Gator Bites- 11/19/23
Important Dates:
Wednesday, 11/22-Half Day, Start of Thanksgiving Break
Thursday/Friday, 11/23-24-No School-Thanksgiving Break
Tuesday, 12/5-Half Day for students, full day for staff
Wednesday, 12/6-Senior Citizen Brunch at GRHS
Wednesday, 12/13-School Committee Meeting
Friday, 12/22-Half Day for all-start of winter break!
Half Day Timing for Elementary Schools
Beginning on Wednesday, November 22, the half day's for Littleville and Chester elementary schools will dismiss at 11:50 instead of 11:40. Preschool dismissal will be at 11:40 instead of 11:30. The extra 10 minutes is to allow the buses to complete their routes in the same allotted amount of time that they have on a regular school day.
On a typical school day, the high school releases at 2:10 and the elementary schools release at 3:20 allowing one hour and ten minutes to complete their first route and report back to elementary schools to do their second route. On half days, high school releases at 10:40 and elementary releases at 11:40. This only gives buses 1 hour to do their route and report back. Some buses are having a difficult time completing their route in the allotted time on half days.
Therefore, for all future half days, elementary schools will dismiss at 11:50 am, with preschool dismissing at 11:40, to provide the same amount of time to buses for routes.
Safety Info for Families : Reunification
Gateway has comprehensive school safety protocols, including the unlikely event that school staff need to take students off campus and have families pick up their child in a different location. For example, a nearby school (not in our district) had to activate their reunification plan when a chemical spill occurred in their building and the building was no longer safe to occupy.
If a Gateway school needed to relocate and reunify students with families in an unfamiliar location, our first priority is the safety of all. Staff would work quickly and efficiently to move students off campus using our school buses. Administration would send out automated calls and texts to families to keep them informed of the current situation and what to expect in order to reunify with their child.
The most important tip is for families to plan to meet us at the relocation site--please do not come to the school campus to attempt to pick up a child from the school site. If it has been determined that the students must evacuate the building, it is likely that there are support personnel on their way to campus to re-establish safety--in the example used above, the Environmental Protection Agency had to report to that school to facilitate the chemical clean up. It is not ideal to have visitors on campus when staff and students are attempting to leave. Gateway staff will be focused on making sure all students are traveling calmly and safely to their new location, including for accounting for all students involved. Administration will share the relocation site with families, so please plan to meet us there instead of campus.
The need to activate our relocation plan is unlikely, but if we do, following the tip above will help things go smoothly! Thank you!
Barr Foundation Grant Update
This past week, Gateway Regional staff members participated in a conference hosted by the Barr Foundation to review all of the data we've collected from our community members. We appreciated the opportunity to spend a great deal of time interpreting the data and determining what our ideal schools would look like if we addressed all of the areas of growth identified through this process. We will be sharing out a more comprehensive analysis of this data review within the next few weeks.
We will begin to shift our thinking from the "Learn" Phase of the grant to the "Dream" phase, which means we are taking our data and starting to imagine all of the possibilities to meet all of our students' needs through transformative change.
Learning and Fun Across the District!
A very fresh lunch!
Our awesome caf staff at Chester Elementary used the hydroponic veggies grown by Chester students to make school lunches! Yum!
Music trip to UMass!
150 students in grades 5-12 traveled to UMass with their music teachers, Ms. Guertin and Mr. Rose. Gateway Grad Gabreilla Salvini is pictured in the orange circle who is a current member of the Marching Band. Our students also saw Gateway Alum Mary MacNeil. It was a fantastic day!
Fairtale Parade!
Littleville first graders participated in a Fairy Tale/Folktale parade around the elementary school on Wednesday. Students read similar stories from different parts of the world. They were able to compare and contrast the stories and then transform into some characters from the stories for our culminating activity!
Girls on the Run!
The celebratory 5K race took place at Western New England College this weekend with our Chester Elementary runners!
Gateway's Title 1 Compact
As part of our requirement to receive federal grant for our elementary schools, we are sharing our school and caregiver compact. Please review it carefully and reach out to your child's principal if you have any questions.
