Student & Family Update
April 29, 2022
Good afternoon everyone,
Happy Friday, Happy Valentine's day and Happy February vacation - what a hattrick!!!
This week has been Random Acts of Kindness week- a huge thanks to Ms Sari for organizing this wonderful initiative.
This week also saw MTRS skiers sweep the board at the PVIAC Individual Championships earlier this week - see the photos in Athletics news section below.
Huge congratulations to Joey Calhoun and Sam Barrows for being chosen to play with the Umass Amherst Honors Band. See below to find out when you can go and support them!
Snow days...the last day of school has moved from June 11th to Monday June 16th. Cross fingers that we don't have any more!
Drivers - please be careful driving into and out of the MTRS campus. Ice and slush have an impact on stopping time if you are driving a little faster than you should be. Thank you for being a considerate road user.
Bullying Intervention Plan: Please note that we are required to update this plan yearly and to keep the school community informed. The most recently revised Mohawk Trail Regional School District Bullying and Intervention Plan can be found at this LINK.
Shoes/ footwear - We are in a particularly slushy time of year and the custodial team does a great job in helping keep all our floors clear and safe. Thank you for helping remind your students to use the mats by the doors and wear appropriate footwear when using the gym. Please reach out to your child's counselor if you have any shoe-related concerns.
Please read on for information and news related to our busy school. This includes:
- Seniors visited GCC this week
- Student Council updates
- Piti Theatre is back and working with MTRS students
- Student Led Conference information for April 2nd (12-3:30)
- Events for the Class of 2025!
- Course Catalog information about course selection for 2025-6
- Library news
- Celebrating our counselling team for National Counselor Week
- District updates
- AP Brault's culture corner
- Welcome to Ms. Kosterman and Mr Jackson, our bryt team
- SEPAC updates
- District Report cards
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 wonderful February break and see you all on Monday 24th
Best
Chris
Upcoming dates
- Feb break: 17 - 21st
- Feb 27th: MTEA Movie Night, Twilight - New Moon (Rescheduled)
- March 6th - CPR and First Aid training for Grade 10
- March 15th: Spring Dance 7-9pm
- April 2nd: SLC for grades 7,8,9,10,11,12 (11:30 dismissal for all students!)
- April 9: NHS Induction Ceremony
- April 10: Ice Cream Social and information for Rising Grade 7
- April 17: Spring Music Concert
- April break: 21-25th
- May 2 & 3rd: Spring Musical
- May 15th: District Music Concert
- May 17th: Prom
- May29th: Smithsonian Celebration, Pathways Panels and Senior Awards evening (The new version of Celebration of Learning)
- May 30th: Class of 2025 Graduation
- June 9th: Step up day for grade 6
- June 6th: Grade 8 Semi-Formal
- June 16th: Tentative last day of school for students (this may change based on snow days!)
MCAS and AP schedule for 2024/25
District (Calendar for 24/25)
Live Solar Panel Energy Information
Twin Lakes has taken over from Suzor as our IT company. support@twinlakesconsulting.zendesk.com
Quarter 3: 45 Days
First Day: Wed January 22, 2024
Last Day: Tues April 1, 2024
Q3 progress report grades close on: Tuesday, February 25, 2024
Q3 progress report grading window: Monday, February 24 - Monday, March3, 2024
Q3 progress reports will be available in Aspen Tuesday, March 4, 2024
Q3 grading window: Monday, March 31 - Tuesday April 8 at 11:59 p.m
Q3 report cards will be available in Aspen: Wednesday, April 9th, 2024
Mohawk Trail Music and Band Teacher Annalee Clough has created a YouTube channel that will feature MTRS student musicians.
March is designated "Music In Our Schools Month" and, to celebrate, the music department will be releasing videos of MTRS student compositions and performances weekly on the newly established YouTube channel starting March 1st!
Follow @MohawkTrailMusicDepartment to stay updated.
Students were able to meet with professors and staff, financial aid (including FREE community college) and admissions and learn about the next steps in the process
National School Counseling Week 2025, “School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 3–7, 2025, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century. According to Mohawk Trail Regional Vice Principal Paula Brault, she says, “At MTRS we recognize the importance of our school counselors in the success and well being of our students. Linda Desarro, high school guidance counselor; Taffy Ruggeri, middle school guidance counselor; Sari Pace and Mark Biagini, school adjustment counselors; Melinda Kosterman, bryt clinician; and Brett Billings, MTSC clinician have distinct and important roles in our learning community.”
In recognition of their efforts, Principal Chris Buckland credits school counselors for: being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; focusing on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.
“School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, career options and social/emotional skills,” said Jill Cook, ASCA executive director. “School counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success.”
More than 100,000 school counselors nationwide will be participating in the week’s festivities. Many schools will be hosting special events and activities to call attention to the countless benefits of a comprehensive school counseling program.
As part of its celebration for National School Counseling Week, Mohawk Trail Regional recognized the effort of its counseling staff at an all-school assembly on Wednesday, February 5. They were issued certificates to display on their doors, and the monitors in the MTRS hallways displayed recognition of their importance to our school community.
Parents, caregivers or community members with specific questions or concerns about school counseling programs should contact the school counselors at their local schools. More general information can also be found on ASCA’s website, www.schoolcounselor.org.
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ABOUT THE AMERICAN SCHOOL COUNSELOR ASSOCIATION
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) promotes student success by expanding the image and influence of school counseling through leadership, advocacy, collaboration and systemic change. ASCA helps school counselors guide their students toward academic achievement, career planning and social/emotional development to help today’s students become tomorrow’s productive, contributing members of society. Founded in 1952, ASCA has a network of 51 state and territory associations and a membership of approximately 43,000 school counseling professionals. For additional information on the American School Counselor Association, visit schoolcounselor.org.
Student Council attended the roundtable event in Northampton on Feb 7th. We were joined by 14 other schools at the event, where each council shared some ideas about what they do. Here are some examples we may bring into the council for next year:
- Teacher appreciation week, has a theme, they all stand in a line while teachers walk into school and clap for them
- Community service hours for sports
- Adding STUCO points, attending a meeting = 1 point and attending certain events gets you certain point and if you have a certain amount of points you can attend certain field trips
After surviving the polar plunge in Greenfield, the MTRS Student council will be doing another plunge for Special Olympics, this time in the Atlantic Ocean at Hyannis on March 5th. Students will be dressing up as the emotions from Inside Out 2.
You can donate here: https://fundraise.specialolympicsma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donordrive.team&teamID=8397
In order to accurately track clusters of illness that may present in our schools it is especially helpful to provide some information to the school nurse when your child is home sick. Relevant information includes: whether or not they have a fever, sore throat, headache, other physical symptoms, whether or not they have been seen by a primary care provider or at an urgent care center, and if they have tested positive or negative for anything like strep throat, flu, covid, etc.. Please let me know if you have any questions. As a reminder, if you need some free home Covid antigen tests, please email dweber@mtrsd.org that your student may pick up Covid test kits this school year.
Hi, my name is Melinda Kosterman and I am the bryt Clinician for Mohawk Trail Regional School. bryt stands for Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition. The bryt room is located in room 112 inside MTRS where I work with Garrett Jackson, Academic Coordinator to support students who may have missed school due to being absent for physical or mental health issues and helps them reintegrate back into school. I am a licensed independent clinical social worker with a background providing counseling in schools as well as in community mental health settings. Most recently I provided individual and family therapy to children and families in Southern Vermont. I am from Franklin County and live in Bernardston with my husband, daughter and two cats. In my free time I love to travel and go on vacation with my family to Maine every summer. I am excited to be a member of the Mohawk school community and look forward to building relationships with students and their families to support students to be successful in school. As part of my role I will be collaborating with students in the bryt program to help them identify short and long term goals that are important to them. Feel free to stop by room 112 where visitors are welcome!
Garrett is a 2020 graduate of U-Mass with extensive experience managing and facilitating therapeutic groups. After dedicating much of his career to this field, he is currently pursuing his Master’s in Social Work at Westfield State. His professional interests include reducing recidivism in prisons, increasing access to education, offering mental health support during police ride-alongs, and eventually opening a therapeutic practice focused on individual and group therapy. Outside of his work, Garrett is excited to be getting married this August. He enjoys spending time with his Dachshund puppy, Otto, as well as making music, making digital art, reading, playing video games, and shooting hoops
Every year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education releases a report card for each school and district in the state. Just as a student's report card shows how they are doing in different classes, school and district report cards are designed to show parents and community members how a school or district is doing in different areas. Report cards highlight a school or district's strengths as well as any challenges that need to be addressed in order to make sure the needs of all students are being met.
Families were emailed an explanation and overview of the latest DESE report. Here is the link that was shared. Please reach out to Chelsea in the office if you require a hard copy.
SPRING SPORTS REGISTRATION OPENED FEBRUARY 1ST!!!
