Student & Family Update
April 29, 2022
September 30th 2022
Good morning everyone!
I can't believe that we are already at the end of September!
In this week's assembly the Student Council shared their exciting plans for Booster week. You can explore this link to read all about the fun and festivities designed to put some pep in our step for Oct 11-14th
Next week we look forward to a talk on recycling and starting the composting program in grades 7 & 8.
Please read on to see what has and will be happening in our busy school!
Best wishes
Chris
Important Dates to Remember
Upcoming dates
10/5 Progress Reports will be available
October 6th - 4:30 - 6:30pm MTRS Open House
Oct 10 - No school - Indigenous Peoples’ day
October 11-14th School Spirit Week/ Pep Week
October 25th - Picture day
November 1 - No school, staff PD
November 9th - STEAM fair
December 9th and 10th - Winter Play: 7:30pm both days
Open House
Thursday October 6th, 4:30-6:30pm
We look forward to welcoming students and caregivers to our Open House next week.
- On arrival, caregivers can pick up a copy of their student schedule
- A brief welcome presentation will take place in our new College and Career Speaker Centre in the library
- Caregivers and students will follow a shortened daily schedule and meet teachers and hear some information about courses on offer this year.
Outdoor Learning Space
Let us hear your voice!
Did you know that we are working on creating an outdoor classroom in our interior courtyard next to the library? We are looking to gather community input of what our next steps could look like and we have created this survey.
Graduation Gown fitting time!
A reminder that Balfour representatives will be here on October 4th at 7:45 to measure the senior class for their caps and gowns. Students will go to their advisory first for attendance and immediately head to the auditorium to be measured.
Bus Drivers urgently needed!
Can you help?
The district is desperate for drivers! We are having to cancel field trips and sports fixtures due to a lack of drivers. Can you help?
STEAM FAIR - Grades 6-8 at MTRS on November 9th
MTRSD STEAM Fair is coming this fall for students in grades 6-8, and we couldn’t be more excited! We are hoping to recruit caregiver and community members to our cause: to connect our students with a diverse range of new and interesting hands-on experiences in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Volunteers needed to run sessions or help with logistics. Tentatively scheduled for Wed., November 9, we would love to have you join us; click here for more information.
Nursing Updates
COVID-19 TESTING REMINDER
Just a reminder that we are NOT allowed to test students or staff for Covid-19 this school year. We were informed at the very end of the last school year that the State would no longer cover our district for testing. We had an abundance of iHealth test kits at the end of the school year that the State said we can give to people for self use as long as we have them. We will not be getting any more. The school nurse is not allowed to perform, supervise, or advise on the use of these tests.
The expiration date on the kits says they are expired but the expiration date was actually extended. To check expiration dates, please go to https://ihealthlabs.com/pages/news where you can entire the lot number to find out when they will expire. Once expired, all iHealth test kits obtained through the school should be thrown away. You can obtain 8 free antigen self test kits, per person per month, from your pharmacy that will be charged to your insurance. Some people can pick them up for free. Others may need to pay upfront and be reimbursed by your insurance company. It really depends on your insurance. Call your pharmacy with any questions.
You can also call your local Board of Health. Many of them have antigen self tests free of charge for their citizens.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Donna Weber, MSN, BSN, RN
MTRS/HRS District Nurse Leader
413-625-9811 ext. 1334
Student Services Updates
Read all about our updates here: Student Services
Grade 7 - Hurting or Flirting
Dear Caregivers,
During the week of October 3rd, seventh grade students will participate in a workshop about sexual harassment, called “Flirting or Hurting?” During the workshop, we will be discussing the definition of sexual harassment and what students can do if they witness or experience harassing behavior. The workshop will take place during Science classes Tuesday-Thursday. The workshop will be facilitated by Ms Ruggeri, School Counselor, and Ms Johnson, Science Teacher.
The curriculum is introduced in 7th grade because middle school is a time when many students begin experimenting with language and gestures that they do not fully understand. They are faced with the task of developing identities within peer groups and the larger community, and interactions between students can result in confusion and misinterpretation. Often students in middle school do not realize the effect that their behavior has on others, and many are unaware of the definition of sexual harassment and that it can be a form of bullying.