Gateway Regional School District
School and Caregiver Compact
A child’s education is a process which requires the active participation of the student, their family and the school community. A Home-School Learning Compact is a written agreement between the school, parents and students which defines each of our responsibilities and the actions we will take to help our children succeed at school. Compacts are required for schools receiving Title IA funds.
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District/School/Teacher: The Gateway Regional School District’s Elementary Schools are committed to helping your child reach their potential by:
★ Providing a safe, positive and healthy learning environment
★ Creating an environment of inclusion by fostering emotional and social growth
★ Teach necessary concepts and grade level curriculum to your child.
★ Be aware of and support the needs of your child.
★ Help your child follow school and classroom rules through modeling and practice.
★ Regularly communicate with you on your child’s progress.
★ Attend school functions and be available for parent conferences
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Caregiver: I realize that my child’s school years are very important. I also understand that my participation in my child’s education will help his/her achievement and attitude. Therefore, I agree to carry out the following responsibilities to the best of my ability:
★ Give my child a quiet place to study.
★ Encourage my child to complete his/her homework and check that it is done.
★ Make sure my child is at school and arrives on time.
★ Make sure my child reads on a daily basis.
★ Attend school and classroom functions and parent conferences
★ Volunteer my time to assist with School or Classroom Activities to the best of my ability.
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Student: I know my education is important to me. It will help me become a better person. I know my family/guardians want to help me, but I am the one who has to do the work. Therefore, I agree to do the following:
★ Return completed classwork and homework on time.
★ Be at school on time unless I am sick.
★ Take responsibility for my own behavior.
★ Read on a daily basis.
★ Follow school and classroom rules.
GRHS/MS Winter Sports Schedule
Lunch Menu for November
High School Yearbooks are on sale now! You can purchase online or bring cash or check (payable to GRSD) to Mrs. Wing.
Reminder: Snow Day Calls!
When the forecast calls for snow, sleet, or freezing rain, I communicate with highway superintendents, the bus company, other area school superintendents, and our own maintenance crew to gather as much information as possible about the conditions and our level of preparedness. Because of Gateway's higher elevations, it is important to note that some areas in our district may have unsafe travel conditions while other areas in our district are clear and dry. I must consider the student who is traveling from those unsafe conditions while making the determination for the district.
I hope to make decisions the night before if the conditions dictate a specific call so you can plan ahead, but if I need more information the morning of then I'll send you an automated call by 5:30am. Admin will also notify local news stations, and our social media pages will be updated. If you don't hear from the district by 6am, school will be held as scheduled.
There may be times when a delayed start turns into a cancellation if conditions don't improve as expected or if plowing doesn't go as planned, if buses don't start, or if other things get in the way. I will send a follow up call as soon as this determination is made to inform you of this decision if it needs to happen. I hope this isn't the case, but weather-related conditions can be very unpredictable!
Wrap around at Littleville and Chester will not be open on school cancellation days. If wrap around staff are able to get to the school safely, we will make every effort to have wrap around open on delayed start days. The district will communicate this information with you regarding the hours of wrap around in the event of a delayed start. The information may be communicated after the initial call via email or on social media because we need to coordinate with our wrap around staff to confirm availability with each delayed start.
I understand that these decisions are disruptive to family plans, and I apologize in advance for last minute shifts you may need to make to accommodate for school delays and closures. It is our responsibility to make decisions that keeps student safety at the center of our work. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions. I thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these winter months together.
Fundraisers and Events
Gateway Hats on Sale!
Looking for a practical gift idea? Look no farther--The Pease Store in Chester is selling Gateway Hats!
The cost for the hats pictured below are 20 dollars and are currently on order in a limited amount!The store is open on Saturday between 9am-2pm and it is located on Main Street in Chester.
Support the class of 2025 at Applebees!
Join the class of 2025 for a fundraiser at Applebees! The fundraiser will run from 4-9pm on December 7. Present the flyer below at time of payment and 15% of your bill will go to the Class of 2025.
Middle School PTO Meadow Farm Fundraiser!
If you're holiday shopping for quality gifts, tasty goodies, necessary household items, and wrapping paper, consider using this link to also support our Middle School PTO! This fundraiser runs November 1 through the 27!
