Student & Family Update
April 29, 2022
April 26th, 2024
Good afternoon everyone,
Finally it looks as though Spring is here!
We are down to the last 34 school days for this year and there are lots of events and activities to get involved with. Please have a look at the Q3 Student feedback : Link Families will be invited to provide feedback during Q4.
In this week's newsletter there are also updates on:
- Upcoming Student-led-conferences (June 5th)
- Student Council activities
- Marine Science Trip to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
- You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
- Artist in Residence returns to MTRS
- An author visit and talk at MTRS this week
- FRCOG CPR and First Aid community courses at MTRS
- Grading deadlines, last day and Scholarship and Graduation information for the Class of 24
- College and Career resources for students and families
- SEPAC meeting information
- Spring Sports
June Student-led conferences
Starting next week, Advisory teachers will start to reach out to families and care providers to schedule a Student-Led-Conference
June 5th: S2 Student Led Conferences- Early dismissal for all MS and HS Students at 11:30 (Conferences to take place virtually or in person between 12-3:30pm MS & HS and virtually)
June 12th: 12:50pm Early release for students in MS and HS
June 14th: Last day for students: 11:30 dismissal for MS and HS
If you are reading this newsletter on a phone or laptop, don't forget to click on "read entire message" in order to see the complete newsletter.
Finally, we do our best to convey information to our community from a variety of sources, lots of them community rather than school based organizations. Unfortunately we are not able to share images and posters with live links through Smore but always ensure there is an email for inquiries. If you would like an e-copy of a poster with live links, please feel free to reach out to the office directly.
Have a great weekend!
Best wishes
Chris
Community First Aid courses take place next week at MTRS!
Save the date for Charlie Brown!
Caregiver workshop - May 20th
Important Dates & Information
Upcoming dates
May 3 and 4th: Spring Musical: You're a good man, Charlie Brown
May 4th: Craft Sale at MTRS
May 6 - 10th: Teacher appreciation week
May 11th: MTAA Spring Fling
May 16th District Music Concert at MTRS
May 17th: Grade 11 and 12 DUI and Legal issues presentation from SFPD
May 18th: Prom
May 24th: Last day for G12 (If you are on track to graduate)
May 30th: Senior Awards evening
May 31st (Friday) -6-8pm: High School Graduation. Indoors at MTRS (This is a correction to the published date of June 1st)
June 3rd - Grade 6 Step up day
June 5th: S2 Student Led Conferences- Early dismissal for all MS and HS Students at 11:30
June 7th: Grade 8 Ice cream and Celebration: 5:30-7:30
June 12th: 12:50pm Early release for students in MS and HS
June 14th: Last day for students: 11:30 dismissal for MS and HS
District Calendar for 2023/24: Link (Calendar for 24/25)
MTRS MCAS and AP testing schedule
Quarter 4 40 Days (5 fewer days due to Q2)
First Day: Monday April 8, 2024
Last Day: Monday, June 10, 2024
Q4 progress report grades close on: Friday, May 10, 2024
Q4 progress report grading window: Thursday, May 9 - Thursday, May 16 at 11:59pm
Q4 progress reports will be available in Aspen: Friday, May 17, 2024
Q4 grading window: May 31st - June 14th
Q4 report cards available in Aspen: June 17th
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown!
Have you purchased your tickets yet????
Tickets are available on the door or in advance for the performance on Friday 3rd or Saturday 4th at 7pm!
Please email stagemanager@mtrsd.org for more information
Student Council
This past Wednesday 10 members of the high school student council and Mr. M travelled to Turners Falls High School for the WMASC Spring Conference. At this conference we participated in large group activities, including creating and performing group skits, and voted for the 2024-2025 WMASC officers.
Marine Science trip to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Cape Cod
On Monday April 22nd, Ms Beck's high school Marine Science class traveled to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Cape Cod. We went out on a boat and learned how to set lobster traps, deploy underwater cameras, as well as identify and hold marine creatures such as sea urchins, horseshoe crabs and sea stars! After that, we had lunch, and then got a tour of the Redfield Marine Lab and saw the Alvin submersible. Lastly, we explored a salt marsh. We had so much fun and really enjoyed playing in the topographic sand pit that our guide showed us! -Natalie L. Class of '27
Setting a lobster trap
Identifying urchins
A great experience at Woods Hole
MTRS Artist in Residence returns!
