Gator Bites- 2/9/24
Important Dates:
February 19-23-Vacation
Wednesday, March 6-Public Budget Hearing for FY25 Budget
Thursday, March 7-Middle/High School Open House
Tuesday, March 12-Half Day for students***
Friday, March 29-No School
April 15-19-Vacation
Friday, May 3-Kindergarten Screening for Littleville
Friday, May 10-Kindergarten Screening for Chester
High School Spirit Week Themes (no spirit week at MS or Elementaries)
ATTENTION! Calendar Change!!
At the meeting on February 7, the school committee approved a request from administration to change the date of the upcoming half day in March from March 19 to one week early on March 12. This shift is to accommodate the Barr Foundation required meeting that will take place on March 19.
Therefore, the half day in March will be on Tuesday, March 12 for students!
Title 1 District Right to Know Letter to Families
Please see the attached letter from Superintendent Smidy regarding our district's report card from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). All public districts have this information posted publicly on DESE’s website. It contains information about school and district accountability, achievement, our students and teachers, and other important measures of school performance.
The comprehensive report card can be found online at:
https://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/2023/DistrictReportcard/06720000
Or by going to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website and searching for the district or school report card.
Also, because Gateway Regional receives federal Title I funds, you also have the right to request the following information about the qualifications of your child’s classroom teachers:
Whether your child’s teacher is licensed in the grade levels and subject areas they teach;
Whether your child’s teacher is teaching under an emergency license or waiver;
The college degree and major of your child’s teacher;
Whether your child is provided services by paraeducators and, if so, their qualifications.
Families are invited to contact principals or me to set up an appointment to discuss the contents of this letter and our school report card by calling 413-685-1011 or by emailing sstewart@grsd.org.
Kindergarten Sign Ups
Chester Elementary Kindergarten Sign Up!
Chester Elementary School is getting ready for kindergarten screening for children who will be 5 on or before September 1, 2024, for Chester, Blandford, and Middlefield Residents.
If you have a child that will be entering kindergarten in September 2024, please go to Kindergarten Screening Sign up . In this link, you will sign your child up to receive the registration information packet with directions on how to schedule your child’s screening, important information needed and how to complete the enrollment process.
Chester's screening day is scheduled for Friday May 10, 2024
with appointments happening between 9 am-3 pm
Current kindergarten students will attend school on May 10th!
If you have any questions, please call the office at 413-685-1361.
Littleville Elementary Kindergarten Sign Up!
Littleville is getting ready for kindergarten screening for children who will be 5 on or before September 1, 2024, for Russell, Montgomery and Huntington Residents.
If you have a child that will be entering kindergarten in September 2024, please go to Kindergarten Screening Sign up In this link, you will sign your child up to receive the registration information packet with directions on how to schedule your child’s screening, important information needed and how to complete the enrollment process.
Littleville screening day is set for Friday May 3rd, 2024
with appointments happening between 8-12:30.
Current kindergarten students will not be attending school on that day (May 3rd).
If you have any questions, please call the office at 685-1301.
Vocational Applications Due April 1
COVID test kits
The Federal Government has issued free COVID test kits to schools for distribution. If your child would like a test kit, please have them request one in the main office. Kits will be distributed while supplies last.
Safety Info for Families : Lockdown Protocol
A safety tip or reminder will be included in each Gator Bites. This edition, we will focus on part of our lockdown protocol!
Last week at Gateway, we worked in partnership with the local and state police to run our regular lockdown drills. Lockdown drills are good practice for our community to know how to handle emergency situations. Police were happy with the response from all of our schools!
One shift in the lockdown drill protocol is to ensure that students and staff are standing and in a position ready to move. This guidance changed within the past few years from having individuals in a sitting position to now in a standing or crouching position to ensure mobility. Being able to move around is an important part of readiness and responding to emergencies.
Gateway Athletics
Gr 7-12 Spring Sports Sign Ups
Sports Offered: Baseball and Softball (Junior Varsity offerings will be based on number of participants per each individual sport)
Sign-ups take place: Now through February 23, 2024
Where: https://www.grsd.org/departments/atheltics (click on the sign-up link)
How much: FREE!!!
Tryouts will begin on March 19, 2024, times and location to be announced
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN UP TO DATE PHYSICAL WITH THE NURSE
Question can be sent to Mr. Bonenfant at athleticdirector@grsd.org
GRHS/MS Winter Sports Schedule
Final Winter Sports events:
Wrestling: Saturday 2/10-Western Mass at Mt Greylock
Boys Basketball: Monday 2/12-away against Smith Voc-JV at 5, Varsity at 6:30pm
Girls Varsity Basketball: Tuesday 2/13-Home against HCSS at 6:30pm
Wrestling: Saturday 2/17-State Tournament
Lunch Menu for February
State and Federal Education Information
FAFSA Information from the US Dept of Education
The U.S. Education Department (USED) recently announced that data from college-bound students’ Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will not be delivered to colleges until March. While news of this delay is disconcerting, here is some guidance and information for students and families:
- Students should still complete the FAFSA. If they are experiencing technical errors, they should be patient and keep trying, especially when it comes to reaching Federal Student Aid (FSA) by phone. Students can also contact their prospective colleges and let them know that they are having problems with their submission. Federal Student Aid continues to correct errors.
