Student & Family Update
April 29, 2022
Good afternoon everyone,
These past few days have been all about the Class of 2024!
- On May 18th, the Junior prom took place
- On May 24th, Seniors celebrated their last day at school
- On Wednesday, students received their caps and gowns and then visited elementary schools
- On Thursday, Senior Awards took place at MTRS
- Tonight we will celebrate Graduation at MTRS from 6-8pm!
Next week we will share links to Awards and Graduation photos as well as a link to the recording of the Graduation ceremony.
Away from Grade 12, on June 3rd we will host Step Up day for Grade 6 at MTRS. This is also when the Student Council will run its field day activities for students in 7-11.
Grade 8 students and families, don't forget that on June 7th there is the Grade 8 Celebration from 5:30-7:30 (5:30-6: Awards and slideshow with parents, 6-7:30pm chaperoned semi-formal dance)
Don't forget that June 5th is an 11:30 am dismissal for students and the rest of the day is virtual or in-person Student-led-conferences (see below)
June Student-led conferences: June 5th
Advisory teachers have started to reach out to families and care providers to schedule a Student-Led-Conference
June 5th: S2 Student Led Conferences- Early dismissal for all MS and HS Students at 11:30 (Conferences to take place virtually or in person between 12-3:30pm MS & HS and virtually)
June 12th: 12:50pm Early release for students in MS and HS
June 14th: Last day for students: 11:30 dismissal for MS and HS
If you are reading this newsletter on a phone or laptop, don't forget to click on "read entire message" in order to see the complete newsletter.
Finally, we do our best to convey information to our community from a variety of sources, lots of them community rather than school based organizations. Unfortunately we are not able to share images and posters with live links through Smore but always ensure there is an email for inquiries. If you would like an e-copy of a poster with live links, please feel free to reach out to the office directly.
Read on for more news on what has been going on at MTRS this week!
Best wishes
Chris
Upcoming dates
June 3rd - Grade 6 Step up day
June 5th: S2 Student Led Conferences- Early dismissal for all MS and HS Students at 11:30
June 7th: Grade 8 Celebration: 5:30-7:30 (5:30-6: Awards and slideshow with parents, 6-7:30 semi-formal dance)
June 10th: Grade 7 Field Trip, Grade 10 Field Trip
June 12th: 12:50pm Early release for students in MS and HS
June 14th: Last day for students: 11:30 dismissal for MS and HS
Chromebook return dates (Times TBD)
Grade 9 &10: June 12th
Grade 11 & 8: June 13th
District Calendar for 2023/24: Link (Calendar for 24/25)
MTRS MCAS and AP testing schedule
Quarter 4 40 Days (5 fewer days due to Q2)
First Day: Monday April 8, 2024
Last Day: Monday, June 10, 2024
Q4 progress report grades close on: Friday, May 10, 2024
Q4 progress report grading window: Thursday, May 9 - Thursday, May 16 at 11:59pm
Q4 progress reports will be available in Aspen: Friday, May 17, 2024
Q4 grading window: May 31st - June 14th
Q4 report cards available in Aspen: June 17th
Over the last two spring seasons, Mohawk Trail Regional School students embarked on an installation art project done in a collaboration, throughout the grades, with local artist, Robert Markey, from Ashfield.
Markey has traveled across the globe - including to Iran, Brazil, India, Afghanistan, and Indonesia - leading community art projects focused on building peace with refugees and orphans, and in shelters. He has been dedicated to this idea and action following careers as a builder and computer science professional.
Locally, Markey asked the question, “How might we get the most kids involved in a project?” Creating mosaics is an artform that has a low threshold to begin but participants may take the artform to more sophisticated places, plus lots of hands can contribute to the final product. The artform includes designing, sketching, color matching and coordinating, cutting tiles and mirror pieces, pieceing, mortering, and sponging. Markey appreciates the idea that it is an artform that lasts.
At Mohawk Trail Regional, the mosaics project actually began with the 11th grade class from a couple of years ago rehabbing an outdoor classroom. MTRS art teacher Rachel Silverman wanted the kids to take ownership of it and now over 75 students have contributed to that space.
Contributing to something was motivation for the students. “Creating public art is fun because it intrigues people and offers a sense of community,” shared Silverman. It also offered a welcome interruption to normal routines for both the artists and observers. Over the course of the project, other teachers like Mr. Drake, Mr. Leowolf, and Ms. Camarda would help or offer encouragement to the effort. In the short spans of time the work sessions allowed, the project has been really positive and offered a sense of pride. It was also heartening to see students who might not have identified as artists realize this is an art form with which they could be successful.
Emma Thrower, currently a member of the junior class, has taken a number of art class offerings and she really got into the project. “I was always out here,” Emma admits. She enjoyed working alongside Markey and found herself helping students who took on a larger shape than they really had time to finish. Markey taught them how the mosaics come together and students would come out to the courtyard with creativity and purpose, and leave with a sense of accomplishment. Emma and others could step back from the mosaics they were creating and say, “I did that. I worked on that.” She got to know other students better and felt like her relationship with Silverman grew. Emma’s favorites are the fish. She loves going fishing and there was something special about them for her.
Thanks to Bob Markey for giving his time and expertise to lead us through the process. The outdoor courtyard now has over 60 local-nature themed mosaics that brighten our outdoor space and will last and be enjoyed for many years to come!
PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN OUR COMMUNITY & FAMILY/CAREGIVER SURVEY
The Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont School Districts have engaged Berkshire Educational Resources K12 (BERK12) to complete a thorough sustainability study that ultimately will present the Districts, their member towns, and their communities with ideas about the educational, financial, and operational future of the Districts. For this work to be successful, we need your help!
Please fill out a survey and let us know your thoughts for the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts by clicking on the link below, or entering in your web browser. Thank you!
Seniors are very close to finishing their career here at MTRS!
As I write this week’s entry, I am sitting at home after the Senior Awards night. I was impressed by how much our community cares about our students as over $90,000 in scholarships were given out tonight! I was also very moved by the names that some of the scholarships were named for as they are people I grew up with. This was followed by the recognition of our seniors of their endeavors on the field, in the classroom, and in the amazing service they have given our communities.
I was also impressed by our students and their exemplary behavior at Prom. Students had fun, shared memories, and danced the night away as they should.
Monday will bring Step-Up Day when we see the other end of the spectrum and our sixth graders visit Mohawk. I remember my step up day as if it were yesterday, I was scared, excited, and just in awe of the place I would spend the next six years of my life. I look forward to meeting all of our future Warriors.
Carol Foote, Communications and Outreach Coordinator, cfoote@mtrsd.org
Sustainability Study in Survey Mode
The team from BERK12 and the 2Districts8Towns.org effort ha\ve been rolling out surveys this spring to better understand how different groups are making decisions, what is important, and how they are feeling about the school districts. The first survey distributed targeted families who sent their children to school other than MTRSD/HRSD schools, and is now complete having received 123 responses. The two surveys currently collecting data are targeting:
students and teachers
community members, 18 years or older, from Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Hawley, Heath, Plainfield, Rowe or Shelburne. If this describes you, please follow the link to take this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2D8Tcommunity-survey
MTRS Senior Farewell Tour
Mohawk Trail Regional seniors visited their former elementary schools today for a senior farewell walk through. Buckland-Shelburne Elementary, Colrain Central and Sanderson Academy joyfully welcomed them. The seniors are taking a moment to look back as they move on to what the future holds. We are proud to have been part of their story.
Graduation for the Class of 2024 will be TONIGHT - Friday, May 31 from 6 to 8 pm - in the Mohawk Trail Regional Auditorium. (photos)
One Can Tell It’s the End of the Year Because…
…Music and Talent Abound
The three MTRS elementary schools held their musical showcases during afternoon assemblies on Wednesday, May 29. In each building, students, staff, parents, caregivers and others were delighted by what they heard and saw. Music class standards like ”Hot Cross Buns” on the recorder, a special strings presentation, contemporary choral selections, and a handful of selections by the bands kept the audience engaged and looking forward to the next performance. Thanks to the dedicated music staff across the district school for instilling and reinforcing the joy of music in our students.
Art showcases also happen this time of year! BSE held its Arts Night, as did Colrain Central and Hawlemont, and Sanderson will welcome its community tonight to its Arts Extravaganza! Also, on June 7, Sanderson will be presenting their production of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Kids.” Break a leg, Sanderson students!
… We Hear Three Cheers for Field Day!
It was a nail-biter for Sanderson students as it poured on the morning of their chosen Field Day only to have it clear up and turn into a perfect day for it! The continued sunshine offers a great background for BSE’s Field Day today. And we’ll put good vibes only out there for Colrain Central to have good weather for their scheduled Field Day on June 7 and Hawlemont on June 11. This jam-packed day for every school is “all hands on deck” and takes lots of planning. It is heartening to see the cooperation, teamwork, and joy displayed in each event throughout the day. Thanks to everyone who makes this day special and one to look forward to, year after year.
Fourth Graders Exploring The Suffrage Movement and Themes of Injustice
In Jackie Fuller’s 4th grade class at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary, the book The Hope Chest by Karen Schwabachis is being discussed, as in other 4th grade district classrooms. The story follows main character 11-year-old Violet who runs away from home in search of her sister in Tennessee who is fighting for women’s right to vote. Reading this book at this particular point in their development is poignant. Ms. Fuller shares, “For many students, this is their first time they’re exploring themes of unfairness which is eye-opening. 4th graders are ‘justice forward thinking.’ They get fired up about it, which is exciting.”
