Student & Family Update

It has been another busy week at MTRS!

It is always good to speak with caregivers and listen to feedback and suggestions at my monthly drop-ins. The last one of the year was held this morning and the next one will be in early September. In the meantime, as we did in Q2, Caregivers are invited to give feedback on their experiences of MTRS here. Feedback will be shared at the June school committee meeting.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped our teachers celebrate Teacher appreciation week:

Coffee from admin, donuts and more coffee from the student council, sandwiches from the key club and beautiful flowers from the NHS (see photo).

A gentle reminder that we are already in Prom and Party season. Grade 11 and 12 will hear a talk from SFPD about DUI and legal issues on Friday 17th ahead of the prom on May 18th. Thank you in advance for helping remind your students to make good choices.

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 slide show with parents, 6-7:30pm chaperoned semi-formal dance)

Unfortunately, due to the projected bad weather for this weekend, the MTAA Spring Fling has been cancelled for this year.

Finally, a polite reminder that students should not bring in home baked goods to school.

In this week's newsletter there are also updates on:

• Upcoming Student-led-conferences (June 5th)
• Peacemaker Awards
• Field trips that took place this week
• How you can order a copy of the yearbook
• Grading deadlines, last day and Scholarship and Graduation information for the Class of 24
• College and Career resources for students and families
• SEPAC meeting information

June Student-led conferences

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.

Have a great weekend!

Best wishes

Chris

Upcoming dates

• May 16th District Music Concert at MTRS 7pm

• May 17th: Grade 11 and 12 DUI and Legal issues presentation from SFPD

• May 18th: Prom

• May 24th: Last day for G12 (If you are on track to graduate)

• May 30th: Senior Awards evening

• May 31st (Friday) -6-8pm: High School Graduation. Indoors at MTRS (This is a correction to the published date of June 1st)

• 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 slide show with parents, 6-7:30 semi-formal dance)

• 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 12: May 24th

• Grade 9 &10: June 12th

• Grade 11 & 8: June 13th

District Calendar for 2023/24: Link (Calendar for 24/25)

Handbook

Live course catalog 2024/25

Bell schedule

MTRS MCAS and AP testing schedule

Food Services Information

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

Congratulations to the Mohawk Trail Regional students who were honored on Wednesday night with the Peacekeeper Award by the Franklin County Interfaith Council and the Traprock Center for Peace and Justice. The event was held at the Greenfield Public Library and speakers included Senator Jo Comerford and Rev. Andrea Ayvazian.

Awardees were recognized for their inspiring works, encouraged to continue in their public service, and confirmed to be "stronger than the undertow of life."

Students from the MTRS Key Club who have been heavily involved in the Sharing and Caring Closet, a community clothing closet based at MTRS that offers gently used clothing at no cost, were nominated by their advisor Lisa Camarda. That list of students is: Mohamed Abdelgawad, Shelby Collier, Madeline Cosentino, Grace Davenport, Riley Giard, Sophia Goodnow, Palmer King, Jackson Lilienthal, Chayim Mojallali, Gage Patenaude, Sebastian Seward, Emily Sisum, Kaylin Sumner, Phineas Tuttman, and Will Van Vleet. Sisum spoke on behalf of the group, assuring continued commitment from the honorees.

Also honored was junior Kristen Sevoian, who was nominated by her teacher Catherine Glennon, for her activities securing furniture, making blankets, and raising funds to fulfill items from Amazon Wish Lists for refugees new to our area. Sevoian was unable to attend but MTRS Assistant Principal Paula Brault accepted the honor on her behalf.

This year's winners are added to the growing list of MTRS students recognized through this award for their efforts which include: Octavia Crawford, Meckenzie Sarage, Nece Rawlings, Mae Rice-Lesure, Taylor Loomis, Ashley Walker, Laura Davenport, Ashley Fox, Carlee Hallenbeck, Ada Jacobson-Carroll, Hanna Kelleher, Lindsey Kugler, Sarah Malone, Brigit Taylor, Valentina Wrisley, Emery King, Landon Summers and others.

Thanks to the two granting organizations for their recognition of civically engaged youth in our region! See the Greenfield Recorder coverage here.

MTRS Yearbooks are for sale!

Don't forget to order the 2024 edition of Massamet, Mohawk Trail's yearbook. You or your student can order the yearbook through TreeRing.com. Follow the link below for more information. If you haven't ordered an MTRS yearbook in the past 4 years, you'll have to make an account. Seniors have had yearbooks purchased for them with Class of 2024 funds. Yearbooks ordered before 5/10 will be shipped to the school by the end of the month, yearbooks ordered after 5/10 will be shipped directly to your home. Please reach out to Mr. Leowolf at bleowolf@mtrsd.org with any questions.