The MTRS Art Department is excited to announce the return of our artist-in-residence partnership with Ashfield artist Robert Markey this May! Mr. Markey will be joining us to lead the next phase of our mosaic project in the outdoor classroom. Last year we had over 75 students work together to bring beauty and artistry to our courtyard learning space-- with fantastic results. The mosaics reflect the cooperation, creativity, and personal expressions of our great kids (who know a lot about our local ecosystem and were excited to demonstrate this skill through a perfect eagle wing, perch tail, or turkey feather). This year art students in grades 7-12 will have the opportunity to learn how the mosaic process works as they participate in designing, creating and mounting nature-themed artworks that will remain for years to come. Mr. Markey brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as an artist. His community-engaged practice has brought him to South America, Asia, and the Middle East as well as many local communities where he has created public art. You can learn more about him and see his work at his website. We are thrilled to offer this experiential learning opportunity for students, grateful to Mr. Markey for being a generous local partner, and eager to create legacy artwork for our wonderful community here at MTRS.
Ashfield artist Robert Markey will be back at MTRS in May
Students will work with Robert and continue to develop the outdoor courtyard
Robert has previously worked on the walls around the auditorium
Craft Sale at MTRS - May 4th
On Saturday, May 4th, the student council will be holding a raffle of vendor items donated during the 2nd Annual Audrey's Angels Craft Fair being held on the field hockey field at Mohawk Trail High School from 10-3.
Currently, there are 50 vendors whose fees are being donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Hawlemont School will be holding a bake sale and Wandering Waffles will be the food truck.
Please come and support all!
MTRS students to be recognized at the Peacemaker Awards
The Peacemaker Award recognizes the youth in Franklin County who create projects to make positive contributions toward justice, peace, and equity within their communities and worldwide. The Peacemaker Award is sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Franklin County and the Traprock Center for Peace and Justice. The following students were nominated and awarded the honor for their participation and hard work as Key Club members, and for spearheading the creation of the Sharing & Caring Closet for their surrounding communities. These students recognized a need for change and contributed to a positive solution. The Peacemaker Award will take place on May 8, 2024, at the Greenfield Public Library from 6-7:30. Guest speakers include Rev. Dr. Andrea Ayvazian. Students, family & friends, are encouraged to join others receiving their awards. This prestigious award goes to the Key Club members, Mohamed Abdelgaward, Shelby Collier, Madeline Cosentino, Riley Girad, Sophia Goodnow, Palmer King, Jackson Lilienthal, Chayim Mojallali, Gage Patenaude, Sebastian Seward, Emily Sisum, Kaylin Sumner, Phineas Tuttman, and Will Van Vleet.
Pulitzer Prize Nominee Author Visit
How appropriate that on "World Book Day," April 23, that Mohawk Trail Regional was visited by Pulitzer Prize Nominee Lydia Millet.
MTRS juniors and seniors were treated to an in-school field trip as the author answered prepared questions moderated by senior Sophia Goodnow and junior Eliza Crowell. In junior year at MTRS, students read Lydia's book, A Children's Bible.
Students heard about Lydia's writing process and her work combating the climate crisis. She dove into how she feels stories are so important because they are how we make sense of the world around us.
Thank you, Lydia, for spending time at MTRS with our students, and being inspiring on the page and in person.
FRCOG CPR and First Aid classes at MTRS in May
On Thurs 5/2 and 5/9, community CPR and first aid classes will be offered. If you need to re-certify your CPR credentials, or bolster your confidence on how to respond in an emergency, these classes are for you! Participants will leave each class with a nationally-recognized certification.
The classes will be deeply discounted ($20/class, $30/both classes), thanks to a grant secured by Cooperative Public Health Service, the health district that supports all West County Boards of Health.
Students can receive an additional discount by using the following codes: STUDENT_CPR (for $10 CPR class), STUDENT_FIRSTAID (for $10 first aid class) or STUDENT_COMBINED (to take both classes for $15).
While these classes will take place at Mohawk Trail Regional School, this is NOT a school-sponsored activity.
AP Brault's Student Culture Corner
Maybe we will see some 70s and 80s next week!
A growing concern at school is an app where users can create a virtual gun, complete with sound, and then use their phones to “pretend shoot” someone. Please work with your student to remind them that this is not allowed in school and is just as disturbing as an actual gun in the building.
Another note of concern are the students ordering DoorDash or the like and avoiding the front door. There are two concerns there. The first is it is against school policy, per the handbook, to order food to be delivered to school during the school day. The second is the use of a side door from a security standpoint. When visitors come in the front door we can monitor the access to the rest of the building. If they come in a side door we cannot.