On this particular day, Mrs. Fuller’s students are considering the poem “Stand” by Ruth Forman that coordinates with the theme of The Hope Chest.
“What is the gist of this poem? What does it mean to ‘stand up’?” Ms. Fuller asks her class. Student answers included:
Some are too afraid. The ones we remember stand up.
In life there's always going to be someone who puts you down.
There's always someone who tells you you're wrong.
You should stand up for yourself.
She follows up with more questions, “Who in The Hope Chest is not afraid to ‘stand up’? What does that mean?” Again, lots of responses came from the fourth graders.
Working in their book club groups and using inference skills, they moved on to identifying themes that are apparent throughout the story through discussion first, then recording on sheets designed for the exercise. The themes they identified included: Don't let anyone else tell you right from wrong; Everyone should be able to speak out; Everyone deserves rights; and Inequality is injustice.
Next, students work collaboratively to choose one of the themes and identify three pieces of evidence. As Ms. Fuller walks the room, she notes the students working hard to make the connections of proof. She encourages, “Keep looking” and “Is there another example?” “Write the page number and paraphrase what is happening.”
Fast forward to the more action-oriented part of this unit, the student groups in Ms. Fuller’s class have chosen specific issues to address through raising awareness and requesting monetary support combating: homelessness, plastic pollution, puppy mills, and inhumane rodent control.
Colrain Central 4th grade teacher Tabitha Shearer was working similarly with her students. First, ground rules are set for the discussion: Show respect, care, and empathy. Behave with integrity.
They gathered on the rug and read aloud together. As they read, the students had commentary or looked up from a word they just read for a definition. Some of those words were “houndstooth,” “melancholy” and “hysteria.” They talk about the relationships between characters and what the characters are discovering about each other. Next the students summarize what they read together then create a collaborative chapter summary by having each student write a line that would result in a full summary paragraph.
In this part of the work, students are delving into the details of the suffrage movement and building their understanding of what injustice looks like and how it can be addressed. In their discussions, students sometimes become passionate in their understanding - using their hands to explain and getting excited about what they have discovered.
Following the meaningful conversations about the themes that emerge in The Hope Chest, Jennifer Lagoy’s 4th grade students at Sanderson Academy have spent time researching various young people around the world who have taken action to improve a need they identified in their communities. Students categorized the service they saw into three categories: humanitarian, environmental, and animal welfare. Students then organized themselves into three groups, one representing each category, decided on a specific issue, and conducted research to write a public service announcement. These public service announcements have been posted on Sanderson Academy's Facebook page and included links for community members to donate to one of the organizations identified by each group. To read them, click the links below.
The Animal Welfare Public Service Announcement, about animal abuse is an effort in support of the MSPCA and was presented by Harvey, Liam, Ariana, and Caroline.
The Humanitarian Public Service Announcement, about homelessness is an effort in support of the local human service agency ServiceNet presented by Hawthorne, Sawyer, Serai, Payton, and Hallie.
The Environmental Public Service Announcement, about trash in the ocean is an effort in support of the Ocean Conservancy presented by Colby, Brolen, Kyler, Milo, and River.
Though the fundraisers posted on Facebook have ended, the Sanderson students raised $749 total. They are also hosting a Penny War Fundraiser at school and have currently raised more than $600. Finally, they will be running a bake/snack sale table at the upcoming Arts Night. All money raised will be donated to their chosen organizations.
Reading The Hope Chest has given district 4th grade students content to consider, a forum in which to develop and make their case, and opportunities to be catalysts for change. Ms. Fuller sums up the experience as, “We are building a lens of injustice, what it is, and what we can do about it.” We will watch with anticipation for what these students will take on in the future!”
Many other schools in the region have looked at a program like Yondr as a solution to combat excessive phone use in schools. As an alternative, we developed our own pilot program earlier this year which intends to support students with appropriate phone use during the school day.
As a result of the pilot which has been in place in grades 7 and 8 during S2, we have seen a reduction in behavior referrals and issues between Middle school students in school in relation to social media usage. Consequently, for the school year 24/25, we are going to extend this pilot into high school in order to maximize student and staff time on learning, free of digital distraction.
We hope that this pilot provides a supported approach for grades 7-12 to use their phones in a responsible way whilst also removing technological distraction from the learning environment.
We will include a specific section on the phone pilot as part of the student, staff and family feedback surveys during 2024/25.
Short version
- Phones and earbuds should be off and away from 7:45-2:20 each day for all students in grades 7-12
- Grades 9-12 will be allowed to use phones at lunch time only. Grade 7 and 8 will remain unable to use phones during breaks or lunch
- No phone use will be permitted during transitions
- Caregivers can communicate with their student by calling the office. Students are permitted to call home by using the phone in the front office.
Progressive discipline
- All students will be provided a verbal warning about having a phone and earbuds out at the start of the school year.
- Phone out second time - Teacher to take the phone for the remainder of the lesson. Phone is returned at the end of the class. Teacher makes a behavior referral, "phone infraction."
- Phone out third time, administration is called and the student phone is kept at the front office until the end of the day. The student can collect the phone at the end of the day and the parent/ caregiver is notified.
- A further infraction will result in the phone being taken to the office and the parent/ caregiver being required to come into school to speak with admin and pick up the phone. The student will go onto a phone plan for 10 school days; dropping off their phone in the front office at the start of the day and collecting it from the office at the end of the day.
- An additional infraction after successfully completing a phone plan will result in the student being unable to have a phone in their possession for the remainder of the current grading period.
Student Services Update
Also don't forget to be checking the Senior Scholarship Bulletin.
Students and parents, please reach out with any specific questions - happy to help! Mrs. Cairney acariney@mtrsd.org Students to book an appt visit: https://acairney.youcanbook.me/
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.
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 June 12th.
The virtual joining information is as follows:
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 813-435-9650
PIN: 741 012 215#
Support a Mohawk Alum in Bolivia
Hi Im Taylor Loomis, I grew up in the community and attend Mohawk Trail Regional High School. I am now a rising senior at Boston University Studying International Relations. Throughout my years at Mohawk my grandparents have been involved with Fundación Ayllu which is located in Marquina Bolivia. The foundation has been serving for twenty years and works with single moms and their children who are striving to change their lives out of abject poverty. I was supposed to be a volunteer in 2020 but that trip was canceled due to the pandemic. During my spring break in 2023 I was given the opportunity to travel to Maraquina and volunteer my time with the families that live at the Refugio. While there I made connections I never imagined I would have created in my life and developed an understanding of the word poverty in an undeveloped country. The indigenous families in this community do not have the government or familial support like we do here in the US. This organization is providing that support so these families can get access to proper hygiene, childhood education, and overall health and wellness. Now this summer I am interning with the board, developing fundraisers and future plans for the organization. Right now we are raising money to purchase a house near their current site. This space will serve as a job training facility for community members in the field of hospitality, such as opening up a small store, preparing food, and housekeeping. This space will also house interns and volunteers who come to Bolivia to work with the people. They need many donations to buy this house and expand the foundation. The program director, Connie De Jong who lives in Columbus Ohio, is collecting these funds through a GoFundMe. The attached link is the Go Fund Me with more information, and please pass the word along with others in the community. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-build-a-brighter-future-in-marquina
CHAY MOJALLALI BRINGS HOME D6 STATE HIGH JUMP CHAMPIONSHIP!
Mohawk Trail track and field star Chay Mojallali cleared a height of 6’6” on his first attempt this past Saturday at Merrimack College in Andover to capture a gold medal at the MIAA D6 Championships! The height of 6’6” matches Mojallali’s personal record that he set just a week earlier at the PVIAC D2 WMass Championships. Chay will be competing at the MIAA Meet of Champions this Saturday, June 1st, at Fitchburg State College. Congratulations Chay, and good luck!
SOFTBALL TO HOST MIAA STATE TOURNAMENT GAME THIS SATURDAY!
Mohawk Trail’s Softball team capped off a successful regular season by securing a #24 seed in the D5 MIAA State Softball Tournament. They will be hosting #41 seed Edward M. Kennedy Academy this Saturday at noon in Buckland. The winner of this game will be traveling to Maynard on Sunday for a noon matchup with the #9 seeded Tigers. Good luck to our entire softball family!
TENNIS WRAPS UP GREAT SEASON WITH LOSS IN STATE TOURNAMENT!
This past Wednesday our Tennis team traveled to Swansea to compete in the 2024 MIAA D4 State Tournament. Unfortunately they ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard, dropping the match 4-1. The lone win came from junior Palmer King at #1 singles. Coach Caity Man’s crew wrapped up their season with a 9-9 record, and everyone returning for next season. Congratulations to all!
Special Education Updates
Mohawk Trail SEPAC Member and Parent
Join us for the Caregiver Workshop to:
* understand DESE's new IEP Process
* become familiar with the new forms
* learn to navigate the new processes
Follow the link to the virtual session on May 20 here:
https://collaborative.zoom.us/j/84763305906#success
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.
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.
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.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81146390541?pwd=cGVyR0hFelYrTWhTZ2pzK0kwWnBWQT09
Meeting ID: 811 4639 0541
Passcode: 453118
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,81146390541# US (Chicago)
+16468769923,,81146390541# US (New York)
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