Gator Bites
January 9, 2023
Upcoming Events at Gateway!
Wednesday, Jan. 11 4:45- Littleville School Council Meeting in the Principal's Office
7pm-School Committee Meeting in Middle School Room
Monday, Jan. 16- No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Wednesday, Jan. 18 6:15pm- Keeping Kids Safe and Secure online parent presentation. Registration Details: Register at this link: (via Chrome browser)
Password: PSC1 Questions or difficulty registering? Please contact
Karen Legace at: USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov
Tuesday, Jan. 31 4:30pm- Chester PTO, Chester Library or via Google Meet
Broadway Performer, Ben Bogen to work with Littleville's Fifth Grade Students and Chester's Third Grade Students
Look for pictures of Ben's visit in next week's Gator Bites. Thank you Littleville and Chester PTO's for this great opportunity for our fifth grade students!
The Arts at Gateway
Not only does Gateway Regional School District have a thriving band and choral program, our entire Arts Programs at all levels in the district are providing tremendous opportunities for our students. At the high school level, there are a variety of Art opportunities including digital photography, crafts, Art Foundations, Independent Study - for seniors to prepare their portfolios for entry into the workforce and/or college, graphic arts technology, painting, sculpture, drawing, drama and more. In fact, this year the computers for the graphic arts technology class were upgraded from IMacs to Apple Mac Studio computers. These new computers are made for graphic design and will better prepare our students for the workforce and/or demands at colleges in graphic design paths.
Auditions for the Middle School/High School Play Start Today
2022-23 Middle School Memory Book and High School Year Book are on sale now
Gateway's Middle School Memory Book is on sale now. The cost is $13.00. Please send checks to the front office payable to Gateway Regional School District.
High School yearbooks are now on sale! The current cost is $55. Our students put much energy and effort into this beautiful, hardcover, 124 page, full-color book. Students can pre-order online at JostensYearbooks.com, or can bring cash or check to Mrs. Wing in the high school to reserve their copy. Here is a direct link to our sales page: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A03474300
Illness Reminders and Updates
There have been many versions of our COVID protocol based on the evolving guidance from the DPH. As a reminder, our current protocol is as followed:
If a child has symptoms of illness they should not come to school and should follow the Covid-19 Protocol. Children with symptoms of illness in school will be evaluated by the nurse.
In addition to the Covid-19 Protocol, your child should remain home if:
Child has a contagious illness such as influenza (flu) or strep throat
Individuals who have a positive strep culture should stay home until they have had at least 24 hours of antibiotic therapy and fever is gone.
Child has a continuous cough or wheeze.
Child has diarrhea or vomiting associated with acute illness, not a chronic condition or side effect.
Child has crusty, green or yellow drainage from the eyes.
Diagnosed Conjunctivitis (pink eye) must be treated for 24 hours before return to school.
Documentation
When a child meets criteria to return to school, all doctors notes should be provided to the school for a medically excused absence.
If a child is feeling unwell at school, they must see the nurse for an assessment in order to be medically dismissed from school. Children who do not see the nurse for an assessment and are dismissed by a parent/guardian will be dismissed but it will not be a medically excused dismissal.
In addition, here is a two-page flyer about Fighting the Flu: https://www.smore.com/app/attachments/download/63b379db5f283419bdac81be
On the GRSD Mats and Courts
GRSD Sports Booster News:
The GRSD Sports Booster Committee now has officers!
- President: Christina Kadzik
- Vice President: Dawn Audet
- Secretary: Jeanna Briggs (interim) Open position
- Treasurer: Julieann Young
Next meeting in February/March
We are bringing back the Sports Banquet for all athletes! Mark your calendars for Tuesday May 30th for our Banquet. Location and Time: TBD. All sports included
The Booster Committee is asking that each winter sports family volunteer for 1 game during the season. In addition, Junior & Senior athletes are also encouraged to volunteer 1 game during the season as well.