The District Perspective
Carol Foote, Communications and Outreach Coordinator, cfoote@mtrsd.org
April vacation learning
A small but mighty group of students participated in a weeklong camp focused on problem solving in mathematics. The theme was nature and animals, and students were able to participate in arts enrichment projects to enhance their experience and connect to the theme of math in the natural world.
Learning with Award-winning Storyteller James Bruchac
Taken from his website, “James Bruchac is an award-winning author, storyteller, cultural educator, wilderness expert, martial arts instructor, and Director of The Ndakinna Education Center in Greenfield Center NY. A citizen of the Nulhegan Abenaki Nation, for the last three decades, Mr. Bruchac has traveled across the country and abroad offering programs for people of all ages.”
Third grade students from Colrain Central and Hawlemont Elementary joined Sanderson Academy students at the Ashfield-based school to hear stories, sing songs, and learn about tracking and other skills from Bruchac. (He later traveled to Buckland-Shelburne Elementary for a similar presentation there.) He focused his time on telling stories rooted in native tradition from the local region that hold life lessons. One such story was about Gluskonba - a character who was like a native superhero - who looked and acted like a human but had the power to change himself and things around him. Many stories have animals at the center, including creation stories like the one that references Turtle Island.
Students were engaged, sang along, and showed off their own knowledge. Thanks to James for bringing native culture and stories to life with his own enthusiasm, expertise, and personal connection.
Events like these are part of a greater effort to promote understanding of native cultures of the northeast in our schools through the curriculum. More will be shared following a late May visit to the Wilder Homestead made possible by local volunteers and grantors like local cultural councils and the Mass Cultural Council.
Sustainability Study Update
BERK12 has completed its first round of community engagement gatherings. Thanks to all who joined the meetings, gave input, have joined working groups, or have otherwise been involved with the process. As this study moves forward, we can expect:
further collection (and/or updating) and analyzing data on current conditions within the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts in the critical areas of enrollment, fiscal conditions, educational programming, and building infrastructure, and project future conditions in each area.
developing, studying and evaluating potential future operating alternatives – including maintaining the current operating structure (i.e., two districts educating students in four separate buildings) – and assess the advantages and disadvantages of each.
BERK12 to propose a long-term plan for providing a high-quality education for the Districts’ students in a way that is financially sustainable for the Districts’ taxpayers.
Watch for your next opportunity to be involved!
International Travel Opportunities
Egypt, June 22, 2025—July 4, 2025 (book by May 8, 2024)
Still open to families across the district, MTRS teacher Lisa Camarda is looking to fill 4 more spots for the 2025 trip. See the flier with updated pricing and further information.
Europe, June 18 - 28, 2026
Just announced is a trip to Europe covering 4 countries - The Netherlands, Belgium, France, and England.
For either opportunity, contact Lisa Camarda, lcamarda@mtrsd.org, with questions or to sign up.
Upcoming Town Meetings and Town-Specific Materials
One-page overview documents regarding the MTRSD and HRSD budgets have been provided to town officials for inclusion in town meeting materials. Those and more detailed information may be found on the Mohawk Trail Regional School District Business Services page by clicking the FY2024 MTRSD Budget Materials button. (More documents may be added between now and the town meeting date.) Published dates of meetings for the 8 towns include:
Ashfield: Saturday, May 4, 2024, 10am
Buckland, Saturday, May 4, 2024, 10am - 12pm
Plainfield: Saturday, May 4, 2024, 1pm
Shelburne: Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 6:30pm
Heath: Saturday, May 11, 2024, 9 – 11am
Hawley: Monday, May 13, 2024, 7 – 8:30pm
Charlemont: Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 6 – 8pm
Colrain: Tuesday, June 4, 2024, 7 – 9pm
Looking for Meaningful Work?
Currently posted on the district website are 14 jobs, both full- and part-time! Some require certifications while others do not. If you’re interested in joining the staff at one of our district schools, please visit the job postings page to see if a position is right for you or someone you know. We welcome your application.
Teaching and Learning
Student Led Conferences (SLC) will take place for Grades 7-11 on June 5th
WHAT TO KNOW
Student-Led Conferences (SLC’s) are held twice a year to focus on each student and reflect together about their school year. This is a version of a parent-teacher conference in which students take a leadership role.
Spring SLC Date: June 5th, 2024
What is the process for students?