Proactively providing students with information about sexual harassment in middle school is part of our commitment to creating a community of learners who are respectful and accountable, as well as promote a culture of empowerment.
Please feel welcome to be in touch with Taffy Ruggeri, School Counselor, with questions or concerns truggeri@mtrsd.org 413-625-9811 X1304
Please find a link to the latest Student Services update, here: Student Services
Dean Colleen's Culture Corner
Celebrity visit for Superstar Teachers!
Each week Elvis makes a visit to recognize one of our superstar teachers!
This week, as always, there were so many people who could have been honored with a visit from Elvis, to thank them for going above and beyond this week.
Congrats and thank you to Drue Johnson for all you have done this week for all of our students, staff and families!
Elvis will be hanging out in Drue's room, helping with Science and WIN until next Thursday and then visiting another teacher next Friday!
Thankyouverymuch!
Community Activities
CEEP Updates
Lively Dance & Fitness
Martha Lively is back and offering a teen/adult dance class at MT on Tuesdays starting October 11th, see the flyer below for more information or to register. Questions can be directed to livelydance@birdwaves.com
--
Alia Woofenden "Mrs. Woof"
Liaison for Community Engagement and Enrichment Programs
Mohawk Trail Regional School District
24 Ashfield Road, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
She/Her/Hers
How can you get involved in 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 virtual joining information is as follows:
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 813-435-9650
PIN: 741 012 215#
Outdoor Advisory Committee (OAC)
Anyone interested in being a part of the outdoor advisory committee and to invite you to our next in-person meet at MTRS on October 14th at 5pm.
Please explore the OAC page on the website and have a look at the list of initial projects we gathered from surveying students, staff and community as well as OAC priorities created from this initial list.
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
Second Friday of each month: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. (starting September 9th)
Meeting ID: meet.google.com/jtz-yhet-ipo
Phone Number: (US)+1 (813) 773-5581
PIN: 636 883 303
Third Friday of each month: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. (starting September 16th)
Meeting ID: meet.google.com/sru-mshz-rht
Phone Number: (US)+1 (218) 301-2866
PIN: 136 064 523
Athletics News
Updates!
Fall sports continue to roll on here at Mohawk Trail! The girl’s cross country team remains undefeated at 7-0 while the boy’s cross country team isn’t far behind at 8-1! Sophomore Emmett Johnson and 8th grader Natalie Lanoue both picked up victories in their respective races this week while simultaneously setting course records!
Our golf team continues to find success on the course and currently sports a respectable 7-3 record. Coach Lew Goodnow has his crew poised to make a successful postseason run! Sophomores Phineas Tuttman and Logan Moore represented Mohawk Trail at the annual PVIAC 2 ball competition at Chicopee Country Club. Results were inconclusive as of press time.
Our field hockey and volleyball teams are struggling to find victories, but both have the difficult part of their schedule in the rear view mirror!
The Mohawk Trail soccer team/club has a 9v9 game scheduled for friday, October 7th under the lights on Pollard Field! Start time is 7:00, so come out and support your fellow Warriors on the pitch.
Also, don’t forget that we have night games scheduled on 3 of the 4 nights of booster week, culminating with a soccer double header between 5th and 6th graders from the Mohawk Trail district! Come out and grab a burger and fry to support the Kiwanis Club at the food stand, and be part of a huge, district wide community event!
Please note that there is still time to buy your MTRS SWAG for this season...perfect for gifts at birthdays and celebrations!!!
Mohawk Trail Swag Shops!
Mohawk Trail Shop https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/VsZQxosWhC
Golf Shop https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/TTYvnfEYCh
X-C Shop https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/PkvqTvLyxB
Volleyball Shop https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/uFwjnmBAm8
Football Shop https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/nkfaepjQ4L
Field Hockey Shop https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/6bgFs6FjR6
Special Education Updates
Mohawk Trail SEPAC Member and Parent
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.
Chris Buckland
Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional