Student & Family Update

A lot has been going on at MTRS this Booster week and a huge thanks to Student Council and Advisors for all of their help with the activities and events that have been taking place. Congratulations on your "last" Booster week, Seniors - see photo!

Please read on for more updates on what has been happening at MTRS...

Student Council is planning a Band and Bonfire event for Friday October 18th from 6:30-9pm. A huge thank you to everyone who donated a pallet - what a huge pile we have!

Homecoming Dance- This Saturday, 7-10pm at MTRS in the cafeteria. Students who have accumulated more than 2 conduct referrals will not be able to attend and they and their caregivers will have been contacted by Friday (today).

Can you help? We are looking for caregivers who might be interested in being paid to helping to monitor school lunches between 11:10am & 12:40pm. Please email me for more details: cbuckland@mtrsd.org

Mary Lyon Resource Fair & Student Led Conferences for grade 8,9,10,11 & 12 are on the horizon! 10-30-24

Please see the Teaching and Learning section below for more information. In the meantime, here are the quicknotes:

Advisory is a graduating requirement for a high school diploma at MTRS.

Students need to complete their SLC in order to pass Advisory.

Grade 7 has 1 per year. Everyone else has 2 per year.

Advisory teachers are reaching out by email to set up 15 minute meetings between 12 - 3:30pm on 10-30-24.

Here are the following options for students and families:

• Students are dismissed at 11:30 and can stay in school, doing supervised activities (12-2:30) until it is time for their SLC. Caregiver comes in and student and caregiver meets with advisor in-person. Please note, buses will run at 11:30 but not 2:30. Please consider this when planning out your SLC.
• Students are dismissed at 11:30 and can stay in school, doing supervised activities until it is time for their SLC. Caregiver joins the SLC virtually while student and advisor meet in person
• Students are dismissed at 11:30 and go home on the bus. They come into school with caregivers at the appointed time for their SLC. Student, caregiver and advisor meet in person
• Students are dismissed at 11:30 and go home on the bus. Student & caregiver join the SLC virtually from home and the advisor joins virtually from school.
• If a caregiver is unable to attend, the student and advisor will complete the SLC either in-person or virtually at the appointed time.

We would love to see as many caregivers and students as possible attend the SLC and then come to the Mary Lyon Resource fair, eat some free food at the Kiwanis hut and then watch our MS football team play a home match!

Finally, please see the MCAS and AP testing schedule for 2024-25. It is included in the Important notes and Information section below. As a reminder, the following grades take MCAS:

Grade 7: ELA and Math

Grade 8: ELA, Math, Science, Civics

Grade 9: Science

Grade 10: ELA and Math

Please read on for information and news related to our busy school. This includes:

• Hurting or Flirting in Grade 7
• Student-led-conference information for October 30th, Grades 8-12, 12-3:30pm
• MTRS Student Art on show at Mocha Maya
• Athletics Updates
• Winter Play announced
• AP Brault's Culture Corner
• Student Voice
• Community involvement and outreach opportunities
• STEAM Fair session leader opportunities
• District updates
• SEPAC updates

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.

See you next week!

Best

Chris

Upcoming dates

• Oct 24th - PSAT (10th and 11th Grade)
• October 30th: SLC for Grade 8-12 & Mary Lyon Resource Fair
  
• November 14th: Grades 5-8 STEAM Fair
  
• November 20th: Photo retake day
• Dec 13 & 14th: Winter Play
• Dec 19: Winter Concert
• April 2nd: SLC for grades 7,8,9,10,11,12
  
• April/ May:TBD Capstone Community Celebration (The new version of Celebration of Learning)
• May 29th: Senior Awards
  
• May 30th: Class of 2025 Graduation

MCAS and AP schedule for 2024/25

Bell Schedule

District (Calendar for 24/25)

Student Handbook

Live course catalog 2024/25

Food Services Information

Live Solar Panel Energy Information

Twin Lakes has taken over from Suzor as our IT company. support@twinlakesconsulting.zendesk.com

Quarter 1 45 days

First Day: Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Last Day: Thursday, October 31st, 2024

Q1 progress report grades close on: Friday, September 27, 2024

Q1 progress report grading window: Weds, September 25 - Weds, October 2nd, at 11:59 pm

Q1 progress reports will be distributed on: Thursday, October 3rd, 2024

Q1 grading window: Tuesday October 29 - Wednesday November 6th at 11:59 pm

Q1 report cards will be distributed on: Thursday, November 7, 2024

Come see some wonderful art! On October 21st a student art show will be installed at Mocha Maya's in Shelburne Falls for community enjoyment. The show will run through the beginning of December and feature work from both Middle School Exploratory and High School Art courses.

We hope you will find a moment to stop in for a treat and to take in the creative work of our local youth artists! Thank you to Mocha Maya's for their continued support of our students.

This week, seventh grade students will participate in a workshop about sexual harassment, called "Flirting or Hurting?" During the workshop, we will be discussing the definition of sexual harassment and what students can do if they witness or experience harassing behavior. The workshop will take place during Social Studies classes Tuesday and Wednesday. The workshop will be facilitated by Ms Ruggeri, School Counselor, and Mr Rabasco, Social Studies Teacher.

