Student & Family Update
April 29, 2022
September 16, 2022
Good morning everyone!
I hope that you have had a good week.
As the year progresses, it has been wonderful to feel the school slowly coming alive!
This week we have had play auditions, football games, Middle School clubs and activities and the school student council hard at work helping to plan Booster week.
We would love to share photos of students involved in activities via our Instagram and Facebook pages and would like to remind you to return your media consent forms as soon as possible. A copy can be found here: media releases
Finally, apologies for having to cancel the drop-in today due to a family situation. I am looking forward to seeing whomever drops in on October 14th at 8am!
Please read on to learn more about what has gone on and will be taking place at our busy school!
Best wishes
Chris
Important Dates to Remember
Upcoming dates
September 21st - First Wednesday Early Dismissal (Our bell schedule: here)
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 9th - STEAM fair
December 9th and 10th - Winter Play: 7:30pm both days
Student Services Updates
A message from our Nurse...
COVID and FLU reminders
Please be aware of the following Covid-19 guidelines from August 15, 2022 the district will be following as we return to school.
Quarantine is no longer required nor recommended for children or staff in schools, regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred. All exposed individuals may continue to attend school as long as they remain asymptomatic. Those exposed should mask (if able) for 10 full days, and it is recommended that they test on Day 6 of exposure.
If symptoms develop, follow the guidance for symptomatic individuals, below. Children and staff who test positive must isolate at home for at least 5 full days.
The first day of symptoms or the day of the positive test for asymptomatic symptoms is considered day zero. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving and they have been fever free without the use of fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours, they may return to school on Day 6 and should wear a high-quality mask through Day 10:If the individual is able to mask, they must do so through Day 10.
If the child has a negative test on Day 5 or later, they do not need to mask. If the individual is unable to mask, they may return to school with a negative test on Day 5 or later. Symptomatic individuals can remain in their school or program if they have mild symptoms and provide a negative test. Best practice would also include wearing a mask, if possible, until symptoms are fully resolved. For symptomatic individuals, DPH recommends a second test within 48 hours if the initial test is negative.
If the symptomatic individual cannot be tested immediately, they should be sent home and allowed to return to their program or school if symptoms remain mild and they test negative, or they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and their symptoms are resolving, or if a medical professional makes an alternative diagnosis. A negative test is strongly recommended for return.
Covid-19 Symptoms
- Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- New loss of taste or smell
- Muscle aches or body aches
- Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
MTRS/HRS Districts will not be conducting Covid-19 surveillance testing this year.
We will be providing students with parental consent and staff, a home test (as long as supplies last) that they can perform if they become symptomatic at school. The student MUST be able to perform the test independently per the State and DESE. The student can keep the second test in the kit for a follow-up test at home. If you would like some home test kits, please contact Donna Weber at dweber@mtrsd.org .We have a supply from last year in which the expiration dates were extended to 10/23/22. I’m more than happy to send some home before they expire.
There is no statewide requirement for masking in schools, apart from in school health offices, and the Commonwealth is not recommending universal mask requirements. As always, any individual who wishes to continue to mask, including those who face higher risk from COVID- 19, should be supported in that choice.
ALL STAFF AND STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK IN THE HEALTH OFFICE PER THE CDC, DPH AND DESE.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to Donna Weber if you have any questions.
PLEASE INFORM THE HEALTH OFFICE AT EXT. 1318 REGARDING ALL POSITIVE CASES AND IF YOUR CHILD WILL MISS SCHOOL DUE TO A HEALTH RELATED ISSUE.
West County Flu and Covid Vaccines - information
Internet Safety Parent Presentation: Sept 20th
KEEPING KIDS SAFE AND SECURE ONLINE: A PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD PRESENTATION FOR PARENTS Brought to you in collaboration by: The United States Attorney’s Office Worcester County District Attorney’s Office Homeland Security Investigations Lunenburg Police Department
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Please register at the following link: (via Chrome browser))
Event
address for
attendees:
https://usao.webex.com/usao/onstage/g.php
?MTID=ec9182cf5686fab0c6bb55c0ced83ff
da
Password: PSC1
Questions or difficulty registering? Please contact
Karen Legace @ karen.legace@usdoj.gov
Library Updates
Class of 1973 Reunion!
Do you want to help plan this event?
Planning meeting on Sept 21st, 4-6pm at the MTRS library.
Come and help plan our June reunion. Email cbuckland@mtrsd.org for more details
National Hispanic American Heritage Month
During announcements each day of this month students will be celebrating National Hispanic American Heritage Month. Students will also be sharing the ways that they celebrate in Spanish class with Ms Aldersmith.
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
For more information explore this Link
Student Services Updates
We need your Student Registration Packets
Please find a link to the latest Student Services update, here: Student Services
Join our Trailblazer Team!
Dean Colleen's Culture Corner
Celebrating Our Successes
This week we also continue to shout out all the staff, students and families who make MTRS a wonderful place to be. There are so many people that contribute with their words and actions to making this a great school experience.
Finally, we are excited to plan our first whole school assembly of the year which will take place on Wednesday 21st. We will share updates and photos when we can.
Keep doing wonderful things and being kind to each other!
Dean Colleen
Introductions from our new staff!
Please welcome some of our new staff:
Colleen Bannister
Hello new friends!
I am Dean Colleen Bannister, the new Dean of Culture. I am honored to be working with this great team of teachers, students, and school community members. My role is a combination of the Dean of Students, Assistant Principal, Adjustment Counselor, and Guidance Counselor. My focus is to build relationships, solve problems, celebrate our students, and continue to make this school the greatest place to learn or work. Some of you may already know me from my various coaching positions or for umpiring in the area. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email at: cbannister@mtrsd.org or call me at X1338. I am excited to be here!
