Student & Family Update

It was great to speak with care givers at my monthly virtual drop-in this morning. The next one is scheduled for October 13th- joining details are towards the end of the newsletter.

I am looking forward to seeing Middle School families at the Middle School Open House on September 12th from 4:30-6:30pm next Tuesday.

Please read on to see what has been going on and what is planned in our busy school!

Have a great weekend

Best

Chris

Cell phone use and online habits and behavior

We are seeing an uptick in cell phone incidents involving social media between students, that start outside of school hours between students and then impact the learning of students when everyone returns to school the next day. Care providers and parents, thank you in advance for speaking with your students about online interactions. Last year we worked with the DA's office to run a parent/ care provider workshop on online safety and what adults should know about what their children are doing online. We are reaching out to the DA's office to see if they can help again this year. Please see the section of the newsletter on our acceptable internet uses

LEC meeting next Weds: see below

PSAT - Last day to register for Sophomores and Juniors is Monday 11th September at 9:am. Please email Ms Cairney as soon as possible!

Exhibition

See Authentic Selves exhibition presented by Mohawk Trail Equity Council and MTRS Library - see poster below

Parent Workshop

Parent Rights and Responsibilities workshop will be held Tuesday, October 3rd

Middle School Open House - Sept 12th

This will be taking place for Grades 7 and 8 students and families from 4:30-6:30pm. Families of HS students wishing to connect with their student's content teachers are welcome to reach out by email in the first instance.

As advanced warning, as well as summative assessments during academic courses, this year there will also be student-led-conferences scheduled for the end of each semester. This is an essential part of our move towards increased student voice and participation in their own learning at MTRS.

Care providers will be invited to watch their child talk through their learning experiences and accomplishments either in person or virtually. As we get deeper into the school year, I will share out more information about what you can expect from the student-led-conferences.

Seniors Selling Pie at the Franklin County Fair!

As is Mohawk’s tradition, the senior class will sell apple pie, made by our friends at Hagar's Farm Market, as a fundraiser for caps and gowns, prom, yearbooks, and more. Families, friends, alumni and others may find them this weekend, at the Franklin County Fair, at one of the red booths down the main aisleway. They will be selling slices for $5 a piece and, for $1 each, ice cream and/or cheese may added! Whole pies are available as well. We hope to see you!

Upcoming dates

• MTRS Open House: Sept 12th, 4:30-6:30pm (Grades 7,8 and Middle School Exploratory teachers)

• School photographs: Oct 11th (Retakes, Nov 25th)

• PSAT October 19th

• Family Resource Fair - October 25th

• 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

Handbook

Bell schedule

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

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

Aspen

Aspen is our information portal which allows students and caregivers to view grades, progress reports, and report cards. Here at MTRS, we distribute report cards and progress reports via Aspen.

Earlier this week, all new MTRS students and families (including 7th grade) received an email from Aspen with login information and instructions.

The Aspen email for caregivers is sent to the email address corresponding to the first contact listed for a student.

7th Grade students will participate in an Aspen login tutorial next week. Caregivers, if you have questions about the login process, please contact Suzor IT:

Email: help@suzorit.com

Virtual Office: help.suzorit.com

Middle School Families, wondering what your student has for homework? Check out the following pages:

7th Grade Homework

8th Grade Homework

Hello!

I am so excited to introduce myself as the new eighth grade science teacher at MTRS! I’m new to Mohawk Trail but I live down in Montague, and it turns out that the rumors about this place are true! It is just full of supportive staff and brilliant, engaging students. Thank you for welcoming me into this wonderful community.

Before teaching, I worked as a professional scientist for almost a decade, and then as a community organizer for a few years. I love teaching because it integrates my passion for supporting young people with my love of understanding how the world works. I want my students to leave my class with a greater ability to think critically about what’s going on in the world around them. I am looking forward to sharing more of what we’re up to as the year goes on! In the meantime, I welcome your outreach at tweinreich@mtrsd.org.

Welcome to September! Our first week is in the books!

I have been impressed with the courtesy our students show. The please and thank you’s are abundant and any student I welcome with a “good morning” or “good afternoon” respond back with the same greeting! This makes a world of difference in the culture of our building.

