Gator Bites
September 1, 2022
A Wonderful Kick-Off to Our New School Year
On Tuesday, August 30 both elementary schools and our middle school and 9th grade had events where students and parents could come into the building, find their class, meet some of their teachers and learn about their school. It was a great time for all!
School Safety
Today, students and staff practiced a fire drill. Drills ran smoothly and quickly--kudos to all! We appreciate the partnership with Huntington Fire Chief Ellinger and Chester Fire Chief Small for today's drills.
Massachusetts General Law requires fire departments to conduct fire drills in schools four times a year. Within three days of the start, students must be familiarized with the exit plan or participate in a drill. (527 CMR 1.00, s. 20.2.4.2.1.4). Please remind your child to stay calm, listen to their teacher, and exit quickly and safety to their designated location for attendance like they did for the drill today.
Curriculum Corner
GRSD is continuing to use I-Ready diagnostic assessments in Math and Reading in grades K-12. We are excited to get started over the coming days and weeks! These assessments help us to make data-informed decisions about teaching and learning. In grades K-8, there is also an instruction component that supports students where they are at in their learning. Below is more information from Curriculum Associates, the publishers of I-Ready.
What is i-Ready?
i-Ready is an online program that will help us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth, personalize their learning, and monitor their progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows us to meet your child where they are and provides us with data to inform instruction.
The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions based on student responses. Each item a student receives is based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier ones. The purpose of this is not to give your child a score or grade but to determine how to best support their learning.
i-Ready Instruction provides students with lessons based on their individual strengths and areas for growth. These lessons are interactive and provide strategic support to keep your child engaged as they learn.
Covid Test Kits:
Even though the state is not providing test kits this school year, the district has a limited amount of test kits to distribute to any student or staff who would like them. Unlike the state testing program from last year, accepting test kits does not bind you to report results every week or take the test on a certain day of the week. They will be for you to use at your discretion to support our community to stay healthy.
Please complete the opt in form here if you would like to receive test kits by September 7, 2022.
We are unsure how many each person will receive at this time, because we will see how many people opt in and take the test kits we have and distribute all to those who would like them.
September Lunch Menu!
What Happened to the Gateway App?
Picture Day Across the District
Chester - September 26
Littleville - September 26
Middle/High School - October 20
Fun Fact
Parents of Seniors: All seniors were sent a google form with information about senior photos, achievements and quotes for the yearbook. Also, we sent you, the parents of seniors an email with important yearbook deadlines and guidelines. Feel free to contact abatra@grsd.org with any questions related to seniors and the yearbook or if you didn't receive the email.
What's Happening in our Community
AUDITIONS will start soon for Amherst Community Theater’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Actors, singers, and dancers ages 7-107 are encouraged to audition! For more info, including character descriptions, audition music, and readings, visit amherstacts.org/auditions or contact producer@amherstacts.org.
Reminder: Statewide COVID Protocols and Updates
- DESE is not recommending universal mask requirements, surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals, contact tracing, or test-to-stay testing in schools.
- Any individual who wishes to continue to mask must be supported with that choice.
- DESE and DPH strongly recommend vaccines for all students and staff, as now children as young as 6 months are now eligible to receive their vaccination. COVID vaccines, unlike other vaccinations, are not required for school attendance.
- Masking IS still required in the nurse’s office for all.
- Students and staff who test positive for COVID still must isolate for at least 5 days. If they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving, with no fever, they may return after day 5. If there is a negative test result on day 5 or later, a mask is not required. If there is still a positive test result, a mask is required through day 10 or can return only with a negative test result.
- Students and staff with mild symptoms must be tested on site and have a negative test result to remain at school. Students will need an opt in form to be tested at school. If testing is not completed, the individual should be sent home until symptoms improve, a negative test result is obtained, or a medical provider makes an alternative diagnosis.
- Individuals who came in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID no longer need to quarantine. The school will not conduct contact tracing. Masking for close contacts is recommended through day 10.
Contact Info
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