Student & Family Update
January 14, 2022
February 4, 2022
Hello Everyone!
I hope that you have had a good week. Not long to go until the Winter break! Our newsletter is packed with info. Please find below information and news related to the many things happening in our busy school.
Enjoy your weekend!
Best wishes,
Chris Buckland
Important Dates to Remember
Wednesday, Feb. 9 - Early Release Day
Wednesday, Feb. 16 - Regular School Day
Feb. 21-25 - Winter Vacation
MTRS Attendance Policy
As we have just started a new semester, it is a good moment to remind everyone about our attendance policy:
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Consistent school attendance is important. Excessive absences, tardiness, and leaving school before scheduled dismissal times have a negative effect on student performance.
Absences exceeding 10% of class time will result in a loss of credit. Any student who misses ten (10) classes in any semester course (either a course that meets daily for one semester or meets every other day for a full year) will not receive credit for that course. The course must be retaken for credit. For a course that meets on alternating days for a semester, any student who misses five (5) classes will not receive credit for that course; missing 19 classes for a yearlong course (one that meets every day for the full year) will also result in loss of credit. There is an appeals process through which a student may request a waiver under extenuating circumstances. The WAIVER PROCESS is outlined below.
Note that if a student misses more than 20 minutes of the class period due to a dismissal or late arrival, this is considered an absence from class.
Community input / feedback opportunities!
It is vital to us that we have community input and involvement as much as possible. I invite you to take up the many opportunities to speak with administration and to be a part of a group that can advise and help direct the school:
Virtual chat with Principal Buckland
As a reminder, I’m hosting an open virtual chat with caregivers each month (you can find the info and links here: https://www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org/News) Join me for the next one on Friday, Feb. 11 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Outdoor Advisory Committee
Please sign up if you are interested in being part of the Outdoor Advisory Committee. This group is intended to be a mixture of community members, students and MTRS staff and will meet monthly to advise on the use and development of outdoor spaces at MTRS.
Local Education Council (LEC)
We are currently seeking members to join our Local Education Council (LEC)! Please sign up if you are interested in participating in the LEC for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year. Meetings will be hosted virtually in February and April to examine the academic direction of the school. The LEC plays an important part in providing input into creating the School Improvement Plan for 2022-23.
Calling all MTRS Alumni!
Please sign up if you are interested in working with the administration to establish an alumni association to help run reunions and other community events! We would love to host our first meeting in March to plan for a spring MTRS event.
WHAT is a Trailblazer - Virtual Event on Feb. 15
Last chance to sign-up: CLICK HERE
(See additional details below)
MTRS VIRTUAL EVENT: What is a Trailblazer?
You’re Invited! Are you a current or prospective family interested in learning more about our Trailblazer work? Do you wonder, "What is the Trailblazer model?" and how does it prepare students for the future? Are you a caregiver to elementary-aged children who will attend MTRS in the future? If so - this virtual event is for YOU!
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 15
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Join us for this virtual event and hear from current MTRS students who are blazing their trails at MTRS. We will provide you with an overview of our Trailblazer model and students will answer your questions–what does it mean to be a Trailblazer at MTRS? How are we preparing students for life post-high school? Hear from our students about our innovative, hands-on learning opportunities, internships, Capstone work, and more!
Space is limited! Please use this form to RSVP by FRIDAY, FEB. 11 to reserve your spot and submit your questions in advance! Virtual meeting log-in information will be provided (via email) when you register.
**IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RSVP'd to Principal Buckland for this event, you do not need to complete this form.** Questions? Contact MTRS Principal Chris Buckland at cbuckland@mtrsd.org.
STUDENTS – Interested in being a panelist and talking about your experience at MTRS? Stay tuned for more information in your ADVISORY!
Event information can also be found on our website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org/News
What is a Trailblazer?
Click here to view the save the date on Facebook: https://fb.me/e/1AsYtCP29
Tue, Feb 15, 2022, 06:30 PM
Class of '27 Student Council Fundraiser - It's SEED time!
The Class of 2027 is selling great organic seeds from High Mowing farm in Wolcott, Vermont. Purchasing these certified organic seeds helps raise money for the class end-of-year field trip to Berkshire East through home-grown organic produce.
Interested in ordering? Contact any member of the seventh grade class for a copy of the order form to get your seeds! Don't know any of our awesome seventh grade students, but want to order? Contact Ms. Rutz at srutz@mtrsd.org.
Orders are due by Feb. 17 and seeds will be delivered mid-March.
Our students thank you in advance for your support in helping them to reach their fundraising goals!
MTRS International Trip
New trip info! 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
MTRSD Community Engagement & Enrichment Programs
We have some exciting things planned for the end of winter, check out the latest CEEP newsletter here. New this year, we are offering a Girls Who Code Club for middle school students. Be sure check out the newsletter for additional info!
Questions? Need more information? Contact Alia Woofenden at awoofenden@mtrsd.org Learn more about CEEP and programs offered throughout the district on our website and Facebook pages!
Teen Health Survey
The MTRS student services office is working with the Communities That Care Coalition of Franklin County and the North Quabbin to conduct the 20th annual regional Teen Health Survey on Feb. 10 (Feb. 15 snow date). All 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students are asked to participate in this 45-minute survey. The survey will ask about knowledge and behaviors that affect students’ health and well-being, including substance use, violence, diet, exercise, and school.
The purpose of the study is to gather the information needed to plan programs to support students and reduce problem behaviors in our schools and communities. It will also help us judge the effectiveness of current prevention and intervention efforts. If you would like to see the survey before your student takes the survey, please contact School Counselor Brian Cipoletta. If you are interested in viewing data reports or presentations from past years’ surveys, please visit https://communitiesthatcarecoalition.com/surveys/.
The survey is entirely anonymous. Students will not submit their names or any other identifying information on the survey. All results from the study will be presented only in group summary form, like many opinion polls.
Additionally, your student’s participation in the survey is completely voluntary. Each child will be given the option of leaving blank any question that they prefer not to answer. You may decline to have your child participate, if you wish. If you do decline, your student will be allowed to participate in some other alternative activity while their classmates are taking the survey.
Please let Mr. Cipoletta know in writing by Feb. 9 only if you DO NOT want your student to participate in the study. Feel free to call Mr. Cipoletta in the student services office if you have any other questions about this important study.
National Honors Society - Student Update
What has the National Honors Society (NHS) been up to this year? We set up all of the luminaries for Moonlight Magic! The weekly NHS task is to take out the schools recycling, we go to all of our classrooms and take the bins out to the dumpster and bring them back. Looking to the future, the NHS plans to send mature, experienced high school students into middle school advisories in order to give assistance and advice about the transition into high school. We will also be available to the middle school students as trusted people who aren’t adults that they can talk to if they are ever having a hard time. NHS is looking forward to continuing to make positive change in our school community in the new semester! --Claire W, NHS student representative
Zamer's Corner
Welcome to Semester 2! Our students and teachers were busy this week setting expectations and laying the foundation for a successful second semester.
I had the opportunity to sit in one of our high school Civics classes. Each 10th grader will experience identifying, planning, and launching a civics project with their peers. The skills they learn and practice here will be a great stepping stone for their Senior Capstone Project in two years. I can’t wait to hear their ideas and see them engage with their community. Stay tuned to hear more about their work this semester.
In 8th grade I observed students working together in small groups analyzing Supreme Court cases and the rights that were challenged in these cases after studying the Bill of Rights. There were some lively conversations. Ask an 8th grader to share one of the cases they discussed with their peers.
Musical Director Meet & Greet
We're excited to welcome Eva Stockhamer as the director of our school production! Eva will be at MTRS next Wednesday (Feb. 9) for a meet and greet after school. She will share her vision for the production, plans for auditions, and the production schedule. You will also have a chance to ask questions.
ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED are invited! Please meet in the auditorium after school on Wednesday, Feb. 9 starting at 1 p.m.
DESE 2021 Report Card
Every year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) releases a report card for each school and district in the state. Just as a student's report card shows how they are doing in different classes, school and district report cards are designed to show parents and community members how a school or district is doing in different areas. Report cards highlight a school or district's strengths as well as any challenges that need to be addressed in order to make sure the needs of all students are being met.
Massachusetts sees families and the community as important partners in a school's success and spent time listening to parents to make sure the report cards were designed as easy-to-use tools that provide meaningful information.
Link to the DESE website/report card
Link to the PDF MTRS report can be seen here.
Athletics Update
Click here to access this week’s MTRS Athletics Newsletter
HOME GAMES AT MTRS - Feb. 7 - Feb. 11
Monday, Feb. 7
Boys JV Basketball vs Belchertown - 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 9
Boys JV Basketball vs Pioneer - 5:15 p.m.
Girls Varsity Basketball vs St. Mary’s - 7 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 10
Girls & Boys Middle School Basketball vs Greenfield - 3:30/4:30
Booster Club Meeting on Monday, Feb. 7 The monthly athletic association meeting will take place on Monday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. Please see below for remote meeting joining information.
The agenda will include:
Proposed Changes to bylaws
New logo to vote on
Fundraisers for Spring 2022
Open Floor for parents and coaches
Google Meet Link: meet.google.com/rzg-ovyh-qeg
Join by phone:
(US) +1 601-640-1048 (PIN: 973273056)
Meeting Minutes and Agenda can be found on the athletic association's website. We need more parents, family members, athletes, coaches at our meetings. We discuss many topics surrounding the future of our association. We need your input, your intuitive ideas, your enthusiasm and most of all your support. $1 membership fee for voting rights.
Let's get SOCIAL! Follow MTRS on Facebook & Instagram!
Get a glimpse of our students and staff in action! Follow our official pages and stay connected! Our official school Facebook and Instagram pages are @mohawktrailregional.
MTRS sports fans, we also have MTRS Athletics Instagram and Twitter pages! Follow your favorite teams @MTRSAthletics.
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