Purchase link: https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1015542201951246

School Passcode: 1015542201951246 "

On May sixth, a few students and I traveled to Boston to attend a meeting with the Massachusetts Association of School Committees about funding for rural schools, such as ourselves. Afterwards, we went to the state house to talk with representative Natalie Blais more about the budgets for rural schools and how the budget is allocated by the state! Afterward, we toured both the House and Senate chamber, which were incredibly cool. Overall, it was a really fun trip! Alex, Malcolm, Naomi, Claire, Izzy

On Wednesday May 1, I was able to participate in the Doctor for a Day Program. I shadowed a doctor who specialized in Emergency Medicine, and spent 8 hours doing so in the ER. During this experience I was able to see a variety of patients with a variety of health issues. The doctor who I was shadowing taught me how to read an EKG which is an electrocardiogram that records the electric signals in your heart. This opportunity was very helpful to me for trying to figure out what specific field I want to go into!

Our U.S. History and Marine Biology courses collaborated on a field trip today to UMASS Morrill Science Center for a behind the scenes tour with Vertebrates collection manager, Kate Doyle, focused on whale biology. The group also visited the exhibit Breach: Logbook 24 - Staccato, by Shinnecock artist Courtney Leonard, which explores indigenous relationships with whales and the sea, as well as modern threats to their populations like oil spills and ship strikes. Students also enjoyed lunch in Franklin Dining Commons on this gorgeous May day.

On Friday, Malcolm and I paid a visit to Bug Hill Farm in Ashfield and assisted in the composting program they have set up there. We helped distribute their compost across a garden, for it to function as a catalyst in the growth of crops that will later be donated to a food kitchen. We got a tour of their composting routine and learned how to spread compost across a crop field. This experience helped our community and also supplied us with knowledge of the composting process within farms.

Two students visited Sanderson to present to 6th graders about life at MTRS and what being a part of a larger school community means.

"The whole presentation to the 6th graders went really well. They really showed that they care and I'm hoping that they remember this when they go into 7th grade to make schools a better community." MG and LC

Ms. A and all of the MTRS Spanish students went to UMass Amherst last Friday. The UMass dance team taught our students the cha cha cha before taking them to eat at Tamales restaurant on campus.

The Art department took students to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston this past week. The students saw art and artifacts dating from antiquity to the 21st century while exploring the museum's deep collection on display.

Nate Ruth, a senior, sees the value in visiting art museums. “It’s important to see all of that stuff to see what people used to do before they had phones. I just wish we had more time there. I really enjoyed the Greek sculptures, specifically the pottery and the sgraffito style stuff.”

Doug Wilcox, a junior, also enjoyed the ancient art and says his favorite work was a Roman statue of Juno that stands over 13’ tall dating back to the 1st century BCE.

“I thought the National electric guitar in the history of music section was really cool, I took a picture of it. I’ve never seen a guitar in an art museum before,” said Trent Richardson, a freshman.

Julia Pease, also a senior, enjoyed spending time sketching some of the statutes in galleries. One of the most memorable works for her was Gerrit van Honthorst’s immense Triumph of the Winter Queen: Allegory of the Just (1636). “I liked this painting because it reflects society and class struggle. Also, it was huge, which was like ‘...oh snap.’” Julia added that, “I appreciated having the independence to explore my own interests in the museum, think for myself, and make my own meaning.”

The field trip was funded through grants provided by the Buckland, Charlemont/Hawley, Colrain, Heath, Plainfield, Rowe, and Shelburne Cultural Councils, local agencies funded by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. The MFA also provided a grant for transportation expenses. MFA Boston

We had an excellent day supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Mohawk Trail Regional Student Council and the Hawlemont Regional School on May 4th!

Thanks to everyone who came!

WHAT TO KNOW

Student-Led Conferences (SLC’s) are held twice a year to focus on each student and reflect together about their school year. This is a version of a parent-teacher conference in which students take a leadership role.

Spring SLC Date: June 5th, 2024

What is the process for students?

Students have reflection time and mini-lessons during Advisory meetings where they can think, write and talk about what their areas of strength are, what they are most proud of, what can be celebrated, areas for growth, and what teachers and family can do to support their student's new goals.
Teachers provide students access to their work and feedback so students can collect evidence.
Caregivers and parents can sign up for a time digitally. Invites are sent from the student's Advisory Leader.

Who participates in an SLC?

Every MTRS student from grades 7-11 (no grade 12 in the Spring) will conference with their

Advisory Leader and their Caregiver (if caregiver can attend) to be present and supportive

of their student. Video conference options are available and anticipated.

When will the SPRING SLC’s happen?

15 minute conference slots will be scheduled after dismissal on June 5th, a special 11:30

am release day. Thank you for your flexibility as we refine our process with your feedback!

Why Student-Led Conferences?

● To encourage each student to accept personal responsibility for their academic performance.

● To improve students’ skills in reflection and self-evaluation.

● To facilitate the development of a student's organizational and oral communication skills and to increase their self-confidence.

● To engage students, parents and advisors in an open and honest dialogue about learning and progress, both where a student is and where they need to go next.

