Student & Family Update

The December break is finally here and we wish you and your family a safe and restful time, whatever you do and however you celebrate.

As well as the Winter concert, Ms Beck's Biology trip enjoyed a trip to the Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College earlier this week as this linked well with their unit on evolution - see photo!

The Mary Lyon Foundation provided hats and scarves for students and families and the cafeteria provided a wonderful Turkey lunch on Thursday.

Please read on to see what else has been going on!

We look forward to seeing students on Tuesday 3rd January, 2023!!!

Best wishes

Chris

On December 9, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expanded the use of updated (bivalent) COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months through 5 years. Now virtually all children across the Commonwealth are eligible to get the updated vaccine.

The Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics remind you to have your child vaccinated, especially in advance of upcoming holidays. The COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in protecting against serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is also alerting residents that flu activity is much higher than usual for this time of year – in the Commonwealth and nationally – and urging residents of all ages to also get vaccinated against influenza. DPH and AAP remind you that COVID and flu shots may be given in the same visit.

While families may feel most comfortable getting their youngest children vaccinated by their primary care provider, please note that some retail pharmacies are also able to vaccinate children ages 3 and older. More information is available at www.mass.gov/CovidVaccineyoungkids.

As a reminder: the COVID vaccine is safe, free for all, and no ID or insurance is needed to be vaccinated.

Getting your family vaccinated against COVID and flu is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. We appreciate your help to keep our communities safe and healthy.

Updates

Upcoming dates

• January 3rd (Tuesday) - First day of school after the Winter Break

• January 6th - Parents’ night out at MTRS 4-8pm

• January 10th & 11th: Final Capstone Presentations

• January 16th - No School, MLK day

• January 18, 19, 20th: MS and HS finals (depending on snow days!)

• Feb 1st - First day of Black History Month

• Feb 15th - College and Career Awareness Event at MTRS

• Feb 20-24 - No School: February break

Students, families and staff were treated to great performances from MS and HS students earlier this week. It was wonderful to be a part of two great shows and to experience just how hard working, creative and ambitious our music students are and how Mr. Friday has nurtured, encouraged and developed student talent.

Watch this space for news of more upcoming MTRS Music events as well as a grade 9-12 New York music trip later this academic year...

We are excited to let you know the following rehearsal information in relation to our District Musical, Guys and Dolls

Rehearsals will be on Wednesdays and Fridays beginning January 18th: 2:30-4:30 regular dismissal days 1:00-3:00 on early release.

A full rehearsal/performance schedule will be available in the January 3rd

Performance dates are May 5 & 6, 2023.

If you have any elementary-aged children, or know someone who does, this is for you! Bring kids grades 1-6 up to MTRS on Friday, January 6th at 4pm for a night of food and fun. There will be games, crafting, and pizza followed by a showing of Ice Age. While there, parents should head over to any of the great restaurants in Shelburne to treat themselves to a quiet, child-free dinner. This is a free event, but donations are requested and will go towards the MTRS senior class, who are helping organize the event. Please contact bbasal@mtrsd.org or awoofenden@mtrsd.org with any questions.

Here is the latest CEEP newsletter with our winter enrichment programs. NOTE We are offering a number of middle school programs, please enroll ASAP by emailing awoofenden@mtrsd.org

Snow Club Flyer

Alia Woofenden "Mrs. Woof"

Liaison for Community Engagement and Enrichment Programs

Mohawk Trail Regional School District

24 Ashfield Road, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370

She/Her/Hers

https://www.mtrsd.org/ceep

https://www.facebook.com/MTRSDCEEP/

Local Education Council (LEC)

This meets virtually every second Wednesday of the month between 3:45 and 4:30pm. More information can be found here. The next meeting will be on December 21st.

The virtual joining information is as follows:

Meeting ID

meet.google.com/gzo-toke-ibz

Phone Numbers

(‪US‬)‪+1 813-435-9650‬

PIN: ‪741 012 215#‬

Outdoor Advisory Committee (OAC)

This meets every second Wednesday of the month between 5 and 6pm. In the winter we will be virtual. In the Spring and Fall we will be in-person. The next meeting will be on December 21st.

Outdoor Advisory Committee- Virtual

Wednesday, December 21st· 5:00 – 6:00pm

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ysh-dgqv-jvz

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 470-210-0524‬ PIN: ‪190 585 623‬#

Please explore the OAC page on the website and have a look at the list of initial projects we gathered from surveying students, staff and community as well as OAC priorities created from this initial list.

Principal Drop-ins

As was the case last year, I will hold regular virtual office hours. You don’t need an appointment to come and talk with me and share your thoughts on what goes on at MTRS. I will try to be available for the whole 60 minutes but can't always guarantee it at our busy school.

Second Friday of each month: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.

Meeting ID: meet.google.com/jtz-yhet-ipo

Phone Number: (US)+1 (813) 773-5581

PIN: 636 883 303

Third Friday of each month: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Meeting ID: meet.google.com/sru-mshz-rht

Phone Number: (US)+1 (218) 301-2866

PIN: 136 064 523

During the week of December 13, 2022, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.

In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.

Parents and other individuals may call Marc Oldenburg, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at 413-314-6703 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the (district or charter school) with a report with information about areas in which the (district or charter school) meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the (district or charter school) requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.

Mohawk Trail SEPAC Member and Parent

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Do you have a question about your child, their services, or resources specific to your needs? If you or someone you know would like to be added to the private list and receive emails and event notifications, please send an email to: MOHAWKSEPAC@gmail.com Please indicate your email, title (such as parent of a student with IEP/504), District, Interested Party or other)

Disclosure: SEPAC maintains the list of contacts and keeps the information private. This email is maintained by a parent and volunteer. Our goal is to respond in a timely manner. We will get back to you as soon as we can. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional