Student & Family Update
April 29, 2022
September 22nd 2023
Good afternoon everyone,
I hope that you are having a good week.
Some things to be aware of:
- I will be asking for feedback on how we are doing in the next few weeks. Q1 Students & Staff will be surveyed, Q2 Care providers, Q3 Students and Staff and Q4 Care providers
The Special Town Meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 6:30 pm in the Shelburne Town Hall.
We are looking for pallets to add to our Bonfire on October 13th. Please let rmastorakis@mtrsd.org know if you can help!
Thank you for reminding your students about the impact of vandalism and graffiti, especially in bathroom and the importance of being respectful towards MTRS property.
See the note below on vaccination clinics
Order you yearbook for 23/24 - see below
Some students and staff will meet with visitors from Springpoint next week to talk about our strengths and areas to develop as a school. This will inform our school improvement planning for the year.
MCAS results for Spring 2023 are out now - see below
Mary Lyon Foundation is organizing a resource fair at MTRS for families on October 25th from 3-6pm - see below
Roo, our new therapy dog in training has started to come in to help in French class on Friday...see image
Have a great weekend
Best
Chris
Important Dates & Information
Upcoming dates
School photographs: Oct 11th (Retakes, Nov 28th)
PSAT October 19th
Family Resource Fair - October 25th
Capstone Formative Presentations: November 2nd and 3rd
May 31st (Friday) -6-8pm: High School Graduation. Indoors at MTRS (This is a correction to the published date of June 1st)
District Calendar for 2023/24: Link
Quarter 1 45 days
First Day: Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Last Day: Thursday, November 2, 2023
Q1 progress report grades close on: Friday, September 29, 2023
Q1 progress report grading window: Wednesday, September 27 - Wednesday, October
4, at 11:59 pm
Q1 progress reports will be distributed on: Thursday, October 5, 2023
Q1 grading window: Tuesday October 31 - Wednesday November 8 at 11:59 pm Q1 report cards will be distributed on: Thursday, November 9, 2023
MCAS Results from Spring of 2023
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education have just released the spring 2023 MCAS scores. You can view the results from our district, here. Next week we will be mailing home a report indicating our school’s overall results and your student’s scores to you via the U.S. postal service.
As you may already know, MCAS is just one data point. The district improvement plan includes reviewing student MCAS data along with other student assessment data with all teachers and staff with the goal of identifying ways to improve educational outcomes for all of our students.
Additional note about Grade 8 Civics MCAS (Mr Tierney our teacher has experience with this as a pilot and comes to us with practical experience which will help support students and families.
Vaping info for G8
Grade 8 met with Nurse Donna and Principal Buckland on Thursday of this week to talk through the dangers of vaping. You can see the slide show that was used as part of the conversation, here.
Please reach out to counselor Ruggeri if you have any questions or concerns.
Healthy vs Unhealthy lungs
Physical impact of vaping on your body
Vaping impacts your mental health
Late Bus Information
Late Bus picks up at Mohawk Trail at 5:30 pm
Scheduled dates for the late bus
Fall - Sept. 5th and runs to November 3rd.
Winter - Starts on November 27th and runs to Feb 16th
Spring - Starts on March 18th and runs to May 31st.
Roads traveled
Route 2 west (Mohawk Trail)
Stops at Wells Prevision ( Crn of Rt2/8A) in Charlemont
Continues down Route 2 west taking a right onto Zoar Rd
Stops at the Rowe Town Hall
Turns right onto Pond RD (Rowe)
Turns right onto Cyrus Stage Rd (Rowe
Turns right onto Number nine RD ( Heath)
Turns right onto Route 8A (Heath)
Turns left onto Branch Hill Rd (Heath)
Route Ends on Branch Hill Rd
Student Council Updates!
Booster week Oct 11-13
Dress up days
Tuesday 10/10 -Royalty day
12th-God & Goddess
11th- Kings & Queen
10th-Knights
9th-witches and warlocks
8th-jokers or jester
7th- scarecrows
Wednesday 10/11
Barbehimer
Barbie vs Oppenheimer
Thursday 10/12
Class color
12th- Black
11th- Red
10th-blue
9-green
8th-orange
7th-purple
Friday 10/13
Blue and Gold
Bonfire & Bands Oct 13th
Come enjoy the bonfire on the last day of Booster Week, and listen to music performed by student bands! Fire to start at approximately 6:30 pm, and go until 7:30 or so.
Enjoy the Field Hockey game happening at 7:00.
If you’re interested in playing music at the bonfire, send an email to 25chmojallali@mtrsd.org and rmastorakis@mtrsd.org saying you’re interested, and what songs you’d like to play so they can be approved. Talk to Mr Colbeck about additional setup information.