● To develop student-advisor-parent learning partnerships.

How did SLC's become part of the Trailblazer Model?

● We examined our existing practices and asked "How can we best academically support students for long-term success?”

● We learned from research and site visits to schools that implement SLC's for every student.

● Grade-level teams customized the SLC experience to the developmental and academic needs of the students they serve.

● We piloted SLC's during the 22/23 school year to inform this year’s school-wide process. Will will continue to improve our implementation based on feedback.

Would you like to know more?

For questions about scheduling your student's individual SLC please reach out to your student's Advisory Leader. For questions regarding the SLC process or other inquiries about SLC's please contact school administration via the front office at 413-625-9811.

SLC Focus Areas

• Academic Development
• Engagement
• Personal Responsibility
• Communication & Collaboration
• Inquiry & Exploration
• Personal Reflection

Scholarship information

Hello, Class of 2024 and Families,

The 2024 scholarship season is in full swing! Last year, the class of 2023 received over $100,000 in scholarships!

This is the Official Scholarship Bulletin. This year's scholarships will be listed here as they become available. Some are still coming in, so please check the bulletin regularly. This bulletin is also included in the Student Services Newsletter and it is on the Student Services website.

Here are some tips:

• Check that you have all of the required documents (transcript, letter of recommendation, etc) before you submit your application.

• To request documents, email sgarcia@mtrsd.org. Let me know how many of each requested document you need. I will place your letters of recommendation into sealed envelopes.

• Pay close attention to the due dates. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.

• Check the bulletin for submission details. Some applications need to be mailed out and some need to be submitted to the Student Services Office.

• If you are mailing the applications, be sure to mail them out with enough time for them to get there before the deadline. (Postmarked is the stamped date on the envelope when the post office receives it)

Awards Night is Thursday, May 30th at 5 pm. At this ceremony, we will announce the recipients of the scholarships. Most scholarship disbursements will be made after the students submit their semester 1 transcripts from college. The certificate that you receive on Awards night will provide directions on how to receive the disbursements.

Graduation information

Class meetings will take place in the next two weeks and the Class of 2024 will be planning their involvement in the following events:

Graduation

• DUI and Legal Issues talk with SFPF for G 11 and 12 - May 17th

• Prom - Saturday 18th May

• Senior Send off - Weds 22nd May

• Senior Soak - Thursday 23rd May

• Last Day - Friday May 24th (depending on Snow Days and if students are on track to graduate)

• Memorial Day - Mon 27th May

• Finals and rehearsals for Awards/ Graduation - Tuesday 28th May and Wednesday May 29th

• Elementary school visit and MTRS staff cookout - Wednesday 29th May

• Awards Event - Thursday 30th May (5-7pm)

• Graduation Celebration - Friday May 31st 6-8pm indoors at MTRS (auditorium)
  

Please note:

Grade 12 Q4 Progress Grading Window: Wednesday, May 1 - Wednesday May 8, 2024 @ 11:59pm

Grade 12 Progress Reports available: Thursday, May 9, 2024

Grade 12 Q4 Term Grading Window: Wednesday, May 22 - Wednesday May 29, 2024 @ 11:59pm

Grade 12 Reports Cards available: Thursday, May 30, 2024

Scholarships

Please keep checking the Student Services section of the website in order to stay on top of deadlines. Last year the Class of 2023 walked away with over $100,000 in scholarships from our MTRS community!

This section of the newsletter will be updated as we progress through the year, so please check back in regularly!

Please see our May newsletter, here

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/

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.

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

meet.google.com/gzo-toke-ibz

Phone Numbers

(‪US‬)‪+1 813-435-9650‬

PIN: ‪741 012 215#‬

LOGAN MOORE HURLS WARRIORS TO VICTORY OVER SMITH ACADEMY

Junior Logan Moore took care of business on the mound this past Tuesday as he allowed only one hit and recorded 15 strikeouts to lead his Warriors to a 1-0 victory of the Falcons of Smith Academy. With little offense to speak of from either side, Senior Ty Griswold recorded the only Mohawk Trail hit while playing stellar defense behind the plate. It was the second consecutive victory for the Warriors as they try to capitalize on a heavy home schedule coming up!

SOFTBALL SWEEPS ATHOL; ONE STEP CLOSER TO POSTSEASON!

Due to their previous meeting being rained out, the Warriors and the Bears were forced to play a rare mid-season double header on Thursday. With starting pitcher Riley Giard unable to play, reserve pitchers Kaylin Sumner and Grace Stevens held down the fort and led their Warriors to victories! Offensively, Senior Rachel Pease had a huge day at the plate falling just a single shy of the cycle! The Lady Warriors currently sit with a record of 8-6, and look to qualify for the MIAA State Tournament!

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

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.

Special Education Contact Information

Person

Leann Loomis

Melissa Plesnar

Erin Beaudet

Carolyn Goodnow

Kate Dwyer

Amy Socquet

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

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