Student & Family Update

The first week of November, seniors at MTRS did their introductory Capstone presentations to a panel of mixed students, staff, and community members. It was an exciting few days while students shared their progress with their panels, got feedback on their work, and gained the momentum they needed to take them through the end of their work. Check out the Capstone website for info about the program.

Now we’re approaching the end of the semester and most seniors are scheduled to do their final presentations on January 18th and 19th. We look forward to welcoming panelists back into the building, and seeing the culmination of student’s hard work and dedication. From firefighting to music, from art portfolios to small engine repair, from sports to horses to foster care to ticks…this year’s seniors have really hit it out of the park. Be on the lookout for opportunities to see Capstone work on display or in the community!

Mohawk Trail Regional seniors have been trailblazing through their capstone projects, a signature independent study, over the last few months. The projects were simply ideas in the spring, began to take shape early this school year, and were then solidified with formative presentations in early November. The presentations were a culmination of early research on and personal experience with a topic of the students’ choosing. A 360 degree review from panelists who listened, offered feedback, asked questions, and helped to shape next steps included a mix of students, staff and community members.

While topics are different for each student, elements of the work they all have to display to be successful include: self-motivation, time management, research, articulating ideas, taking feedback, perseverance, writing, editing, and design. This project is meant to be a stepping stone toward learning more about a student’s passion while building critical skills that will serve them well in adulthood.

With support and momentum behind them, the Mohawk Trail Regional seniors now barrel toward their final presentations scheduled for January 18 and 19. We look forward to welcoming panelists back into the building, and seeing the culmination of student’s hard work and dedication. A sample of topics include: firefighting podcasts, music writing, art portfolios, small engine repair, sport training, mental wellness, horses, foster care, ticks and more. This year’s seniors have taken on an amazingly diverse set of topics.

Be on the lookout for opportunities to see Capstone work on display or in the community! We welcome you to check out the Capstone website for more information about the program.

Welcome to the final days of semester one! The next few weeks are a bit crazy with days off, partial days for student-led conferences, and the ever popular snow days. We will make it through for sure!

One item of note. Students are asked not to use their cell phones in class for any reason. In addition, 8th graders can only use their cell phones at lunch and break and 7th graders only before and after school. This includes using their SMART Watches. We have students say to us all the time, “but my ___________ texted me” (fill in the blank with appropriate caregiver). If a caregiver needs to get a message to a student, they can call the main office and we will deliver the message. If a student needs to call you back, they can come to the office and use the student phone. Please help us manage the cell phone issues!

Two District Projects in Need of Volunteers

With current and recently awarded funding in support of our Trailblazer model from the Barr Foundation, and with Phase II of our Sustainability Study fully funded by a Massachusetts Community Compact Grant - we now need the human touch to move these projects forward.

Project One: Overview and Needs

Our Trailblazer model is the hallmark of a Mohawk Trail Regional School education. To help us further define this model and what is possible within it, funding from the Barr foundation and Next Generation Learning Challenges enables visits to three schools in Vermont that are exemplary models of several aspects of our ideals where we can observe applied examples of the systems-level design work we are doing here at MTRS. A more detailed overview of the visit can be found here. For this trip we invite parents, students (grade 9+) and community members with ties to MTRS on our team!

What is the commitment?

• Jan date TBD: 30 minute introduction meeting

• Feb date TBD: 30 minute team coaching session

• March 7th, 3:30-5:30pm: Virtual preparation session

• March 8-29th (TBD): Learning walk at MTRS as practice for the learning walk at the schools in Vermont

• April 9th: travel to VT and arrive by 6pm

• April 9,10,11,12: Participate in school visits in VT (Transportation in VT will be provided)

• April 12th: travel back to MTRS at 1pm

If you are interested and available, please complete this survey by Tuesday, January 16th.

