Dr. David Hopson
HUNTINGTON – As we race to complete a myriad of unfinished projects (including installation of the new phone system) before students arrive on Friday, August 31, I am reminded of the desire that parents and community members sometimes have in keeping up-to-date on the district. Recently, a fellow resident in Blandford—whose children graduated many years ago—suggested I provide some ideas on how parents/guardians could keep a closer eye on their children’s school activities in order to support their educational pursuits. I believe that the involvement of parents, family members, and the general community in our schools is important to the success of all students and to the overall accomplishments of the schools.
On a general level, Gateway provides many ways for people to follow various activities in our district and its schools. These include routine press releases to local newspapers, this weekly column, and a weekly e-newsletter on activities and issues (“Breaking News”). Information on athletics, student activities, performance measures, curriculum, school calendars, and so much more can be found on the district’s website (www.grsd.org). Important updates and notifications are provided to parents through a phone/email/text notification system; school closings and delays are also provided through both radio and TV stations. Throughout the year we put out informational bulletins to selected individuals (“Key Communicator”) inviting public feedback on pressing issues for the district. The majority of these informational outlets are available to everyone with no need to provide any personal information. However, Breaking News and the Key Communicator require providing an email address to Wendy Long ([email protected]). The phone/email/text messaging is provided to parents/guardians using the information provided by parents on the forms that are completed at the beginning of each school year.
Getting down to a more detailed level on each student, the district also offers several ways that parents and guardians can find out information about their child’s school, classroom and academic progress. These include the traditional school open houses in the fall and pre-scheduled parent/guardian and conferences with teachers that are listed in the district’s calendar. Gateway also provides “parent portal” access for parents of students in grades 5-12. This is a process by which parents/guardians are given log in information and are able to electronically access their child’s grades in order to follow if they are keeping up with assignments, how well they’re doing on projects, quizzes and tests, and what their overall grade is on an ongoing basis rather than waiting for the report card at the end of the term. This year, students will also have access to their portal account and will be able to track any missing homework, and monitor their grades for tests and assignments. Parents and guardians are also invited to contact their child’s teacher, counselor, or principal directly through the use of either email or telephone. This contact information is published on the district website. Each staff member in the district has both an email address and a telephone extension; however, as would be expected, when someone calls a classroom staff member, their call goes to a voicemail box rather than having a telephone call interrupt an active classroom. Teachers have time set aside to respond to parent calls and requests including, when necessary, meeting with parents in order to resolve issues and help their students succeed. Additionally, many staff members have web pages and other electronic means of posting what’s happening in their classrooms, or to communicate assignments and resources to students.
However, I believe the best ways to stay informed about a child’s activities in school is to discuss their day and to volunteer in the classroom or school. Keeping abreast of all of a child’s activities in school – whether talking in the car, at the dinner table, or during a brief respite from a busy day – can show support for the child, their progress and interests, and sends a clear message to students about the importance of education. While I know this is often difficult, and sometimes becomes increasing harder as children grow older, research has shown the importance of these discussions on a child’s success. Volunteering in the schools can be good for everyone involved and ranges from a single opportunity as a ‘guest’ speaker in a classroom, to chaperoning a field trip, helping with a fundraiser, preparing materials in the school, or through regular participation in a school or group (such as helping out in the library, or actively taking part in a PTO or Booster Club). The opportunities for volunteering are nearly limitless and provide a chance to get to know staff, the school, be involved in numerous activities, and to support all children in getting a good education, which we all know is a key component to success in life.
As a district, we are always looking for additional ways to reach out to our stakeholders. If there are other means that you’d like the district to implement, or other items you’d like to see more information on, please contact Wendy Long ([email protected]) with your suggestions.
School meals meet tough new nutrition standards
HUNTINGTON – Gateway Regional schools will be serving meals that meet tough new federal and state nutrition standards, ensuring that meals are healthy, well balanced and provide students all the nutrition they need to succeed at school.
School meals offer students milk, fruits and vegetables, proteins and grains, and they must meet strict limits for saturated fat and portion size. This has been a work in progress over the last few years at Gateway. Our students have been enjoying whole wheat, school-baked products such as pizza, dinner rolls and calzones. Starting this fall, school lunches will meet additional standards requiring:
· Age-appropriate calorie limits
· Larger servings of vegetables and fruits (students must take at least one serving of produce)
· A wider variety of vegetables, including dark green and red/orange vegetables and legumes
· Fat-free or 1% milk (flavored milk must be fat-free)
· More whole grains
· And less sodium
“Our staff is always working to offer students healthier and tastier choices”, said SN Director Wendy McCaul. “In addition to meeting new nutrition standards, we’re also including more local orchards and farmers for the freshest produce, when available.” We served Outlook Farm apples from September thru April last year and students noticed the difference when we switched to Washington State products.
