Dr. David Hopson
As I write this column, we’ve just completed the first day back for teachers and paraprofessionals in the Gateway District. After a relatively quiet summer (if you don’t count the work of the custodians, maintenance, and groundskeeper) it’s great to see such a dedicated group of individuals looking forward to resuming the education of our children. The enthusiasm displayed, the readiness to interact with students, the many-faceted professional development opportunities taken advantage of over the summer, and the camaraderie between staff is certainly a positive harbinger of good things to come this academic year. Continuing the collaboration between the teachers’ association and the district, once again the district and building administrators cooked for the rest of the staff with the cafeteria staff providing the other necessary items for a great luncheon. Along with the breakfast goodies provided before the official start of the day, this was a great way to allow staff to catch up with each other, meet new staff, and get into the swing of the new school year in a positive manner.
Hopefully families have also been supportive of their child’s education over the summer by encouraging activities such as reading, problem solving, using their imaginations to explore the natural wonders surrounding us, and writing and expressing themselves in various ways. There is significant research on the importance of family support, both during the summer break and throughout the school year, in helping children be successful in their educational endeavors.
I am pleased to announce that we are fully staffed and can all hit the ground running the day our students return. I’m impressed by the credentials and experience the new staff brings to the district. Coupled with the experience, district knowledge, and abilities of our veteran staff, I’m sure that all staff will be able to meet the needs of our students. Despite ongoing concerns by business and industry leaders about the American educational system and our professional staff training, I see a group of outstanding educators willing to go above and beyond to ensure that students are given the opportunity to prepare themselves for life in many more areas than just the “magic” MCAS areas of Mathematics, English language arts, and science.
We were also grateful to have had Kattie Millet from the DESE at our luncheon to honor Gateway’s cafeteria staff for being a Bronze winner (only 6% of schools across the country are recognized) in the Healthier U.S. School Challenge. Due to Wendy McCaul’s efforts, each school in the district was recognized for meeting this challenge. As Ms. Millet emphasized, this award transcends the cafeteria staff by also recognizing health education, physical activity, and healthy habits that are taught by all district staff as part of our whole child approach to education. As with so many other great things happening in the district, from implementing the Common Core and being a technology leader, to being a model for safe schools, this is just another example of our entire staff working together towards the common goal of preparing our students for future opportunities. I hope that as we move forward throughout the year, more people step forward to help and that we can all recognize, and celebrate, the many successes we enjoy as a district.