Project 2: Overview and Needs

Phase II of our Sustainability Study will build upon the data collected for Mohawk Trail in Phase I (completed in 2023), add data specific to Hawlemont, and address the challenges associated with adequately funding our rural schools that were outlined in 2015-16 by the BEST Committee – stagnant levels of state aid, increasing fixed costs and demographic changes that have resulted in steep declines in enrollment. Our goals for Phase II are to:

• ensure that the communities that comprise our Districts are fully informed about the issues we face;

• gather input from our constituents; and

• create potential operating models that offer a more sustainable future for our schools and our member towns. These models will then be presented for community consideration and discussion.

The most immediate task will be building a Project Steering Committee, which will oversee the work of BERK12. We envision a Committee of about 15 members from across the member towns and constituencies of the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Districts. If you might be interested in becoming a member of this Steering Committee, please click this link to indicate interest and contact one of your School Committee representatives by January 17, 2024. (A list of School Committee members and their email addresses may be found here.)

Capstones Coming to a Close

Mohawk Trail Regional seniors have been trailblazing through their capstone projects, a signature independent study, over the last few months. The projects were simply ideas in the spring, began to take shape early this school year, and were then solidified with formative presentations in early November. The presentations were a culmination of early research on and personal experience with a topic of the students’ choosing. A 360 degree review from panelists who listened, offered feedback, asked questions, and helped to shape next steps included a mix of students, staff and community members.

While topics are different for each student, elements of the work they all have to display to be successful include: self-motivation, time management, research, articulating ideas, taking feedback, perseverance, writing, editing, and design. This project is meant to be a stepping stone toward learning more about a student’s passion while building critical skills that will serve them well in adulthood.

With support and momentum behind them, the Mohawk Trail Regional seniors now barrel toward their final presentations scheduled for January 18 and 19. We look forward to welcoming panelists back into the building, and seeing the culmination of student’s hard work and dedication. A sample of topics include: firefighting podcasts, music writing, art portfolios, small engine repair, sport training, mental wellness, horses, foster care, ticks and more. This year’s seniors have taken on an amazingly diverse set of topics. Be on the lookout for opportunities to see Capstone work on display or in the community! We welcome you to check out the Capstone website for more information about the program.

Theater Production Audition Postponement

Auditions for YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN have been postponed to Thursday, January 25th from 2:30-4:30 in the Mohawk Trail Regional auditorium. This change is meant for MTRS students as well as interested 5th and 6th grade students from across the districts.

Please come prepared to sing HAPPINESS. Copies of the sheet music and a printable contact form may be requested from MTRS Director of Performing Arts Eva Husson-Stockhamer, stagemanger@mtrsd.org, or may be found on the MTRS school website under https://mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org/Performing-Arts. We are sorry for the inconvenience and can't wait for January 25th!!

Hawlemont Happenings and Lucky 13

At the turn of the calendar, Hawlemont learners have noticed their growth in addition, patience, decoding, writing, perseverance, and word problems. They are also making conscious choices about where they want to focus their efforts. Speaking of effort, the 6th grade students are redesigning the HAY program outdoor classroom. So far they have cleaned up trash and broken materials, measured the space, brainstormed ideas on how it should look, and started a new design on graph paper. Once they have settled on a design, they will meet with the Town of Charlemont Selectmen to pitch their idea for approval.

Other fun happenings have been the arrival of a 6-month old full-bred Kerry calf to the barn (name TBD); potting spider plants and learning they are one of the best plants for air purification; and watching the goats enjoy snacking on the gifts of holiday trees! Save the date of Tuesday, February 13 for two evening events before which dinner will be served:

1. a discussion on Rural Aid, and

2. Snuggle Up and Read

Sanderson Library Puts Students to Work

This January, the display shelves feature Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other Civil Rights activists, “how-to” books encouraging students to learn a new skill in 2024, books about winter sports. Fourth graders will design informational “did you know?” cards for the library stacks while fifth graders conduct an “audit” of the Sanderson Library to find out what types of books are lacking and how those gaps may be filled. Sixth graders will research a career of their choice and share their findings on business cards that they will design using Canva. Younger grades will begin a new routine of cycling through four different library “stations” over four weeks. Stations will include reading with stuffies, alphabet practice, computational thinking games, and a small group lesson with Ms. Wilson where they will learn how to locate books using call numbers.

