The EduGATOR!
Week of April 29
Weekly Update
Saturday, April 27- Littleville 5k Gator Gallop
Monday, April 29-Regular school day!
Tuesday, April 30-Regular school day!
*Barr visit to Anne T. Dunphy in Williamsburg
Wednesday, May 1- Regular school day!
*Barr visit to Lighthouse in Holyoke
Thursday, May 2-Regular school day!
***DINNER AND DREAMING EVENT AT SHAKER FARMS 4-9pm
Friday, May 3-Wear your Jeans and Gator Gear! 🐊
Saturday, May 4- Middlefield Annual Town Meeting at 1:30pm
Gator Bites
Check out the latest edition of Gator Bites! :)
It has lots of great info on upcoming events, pictures, and schedules for the community.
This week!
I can't wait to spend some time with you in a more casual, off site setting!
Please arrive as early as 4pm but no later than 5pm to participate in the Barr work, and then get ready for some good company and conversation after we finish our work (and during our work too, to be honest!).
Upon further reflection, I did ask them to have it inside so I believe we will be in the ballroom. Let's avoid those mosquito bites.
The agenda for the evening will be as followed:
4-5pm - Arrive/Social Hour/Appetizers
5-6pm - Barr Foundation - Moving from Dreaming into Plan Phase Overview and Activities
6:15pm- Dinner is served/More Social time!
Appetizers and Dinner will be served and will include:
Cheese and Crackers
Veggie and Dip
Chicken Francais
Baked Ham
Italian Meatballs
Tossed Salad
Seasonal Veggies
Garlic Dill Potatoes
Stuffed Shells
Cookies
If your status changed and you now can or can't make it, please let me know, but join us if you can!
Save the date: Elementary Field Days!
Chester Field Day is Wednesday May 29th (rain date May 30th)
Littleville Field Day is Friday June 7th (rain date June 10th)
Barr Foundation Grant Update
On April 23, two Barr Foundation staff visited Gateway Regional High School. Jess and Barb were very impressed by our community and passion for our students.
Some specific bright spots they noted included:
- Students using the term "we" meaning the class, the community, the school population including staff and students
- A genuine love and appreciation for one another
- Students acknowledging one another's strengths and working collaboratively with one another
- Students challenging themselves to be better and produce high quality work/performance
- Teachers as facilitators supporting students on their learning journey
Barb and Jess specifically pointed out that there is a uniqueness to the culture/student relationships at Gateway. There is a deep sense of ownership and care that they have not seen elsewhere.
Things they wondered about or had ideas for future growth:
- There seem to be commonalities with what staff and students care about, but those values could be more vibrant and intentional
- There was encouragement to get more student and community voice at the table to continue to push us to get better--provide praise and support as well as constructive feedback
- There seems to be untapped opportunities for students to take on even more and really drive their own learning
- There is clearly evidence of lots of growth, so pause and celebrate that meaningful progress to keep moving forward!
Speaking of which, they said they are excited about our huge strides this year and feel a general buzz of excitement and passion here. They can't wait to partner with us in the future!
Many of you have already seen the first video, which is about 20 minutes long and covers our first three trips. I'm linking it again for reference: Barr Trips (CA, AZ, CO, ME). Since that time, we've completed two more trips (to Eastern MA and Vermont). Here's a new video based on those two trips. Barr Trips 2 (MA, VT) It's about 13 minutes long.
Thank you for putting these together, Cheryl! Check out the new learning and innovative ideas brought back by these two amazing teams!
Also, Cheryl is updating this website with a general overview of the school and takeaways from our trips. I suggest you check it out!
https://sites.google.com/grsd.org/barr-trips?usp=sharing
Budget Advocacy-Turning up the heat!
Despite continuous advocacy and pressure from Gateway Gators and so many other rural schools, the MA House of Representatives released their preliminary budget proposal with a massive cut to Rural School Aid. The proposal slashes funding in half to just $7.5 million statewide, which is only about 1/8 of the $60 million recommendation from the Commission on the Fiscal Health of Rural Schools.
Professional Development Opportunities
Free STEM PD this summer on the Cape!
The National Energy Education Development Project has partnered with Mass Save to provide a free summer conference for educators. Please see details below and link to register.