Students have reflection time and mini-lessons during Advisory meetings where they can think, write and talk about what their areas of strength are, what they are most proud of, what can be celebrated, areas for growth, and what teachers and family can do to support their student's new goals.
Teachers provide students access to their work and feedback so students can collect evidence.
Caregivers and parents can sign up for a time digitally. Invites are sent from the student's Advisory Leader.
Who participates in an SLC?
Every MTRS student from grades 7-11 (no grade 12 in the Spring) will conference with their
Advisory Leader and their Caregiver (if caregiver can attend) to be present and supportive
of their student. Video conference options are available and anticipated.
When will the SPRING SLC’s happen?
15 minute conference slots will be scheduled after dismissal on June 5th, a special 11:30
am release day. Thank you for your flexibility as we refine our process with your feedback!
Why Student-Led Conferences?
● To encourage each student to accept personal responsibility for their academic performance.
● To improve students’ skills in reflection and self-evaluation.
● To facilitate the development of a student's organizational and oral communication skills and to increase their self-confidence.
● To engage students, parents and advisors in an open and honest dialogue about learning and progress, both where a student is and where they need to go next.
● To develop student-advisor-parent learning partnerships.
How did SLC's become part of the Trailblazer Model?
● We examined our existing practices and asked "How can we best academically support students for long-term success?”
● We learned from research and site visits to schools that implement SLC's for every student.
● Grade-level teams customized the SLC experience to the developmental and academic needs of the students they serve.
● We piloted SLC's during the 22/23 school year to inform this year’s school-wide process. Will will continue to improve our implementation based on feedback.
Would you like to know more?
For questions about scheduling your student's individual SLC please reach out to your student's Advisory Leader. For questions regarding the SLC process or other inquiries about SLC's please contact school administration via the front office at 413-625-9811.
SLC Focus Areas
- Academic Development
- Engagement
- Personal Responsibility
- Communication & Collaboration
- Inquiry & Exploration
- Personal Reflection
Scholarship & Graduation Information for the Class of 2024!
Scholarship information
Hello, Class of 2024 and Families,
The 2024 scholarship season is in full swing! Last year, the class of 2023 received over $100,000 in scholarships!
This is the Official Scholarship Bulletin. This year's scholarships will be listed here as they become available. Some are still coming in, so please check the bulletin regularly. This bulletin is also included in the Student Services Newsletter and it is on the Student Services website.
Here are some tips:
Check that you have all of the required documents (transcript, letter of recommendation, etc) before you submit your application.
To request documents, email sgarcia@mtrsd.org. Let me know how many of each requested document you need. I will place your letters of recommendation into sealed envelopes.
Pay close attention to the due dates. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.
Check the bulletin for submission details. Some applications need to be mailed out and some need to be submitted to the Student Services Office.
If you are mailing the applications, be sure to mail them out with enough time for them to get there before the deadline. (Postmarked is the stamped date on the envelope when the post office receives it)
Awards Night is Thursday, May 30th at 5 pm. At this ceremony, we will announce the recipients of the scholarships. Most scholarship disbursements will be made after the students submit their semester 1 transcripts from college. The certificate that you receive on Awards night will provide directions on how to receive the disbursements.
Graduation information
Class meetings will take place in the next two weeks and the Class of 2024 will be planning their involvement in the following events:
Graduation
DUI and Legal Issues talk with SFPF for G 11 and 12 - May 17th
Prom - Saturday 18th May
Senior Send off - Weds 22nd May
Senior Soak - Thursday 23rd May
Last Day - Friday May 24th (depending on Snow Days and if students are on track to graduate)
Memorial Day - Mon 27th May
Finals and rehearsals for Awards/ Graduation - Tuesday 28th May and Wednesday May 29th
Elementary school visit and MTRS staff cookout - Wednesday 29th May
Awards Event - Thursday 30th May (5-7pm)
Graduation Celebration - Friday May 31st 6-8pm indoors at MTRS (auditorium)
Please note:
Grade 12 Q4 Progress Grading Window: Wednesday, May 1 - Wednesday May 8, 2024 @ 11:59pm
Grade 12 Progress Reports available: Thursday, May 9, 2024
Grade 12 Q4 Term Grading Window: Wednesday, May 22 - Wednesday May 29, 2024 @ 11:59pm
Grade 12 Reports Cards available: Thursday, May 30, 2024
Scholarships
Please keep checking the Student Services section of the website in order to stay on top of deadlines. Last year the Class of 2023 walked away with over $100,000 in scholarships from our MTRS community!