Mark Biagini
Hello Mohawk families
I am Mark Biagini, school adjustment counselor for grades 7-12. I am happy to be returning to Mohawk and to be able to work with our students to provide counseling services. I meet with students individually and in small groups to help them adjust to school and to help them deal with any issues or concerns they may have that make it difficult for them to get their education. We build skills and practice strategies that allow students to manage their days with increasing independence. I have also been the wrestling coach at Mohawk for the past 8 years, and I am looking forward to another great season. I can be reached at mbiagini@mtrsd.org if you have any questions. Have a great year!
Community Activities
CEEP Updates
Please see our latest updates, here
Do you have an idea for a program or are you interested in coaching tennis? We are looking for community partners to come and work with our students so email awoofenden@mtrsd.org if you are interested.
--
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
Anti-Hazing
Maintaining a Safe and Secure learning environment
Every year, secondary school principals must:
Certify that you have read and understood the Anti-Hazing policy and that the school has complied with the law by logging into the new Anti-Hazing application accessible via MassEdu Gateway.
Collect a signed acknowledgement from a contact person for each student organization regarding distribution of information and agreement to comply with the law. The schools are not required to submit the Student Group Anti-Hazing Form but should keep the form for their records.
Section 17: Hazing; organizing or participating; hazing defined
Section 17. Whoever is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing, as defined herein, shall be punished by a fine of not more than three thousand dollars or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.
The term ''hazing'' as used in this section and in sections eighteen and nineteen, shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which wilfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, consent shall not be available as a defense to any prosecution under this action.
A copy of the MTRS Ant-Hazing Policy can be found District Common Chapters section that is posted on the MTRS website under School Committee/ Mohawk Policies
How can you get involved at MTRS?
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
MTRS International Trip
Please click here for information on Mrs. Camarda’s trip to Italy and Greece in June of 2024. Email Mrs. Camarda for more information: lcamarda@mtrsd.org
Middle School Title 1 information for families
September 2020
Dear Mohawk Trail Regional School Parents,
As a Mohawk Trail Regional School System Title 1 teacher, I am writing to inform you about the benefits offered to your child through the Title I program, part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2011. Mohawk Trail Regional School System’s Title I program offers all students fair and equitable opportunities for a high quality, standards-based education.
How does Mohawk Trail’s Title I program work? Here are the facts:
Title I services are in the area of mathematics.
Title I is designed as a regular education program for students who aren’t receiving special education services in mathematics.
Title I programs at BSE, Sanderson and Colrain elementary schools and Mohawk Trail Regional Middle School are school-wide, meaning support and services are available to all students and teachers and can be provided flexibly.
Title I teachers in school-wide programs support general classroom instruction, by collaborating with classroom teachers to support small-groups, assessment, and co-teaching.
At all schools, supplemental Title I instruction is offered to selected students in addition to general classroom instruction in math.
Students are identified for potential supplemental instruction by a combination of assessment results and teacher recommendations. Some supports may occur within the classroom and/or will be of short duration around a specific skill.
Services depend on need. Students may enter or leave the Title I program throughout the school year depending on their academic needs. If a student receives services one year, they may not need services the following year.
Families are a vital part of Title I programs. We encourage your input and appreciate your feedback. Please share your hopes and dreams for your child with their Title I teacher as well as the classroom teacher.
Each Title I school will offer at least one, evening, family event each year. We hope you’ll participate with your child.
In schools with Title I programs, families and educators agree to share responsibility for a student’s academic growth. This shared responsibility, including strategies for supporting students, is outlined in a written compact. This compact will be distributed to all families and educators.
Your ideas and suggestions are welcome throughout the year. At the end of the school year, we’ll ask all families for their feedback through a school-wide parent survey.
I hope you’ve learned something new about Mohawk Trail’s Title I program. If you have questions, please ask me or contact our Title I Director, Sarah Jetzon, at 413-625-0192.
Best wishes for a successful, happy school year for your child!
Sincerely,
Phil Cote
Title I Teacher
Mohawk Trail Regional School District Title I School - Family Compact
Athletics News
Updates!
Hello All! Fall sports are in full swing here at Mohawk Trail, and our student-athletes are working hard both on the field and in the classroom!
Both Cross Country squads picked up multiple wins this week, and this coming weekend they travel to East Longmeadow to compete in the 26th Annual Ted Dutkiewicz Invitational! Keep up the good work!
Our extremely young Field Hockey team is still fighting to enter the win column, and hope to do so Friday night under the lights against Turners Falls. The game starts at 7, so let’s get out there and support our Warriors!
Unfortunately, our Middle School football team had their first game postponed this week due to their opponent’s inability to get transportation. A struggle all schools, including us at Mohawk Trail, are dealing with. Let’s hope next week they will be able to kick off their season! A 7:00 night game is scheduled for Thursday, September 22nd.
As many of you may have heard, our volleyball squad has caught a bit of the covid bug, and it was decided that they should take a week off to recover. By all accounts, the ladies are in good spirits, and should be able to pick up where they left off next week! They have a TRIPLE- HEADER scheduled next Tuesday in the gymnasium starting at 4:00.
Just a reminder that as we begin to implement our “Community Warrior” program, we will be looking for different ways that our athletes can make a difference! Please reach out to District Athletic Director Greg Lilly, glillyAD@mtrsd.org if you have any need for some helping hands!
Mohawk Trail Athletics
Faster Alone…..Further Together.
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