Boys Basketball Schedule:
Monday 1/9/2023HomePVCICS (L) (V)GatewayN/A6:30 PM
Thursday 1/12/2023AwaySmith Voc (L)Smith Voc5:00 PM6:30 PM
Friday 1/20/2023HomePVCA (L)Gateway5:00 PM6:30 PM
Tuesday 1/24/2023AwayMt. Everett (C)Mt. Everett5:00 PM6:30 PM
Friday 1/27/2023AwaySt. Mary's (L)Westfield Middle School6:00 PM7:30 PM
Tuesday 1/31/2023HomePathfinder (L)Gateway5:00 PM6:30 PM
Friday2/3/2023AwayPVCICS (L) (V)Hampshire College (Robert Crown Center)N/A4:00 PM
Tuesday2/7/2023HomeSmith Voc (L)Gateway5:00 PM6:30 PM
Friday2/10/2023AwayPVCA (L)PVCA5:30 PM7:00 PM
Girls Basketball Schedule:
Friday1/6/2023AwayFrontier (JV)Frontier5:00 PMN/A
Tuesday1/10/2023HomeDuggan (L)Gateway5:00 PM6:30 PM
Thursday1/19/2023AwaySci Tech (L) (V)Sci TechN/A7:00 PM
Monday1/23/2023HomePathfinder (L) (V)GatewayN/A6:30 PM
Thursday1/26/2023HomeFroniter (JV)Gateway5:00 PMN/A
Thursday1/26/2023HomePVCICS (C) (V)HomeN/A6:30 PM
Monday1/30/2023HomeHopkins (JV)Gateway5:00 PMN/A
Monday1/30/2023HomeSt.Mary's (L) (V)GatewayN/A6:30 PM
Thursday2/2/2023AwayHCSS-East (L) (V)First Baptist Church (E. Longmeadow)N/A7:00 PM
Monday2/6/2023AwayDuggan (L)Duggan5:30 PM7:00 PM
Thursday2/9/2023HomeSci Tech (L) (V)GatewayN/A6:30 PM
Monday2/13/2023AwayPathfinder (L) (V)PathfinderN/A5:30 PM
Wrestling Schedule:
Wednesday1/11/2023 HomeSmith Voc (L)*Gateway 6:00 PM
Saturday1/14/2023 Away Taconic Invitational Taconic 9:30 AM
Wednesday1/18/2023 AwayPathfinder (L)Pathfinder7:00 PM
Saturday1/21/2023 AwayMt. Everett Duals (I) Mt. Everett
Thursday1/26/2023 Away Athol (C)Athol 6:00 PM
Saturday1/28/2023 AwayMountie Tournament (T)Mount Greylock 9:20 AM
Fundraisers:
Look Who's Hiring
Otis Ridge Ski Lodge - is also looking for all positions including ski instructors, lodge staff and more. Learn more and apply at https://otisridge.com/employment/. Ski instructors do not have to be professionals - Otis will train you.
Wilderness Experiences Unlimited - is looking for swimming instructors. You don't have to be a professional swimmer - WEU will train you. Learn more and apply at https://www.weu.com/join-our-team
What's Happening in our Community?
Gateway Gear Grinders Mountain Bike Team
If you have an 8 - 18 year old that is interested in riding mountain bikes? If so, come and join the Gateway Gear Grinders Mountain Biking Team! There are beginner through (almost) expert teams that make up the Gateway Gear Grinders and they would love for more riders to join the team. Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/groups/785692621791350/?ref=share. Gateway Gear Grinders - aka G3!!
Upcoming Russell Library Events:
Russell Library has new hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 3pm - 7pm
- Tuesday and Thursday - 10am - 2pm
- Saturdays - 10am - 1pm
Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force:
If you or someone you know is being harmed by a partner, Hilltown Safety at Home can help (advocate cell 413-693-9977 or office 413-667-2203). You can speak with an advocate by phone or meet in person. Advocates can help you understand your options and can provide support. We all deserve to be safe and healthy, and to be in charge of our own life decisions.
A new helpline is also available for people who cause harm and want to work towards safety and change. A Call For Change Helpline, 877-898-3411, can be reached 365 days a year, 10am to 10pm.
Past Gator Bites
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/gmqb5October 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
Contact Info!
Chester Elementary School:
Principal Vanna Maffuccio vmaffuccio@grsd.org
Littleville Elementary School:
Principal Andrew Samuelson asamuelson@grsd.org
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