- Anyone who has submitted their FAFSA but needs to make corrections will be able to do so once the FAFSA data is processed in March.
- National college access organizations are urging colleges and universities to extend financial aid and admissions deadlines in light of the delayed data. Colleges that depend on the FAFSA to make aid offers will most likely be delayed in sending offers to students. However, there is widespread understanding that students need these aid offers to make a college decision.
High schools and school districts that are accustomed to receiving data on how many of their students have completed the FAFSA should keep in mind that the data will be delayed in DESE’s tool until the data begins flowing from USED.
To help counselors and families with the new FAFSA, which went live on December 30, the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority (MEFA) is holding several online events, including one on “Navigating the Challenges and Delays of the New FAFSA” for students and families from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21.
Fundraisers and Events
From the School Based Health Center
COVID Vaccines
COVID vaccine for individuals 12+ are available at the School Based Health Center.
Getting vaccinated lowers your chances of getting infected. If you do get infected, you will be
much less likely to get severely ill if you have been vaccinated.
In addition to protecting yourself, getting vaccinated will also help protect other people, especially
those who are at higher risk of getting very sick or dying. It also protects people who can't get a
vaccine, like young babies.
Call School Based Health Center today to coordinate (413) 667-0142.
From our Community Partners
Russell Public Library Events
Russell Public Library February 2024 News
RUSSELL PUBLIC LIBRARY HOURS:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3-7pm,
Tuesday & Thursday 10am-2pm
Saturday 10am-1pm
Please join our updated Facebook page and connect with our other resources there.
Russell Public Library Facebook Page
View our new Trustee approved Library Policies
Russell Public Library Website
Adults, Join us for a presentation by Dr. Robert Kidd on the Story of Horace Moses and his contributions to the development of Russell.
Saturday, February 10th, from 2-4 PM
Register by email rpldirector@townofrussell.us, call 413-862-6221 and leave a message, or come in and sign up at the Library, by February 9th.
Kids Join us for Vacation Week activities:
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 from 11:30-12:30, Family Skate Party at Amelia Park Arena.
Have you been looking for a place to ice skate this winter? Join the Appalachian Mountain Club’s, Western MA Family Outings Committee for Family Skating at Amelia Park Arena. This event will be held during Public Skating, followed by a pizza social from 12:30 -1:30. The AMC WMA will provide free admission and skate rentals for children,($10.00) as well as pizza for all registered participants. You are welcome to bring your own skates and it is recommended that participants wear a helmet and dress with loose, layered clothing. AMC requires all children under 18 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entirety of this event and that everyone has a signed waiver.
Register at https://activities.outdoors.org/search/index.cfm/action/details/id/148022 ,by email dawne4amc@gmail.com, call 413-862-6221 and leave a message, or come in and sign up at the Library, by February 19th.
Wednesday, February 21, from 10:00 -12:00, at the Library , Skulls, Scat and Tracks, Learn about the wildlife that inhabits the woods in our area with Bob Kidd. A great follow up to the Tracking hike on February 3rd. Hands on activities and snacks provided.
Kids, It’s an Everybody Birthday Celebration!
Join us in celebration of birthdays complete with traditional party games and stories, party hat decorating and birthday treats! Saturday, February 17th, 10:30 -12:00.
Open to everyone, no registration required
Adults and Teens, join us for a screening of a film series by Harvard Professor, Henry Louis Gates:
In honor of African American Heritage Month the library will show segments of, “ The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross.
Tuesday, February 13th, from, 6-7 PM
Tuesday, February 20th, From 6-7PM
Register by email rpldirector@townofrussell.us, call 413-862-6221 and leave a message, or come in and sign up at the Library, by February 12th.
Events at the Porter Memorial Library in Blandford!
Book Squirms: The Porter Memorial Library in Blandford has two PreK sessions each week for families and their littles! On Tuesdays at 4pm and Wednesday mornings at 10:30 we do story time, singing, crafts and sensory play.
Take Your Child to the Library Day! On Saturday, February 3rd celebrate with us by visiting the library from 10am to 2pm for stories, crafts, giveaways and a scavenger hunt!
February Break:
Tuesday 2/20: Story Time for littles and their siblings...lots of sensory play for all ages.
Wednesday 2/21: PreK at 10:30am and Lego Club for older kids at 3pm.
Thursday 2/22: Slime Time fro 3-4pm for kids aged 6 and up.
Friday 2/23: Pokemon Club for kids 6-13 years old, 3-4pm
Saturday 2/24: Graphic Novel Art and Book Club for kids 8-13. Come into the library and pick up the book "Amulet." Then bring it in for discussion, artwork and fun!
Did you miss it?
Contact Information:
Chester Elementary School:
Principal Vanna Maffuccio vmaffuccio@grsd.org
Littleville Elementary School:
Principal Melissa McCaul mmccaul@grsd.org
Principal Will Sullivan wsullivan@grsd.org
Interim Assistant Principal Kylie-blu Crawford kcrawford@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