Student and Family Update
4/16/21
Dear Students and Families,
I can hardly believe that this newsletter is going out on a snow day just before April break- New England weather at it’s finest! I hope that all students are able to take time away from screens, get outside and enjoy a week away from academics! Please continue to practice the Fab 4: wash your hands, wear a mask, practice social distancing and stay home if you are not feeling well.
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.
Special Schedule for Wednesday, April 28
Middle School Information Night
The Middle School Teams will be hosting an information night for families of 5th and 6th graders. Please see information on this event below:
When: Wednesday, April 28th 6:30-7:30 pm
Where: Via Google Meet link: meet.google.com/qam-weof-bdp
What to Expect: Learn about middle school at MTRS and meet teachers
What if I can’t make it? The event will be recorded and made available to watch at a later date.
Student Services
Class of 2021 Updates
The Class of 2021 graduation will be held on Saturday, June 5 at 5 p.m. (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!
Class of 2023 Fundraiser
Are you in need of MTRS merchandise?! Head over the Class of 2023’s online fundraiser and get yourself some new gear! Here's the link to the online store! The store will be open through Tuesday, April 27. Please email class advisory Bethany Basal with any questions: bbasal@mtrsd.org
MTRS Walkathon Slated for May 22
Community members - our students need YOUR support! On May 22, the MTRS 9th graders will lace-up their sneakers and make their way to the MTRS track for a walkathon to raise money for their class and the Baystate Health Foundation! Recognizing how COVID-19 has financially strained many members of our community, the students wanted to combine their efforts to make an impact not only on their class fundraising efforts, but also to help their neighbors in need.
These incredible students will be walking to fulfill both those needs--helping them to plan for their future needs to offset costs of annual events while impacting their community in a meaningful way.
While the event is a month away, they've already started their fundraising efforts and are currently collecting pledges. They've created a website--https://sites.google.com/mtrsd.org/walk4health/homepage --so head there to learn more and make a pledge today! *Note from their class adviser: the pledge form is linked to the site, and checks are made out to MTRS.
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.
MTRS Athletics Updates
On Monday, MTRS Athletic Director Greg Vouros launched a weekly athletics newsletter to keep our students, families, and fans connected to MTRS sports and updates! If you haven't checked it out, be sure to head over to his Smore and see what's happening: https://www.smore.com/6av4f-mtrs-athletics-weekly-news
Spring sports registration is OPEN, so be sure to head over to FamilyID to sign up (links and info are in AD Vouros’ newsletter). And this week, the MTRSD school committee voted to approve Varsity & Middle School Baseball, Varsity & Middle School Softball, Boys & Girls Track (Grades 7-12), Girls Varsity Tennis (Grades 7-12). MTRS Athletic Director Greg Vouros is awaiting further clarification/details from MIAA, PVIAC, FCAD regarding wrestling.
Additionally, earlier this week AD Vouros announced he will soon be sending a sign-up/application for a newly created MTRS Athletics community feedback group which will consist of student, staff, parent, and community representatives (approximately 5-6 people) who will help provide valuable feedback, insight, and strategic planning for our programs. He will be looking to have a representative from each group--so students and caregivers, please stay tuned to an email from him with the information! I encourage those who aren’t currently involved with any of our feedback groups to please consider applying.
If you have any questions or need additional information about the spring sign-ups or sports offerings, please reach out to AD Vouros at gvouros@mtrsd.org.
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.
Mohawk Trail & Hawlemont Literacy Planning Survey for Caregivers
The Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School System is planning to rework our approach to literacy in grades PK-8 so that our programs, teaching approach, and support for students are consistent in all schools and are based on research about how children learn to read.
We would like the input of caregivers to support this process. Please complete these questions based on your child's experiences* in the Mohawk Trail-Hawlemont System.
The survey is open through Friday April 23 (closes at 5 p.m.)
*This is a great time to talk with your child (or children) about their experiences in English Language Arts/Literacy at school! If you are unsure how to answer a question, please ask them for their input.
To complete the survey, visit:
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.
Marisa