Apply Now - https://needorg.my.salesforce-sites.com/event/home/ma072924
Where & When
Emerald Resort
35 Scudder Avenue
Hyannis, MA 02601
July 29 – 31, 2024
About the Conference
Educators from across Massachusetts will come together for three days of engaging and fun energy education training with the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project. The conference is fully sponsored, including lodging, and offered at no cost to educators. The conference provides you with the most up-to-date information on all aspects of energy. You will receive the training and materials to implement innovative hands-on energy units in your classrooms, multi-disciplinary teams, and after-school programs. We will provide extra night for those driving more than 90 miles to the conference.
Who Should Attend?
• Educators interested in energy!
• K-12 Teachers
• Science and STEM Teachers
• AP Environmental Science Teachers
• CTE Teachers
• Out of School Time Program Leaders
• Student Advocacy Organization Leaders
What Do Participants Receive?
• Massachusetts standards aligned curriculum
• Choice of NEED Kit
• Stipend
• PDP Certificate
• PRIZES
• Graduate Credit
• A great opportunity to learn with fellow educators in an engaging and fun way
· The chance to network with energy professionals to learn more about energy careers and the energy landscape in Massachusetts.
Questions
If you have questions or need assistance, please email Wendi Moss at wmoss@need.org or call 1-800-875-5029.
AGENDA
July 29, 2024
11:00 a.m. Registration and Energy Challenge Activities
11:30 a.m. Lunch and Welcome
12:30 p.m. Introductions and MA Energy Efficiency Bingo
1:15 p.m. Science of Energy
2:45 p.m. Energy Roundup
3:15 p.m. Energy Source Break Out Sessions
· Onshore and Offshore Wind
· Exploring Solar
4:15 p.m. Energy Source Breakout Sessions (Swap)
5:15 p.m. Q&A and NEED Internet Resources
5:45 p.m. Dinner and Presentation
July 30, 2024
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Science of Electricity
9:30 a.m. The Electric Grid – Reliably Smart
10:00 a.m. Massachusetts Electric Connections
10:30 a.m. Baseload Balance
11:15 a.m. Electric Vehicles
12:00 p.m. Lunch
12:45 p.m. Energy Storage – Expanding Capacity
1:15 p.m. Gather up and get ready to roll
1:30 p.m. Let’s Take a Field
4:45 p.m. Reception and Energy Carnival
5:30 p.m. Dinner
July 31, 2024
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:15 a.m. Exploring Energy Efficiency and Conservation
· Energy systems in a building
· New technologies
8:45 a.m. The Energy House Challenge
10:15 a.m. Greenhouse gases, climate & energy
11:15 a.m. Energy Efficiency Career Round Up
11:45 a.m. Lunch and Speaker
1:00 p.m. Creating & Facilitating School Energy Teams
1:20 p.m. Synthesizing the Conference
1:45 p.m. What’s Next? Q&A, Post-Assessment, Final Evaluation
2:15 p.m. Adjourn
Here's a sneak peak at our plans for teacher appreciation week next week! We can't wait to celebrate you!
Our Annual Report
Our District Priorities
These priorities were introduced on opening day, but I am re-sharing to emphasize our focus on these two areas. Our PD, evaluation system, support for teachers in the classroom, walk throughs, and discussions at meetings will be centered around this work.
Cultural Priority
All staff in the Gateway Regional School District will intentionally build positive, caring relationships and uphold clear, equitable systems and policies so students are respected, feel safe to learn, take risks, and make progress towards their goals every day.
Instructional Priority
Gateway educators deliver excellent, culturally responsive learning experiences grounded in our high quality instructional materials and review data to make adjustments to their practice so that students make their thinking and reasoning public while engaged in rigorous, grade-appropriate tasks.
Past EduGATORS!
Looking for something? Here is a link to the past EduGATORS this month for your convenience:
- GRSD Annual Report
- Student Photos of learning around the district :)
- Artwork reminder
- Barr Grant Updates
- Cold v. Allergy info from Nurses
- Optional PLC invitation for teachers
- Solar Eclipse Info
- Invitation to participate in a focus group on teen sexualized behaviors
- SBHC Update
- Teacher Appreciation at Thunderbirds!
- RSVP for Dinner and Dreaming
- Solar Eclipse Letter
- Barr letter to families