Gator Bites 11/26/2024

November 26, 2024 Edition

Hello Gateway Families!
As November comes to a close and December begins, it becomes a busy time for most families. It can also be a stressful time with shorter days and many things to juggle.

If you have concerns or challenges that may impact your student's ability to learn, please consider reaching out to the school principal or counselor. We are here to help and have toolbox of community resources and contacts that may be of assistance.

I hope that you are able to spend some good quality time with family over the next few busy weeks. Enjoy the half day tomorrow and the Thanksgiving break on Thursday and Friday!

Sincerely,

Kristen Smidy, Superintendent

ksmidy@grsd.org

Please Mark Your Calendars!

Wednesday, November 27: Half Day of School

Thursday, November 28-Friday, November 29: No School-Thanksgiving Break

Tuesday, December 10: Half Day of School for students, Professional Development day for staff

Wednesday, December 11: School Committee meeting at 7pm

Friday, December 20: Full day of School for all

Monday, December 23-Wednesday, January 1: Winter Break

Thursday, January 2: Return to School

Snow Days at Gateway

As we approach the colder months, I want to be sure I share the process used to cancel or delay school.

When the forecast calls for snow, sleet, or freezing rain, I communicate with highway superintendents, the bus company, other area school superintendents, and our own maintenance crew to gather as much information as possible about the conditions and our level of preparedness. Because of Gateway's higher elevations, it is important to note that some areas in our district may have unsafe travel conditions while other areas in our district are clear and dry. I must consider the student who is traveling from those unsafe conditions while making the determination for the district.

I hope to make decisions the night before if the conditions dictate a specific call so you can plan ahead, and if that is the case, I will send an automated call and an email no later than 8:30pm. If I need more information the morning of then I'll send you an automated call by 5:30am. Admin will also notify local news stations, and our social media pages will be updated. If you don't hear from the district by 6am, school will be held as scheduled.

There may be times when a delayed start turns into a cancellation if conditions don't improve as expected or if plowing doesn't go as planned, if buses don't start, or if other things get in the way. I will send a follow up call as soon as this determination is made to inform you of this decision if it needs to happen. I hope this isn't the case, but weather-related conditions can be very unpredictable!

Wrap around at Littleville and Chester will not be open on school cancellation days. If wrap around staff are able to get to the school safely, we will make every effort to have wrap around open on delayed start days. The district will communicate this information with you regarding the hours of wrap around in the event of a delayed start. The information may be communicated after the initial call via email or on social media because we need to coordinate with our wrap around staff to confirm availability with each delayed start.

Finally, on our school calendar, it states that if we have a half day scheduled for professional development and a delayed start is required for safety, the half day no longer stands and students will arrive on a delayed start schedule. The half day would then be moved to one week later to honor our professional development time. The two days where this may occur are on December 10 and on March 18. So, if December 10 is a snow day or turns into a delayed start schedule, the half day would shift to be on December 17.

I understand that these decisions are disruptive to family plans, and I appreciate the work that needs to be done to accommodate last minute shifts you may need to make account for school delays and closures. It is our responsibility to make decisions that keeps student safety at the center of our work. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions. I thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these winter months together.

Every Gator Bites, we will share a safety tip for our community as a reminder of our protocols. Our protocols are analyzed each year with the new guidance that is published and vetted by our local and state police partners.

***Before jumping into this month's tip, please be reminded that passing a bus or a van with its flashing lights on is against the law. Please be aware that buses and vans drop off students in front of our schools and cannot be passed when students are exiting a van or bus. Thank you!***

This month's tip is on CORI forms and background checks:

M.G.L. c. 71, § 38R requires all schools to conduct criminal background checks on current and prospective employees and volunteers, including those who regularly provide school related transportation to students, who may have direct and unmonitored contact with children. CORI must be obtained from the CHSB at least every three years during an individual's term of employment or service.

The law also allows schools to conduct CORI checks on subcontractors or laborers commissioned to do work on school grounds that may have direct and unmonitored contact with children. This includes school bus or van drivers employed by a transportation company under contract with the district to provide transportation services to students.

CORI certification is valid only for two years. Therefore, schools and districts that have been previously certified by the CHSB to obtain CORI must renew their certification every other year by submitting to the CHSB an Application for Renewal of CORI Access Certification.