Homecoming Dance: October 14th 7:00 - 10:00
Theme: Red Carpet
Tickets will be sold at lunch for $10 the week of booster and will be $12 at the door.
Students should not be arriving too early before 7:00 and be ready to be picked up at 10:00.
Welcome to MTRS...
Aimee Cairney
It’s great to be back in Western Massachusetts! I grew up in Bernardston, MA on my family’s dairy farm and for the last 10 years have been working at Natick High School as a School Counselor. Ultimately, my husband and I wanted to raise our 3 young boys closer to family, and allow them the opportunity to grow up and care for animals and enjoy the outdoors.
A graduate of Pioneer, I took advantage of GCC’s Dual Enrollment program, earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from UMass Amherst and later went on to get my Master’s Degree in School Counseling at UMass Boston.
I’m very excited to be here at Mohawk Trail Regional School. Students, staff and families have provided such a warm welcome! I look forward to truly getting to know each and every student and to help guide them in their future endeavors.
Dean Brault's Student Culture Corner
Hello!
I am writing this right after our first all-school assembly! I am amazed every day by the opportunities available to our students! I challenged our students to look at the plaques in the main hallway and see if they recognize any of the names. I certainly do! I related this to our trailblazer theme and the power of community.
I also took the opportunity to remind students about the importance of staying in class and if they need to leave, they tell an adult where they are going and get right back to class. I used the safety example of needing to send someone back into a burning building to find them.
I am starting meetings this week with class officers. I will meet on Fridays, one grade level at a time to hear the positives and concerns the students have. This week I am meeting with Senior Class Officers.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Please feel free to email me at pbrault@mtrsd.org.
The District Perspective
Within the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional Districts, feeling the energy between students and teachers, families and the school community, and the greater community and the districts, is captivating. Living where we do affords the opportunity for generosity of spirit that allows for the existence of simply more connecting points.
September 15th was International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage, and collaboration. In Mrs. Lilly’s second grade at Sanderson Academy, the students have been reading The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds as part of the districts’ English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum. The book is about perseverance, inspiration, and creativity. Second graders spent part of their day using Dots candies to learn math, invited the whole school to collaborate on dot chalk art, and more! They engaged with classmates and schoolmates to connect the dots on learning and growing together.
As an added effort to connect the dots in mathematics, eligible 4th graders will be able to receive tutoring. Made possible through a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), tutors are currently being hired through Catapult Learning which will provide paid training, assessment tools, and curriculum to the tutors. Elementary teachers, math specialists/teachers, and paraeducators with a bachelor's degree are eligible to apply, with preference being in-district staff. As the hiring process proceeds, and tutors are trained, more information will be shared.
At Buckland Shelburne Elementary, their after-school enrichment schedule was just distributed. These late-afternoon opportunities - including Lego engineering, crafting, bowling, soccer skills, and more - allow BSE students to explore activities of interest while connecting with students in other classes who they may not otherwise get to know.
Mohawk Trail Regional had their first all-school meeting that was full of information and spirit. The topics that generated the most response from students were recycling/composting and Booster Week, which begins October 10th. Be on the lookout for related events.
Speaking of bringing people together, the open houses have had great attendance, at which parents and caregivers meet teachers and explore what’s happening in the classroom and around the school.
Open House, Sanderson, 9/19/2023
On Tuesday night, oodles of families came out for Sanderson’s Open House. On the way in, they were greeted by free books, information tables and administrators. One hotbed of activity was the music program bake sale table where treats were enjoyed by just about everyone. On one wall, attendees viewed an all school art project - a woven tapestry - representing the theme of belonging. Along another stretch, “Second Grade Hopes and Dreams” were articulated on paper balloons. Classrooms were abuzz as attendees connected with teachers and other staff. Families also took a moment to take in the view from the gorgeous library space.
Open House, Colrain Central, 9/20/2023
On Wednesday night, Colrain Central opened their doors to students and families for their Open House. The hallways were humming with activity and delight. Artwork displayed on the wall made up of traced and decorated student hands that read “Better Together” reflected the sense of belonging attendees displayed as they walked through their school. Lots of work was displayed in classrooms, from a table of ancient Egyptian numbers to classroom jobs and encouragement of compassion.
Still to Come:
Open House, Buckland Shelburne Elementary, September 27th, 6-7pm
At BSE’s Open House, students and families will be working to raise funds for the 6th grade trip to Nature’s Classroom through a bake sale and lottery ticket raffle, and the 5th grade will host a mum sale ($12 each), while the PTO will offer up a 50/50 raffle.
Another element that brings people together is music! This is a reminder that Friday, September 22 at 6:30 at BSE is Band Instrument Rental Night for the elementary students.
To make connecting with your school easier, make sure you’re on the list to receive the regularly sent newsletters. If you haven’t received one yet this year, give a call or send an email message to your front office to request being put on the list!
Teaching and Learning
Our Focus Areas for 2023/4
Focus Areas for the Year
Advisory/ Crew: Supporting Adult & Student relationships and building the capacity for students to self-reflect and analyze their own academic progress in content classes as well as collaborative and communication skills in Advisory.
Academic: Helping teachers pivot to Standards Based Teaching and Learning. Adapting assessment and class tasks so that students are able to understand their ability to master skills and practices embedded in the state standards in each core class.
Student-led-conferences: Helping Advisory teachers support students in Grades 7-12 as they facilitate student-led conferences at the end of S1 and S2. In these Student-Led-Conferences, students will be able to talk about the skills, abilities and applications to the real world of what they learn in class.
- Internship and Work Based Learning Opportunities: Looking at providing students in Grade 11 and 12 with the opportunity to complete an internship or Work Based Learning experience in relation to or preparation for their Capstone project.
We will keep you updated on our progress throughout the year!
Vacancies
MS and HS Band and Chorus Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Adjustment Counselor
Student Services
Seniors, don't forget to check the College Visits. New events are added each week!
Use this link to schedule an appointment with HS Guidance Counselor, Ms. Cairney: https://acairney.youcanbook.me/. Unfortunately this booking tool only allows 15 minutes, if you sign up for college I'll make it 30 minutes on my end and send you an updated invite.
Bus Schedules and Questions
Please make sure that you check the Bus routes on district site. Care providers can call Dawn at the bus company on 413-489-3195 at ext 3304 or call the school and ask to speak to Robin Pease.
Performing Arts
Auditions- Sept 20th
Auditions for the fall play were held on Wednesday 9/20 in the auditorium.
For those who need to plan- rehearsals will typically be held on Wednesdays & Fridays this year for both the fall play and the spring musical. If you have regular conflicts on these days of the week contact Miss Eva prior to auditions.
Looking forward to a great 23/24 season!! Miss Eva
Europe Trip - Potluck and Slideshow! Sept 27th, 5-6pm
In June of 2023, MTRHS students who traveled to Italy, France, Monaco, and Spain will have a slideshow and potluck dinner on Wednesday, September 27 from 5-6:30 in the school cafeteria to reminisce and celebrate the trip. All family members and travelers are invited to attend. Thank you. Mrs. Camarda and Chaperones
Community Events
Music Association Fundraiser!
The Music Association will once again be holding our baked potato fundraiser at the Ashfield Fall Festival, and we need volunteers! Would it be possible to include our flyer and a little blurb in your newsletter?
The Mohawk Trail Music Association will be back at the Ashfield Fall Festival Oct. 7–8, and needs your help staffing their wildly popular baked potato booth! MTMA is a non-profit organization that supports the MTRS music program and its students, and this is their most important fundraiser of the year. Please sign up for a shift or two here, or send an email. If you'd like to learn more about the MTMA or join their mailing list, contact them at mohawktrailmusic@gmail.com.
The Lions Peace Poster Contest
Open to students aged 11-13
The Lions Peace Poster contest is open to students ages 11-13 (at the submission deadline).Visually impaired students can also participate by completing an essay. All clubs in district 33Y are encouraged to sponsor a contest for their community!
See lionsclubs.org for more details.
Important Dates and Information
October 1 – Deadline to purchase kit from LCI
November 10 – Deadline to register for district contest
Contact brittain@bcn.net to register. Posters must be received prior to (or at) the
November 17 Advisory Meeting to be eligible for judging.
(each club shall send 1 finalist to the district)
November Advisory Meeting – Posters will be judged at district advisory
meeting* (winner will be submitted to council chair for multiple district judging).
ORDER KITS at...
https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/start-our-approach/youth/peace-poster
Questions/Submit Poster Entries to...
Chris Brittain
325 Fairview St. Lee, MA 01238 brittain@bcn.net 413-441-5107
Health Survey and Resource Fair - October 25th, 3-6pm at MTRS
Dear Community Members,
We need your help to shape future health priorities for West County.
Please use the QR Code on the following page or the link below to take the Community Health Survey. To improve the health of everyone in West County, our voices need to be heard.
Anyone aged fourteen and older can take the survey. It will only take 15 minutes to complete and is confidential.
Taking the survey is voluntary and easy! Click on this link: www.mass.gov/healthsurvey, or use the attached QR code.
Once you have completed the survey, use the QR code below to sign up for a $5.00 gift card to Mo’s Fudge Factor. This is the Mary Lyon Foundation’s way of saying thank you for ensuring that the voices and needs of our nine towns are heard loud and clear.