This section of the newsletter will be updated as we progress through the year, so please check back in regularly!
Library Updates
Check out what is new in the library!
Take a look at our MTRS Library April 2024 newsletter: Link
Student Services
Student Services Update
Also don't forget to be checking the Senior Scholarship Bulletin.
Students and parents, please reach out with any specific questions - happy to help! Mrs. Cairney acariney@mtrsd.org Students to book an appt visit: https://acairney.youcanbook.me/
Bus Schedules and Questions
Please make sure that you check the Bus routes on district site. Care providers can call Dawn at the bus company on 413-489-3195 at ext 3304 or call the school and ask to speak to Robin Pease.
Community Events
How can you get involved at MTRS?
We want to hear your voice!
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 take place on May 8th
The virtual joining information is as follows:
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 813-435-9650
PIN: 741 012 215#
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. The next drop in will take place on May 10th. See joining information below!
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
Athletics
LONG OVERDUE FIELD RENOVATIONS COMPLETE!!!
Now that the weather is finally cooperating, we at Mohawk Trail were finally able to complete the long awaited renovations of four of our athletic playing surfaces! Thanks to a very large donation from the Mohawk Trail Athletic Association and our friends at Snow and Sons Landscaping, we were able to re-cut and resurface the infields and mounds of our JV and Varsity Baseball Fields as well as our JV and Varsity Softball fields! Make sure to come out, catch a game, and see the beautiful new fields that our students are excited to be playing on!
Insert Photos Please
MIAA STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 26TH!
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is again seeking applications from rising Juniors and Seniors to join their Student Advisory Committee! Throughout the year, Student Advisory Committee members meet as a group approximately once a month. They are tasked with facilitating student leadership workshops, meeting as a committee to discuss student related topics and participating in various association activities throughout the year. The student voice is critical in how we continue to improve the Educational Athletic offerings of the MIAA. If your student is interested in applying for this committee, please contact District Athletic Director Greg Lilly at glillyAD@mtrsd.org.
ANNUAL MOHAWK TRAIL SPRING FLING SLATED FOR SATURDAY, MAY 11TH!
This year’s Annual Mohawk Trail Spring Fling will be taking place on Saturday, May 11th at MTRSD! Athletic clinics directed by Mohawk Trail coaches and players will be taking place throughout the day all over campus for elementary students throughout the district. MTRS Student Council will simultaneously host a large tag sale on the field hockey field, while individual classes will be holding fundraisers on campus. Food will be offered at the Kiwanis Club as well! Please stay tuned for more details regarding this exciting event as they come available.
Field rennovations have been completed
THANK YOU to the MTAA!
THANK YOU to Snow and Sons Landscaping!
MTRS Trip to Europe in 2026
Special Education Updates
Mohawk Trail SEPAC Member and Parent
Join us for the Caregiver Workshop to:
* understand DESE's new IEP Process
* become familiar with the new forms
* learn to navigate the new processes
Follow the link to the virtual session on May 20 here:
https://collaborative.zoom.us/j/84763305906#success
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.
Special Education Contact Information
Person
Role
Contact Information
Leann Loomis
Director of Pupil Personnel Services
413-625-0192 x1025
Melissa Plesnar
Assistant to Director of Pupil Personnel Services
413-625-0192 x1015
Erin Beaudet
7-12 Liaison
413-625-9811 x1314
Carolyn Goodnow
1-6 Liaison
Mohawk Trail District
413-625-2521
Kate Dwyer
1-6 Liaison
Hawlemont District
413-339-8316
Amy Socquet
Early Childhood Coordinator and Liaison
413-625-6194
About Mohawk Trail SEPAC
The Special Education Parent Advisory Council is an advisory group led by parents within our community. We are looking to support each other and help the school district to better serve its students. The SEPAC is open to all caregivers within the district with an IEP or 504 plan, and to interested members of the community. Please reach out to us to learn more!
SEPAC meetings
We meet monthly via Zoom.
We welcome caregivers, staff, and interested members of the community to learn about SEPAC and meet local families. The public meeting will be followed by a private caregiver support discussion.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81146390541?pwd=cGVyR0hFelYrTWhTZ2pzK0kwWnBWQT09
Meeting ID: 811 4639 0541
Passcode: 453118
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,81146390541# US (Chicago)
+16468769923,,81146390541# US (New York)
Email us to learn more: mohawksepac@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MohawktrailSEPAC
Chris Buckland
Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional
MTRSD Director of Communications