After success at the PVIAC Individual Championships, MTRS skiiers will be taking part in the MIAA State meet on Feb 25th. We will share updates in the Feb 28th newsletter. In the meantime, have a look at this great report from the Greenfield Recorder:
Mohawk Trail's Addie Loomis captures another alpine ski title at PVIAC Individual Championships
While winter sports are just now in full swing, it is time to start thinking about selecting a spring sport for your student-athletes! Registration will open on February 1st, and can be found on the school website at https://mtrs.mtrsd.org/athletics. This spring we will be offering boys and girls.
-Track and Field
-Tennis
-Softball
-Baseball
Please remember that in order to participate in extracurricular athletics, students must have an up-to-date physical on file in the nurse's office (last 13 months), have completed their Concussion Baseline Test (taken during registration), and be in good academic standing. For more information regarding spring sports, reach out to District Athletic Director Greg Lilly HERE.
NEW COOPERATIVE TEAMS FORMED AHEAD OF SPRING SEASON!
We at Mohawk Trail are very excited to announce that beginning this spring, two new athletic opportunities for Warrior students will now be available!
Due to low participation numbers, our high school boys will now be playing Varsity Baseball with Greenfield High School! GHS will serve as the host school, and Mohawk Trail will be the guest. Registration information will be passed along as soon as it becomes available from Greenfield HIgh School.
In addition to baseball, boys in grades 8-12 will now have the opportunity to be a part of a BOYS tennis team! We will again be teaming with Greenfield High School in this endeavor. If you have any questions regarding these new athletic programs, please reach out to District Athletic Director Greg Lilly at glillyAD@mtrsd.org.
Important information for Students in G 8-11
During advisory this week, students in grades 8-11 participated in a workshop about course requests for 25-26 and entered course requests into Aspen. We encourage students to talk with their families about their requests over the next few days. Course requests can be modified in Aspen through Monday, February 17th.
Here are the links to the information that was presented:
Class of 2029- Course Selection Slide Deck
Grade 9
Attached are the advisory slides that were provided to your child this week. Please review this information with your child. All course requests are due by 2/14/2025 and the window will officially close for changes in Aspen on 2/17/2025.
Grade 10 & 11
Members of the classes of 2026 and 2027 at MTRS also have the opportunity to register for Dual Enrollment coursework outside of the school day. Dual Enrollment courses can be taken in person or online, and funding is available. One of the requirements for scheduling a dual enrollment course is completion of the Accuplacer Placement test. The registration process at the local colleges will open later this spring, but GCC is graciously offering to administer this placement test at MTRS on Tuesday 2/25/2025 during block 1 and advisory. If your child is considering dual enrollment as an option, please encourage them to complete this very brief form.
If you have questions, please reach out!
Ms Desarro (Grades 9-12): ldesarro@mtrsd.org
Ms Ruggeri (Grades 7 & 8): truggeri@mtrsd.org
An e-copy of the course catalog for 2025-26 can also be found on our website.
April 2nd: 12-2:30pm
General information about SLC
What is a Student-led-conference?
Student-led-conferences (SLC) are at the heart of our shift to standards based teaching and learning. They provide students with more ownership of their learning experiences at MTRS.
Rather than reviewing letters/ numbers on a report or progress card, SLCs provide students with an opportunity to lead a 15 minute conversation about their progress towards proficiency in habits of learning and content-based skills.
Students will be using the assessment criterion that we shared earlier in the year.
They also enable students to reflect on their learning experiences to date and to set goals for the rest of the school year.
Does my student have to do an SLC?
SLC are based in an advisory class, which is scheduled for each student every day. Advisory is a graduation requirement and student participation in SLC is expected and contributes to the pass/fail (credit/no-credit) for the course at the end of the year.
SLCs are scheduled 1 x a year for grade 7 and 2 x a year for grades 8-12 Students must participate in SLCs in order to pass the Advisory class, in addition to attendance and participation.
If a student is absent or unwell when their SLC is scheduled, they will make this up when they return.
Who will be at the Student-led-conference?
Students will lead their own conference as it is their opportunity to talk about their experiences at MTRS as well as their goals for the rest of the year and beyond high school.
We would like to invite care providers and families to be an integral part of every student’s journey and to try to be present at the SLC - in-person or virtually.
Your student’s advisory teacher will be present. As advisory groups meet every day for a year, advisory teachers have the best overall insight into habits of learning and academic progress of each of their students. They can help support students as they lead their conference.
When will the Student-led-conferences take place?
SLC #2 for Grades 7-12 will take place on April 2nd, 2024 from 12 - 3:30pm
Where will the Student-led-conference take place?
If you are in-person, please arrive at school 10 minutes before your scheduled time and someone will bring you to the advisor’s room.
If you are meeting virtually, please log in to the google meet 5 minutes before your scheduled time.
What is the difference between SLS #1 and SLC #2?
SLC#1: A chance for the student to reflect on their strengths, growths and challenges in the first semester, to reflect on their discoveries as a learner during the year so far and to set some habits and academic goals for the second semester. It is also an opportunity for students to talk through current post-high school plans.
SLC #2: A chance for the student to reflect on challenges and successes of the year, to set goals for the year ahead and to revisit and possibly change post-high school plans.
What is the schedule for the S2 Student-led-conferences?
Students will be dismissed from school at 11:30 am after lunch. They will take their bus home and then either come back in to school with a caregiver to complete their SLC in person or take part in their SLC virtually with their caregiver.
Students who return to the building with a caregiver for an SLC are expected to leave campus with their caregiver after their SLC has taken place.
Only students with SLC scheduled between 12-12:30 will be permitted to wait in the lobby if their caregiver is coming into school. They will be expected to leave campus with them after their SLC has concluded.
How do I schedule my SLC?
After February break, advisory teachers will start to reach out to caregivers and families by email to schedule conferences of 15 minutes per student (in-person or virtual) on the above days.
What if I have children in multiple grades?
We will start to schedule appointments so care providers will be able to arrange times convenient for them during the SLC window.
What if 15 minutes is not enough time?
Advisors can help care providers/ families set up a subsequent appointment to meet with themselves or specific content teachers at a later date.
What will happen if I am unable to attend in person or virtually?
We understand that not everyone can be available in-person or virtually during the school day. If you are unable to attend, your student will still conference with their advisory teacher.
As we continue to develop our Student-led conference process, we will look at ways to have early afternoon/ early evening conferences as a way for all families and care providers to have the opportunity to be a part of the process.
What if I have more questions?
Please reach out to your students' advisor in the first instance. Your grade-level guidance counselor will also be able to help:
Grades 7 and 8: truggeri@mtrsd.org
Grades 9-12: ldessaro@mtrsd.org
Seniors, the countdown is on!
Make sure that you are aware of what you need to do in order to graduate. Ms Desarro has already met with you all and you should reach out with any questions.
Please note the following events that are for and involve you all:
Prom - Saturday 5-17
Senior Send off - Weds 21st May (2:10- seniors walk around the building, everyone comes out and cheers)
Senior Soak - Thursday 22nd May: 1:50-2:18 parking lot
Last Day - Friday May 23rd Senior sign off form needs to be completed and returned to students (This will be issued on Monday 19th May)
Memorial Day - Mon 26th May
Finals and rehearsals for Awards/ Graduation - Tuesday 27th May and Wednesday May 29th, 10-12 am
Elementary school visit and MTRS staff cookout - Wednesday 28th May
Awards Event & slide show - Thursday 29th May (5-7)After the Smithsonian event in the library: Junior class to organise food
Graduation Celebration - Friday May 30th 6-8pm indoors at MTRS (auditorium)
Many of these dates have been on the calendar since May of 2024 and you should check in with Class Advisor Mr Leowolf with any questions
Finally, please note that in order to graduate, you need to have paid up your class dues. Please email me/ come and speak with me if you have any questions: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
As of 2:20 today we made it to February Vacation! Take this time for rest and relaxation so we can all come back healthier. Believe it or not when we return we will be one week from March!
We will be into the testing season as we return from the break. In addition to MCAS, we are also offering Advanced Placement (AP) testing for those students taking the related classes and the Accuplacer Test for those applying to community colleges. Make sure your student is prepared for testing by encouraging an early bedtime and eating breakfast either at home or at school.
Mary Lyon Foundation provides Supper for Six for MTRS students and families
A huge thanks to the Mary Lyon Foundation who provided "Supper for Six" for students to collect as they left the MTRS building today - see the photo below.
Valentines for LifePath’s Meals on Wheels Recipients
Buddies from grades 1 and 6 at Sanderson Academy, students in the Buckland-Shelburne Elementary after school program, and Mohawk Trail Regional student library-goers put effort into sharing the love for Valentine's Day. LifePath, the elder services agency that serves Franklin County and the North Quabbin region, collects valentine cards to distribute to older adults receiving Meals on Wheels in our school districts and farther across the county. The valentine cards created by our students garnered this note of gratitude from LifePath staff, "Thank you for making Valentine's Day cards for our Meals on Wheels recipients again this year! The cards are wonderful. Our consumers enjoy getting them." Thanks to all involved in sharing the love across generations!
