Gator Bites
February 3, 2023
Gateway Regional School District's summer camp information will be coming out next week!
Upcoming Events at Gateway!
Monday, Feb 6 - 10 - National School Counselor Week
Tuesday, Feb. 7 - Half day for students and Professional Development Half Day for staff
(if there is a snow day, late start, or early dismissal, the PD half day will move to Feb 14)
Friday, Feb. 10 - Littleville Valentines Day Family Dance
Friday, Feb. 10 - High School Semi Formal Dance
Tuesday, March 7 - Half day for students and Professional Development Half Day for staff
(if there is a snow day, late start, or early dismissal, the PD half day will move to March 14)
Thursday, March 9 - ASVAB testing for students in grades 10,11 and 12
Thursday, March 9 - Open House - times for each school will be coming
What is SEPAC?
A SEPAC is a Special Education Parent Advisory Council. Every public school district in Massachusetts is required to establish a SEPAC. Massachusetts state law assigns both an advisory and participatory function to SEPACs. Membership is open to all district parents of children with disabilities (IEPs and 504 plans) and other interested parties.
Duties shall include, but not be limited to:
- advising the School Committee on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities;
- meeting regularly with school officials to participate in the planning, development and evaluation of the district’s special education programs; and
- cooperating with the District on their annual workshop on the rights of students, parents and guardians under state and federal law.
The SEPAC is a self-governing public body which creates its own by-laws and operational procedures. A SEPAC is different from other parent groups in a school district such as a PTA, PTO or School Council – a SEPAC does not represent families from one school, but represents all families of children with disabilities from the entire school district.
Gateway has a very active SEPAC. The Mission of Gateway Regional School Districts SEPAC is to support and assist exceptional children in the Gateway Regional School District to meet their full potential. If you'd like more information or to contact them please email: Sepac_Chair@grsd.org. Their FaceBook page can be found at: FB.com/GatewaySEPAC
SEPAC bring back Featured Speaker on PARENTS' RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
The Gateway SEPAC welcomes back guest speaker Angela Ferreira who will provide an introduction to parents’ rights and responsibilities under current federal and state
special education laws. She will also review tools to help parents participate with their child’s school in the creation of effective IEP and 504 plans for their children. This presentation is free and open to the public.
February 16 at 6pm
RSVP to Sepac_Chair@grsd.org
Zoom Link:
From our Nurses: Health Screenings
Chester’s Grade 5 Students will Transform into Patriots and Welcome Families to a Living Wax Museum
On Friday, February 17th, students at Chester and their families will have the opportunity to hear from some of the Patriots who dedicated themselves to making this country an independent republic. Without these brave individuals, this country might still be an English colony.
On Feb. 17th, from 1:30-2:45 in the afternoon, you will be able to hear from and speak to Sam Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Abigail Adams, Sybil Ludington, Paul Revere and many more. Prior to the transformation, each child will be tasked with researching and practicing speaking about the life of their chosen patriot. Chester’s living wax museum is an exhibit you don’t want to miss!
Boys Basketball at Gateway Regional by Lizzy Kadzik, Student Reporter
The Gators are back and better than ever! Coach Nick Balboni and Assistant Coach Dylan Lafreniere are working the boys hard and it’s paying off on the courts. The team is led by Seniors Jayden Santiago-Lopez (captain), Jacob Tester, and Charlie Bond. Adding to that, is the powerful play of Junior, Ron Keach and Sophomore, Jesse Balboni (captain). New varsity team members include Evan Forgue, Matt Kadzik, Adam Krassler, Bow Briggs and Aaron Renaud.
As I talked with head coach Balboni, he stated, “The Gateway team is anticipating another exciting season. The departure of five seniors at the end of last year left a hole but the remaining players and new recruits have stepped up in a big way.”
GRSD on the Mats and Courts
****Retro sports uniform tops will be on sale at the basketball games on 2/7 and 2/9. Show your Gator spirit old school style!
Boys Basketball Schedule:
Tuesday2/7/2023HomeSmith Voc (L)Gateway5:00 PM6:30 PM
Girls Basketball Schedule:
Monday2/6/2023 Away Duggan (L) Duggan 5:30 PM 7:00 PM
Thursday2/9/2023HomeSci Tech (L) (V)GatewayN/A6:30 PM
Monday2/13/2023AwayPathfinder (L) (V)PathfinderN/A5:30 PM
Spring Sport Sign-ups are open NOW
Banking in Schools - A Partnership Between Westfield Bank and Gateway Regional Schools
Army Educational Outreach Program
Hilltown Community Health Needs Your Help
Hilltown Community Health Center (HCHC: www.hchcweb.org) is a nonprofit health care provider with sites in Huntington, Worthington, and Amherst that serves all individuals, regardless of ability to pay. HCHC provides medical, dental, behavioral health, and optometry services. We take seriously our responsibility to identify and address the needs of the community. We are asking people in our community to consider taking a few minutes to fill out our Community Health Needs Assessment. Here is the link for taking the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/chna23. It can be completed in English and Spanish. If you would like to take the survey and speak another language, we will happily make an appointment and provide an interpreter. Please let the school know or email ddistefano@hchcweb.org in your language, including information regarding how to contact you. We will get an interpreter so that you can share with us. We thank you so much for your consideration!”
