019 if you are interested or for more information

• 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/
  

Calling all Chester Residents - MVP Dirt Rd study group needs your feedback, concerns and hopes for the future of your roads. See the flyer above for details.

The Appalachian Mountain Club Western MA Chapter, The Russell Public Library & The Hilltown Family Center Event:

New Storywalk for the book, We Are Water Protectors. See the flyer below for more info.

Upcoming Russell Library Events:

Saturday, May 20 10:00am Signs of Spring! Come to Storytime, eat "ants on a log", create a bug and flower craft, and enjoy the fun!! Open to everyone, no registration required.

Saturday, May 13 2pm-4pm Adult book talk with Robert R. Madison: General George Washington’s Secret Armory,“Biography of Lt. Richard Falley, Jr., Revolutionary Soldier, Patriot & Armorer” Join us as Robert speaks about the long military career of Lt. Falley and his secret Revolutionary War armory built along Moose Meadow Brook on the southern slope of Mt. Tekoa in Montgomery, Massachusetts. Register by email rpldirector@townofrussell.us, call 413-862-6221.

Ongoing Activities:

Adult Coffee and Community Hour, Thursdays 10-11

Southern Hills Domestic Violence Task Force Letter

April is sexual assault awareness month, and the Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task

Force has some tips for how to talk to children about safety. See the letter below from the Southern Hills Domestic Violence Task Force for tips and strategies.

Past Gator Bites

April 6: https://www.smore.com/e63ps

March 20: https://www.smore.com/92xwb

March 2: https://www.smore.com/fwybx

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/gmqb5

October 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

Please reach out to us if you have questions or concerns!

Chester Elementary School:
Principal Vanna Maffuccio vmaffuccio@grsd.org

Littleville Elementary School:

Interim Principal Mark Folta mailto:mfolta@grsd.org

Middle School/High School:
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

Website: grsd.org
Location: 12 Littleville Road, Huntington, MA, USA
Phone: 413-685-1100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GatewayRegionalMA?mibextid=LQQJ4d