Spirit Across the Court and District
Last Friday, BSE Vice Principal Mr. Joe - staff and district parent - included this story in his weekly newsletter. (https://secure.smore.com/n/ygjqa-bse-bulletin?ref=email)
We encourage you to read his entire account, but if the summary is what you're after, here are his closing words, "My point today is that in our community we have all the ingredients necessary to succeed. When united in purpose Mohawk kids, be they elementary, middle, or high schoolers, are a force to be reckoned with. They have the spirit and talent needed to make great things happen. Super job kids, I am impressed!"
Go, Warriors!
FY26 Budget: Public Hearing on 2/19
The public is invited to participate in a public hearing on the topic of the Mohawk Trail Regional School District Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. This is an opportunity to understand what goes into creating the budget, where the numbers fall, and the proposed increases to each member town.
The public hearing will be held in person in the MTRS Superintendent's Conference Room and remotely on Wednesday, February 19 starting at 6pm. The Google Meet link to join remotely is:
meet.google.com/pxy-ziwf-qiq and to join by phone dial 1 437-781-4585 and use PIN: 257 290 361 4120#
To prepare for the meeting, you may find budget materials on the Mohawk Trail Regional School District Business Services page of the district website. If you have questions or are looking for more information you may contact William Lataille, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance at wlataille@mtrsd.org.
Sustainability Study: Upcoming Opportunities
The Steering Committee has planned a series of meetings to share the results of the work of the Sustainability Study with community members in the eight towns served by the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School Districts. Each meeting will include a presentation followed by an opportunity for discussion of the findings and the pros and cons of each option. Community members, parents, students, school staff, and elected officials are encouraged to attend.
Meeting dates/times are in-person with a virtual option, unless otherwise noted:
● February 25, Buckland-Shelburne Elementary, 6:30-8 pm
● March 6, all virtual meeting, Google Meet, 6:30-8 pm (virtual only)
● March 11, Sanderson Academy, 5:30-7:00 pm
● March 19, Hawlemont Regional School, 6:30-8 pm
● March 20, Mohawk Trail Regional School, 6:30-8 pm
● March 26, Colrain Central School, 6:30-8 pm
Community members are encouraged to learn more about the Sustainability Study by visiting www.2districts8towns.org. The website includes reports that have been written by BERK12, presentations to the Steering Committee and other groups, and the project work plan. Recent additions to the website include Frequently Asked Questions and a series of informational briefs on topics such as class size, best practices, and moving grade six to middle school.
Zoom links and a registration link for the community meetings are posted on the website. For more information, contact Project Manager Jake Eberwein, jakeeberwein@gmail.com.
Transcripts - Attention Seniors!
Please see the latest Student Services updates
Attention Seniors
Mid year transcripts have been sent to all colleges on a student's list in Naviance. If a college contacts you requesting a mid year transcript, please let them know that your high school sent it out on 2/5/2025 via Naviance / Parchment.
Please see our February newsletter
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 March 12th
The virtual joining information is as follows:
Meeting ID
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 March 14th: 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
Mohawk Trail SEPAC Member and Parent
Please read this letter from the district to families receiving special education services
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.
There are a lot of upcoming non-sporting extracurricular events planned for the remainder of the year and I wanted to make sure that students and families are aware of expectations for students in relation to participation.
In order to participate, students must be in:
Good behavioral standing - no more than 3 conduct referrals between the date the permission slip is sent home and the day before the field trip/ event.
Good academic standing - not owing work or have unauthorised absences from school & classes (does not include work missed due to approved absences)
Students who are unable to participate in events will be provided academic work to complete during their regular schedule and will be expected to attend school, if the planned event takes place during the school day.
This information will be included in permission forms that caregivers are asked to sign and return.
Please see the section from the student handbook in relation to eligibility for sports:
P35
Participation And Eligibility
MTRS offers a variety of team sports in middle school, varsity and junior varsity interscholastic athletics. To be eligible to participate in sports, students must complete an annual physical, be in good academic standing, pay user fees, complete a baseline concussion assessment and sign an athletic contract. Fall sports include cross-country, field hockey, and football, girls’ volleyball, soccer, and golf. Winter sports include alpine (downhill) skiing, basketball, cross-country (Nordic) skiing, indoor track, and wrestling. Spring sports include baseball, tennis, softball, and track and field. Students interested in participating in athletics should contact Greg Lilly, Athletic Director, at ext. 1310.
Chris Buckland
Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional