Student & Family Update
April 29, 2022
September 11th, 2022
Good morning everyone!
I hope that you are enjoying your weekend!
It was great to see students engaged and involved in classes this week and I encourage you all to ask questions and find out more about the time they spend with us at school. It was also fantastic to meet care providers at my first virtual drop in on Friday morning. The next one is Friday 16th at 2:30pm.
As a reminder, there is still time to hand in student information packets - see last week’s Student Services update for a full list or ask at the front desk for hard copies.
I am pleased to let you know that our technology supplies have arrived and Grade 7 can come and collect their Chrome Books on Monday morning after advisory. (Please make sure that you have completed the technology user agreement in the student packet)
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
October 6th - 4 - 6pm 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
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
Student Services Updates
We need your Student Registration Packets
These must be completed and returned as soon as possible - these were distributed during advisory and spare packets can be picked up from the front office.
PDFs can be found in the Smore of August 26th and August 19th newsletter sent home to students and families. A link to the Student Services Updates from August 26th, here
Please find a link to the latest Student Services update, here: Student Services
Trailblazer Update
Capstone Projects
MTRS is proud to be a leading innovator. You can read about our unique educational model that puts students in the driving seat of their own learning, here: Trailblazer Link
Our Senior Capstone Project is a great example of how students can dedicate part of their final year to completing their own independent learning projects.
Capstone at MTRS
Every year, seniors at MTRS complete a Capstone Project as part of their culminating high school experience. If you’ve come to watch Capstone presentations in years past, you know that our students accomplish amazing things and are so proud to share their work. In 2022, we’re refining the changes we launched last year, including having students define their own criteria of success and asking them to present to a panel of teachers, peers, and community members twice over the course of the semester. Check out the Capstone Website for more!
Modeled on a thesis dissertation, students will be convening a panel of 4-6 people who will meet twice a semester - once about halfway through and once at the end of the project - to watch their presentation, ask questions, give them feedback, and share responsibility for assessing their work. Later on, there will be an event where Capstone students can share and celebrate their work in a more informal setting.
What does this mean for you? Family and community members are an integral part of each student’s panel! You may be approached by an MTRS senior about being on their panel, and we’d also like to collect a list of volunteers who are interested in participating, but don’t have a specific student in mind. Please click here for more information and to sign up. Feel free to share this sign up form with your networks as well; students benefit from a wide pool of people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to pull from. You can also email Capstone Coordinator Rachel Hoogstraten at rhoogstraten@mtrsd.org with any questions. Thank you!
Dean Colleen's Culture Corner
Celebrating Our Successes
Each week, a member of the MTRS Staff will be recognized as the “Rockstar of the Week” with a 6ft cardboard cutout of Elvis and a: “Thank you. Thankyouverymuch” from Admin. Last week, Mr. William Drake was the Superstar selected!
Although delayed until Tuesday, we had 8 students and 2 staff members nominated for a Shout Out last week. Students all around the school are being recognized for their commitment to our school community, for being responsible and accountable, and for helping others. Staff are being nominated by the students for being superior, professional role models.
A great, BIG THANK YOU to all the Student Leaders who made the school-wide activities last Thursday a success. It was inspiring to hear the laughter, see the cooperation, and witness students having fun together. Thank you, leaders!
Transportation Information
Schedules and Late Bus information
Please be aware that bus information for 22/23 has been updated and can be found here.
Late bus schedule: Link: This runs Monday to Friday: Roughly: Charlemont, Hawley and Rowe: Bus picks up at MTRS at 5:30pm: Runs down route 2 West stops at Wells Prevision (crn of Rt2 / 8A) Turns right on to Zoar Rd, stops in Rowe, right onto Pond road, right onto Cyrus Stage, right onto Number Nine Rd, Left onto 8A, left onto Branch Hill.
For any questions or concerns, please contact the MTRS office. Please check the district website under transportation for more information.
Bell Schedule
Please be reminded that our bell schedule for regular, early dismissals, delayed starts and half-day finishes can be found here
Theatre
Play interest 2022/23 & upcoming auditions
We are delighted that Director/ Producer Eva will be returning for 2022/23 to continue to grow our drama and musical program.
Come and audition for this Murder Mystery!!! Auditions will be held on Wed. September 14th in the auditorium from 12:30-3:30.
No preparation needed. Readings will be given at the time of auditions.Rehearsals will typically be Mon/Wed right after school. Questions? Contact Miss Eva @ stagemanager@mtrsd.org
Clubs and Activities
Students in Grades 7 - 12
This week all students chose their clubs and activities for Q1. Clubs take place each Thursday morning during advisory for Grades 7 & 8 and immediately after lunch each day (except Wednesdays) for Grades 9-12.
MS students will enjoy the following offerings:
Mohawk Trail Equity Alliance (MTEA)
Student Council
Cursive Writing
Board Games
Four-Square
Independent Reading
Open Gym
Drama/ Theatre
Film Review
Drawing Club
Digital Music Production
Film Production
Students in 9-12 will enjoy the following activities:
Mohawk Trail Equity Alliance (MTEA)
National Honors Society (NHS)
Student Council
AV Club
Freshman Writing Lab
Math and Science support
Study Hall
Bird Watching
AP Study skills/ support
College and Career application supports
Homework catch-up
Coloring Club
Meditation
Introductions from our new staff!
Please welcome some of our new staff:
Mr Freitag: Music and Band
Hello all! My name is Mr. Freitag and I am the new music teacher at MTRSD! This year we are offering traditional Concert Band and Chorus for all students, as well as Recording Arts, where students will create and record their original works.
I am so excited to join the district and meet all of the students and staff. We have several upcoming events, listed here:
Sept 14th - 12:20 to 3:30 - Auditions for school play (Murder Mystery!)
Sept. 16th - Rental Night! - please report to BSE at 6:30 if you would like to rent an instrument
Oct. 16th - Marine Band in Springfield (attendance optional)
This year students will be giving live performances, recording their original compositions and even creating music videos! I am excited to have our students show off their hard work and create permanent memories!
You can follow my youtube channel for ‘extra support’ HERE
Feel free to reach out to me with any questions, concerns, comments or support! kfreitag@mtrsd.org
Ms Pugh: Speech-Language Therapy
Hi students and families!
I’m Abigail Pugh, the new speech-language therapist at MTRS. I grew up in Western Mass and I am so excited to be joining your school community in this beautiful place. In speech-language therapy we focus on strengthening communication and self-advocacy skills. I use a neurodiversity-affirming approach, which aims to validate and celebrate the different ways people communicate. I encourage skill development in areas that are motivating to the individual student to increase their successful communication with peers and support their overall wellbeing. I’m looking forward to working with everyone! You can reach me at apugh@mtrsd.org if you have any questions or would like to set up a time to speak with me. I hope you are all having a great start to the school year!
Abigail Pugh, M.A., CCC-SLP
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
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)
This meets in person every second Wednesday of the month between 5 and 6pm in the principal’s conference room. More information about the work of the OAC can be found here.
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
Athletics News
Updates!
Fall sports are underway! All of our squads are in action this week except our middle school football team, which kicks off next week. While the W’s haven’t begun filtering in yet, all of our student athletes have been working extremely hard! Fan support at the games has been INCREDIBLE, and the athletes sure do appreciate it!
Another exciting program that we are piloting this year is our “Community Warrior” initiative. With this program, we are reaching out to local nonprofits, community organizations, and youth groups with the purpose of lending a helping hand. All student athletes will be required to volunteer their time, knowledge, and energy to help their community in one way or another! Please reach out to Athletic Director Greg Lilly if you know of any organizations that could use a helping hand! We have 130 student athletes looking to serve!
Just another reminder that all athletic schedules can be found at Arbiterlive! These schedules are updated frequently to account for postponements and cancellations, so remember to check the site or app before you head out to watch our Warriors compete! We look forward to seeing you out there!
Mohawk Trail Athletics
Faster alone…...Further together.
MTAA meeting news
MTAA meeting on 09/12/22 at 6:30
It will be hybrid and in person in the superintendent conference room.
Agenda items include:
Fall Festival and Moonlight Magic Fundraiser
Kiwanis Update
MTAA Swag Store
Coach/AD requests
Open Floor
https://meet.google.com/ibd-odzj-nmz
Otherwise, to join by phone, dial +1 304-802-4630 and enter this PIN: 274 786 631#
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