Vo-Tech Opportunities, Career Training Tracks and Internships
Girls That Code Summer Camp for 14 - 18 year olds
Girls Who Code offers two FREE programs in the summer: the virtual Summer Immersion Program and the Self-Paced Program. Applicants can apply for BOTH programs, if eligible, using this application. However, students can only participate in one summer program. Click here for more information:
Huntington Public Library
Russell Library
Blandford Public Library
Come celebrate Tacky the Penguin (our StoryWalk book)! Wear your tackiest, wackiest outfit, make our tacky craft, and listen to some tacky stories!
What's Happening in our Community
The 10th Annual Easthampton WinterFest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11 in locations throughout the city. The festival is organized by the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee and is a fundraising event created to bring public awareness about ongoing efforts needed to keep Nashawannuck Pond healthy for generations to come. To view the full list of activities, please visit the event calendar: https://www.nashawannuckpond.org/winterfest.html
Upcoming Russell Library Events:
Russell Public Library is sponsoring two Author Talks one in February and One in March. Please email to register. rpldirector@townofrussell.us
- On February 18th, from 2-4 pm, Elena Pallidino, author of Lost, Towns of the Swift River Valley Drowned by the Quabbin will speak about her book.
- On March 11th, from 2-4pm, Nancy DeWitte Condon, Russell local and author of Paddle for Water will speak about her book.
Adult Coffee and Community Hour, Thursdays 10-11am
Enjoy a warm beverage, read a book or join a conversation
No registration required
Russell Public Library Self-Guided Family StoryWalk®
Ongoing
No registration required
Enjoy a walk as you read along the StoryWalk® of “Over and Under the Snow,”
Then, come into the library to warm up and make a craft and or choose a book.
There will be an Outreach and Enrollment Worker and a SHINE certified Navigator available at the Russell Public Library on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 3 to 4:30 PM. (beginning January 18th) to assist families in completing forms for MassHealth and Connector enrollments, applications for Fuel Assistance, SNAP and other programs of support. All are welcome. This program is made possible through Hilltown Community Health Center's Community and Family Support Program.
Upcoming Blandford Library Events:
- Every Wednesday from 10:30 -11:30 the Book Squirms preschool and toddler group meets. We read a story, sing songs, play with sensory bins, and socialize.
- Come and join our DIY Valentine Craft Party on Saturday February 11. We are busting out our glitter collection and all of our craft supplies to help you make the perfect Valentine cards! Stop by anytime between 10 AM and 2 PM, all ages welcome.
- February 18 at 10 AM: Come celebrate Tacky the Penguin at a Tacky Party! Wear your tackiest outfit for a tacky fashion contest, make your own Tacky the Penguin, and listen to lots of Tacky's stories read to you by Nicole.
- Drop in Mural Coloring - All week!
- Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 3-4 PM: Valen-slimes Party: Make two kinds of slime and have fun experimenting and playing with them.
- Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 10:30 AM: Book Squirms Bubble Bash: Let your little one go wild with our indoor bubble machine to get those wiggles out.
- Thursday,. Feb. 23 from 3-4 PM: Obstacle Course, of course! Try to get through our open gym obstacle course at the Blandford Town Hall.
- Friday, Feb. 24 from 3-4 PM: Sing me a Story: Enjoy a musical story and craft time with Ashley.
- Saturday,. Feb. 25 at 11 AM: Big and Little Craft Time- Sew a Stuffie Pet! Come make a plush cat or dog with your little one at the library. Perfect for kids age 5 and up and their favorite grown up.
Past Gator Bites
Past Gator Bites
January 9: https://www.smore.com/mu6h0
December 19: https://www.smore.com/hm943
December 7: https://www.smore.com/5yn3t
November 29: https://www.smore.com/4zs6ax
November 14: https://www.smore.com/u49t2
November 7: https://www.smore.com/mb78u
October 26: https://www.smore.com/gmqb5October 19: https://www.smore.com/w2fk5
October 10: https://www.smore.com/m9uke
October 3: https://www.smore.com/pnds3
September 23: https://www.smore.com/q0x4c
September 16: https://www.smore.com/bkwp3
September 9: https://www.smore.com/uyc4m
September 1: https://www.smore.com/vu28z
August 25: https://www.smore.com/k2jehc
Contact Information:
Chester Elementary School:
Principal Vanna Maffuccio vmaffuccio@grsd.org
Littleville Elementary School:
Principal Andrew Samuelson asamuelson@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