In January of 2013, Massachusetts added a law under Chapter 459 of the Acts of 2012, “An Act Relative to Background Checks” which required fingerprinting checks in addition to the CORI. This new law expands what public, private, and parochial schools, including approved private special education schools and child care facilities, already do in conducting state CORI checks on all employees. It requires a fingerprint-based state and national criminal record check for all school employees and contractor employees. All newly hired school employees, including educators, student teachers, maintenance staff, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers, who work in the schools and may have direct and unmonitored contact with children are now required to complete the new fingerprint-based state and national background check.

Therefore, if you plan to volunteer in our schools, work as a staff member or a contractor, you will be required by law to complete this process. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter!

Nominate a Teacher for the Grinspoon Teacher of Excellence Award!

It is a pleasure to work in a district that has amazing educators at every level.

The Harold Grinspoon Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award is an opportunity to honor one Gateway Regional staff member for making a difference to our students. The award winner gets a number of fantastic prizes, but most importantly the public honor of being recognize for the hard work they do. Criteria is determined by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation.

Nominee must:

Be certified by the state of Massachusetts as a teacher
Be currently employed as a full time teacher in a PreK-12 school
Spend the majority of their school day in direction instruction of students
Rating at least Proficient in most recent evaluation (don't worry about checking this)

Nominees Additional Criteria:

Utilize excellent teaching practices
Be effective and creative
Have a profound impact on students
Support and positively impact other teachers' practices
Participate in professional development
Have evidence of going above and beyond in the classroom and school community

Please nominate a teacher who you believe meets this criteria. Nomination forms should be submitted no later than December 20, 2024. Winners will be announced in late January/early February of 2025.

Please complete this nomination form.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct an Integrated Monitoring Review of Gateway Regional School District during the week of December 16, 2024. Each school district, charter school, vocational school, and virtual school undergoes an Integrated Monitoring Review every three years. The areas addressed during an Integrated Monitoring Review are organized into two groups, known as Group A Universal Standards and Group B Universal Standards.

Gateway Regional School District will be undergoing a Group B monitoring review that addresses special education teacher and related service personnel licensure and professional development; parent, student, and community engagement, including compliance with Child Find requirements; facilities and classroom observations; implementation and oversight of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs); time and learning, and equal access.

The process includes interviews with district staff and administrators, a review of student records, policies and procedures, and school building visits. The process may also include parent/caregiver, student and teacher focus group meetings to gather additional information. Interpretation will be provided, if needed.

Gateway Regional School District will host an orientation about the review process in collaboration with the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). The Department will also send a parent survey, in multiple languages and formats, as needed, to parents /guardians of special education students to gather key information on the special education processes and procedures.

Parents/guardians and other stakeholders may contact Sandra Hanig, Monitoring Review Chairperson, by phone at (413) 314-6707, or by email at sandra.hanig@mass.gov to request a telephone interview. If anyone requires an accommodation such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the Gateway Regional school District with a report that includes information on further actions that may be required. The public can access the report at https://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/default.html.

See this link for updates.

https://www.grsd.org/departments/food-services

Health Screenings are Underway!

This is a reminder that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) require all schools to perform mandated health screenings. The screenings include postural for grades 6th through 9th, vision & hearing for grades 4th, 5th, 7th & 10th, and Body Mass index for grades 1st, 4th, 7th & 10th, and SBIRT (screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment) for grades 7th & 10th. This information was shared in the October 18 Gator Bites.

*All Parents and Guardians have the right to opt their child out of any of the following screenings by submitting a written request.

DPH School Health Screenings

Postural- Grades 6 - 9 students- This screening will be conducted in the privacy of the nurses office. A current physical submitted with MD documentation of a scoliosis screen will satisfy this screening.

Body Mass Index (BMI)- Grades 1, 4, 7 & 10 students- This screening will be conducted in the privacy of the nurses office. A current physical submitted with documentation of height and weight will satisfy this screening.

Vision and Hearing- Grades K-5, 7 & 10 students- These screenings will be conducted together in the privacy of the nurses office.

SBIRT- Grades 7 & 10 students- Screening, Brief Intervention, and referral to treatment is a public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment for adolescents at risk for developing substance use disorders. A parent information letter will be mailed one month before this screening is to occur for students. This screening will be conducted in the privacy of the nurses office along with the vision and hearing screen.

Gear up for a Good Cause with GEF!

Gateway Education Foundation is asking you to "Gear Up for a Good Cause!" New Gateway gear is now on sale! Check out our online store through Mantis Graphics! A brand-new design with tons of sizes, products, and colors to personalize your look! Proceeds from this fundraiser go directly to G.E.F.'s Funds for Learning program - a grant program available at Chester, Littleville, and GRS to support out-of-the-box learning opportunities. Online shop is open through December 1st.