The curriculum is introduced in 7th grade because middle school is a time when many students begin experimenting with language and gestures that they do not fully understand. They are faced with the task of developing identities within peer groups and the larger community, and interactions between students can result in confusion and misinterpretation. Often students in middle school do not realize the effect that their behavior has on others, and many are unaware of the definition of sexual harassment and that it can be a form of bullying.

Proactively providing students with information about sexual harassment in middle school is part of our commitment to creating a community of learners who are respectful and accountable, as well as promote a culture of empowerment.

Please feel welcome to be in touch with Taffy Ruggeri, School Counselor, with questions or concerns truggeri@mtrsd.org 413-625-9811 X1304

Advisors Mastorakis and Rubinaccio took over 25 students to the Western Massachusetts Association of Student Councils Fall Conference last week. The WMASC is composed of all the Student Councils located in the Western region of Massachusetts and our students were able to listen to talks from fellow students on developing and using leadership skills in and beyond school.

Director Paul and the cast and crew are pleased to announce that the Winter play will be And Then There was One, by Micheal Druce.

The play is about Ten people who are brought together by mysterious invitation to a tiny, isolated island. Not one of them knows the host, who is nowhere to be found. One by one, the guests begin to die one by one. Luckily, Inspector Miles is among the guests, but even he is stymied as to who the murderer could be.

Caregivers, students and fans of drama are encouraged to come to a performance on December 13th or December 14th.

As a reminder for Cast and Crew, here is the rehearsal schedule moving forward: https://mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org/Performing-Arts

I started my career at Mohawk Trail in 2007 as a 7th grade middle school project-based learning teacher. After 5 great years of teaching in the middle school, I moved to the high school and taught environmental science, biology, algebra I and pre-algebra. For the last 10 years, I have been the principal at Hawlemont Elementary School and Marlboro Elementary and Middle School in Vermont. I love teaching, so while I was a principal I also taught middle school math and science classes and was a math interventionist.

I have many fond memories of my time at Mohawk Trail, which led me back to be the District’s Mathematics Instructional Coach. Currently, I am teaching an Algebra I class, providing math coaching to our 4 elementary schools, and enrolled in Math Recovery’s Champion course. My hope is to work with all the schools to build a robust math program from preschool to grade 12. I plan to bring the latest research and best practices in math instruction like Building Thinking Classrooms, while building on the foundation that when students are leaders of their learning they succeed.

When I am not working, I enjoy hiking and fishing with my wife and 3 kids. I am an avid runner and mountain biker, and live just over the border in Vermont.

Mohawk Trail SEPAC Member and Parent

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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.

October 30th will be a busy day...

• Student-Led-Conferences 12 - 3:30pm
• Mary Lyon Resource Fair: 3-7pm in the gym at MTRS
• MTRS Football game under lights with food served at the Kiwanis hut

An important part of our shift to SBTL is to have students reflecting on their progress in their classes.

The SLC allows students to reflect on their learning to date and help map out their next steps for semester 2.

Information about the Student-led-conferences

Advisory teachers will start to reach out to families and care providers to schedule a Student-Led-Conference from September 30th

• S1 Student Led Conferences for 8-12- Early dismissal for all MS and HS Students at 11:30. Buses will run at 11:30 after lunch has been served

• Conferences will take place between 12:00- 3:30pm

• Students are encouraged to remain in school so that they can participate in person in their SLC, however, if they don’t have transportation to get home, they should take the bus at 11:30

• Caregivers are encouraged to attend in person but can participate remotely if that is more convenient. Please communicate this to your child’s advisor when they reach out to schedule a time with you

• Students who stay, must sign up in their advisory block on 10-30 for different supervised activities to do during the time 11:30-2:30 when they are not in an SLC. These activities include: Sports, Academic support, Study hall, Movie in the auditorium. There will not be student supervision from 2:30-3:30 but students will be able to wait in the lobby at MTRS

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?

• For grades 8-12, SLC #1 will take place on October 30th. SLC #2 for Grades 7-12 will take place on April 2nd, 2024

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 S1 Student-led-conferences?

• Students will be dismissed at 11:30 am after lunch. The schedule for the 11:30 day is here

• Students must sign up in their advisory block on 10-30 for different supervised activities to do during the time 11:30-2:30 when they are not in an SLC. These activities include: Sports, Academic support, Study hall, Movie in the auditorium

• Students will go to their advisor’s class at the time of their scheduled SLC. They will return to their activity afterward.

• Activities will end at 2:30 and students and families are encouraged to attend the Mary Lyon Resource Fair, eat food courtesy of the Kiwanis club, and watch the Middle School Football game on the main field.

How do I schedule my SLC?

• From next week, advisory teachers will 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

Financial Aid Planning Night

MTRS is hosting Amy Proiette, Coordinator of Financial Aid, GCC on Monday, November 4th, 6:00 PM in the auditorium.

PSAT Information

The PSAT will be offered to all MRHS grade 10 and 11 students during the school day on October 24th!

• There is no charge for the students to take the PSAT this year!

• The PSAT is a PRACTICE for the SAT. Strong SAT scores can help with college admission and scholarships!

Do you want to practice for the PSAT? Click here!

Explore the student services updates for more information!

Have a look at the latest news from the MTRS library, here

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 November 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 25th - the fourth Friday of each month!

Fourth 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

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