Food and Nutrition Services applied to the USDA for the prestigious Healthier US School Challenge award in June and we are anxiously awaiting the results. This award recognizes excellence in Nutrition and Physical Activity. McCaul applied as a district and not as an individual school. The criteria emphasize key areas that are based on the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
School meals are a great value and a huge convenience for busy families. With the larger servings of the freshest produce comes a price change. Breakfast prices have been lowered to $1.25. The lunch price for Elementary will be $2.20 and for Middle/High $2.45. Parents have the convenience of paying on line: Go to www.grsd.org and scroll down to PAY FEES. It’s easy and convenient.
Free and Reduced meal benefits applications need to be filled out every year. Families who think they might be eligible are encouraged to apply. Students will bring them home on the first day and parents are urged to return them immediately. Forms are also available online. Students who received meal benefits last year will be eligible until September 17th that is the deadline date for the new applications to be returned.
New Gateway Principal invites input
HUNTINGTON – “I’ve been impressed by how many people at Gateway put students first and are willing to be part of unique and creative solutions to meet student needs,” said Jason Finnie, Gateway’s new Jr. and Sr. High School Principal.
Finnie comes to Gateway after 12 years in the Palmer public schools, where he taught social studies, served as the School to Career Coordinator, was the social studies department head, and also chaired the Instruction Committee for Palmer’s NEASC accreditation. As a graduate of Monson High School, he is very familiar with the strengths and challenges of small high schools, from both the teacher and student perspectives.
He first became interested in education in college. While completing his undergraduate education in social studies at UMASS, he noticed how many of his peers still felt connected to a particular high school teacher who encouraged them toward their field of study. “I had never really had that one teacher who inspired me to a career,” he mused. “I became a teacher to help students who were like me at that age.”
In discussing the near future, Finnie says he plans to make no major changes this year. It will be a time to watch, listen and ask questions. But in talking about his new position at Gateway, several themes emerge: student input, community involvement, guiding the new curriculum and evaluation systems, and college and career readiness.
Finnie was pleased to have had a student committee take part in the interview process for the top job at the school. He reports that he plans to involve students as much as possible in shaping any direction that the school takes in the future, and will be looking to adults in the building to mentor student leadership skills.
While studying for his Master’s Degree, Finnie explored the changes that were coming to education from the state and Federal levels. He sees being a principal today as having the opportunity to shape the new curriculum and evaluation requirements to your own community. He is excited about the college and career focus of the Common Core (national curriculum), which is closely tied to his previous work in Palmer.
“A big focus (of the new curriculum) will be to find ways to bring career readiness into the classroom and also to make cross-curricular connections,” Finnie explained. He expects this to be a big part of the professional development for his staff this year, and plans to provide opportunities for teachers to work collaboratively.
Finnie was attracted to Gateway because of his familiarity with smaller high schools. “Plus being a regional school with the responsibility of serving so many communities,” Finnie said. “It lends itself to building creative solutions to the challenges we face. A principal is more than a manager. My job is to enable the faculty and students to take risks in order to grow and improve. I welcome input from everyone on how to move forward.”
Bus Schedules posted
HUNTINGTON – The Office of the Superintendent of Schools, Gateway Regional School District released today the times of bus schedules for the seven member towns in the Gateway Regional School District. The schedules are posted on the district website under the “Administrative Services” drop-down menu.
Pick up times are approximate and students are asked to be at the bus stop at least 10 minutes early for the first day of school. Parents making arrangements for their child’s daycare before or after school should contact their child’s school as well as a note for the school secretary on the first day of school. Transportation to daycare providers is permitted provided it does not overload the bus or cause the bus to deviate from its original route. Daycare must also be consistent Monday – Friday.
School opens, Friday, August 31 for all Gateway students. This will be a full day of school. Preschool starts on Thursday, September 6. The school website lists the bus stops and pick up time under the district transportation bar.
Bus stops and schedules are subject to change during the course of the school year. Some of the roads in our rural school district may not be safe for school buses in the winter months. In these instances, the district and bus company designates winter bus stops as a safer alternative. These stops will be posted on the district website in early November.
For questions or problems with transportation, please contact the Business Office at 685-1016.