A couple of reminders:

• Even though it is really warm right now, please remind your student to wear clothing that meets the standard listed in the student handbook, page 25.

• Teachers welcome students to their classrooms at 7:40. Students should report to the cafeteria until that time. Bonus! They can have breakfast too!

• Students are reminded that they are to remain in the building for the whole school day unless dismissed with a parent note, a teacher takes a class outside, or the administration sends them home.

Please feel free to call or email me with any questions or concerns!

Paula Brault, Dean of Student Culture

pbrault@mtrsd.org

The hallways and vibrant and students are gathering in thoughtful groups - large and small, inside classrooms and outdoors. Each day they continue to demonstrate our district’s collaborative approach, setting the foundation to blaze their trails this year.

Blazing trails a little farther afield are Hawlemont Elementary and Mohawk as they represent our district at the Franklin County Fair. Hawlemont entered a float in Thursday night’s parade. They walked and waved as families and alumni cheered them on, exhibiting their Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont pride. Over the weekend, Mohawk’s senior class will sell pie as a fundraiser. DETAILS TO COME FROM TESIA. Families, friends, and alumni, stop by their booth Ask them about their

To get a taste of all that is happening so early in the year, please plan to attend the open house of your home school, and you are welcome to attend the other district open houses on the following dates:

• Wednesday, September 12, 4:30 - 6:30 pm: Mohawk Trail Regional School (Grades 7,8 and Middle School Exploratory teachers)

• Thursday, September 13, 4:30 - 6 pm: Hawlemont Elementary

• Tuesday, September 19, 6 - 7 pm: Sanderson Elementary

• Wednesday, September 20, 6 - 7 pm: Colrain Central

• Wednesday, September 27, 6 - 7 pm: Buckland Shelburne Elementary Open House

We also welcome your attendance, in person or virtually, at MTRSD School Committee meetings, held the second Wednesday of the month at 6pm. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13. More information about the work of the school committee, contacts, agendas, minutes, previously recorded meetings, and more, may be accessed here.

Please also be aware that dates will be announced for upcoming picture days, PTO meetings, Nature’s classroom fundraising, and other fall activities that will come up quickly! Make sure to be reading newsletters as they come through (generally weekly) to stay up to speed on all there is to be involved with.

We want to take a moment to recognize the custodial staff across the district, made up of individuals who put their hearts into taking care of our buildings so that they are beautiful, safe, and comfortable for all who use them. Thank you for the shine you put on everything!

Student Services Update

College Visits - college admission counselors will be coming to Mohawk to share information and meet our students.

Class of 2024 - Pursuing your Path which I'll be adding to as the weeks go on and will post in the google classroom.

Here is the 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.

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 110 or call the school and ask to speak to Robin Pease.

Welcome back! It has been wonderful to see returning students and new 7th graders in the library this week!

Stay tuned for more information on the “Authentic Selves” photography exhibit that will be featured in the library during the month of September.

Also, NEW BOOKS are coming….check back soon!!!!

Families and Care providers,

Thank you in advance for reminding your students about appropriate internet use via chrome books and cell phones. Below is a section from p37 of the Acceptable Uses Policy in the appendices of the Student Handbook. Please note in particular the unacceptable uses in relation to slurs, discrimination and cyberbullying.

The Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts have established certain protocols to ensure the safety of our school communities, the security of computer networks, and compliance with applicable law. Use of the Internet is a privilege and will not be granted unless students agree and cooperate with these terms. If a student fails to comply, limited Internet access, suspended Internet access or other disciplinary action may be taken.

With access to computers and to people all over the world also comes the availability of material that may be controversial or inappropriate. However, on a global network it is impossible to control all materials, and an industrious user, or an innocent error, may uncover controversial material. We believe that the valuable information and interactions available on this worldwide network far outweigh the disadvantages.

All users should be aware of the following unacceptable practices:

Any electronic communication that negatively impacts student learning or a safe learning environment will not be tolerated. Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

1.Access, download, display, transmit, produce, generate, copy or propagate any material that:

• is in violation of any United States or Massachusetts law.

• is obscene or pornographic.

• advocates illegal acts.

• contains ethnic slurs or racial epithets; or

• discriminates on the basis of gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, disability, age or other protected classes.