Coding at BSE

For the third year in a row, BSE students participated in a ‘Month of Code’ in December. This year, classes started their learning by taking a look at the history of technology and pioneers in the field. They read about Jerry Lawson ("father of the video game cartridge"), Grace Hopper (pioneer computer programmer and rear admiral in the U.S. Navy), Katherine Johnson (NASA mathematician), and Margaret Hamilton (software engineer with the Apollo program).

Classes then started to practice thinking and creating like computer scientists through mostly ‘unplugged’ and a few ‘plugged-in’ activities. In grades K/1, students learned some basic coding concepts, programmed a class dance party, created sequences to teach secret handshakes, and connected to literature by sequencing A Snowy Day. Grades 2 and 3 tried some graph paper programming, then followed algorithms to fold paper (origami!). Grades 4/5/6 completed a LEGO algorithm challenge, then went online to use blocks of code and artificial intelligence to animate dance parties.

Showing zero signs of complacency after winning back to back state championships, our Warrior ladies cruised to victory in their first alpine race of the season! The blue and gold occupied 5 of the top 9 places in dominating the field by almost 20 seconds Thursday night in Charlemont. Sophomore Addie Loomis claimed her usual spot at the top finishing a second ahead of her teammate Emmy Sisum, while Junior Sofiya Slocik-Gritzner finished close behind in 6th. 7th grader Lydie Pinkham and Senior Mae Hoff finished 8th and 9th respectively.

The Mohawk Trail boys also took the necessary steps to begin their defense of their league title by defeating the competition by almost 19 seconds! Warrior skiers claimed three of the top eight places, led by Senior Weston Den Ouden in 3rd, Freshman Grayson Bishop in 5th, and Junior Phineas Tuttman in 8th!

Both teams hit the slopes again next Tuesday, January 16th. All races begin at 5:00 and are held at Berkshire East in Charlemont!

LADY HOOPERS BACK ON WINNING TRACK WITH VICTORY OVER ATHOL!

The Mohawk Trail Girls Varsity Basketball team added another victory to their ledger with a lopsided, 50-35 victory over the Athol Bears Monday at Mallet Gymnasium in Athol. The Warriors rode a stifling full court press to victory, and were led by Freshman Natalie Lanoue with 14 points, Junior Bella Pettengill with 11, and Senior Rachel Pease with 10.

WARRIOR GRAPPLERS BRING BACK HARDWARE FROM KEENE TOURNAMENT!

Mohawk Trail wrestlers Will VanVleet and Logan Moore continue to mop the mat with their competition and take home high honors from the Minickiello Wrestling Tournament last Saturday in Keene, New Hampshire! VanVleet cruised through his 215 pound weight class to take home a gold medal, while Junior Logan Moore was not far behind taking silver in the 150 pound category. The efforts of VanVleet and Moore were enough to secure a 13th place team finish for Mohawk Trail amongst the 28 teams that attended the tournament!

Role

Contact Information

Director of Pupil Personnel Services

413-625-0192 x1025

lloomis@mtrsd.org

Assistant to Director of Pupil Personnel Services

413-625-0192 x1015

mplesnar@mtrsd.org

7-12 Liaison

413-625-9811 x1314

ebeaudet@mtrsd.org

1-6 Liaison

Mohawk Trail District

413-625-2521

cgoodnow@mtrsd.org

1-6 Liaison

Hawlemont District

413-339-8316

kdwyer@mtrsd.org

Early Childhood Coordinator and Liaison

413-625-6194

asocquet@mtrsd.org