Just a reminder that updated information can always be found at our website: https://colrain.mohawktrailschools.org/ and our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/colraincentral

• It's time to begin thinking about Preschool & Kindergarten Registration for next year. They will be held on Friday, March 17th. If you have, or know, anyone whose child is eligible for either preschool or kindergarten next year, please be sure they know about it. Also, please note that there will be no school for current preschool/kindergarten students on that day.
• Spring Family/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for Thursday and Friday, March 23rd and 24th. Slips with your designated conference times went home this week. Please sign them and return as soon as possible. If you did not receive it or if you need to reschedule your conference, please contact the office after break.
• If you've ever felt like you're not quite sure how to discuss concerns about your child or have felt like it wasn't very effective, be sure to log on for a virtual parent workshop "How to Effectively Communicate With Your Student's School Team" on Monday, Feb. 27th at 5:30. more information can be found on the flyer below.
• Curious about the future of athletics at MTRS? Athletic Director, Greg Lilly, and Superintendent Stanton will be holding a forum next week to hear questions and concerns and share their vision for the future. The event will be held at MTRS tonight at 6:00.
• There is a lot of information in this week's newsletter about spring and summer opportunities for students. Please be sure to click on all the links and buttons below.
• The 5th and 6th grade "Winter Wonderland" dance has been rescheduled for Friday, March 3rd from 5:30-7:30. All students must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18. There will be snacks available for purchase as well. Get ready to kick up your heels and have some fun!

I hope you all have a wonderful break!

COVID tests: Covid tests are available at the Griswold Memorial Library, the town office, and by mail at http://www.covidtests.gov for those who may be looking for them.

Caregivers for students in grades K-8 are invited to share feedback about literacy-related communication. Please let us know how we are doing with sharing information about your student's literacy program and literacy learning.

https://forms.gle/m7hTq1X5cAAyzKrG9

Social Skills and Self-Monitoring

Kids say the darndest things! But how can we help them regulate what they say out loud? Here are some helpful strategies:

The THINK acronym outlines five ways to think about what we say to others:

Truthful - Is what I want to say true?

Helpful - Is what I want to say helpful?

Inspiring - Is what I want to say going to inspire the person to connect with me?

(For younger children, is it going to make others want to play with me?)

Necessary - Do I need to say it? Or, is it related to what others are talking about?

Kind - Is what I want to say kind?

“See it and say it, or save it” can help curb impulsivity. If your child sees something happening, do they need to tell you immediately, or can they “save it” by keeping it to themselves?

“Need it or leave it” can help children focus on “the big picture” or what’s important. Do they need to say something (such as, “Ahhhh, she’s looking at me! Again!”), or can they let it go (such as thinking, “I know she’s looking at me, but I can look the other way and not let it bother me!”)?

“Stop, think and make a plan” is helpful for organizing and initiating how to act or what to do in a situation. You can use a stoplight to help children visualize proactively: red is to stop, yellow is to think about the plan, and green is to do whatever the plan is.

Adapted from Audet, L. (2021). The Role of Executive Functions in Social Interaction. SpeechPathology.com, Article 20490. Available from www.speechpathology.com

The Town of Colrain is seeking an administrative professional to provide support services to the Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator (This is a part-time – 24 hour per week, benefited position).

Applicants should submit a letter of interest, resume and application (available at the Colrain Town Office located at 55 Main Road in Colrain) to Kevin Fox, Town Administrator, 55 Main Road, Colrain, MA 01340, or by e-mail to bos@colrain-ma.gov

A full Job Description is available upon request and is also available on the Towns web-site: https://colrain-ma.gov .

The Town of Colrain is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

2/20-2/24: No school: February break

3/3: 5th & 6th grade Winter Wonderland Dance

3/17: PK & K Registration Day~no school for current PK & K students

3/23 & 3/24: Family/Teacher Conferences

March early release dates:

1:50 dismissals: 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/29

12: 30 dismissals: 3/23, 3/24

"Read to Lamby" is on Saturday, March 4th at 11:00 am - 1:00 pm, all ages are welcome! We ask that families please call 413-624-3619 or email griswoldmemoriallibrary@gmail.com to register. The event is also posted on the Griswold Memorial Library Colrain Facebook page.

Are you and or your kids concerned about getting stir crazy during your vacation week? Would you like to see your children be more active when they are not in school? Well, here are some fun videos for you from Ms. K (P. E. Teacher), to brighten up your day and get your zoomies out! Most of the videos can be done alone or with others, (except the creative movement one). All the videos are created to get your heart rate up and blood pumping. Besides getting you moving, they will hopefully spark some creativity and offer some bonding time for you and your loved ones.