2. Use inappropriate, offensive, or abusive language.

3. Engage in cyber-bullying, which can include harassing any other party with obscene, libelous, threatening or anonymous messages, objectionable information, images or language.

4. Gain unauthorized access to network resources.

5. Permit or authorize any other person to use their name or login password.

6. Use an account of any other person or vandalize another user’s data.

7. Disclose, use or disseminate electronically any personal information about others including contact information (such as a home address, telephone number or picture).

8. Use the Internet for commercial purposes, non-school related fundraising or for political lobbying. 9. Knowingly violate software-licensing agreements.

10. Engage in the practice of “hacking” or knowingly engage in any other illegal activity while using the network.

Students, if you are interested in participating in the Play and/or the Musical, please complete this form: link

Upcoming events- There will be a meet and greet meeting on Wednesday September 13th for anyone who is interested in learning about Performing Arts at Mohawk Trail and those returning to Performing Arts. This meeting will be held in the auditorium directly after school. This is not an early release day and you will need transportation home or wait for the late bus. If you can not attend please contact Miss Eva -stagemanager@mtrsd.org.

This meeting will last about an hour.

Auditions for the fall play ( non musical) will be held on Wednesday 9/20 (an early release day!) in the auditorium. If you are unable to make the meeting on the 13th please contact Miss Eva for information on auditions. If necessary 9/22 will be added for auditions as well.

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

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

23-24 District Computer Science Stakeholder Council - Seeking a Community Stakeholder Member

Seeking a caregiver/community member who is committed to high-quality programming and equitable opportunities for K-12 computer science education in the Mohawk Trail Regional School District to participate in the District Computer Science Stakeholder Council.

Our council is seeking your support and input as we develop our K-12 programming. We welcome individuals with or without tech backgrounds, who have an interest in broadening opportunities for students within and beyond their K-12 school experience.

Specific responsibilities include attending a fall meeting, a spring meeting, and a cross-district summit. Tasks include analyzing enrollment data, curriculum and course offerings, and working toward improving caregiver/community engagement, student access, and teacher professional development in computer science programming.

The council member will be compensated with a $250 grant-funded honorarium.

Applicants should send a letter of interest to Sarah Jetzon at sjetzon@mtrsd.org

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 first meeting will take place on September 13th.

The virtual joining information is as follows:

Meeting ID

meet.google.com/gzo-toke-ibz

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

Welcome back to another exciting season of Mohawk Trail Athletics! All of our athletes have been working hard through the heat and humidity and are poised for successful fall campaigns!

Before we dive into the meat and potatoes of our athletic department, it is still not too late to sign up for fall sports! You can register your athlete at https://mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org/Athletics through our FamilyID platform!

Looking to feed off of last year’s successful postseason run, our volleyball team got off to a hot start with a 3-0 sweep of Hampden Charter West in their season opener on Tuesday. Senior Maddie Cosentino led the way with five aces, while Sophomore Emma Canaday tallied four kills. Junior Palmer King also dished out 11 assists in the winning effort. The squad looks to keep the momentum rolling when they travel to Franklin Tech on Friday for a 6:30 match.

Our golf and field hockey squads ran into metaphorical buzzsaws in their season openers against Turners Falls and Westfield High. Both teams look to get back on track in their next matches with the field hockey team traveling to Smith Academy on Monday and our Warrior golfers hosting Hampshire Regional on Friday at Edge Hill Golf Course.

Our Middle School Soccer and Football teams have yet to face competition, but are working hard in preparation of their opening games. Soccer will begin their schedule on Wednesday, September 13th when they host Hopkins Academy under the lights of Pollard Field. Coach Doug McCloud and his football team do not begin their season until September 21st when they travel to Mahar for a 7:00 night game also.

For those of you looking to catch a game or two, remember that all team schedules can be found at Arbiterlive.com.

SWAG SHOPS ARE OPEN!!!! Hurry and get your official Mohawk Trail team gear from our online shops! The links for individual teams are as follows!

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 WILL BE COMING VERY SOON!!!

Mohawk Trail SEPAC Member and Parent

Follow us on Facebook

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

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

Leann Loomis

Melissa Plesnar

Erin Beaudet

Carolyn Goodnow

Kate Dwyer

Amy Socquet

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Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional