Student and Family Update
4/9/21
Dear Students and Families,
Thank you to all who joined us for our Virtual Town Hall last night! We understand that there were a couple of technical issues with the internet in our area last night and that the video was coming in and out at the beginning of our presentation. If you had trouble or missed the presentation, you can watch it here: https://vimeo.com/534638382. The link will also be posted on our MTRS Facebook page (@mohawktrailregional), the district and school websites, and shared in both the MTRS and Superintendent Stanton's weekly newsletters.
Schedule for Wednesday, April 14
Class of 2021 Updates
The Class of 2021 graduation will be held on Saturday, June 5 at 5PM. (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. We will be sending out more detailed information following April break.
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)! Graduates, please be sure to get all pictures submitted to Ms. Willis by April 30!
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.
Athletics Update
We’re excited to get moving with our spring sports offerings and Registration is OPEN! To register for a spring sport, please go to the FamilyID website to either create an account and/or sign-up in the Family ID portal.
Spring sports will begin Monday, April 26 (pending SC approval on April 14)
Spring Sports:
Varsity & Middle School Baseball
Varsity & Middle School Softball
Boys & Girls Track Grades 7-12
Girls Varsity Tennis Grades 7-12
Wrestling Grades 7-12 (Pending MIAA Approval)
In the upcoming week, we will be launching an MTRS athletics weekly newsletter complete with game schedules, important information and updates, photos, and more! Additionally, we are currently looking for an athletics intern for the spring. Please see Ms. Neuenschwander for internship information and to apply!
This upcoming week Soccer is home on Tuesday, and Volleyball is home on Wednesday at 4:00 PM, click this link to visit our district Vimeo page and watch the live stream!
For more information about our spring sports, please contact Athletic Director Vouros at gvouros@mtrsd.org.
Nurse’s Office Update
Please click here for information on BinaxNOW COVID-19 antigen testing in school.
This testing will provide our students, staff, and schools with an additional layer of safety during the pandemic. BinaxNOW testing is an opt-in program which allows school nurses to conduct on-site rapid COVID-19 testing on students or staff who become symptomatic while at school. It's a quick, easy way for staff to determine if they are handling a COVID-19 case OR a routine cold/allergy/illness/etc. Important to note: If your child is NOT feeling well, please do not send them to school for testing. As part of our FAB FOUR, you know that staying home when you are unwell is one of our major mitigation strategies in keeping our school community healthy and safe. Additionally, BinaxNOW testing is reserved only for those who become ill while at school.
Save the Date: Protect Young Eyes Cyber Workshops for Parents & Students
The Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County & North Quabbin selected MTRS to participate in a cyber education program called Protect Young Eyes. The program presenter and founder of the PYE organization, Chris McKenna, is recognized as an authority on how families can create safer digital spaces. This is an exciting opportunity for our community!
There are three separate presentations- one for parents, one for middle school students, and one for high school students. The parent presentation will be held on April 27th, and the student presentations will be held remotely during the school day on Wednesday, April 28th.
Parent Presentation
The Digital Culture of Kids: Expert Knowledge, Practical Advice, Strategies that Work
Date: Tuesday, April 27th
Time: 6:30-8:00 PM
Format: Remote, information and link will be provided closer to the date
Additional Information: Protect Young Eyes was founded by internet safety expert Chris McKenna. Dad, runner, and lover of candy and spreadsheets. His Senate testimony helped spark deep changes to existing laws created decades ago that no longer adequately protect children from online harm. Prominently featured in the 2020 film Childhood 2.0 , PYE is widely recognized as an authority on how average families can create safer digital spaces.
Library News
Click here for the April edition of the Student Newsletter!
International Student Trip to Spain and Italy - Summer 2023
Have you ever wanted to travel abroad? Interested in seeing Spain and Italy? Mrs. Camarda will be hosting a student trip to Spain and Italy in June of 2023! Please read this flyer for more information and contact Mrs. Camarda at lcamarda@mtrsd.org with any questions.
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
If you miss any editions of Superintendent Stanton’s weekly updates, you can always 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.
Superintendent Stanton’s monthly virtual updates can also be found at the district’s Vimeo channel, www.vimeo.com/mtrsd. So be sure to check back frequently for news and updates and stay tuned to what’s happening across our district! We’re excited to have our elementary students back to our buildings fully in-person and look forward to welcoming back Grades 7-12 very soon!
Marisa