To purchase something from the general Middle School PTO store:
https://shop.meadowfarms.com/gateway-regional-middle-school-101554
To sign up your middle school student to be a seller and earn points and prizes:
GEF Trivia Night--Save the Date!
Get your thinking caps on--March 23rd at Stanton Hall for Trivia Night 2024!
Senior Citizens from our Towns: Save the Date!
From our Community Partners
It Takes a Village Toy Sign Up!
It Takes a Village is developing a list of local Hilltown Families, looking for assistance with holiday gifts for the children that live in their home.
Linked here you will find the holiday toy sign- up for It Takes a Village. Sign-ups will close December 1st, 2023. Toys will be available for pick up from the Village Closet on Thursday, December 21st. Families will be given an assigned pick-up time, as the date approaches.
Sign-up is first come first serve. Please note that filling out the sign-up form does NOT guarantee toys.
Additional questions can be directed to info@hilltownvillage.org.
Hilltown Holiday Help! Deadline is November 24!
For more than twenty years local families have received help with gifts for their children through a community project called Hilltown Holiday Help. Children of families with low to moderate income in the hilltowns are eligible to receive clothing, books and toys. This effort is organized by the Hilltown Family Center and Hilltown Social Services programs in conjunction with the Gateway Regional High School National Honor Society with contributions from other organizations and individuals throughout the hilltowns and beyond. Last year, we were able to provide gifts for 114 children from 67 families. This year, we expect an even higher need as folks try to navigate rising prices and inflation.
We are looking for donors! This is a community effort. Local businesses, schools, churches, organizations and area residents are invited to help with fundraising and shopping to provide gifts. We can help you give a gift to someone in need in our local communities. Hilltown Holiday Help has also found recipients for holiday meals, cords of wood, help with utility bills, gift cards, gifts for teens and adults, and other items when provided. This year, we will be operating a little differently again for the safety of families, students, donors and staff.
For families in need, wish lists will be available through Hilltown Community Center staff from Monday, October 30th through Friday, November 24th via telephone, in person appointments, email, US Mail or Zoom. Families with children from newborns through the age of twelve, are eligible. Proof of residency and birth certificates or social security cards for children may be required. Gifts will be distributed from December 5- December 8, through contactless curbside pickup or delivery.
For donors, please arrange for a drop off time with staff or send monetary donations via our GoFundMe page located at: https://gofund.me/e63d369e or scan the qr code or send checks to the Attention of Kim Savery c/o HCHC Finance Office at 58 Old North Rd, Worthington, MA 01098 with checks made out to HCHC(Hilltown Community Health Centers) and Holiday Help in the memo.
If you are unable to commit to becoming a sponsor this year, please look for the National Honor Society and Huntington Fire Department boot drive in Huntington on November 11 or consider donating other goods or services or volunteering to deliver (a great opportunity to channel your inner Santa!).
If you are interested in donating or have questions, please contact Susan at 413.667.2203 x.311 slebarron@hchcweb.org, or Kim at 413-685-3500, ksavery@hchcweb.org.
November Happenings at Russell Public Library
Register by email rpldirector@townofrussell.us, call 413-862-6221 and leave a message, or come in
and sign up at the Library,
Adults and Teens, join us for a screening of “Indigenous Voices, From the Connecticut River Valley of MASSACHUSETTS”
In honor of National Native American Heritage Month the library will show segments of “Indigenous Voices” A Series of Short Videos About Native Life Past and Present produced by the Nolumbeka Project.(Russell provided one of many Cultural Council Grants for the making of this film series)
Thursday, November 30th, from, 6-7 PM
Register by November 27th.
Adults, choose a cookbook from the library in November, then sign up to make an interesting recipe for our holiday appetizer and dessert tasting.
Saturday, December 2nd from 12 -1 PM.
Register by November 28th.
The Hilltown Family Center Has Many Wonderful Programs!
Check out the multiple opportunities for families to get support from the Hilltown Family Center! If you have questions, please reach out to Susan LeBarron, the Hilltown Family Center Coordinator at 413-667-2203 (311) or via email at slebarron@hchcweb.org.
Contact Information:
Chester Elementary School:
Principal Vanna Maffuccio vmaffuccio@grsd.org
Littleville Elementary School:
Principal Melissa McCaul mmccaul@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
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