If you have questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at kbaker@marylyonfoundation.org or call us at (413) 625-2555
How can you get involved at MTRS?
We want to hear your voice!
Local Education Council (LEC)
This meets virtually every second Wednesday of the month between 3:45 and 4:30pm. More information can be found here. The next meeting will take place on October 11th.
The virtual joining information is as follows:
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 813-435-9650
PIN: 741 012 215#
Principal Drop-ins
As was the case last year, I will hold regular virtual office hours. You don’t need an appointment to come and talk with me and share your thoughts on what goes on at MTRS. I will try to be available for the whole 60 minutes but can't always guarantee it at our busy school. The next drop in will take place on October 13th.
Second Friday of each month: 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
Meeting ID: meet.google.com/jtz-yhet-ipo
Phone Number: (US)+1 (813) 773-5581
PIN: 636 883 303
Athletics News
Fall weather is finally here, but our student-athletes continue to bring the heat! We have a lot of things to highlight from the past week, so buckle up!
Our Middle School Football team was finally able to start their season, and did so in victorious fashion! Brady Gancarz scored 4 touchdowns to lead the young Warriors past the Mahar Senators 36-8 under the lights in Orange. Other standout players included Cole and Mason Bassett, Oliver Schwenger-Sartz, and Landon Smead! Our Warriors return to the gridiron next Thursday, 9/28 at Eaglebrook in Deerfield.
Our Varsity Volleyball team continues to roll through league competition as they picked up two wins this week against Mahar Regional and Greenfield High School. Both games were clean sweeps, 3-0. They travel to Chicopee this afternoon for a tough independent matchup that will go a long way in determining State Tournament seedings! Good Luck Warriors!
Both of our Cross Country squads had strong showings this week as we hosted a quad meet against Southwick, PVCICS, and Hampden Charter East this past Tuesday. On the girls side, the foursome of Natalie Lanoue, Anya Read, Valerie Bzomowski, and Virginia Krezmian took the top 4 spots to secure a clean sweep of the competition! The boys also posted high individual placings as senior Vincent Gauthier took the overall top spot, while sophomore Peter Healy and 8th grader Rex Kuoppala took 3rd and 8th, respectively. Both teams are back in action next Tuesday as they travel to Highland Park in Greenfield to take on Greenfield High School and McCann Tech.
Finally, please remember that our online Swag Shops will close on SEPTEMBER 25TH!!! Find all of your favorite Mohawk Trail Athletic gear at the links below!
GOLF https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/Cj9KNCWUYK
FOOTBALL https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/aLQYRxDKRJ
VOLLEYBALL https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/SeGyP5kBnf
CROSS COUNTRY https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/NSyPrPdZMF
FIELD HOCKEY https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/Bzqdp9eqdS
MOHAWK TRAIL https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/HEWb1ph33n
SOCCER https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/jaQcvuzmvH
Remember, all athletic game schedules can be conveniently found on Arbiterlive.com
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.
Parent Rights and Responsibilities workshop will be held Tuesday, October 3rd at 6:30pm
In person at Mohawk Trail Regional and Virtually -
Annual Parent Rights and Responsibility Training
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/mby-cuxg-pkm
Or dial: (US) +1 276-695-5147 PIN: 369 643 542#
You will be receiving a letter in the mail with the Annual Rights and Responsibility
Special Education Contact Information
Person
Role
Contact Information
Leann Loomis
Director of Pupil Personnel Services
413-625-0192 x1025
Melissa Plesnar
Assistant to Director of Pupil Personnel Services
413-625-0192 x1015
Erin Beaudet
7-12 Liaison
413-625-9811 x1314
Carolyn Goodnow
1-6 Liaison
Mohawk Trail District
413-625-2521
Kate Dwyer
1-6 Liaison
Hawlemont District
413-339-8316
Amy Socquet
Early Childhood Coordinator and Liaison
413-625-6194
About Mohawk Trail SEPAC
The Special Education Parent Advisory Council is an advisory group led by parents within our community. We are looking to support each other and help the school district to better serve its students. The SEPAC is open to all caregivers within the district with an IEP or 504 plan, and to interested members of the community. Please reach out to us to learn more!
SEPAC meetings
We meet monthly via Zoom. Upcoming meetings: Sept 28, Oct 23, Nov 27 at 6:30 pm
We welcome caregivers, staff, and interested members of the community to learn about SEPAC and meet local families. The public meeting will be followed by a private caregiver support discussion.
Email us to learn more: mohawksepac@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MohawktrailSEPAC
Chris Buckland
Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional
MTRSD Director of Communications