Gator Bites 05/17/24

We hope that everyone is gearing up for the final stretch of the school year!

Remembering all of the great spring events can be overwhelming, so this edition of Gator Bites is here to provide you with some reminders, information, and updates about all the awesome traditions here at Gateway!

In this edition of Gator Bites you will find:

• PreK Announcements

• Important Dates

• Student Spotlights

• Rural School Advocacy

• Barr Foundation Grant Update

• Messages from our Community Partners

• Spring Sports Banquet Invitation

• and more!

But first here is an announcement about the upcoming school year:

In an email to the community, Principal Will Sullivan announced that Ms. Valerie Zeh will assume the role as Assistant Principal for the middle/high school. Ms. Zeh is currently the high school Geometry and Algebra II teacher. According to Dr. Sullivan, "Ms. Zeh's experience working in the middle and high school, and her strong instructional practices, will help lead to positive growth for the students and staff at Gateway Regional. She has the respect and admiration of students, teachers, staff, and administrators. Her experience, willingness to learn, and strong work ethic make her a great fit for the position." Ms. Zeh will begin her new position on July 1, 2024.

We are excited to share that Gateway Regional will host an Early Childhood Extravaganza for children ages 5 and under and their families at Strathmore Park in Russell on Wednesday June 19th from 4-6:30.
Join us for food, prizes, pony rides, Gilbert the Party Pig and more.
Admission is free upon the completion of a Community Early Childhood Survey!

Thursday, May 23-PreK screenings for all of GRSD at Chester

Friday, May 24- HS Prom

Monday, May 27-Memorial Day-No School (7-12 grade band marching in Huntington, Chester and Montgomery, and Choir in Russell)

Wednesday, May 29-Field Day at Chester Elementary (rain date on June 5)

Wednesday, May 29-High School Awards Ceremony and Spring Fling

Friday, May 31- Graduation

Tuesday, June 4-Middle School Music Concert

Friday, June 7-Field Day at Littleville Elementary (rain date on June 10)

Friday, June 14- Last Day of School!*

*Half day of school on June 13 and June 14 for elementary

**Half day of school for finals June 11-14 for MS/HS

Attached below is a letter from Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell about young workers rights as many students start up spring/summer jobs!

Also, here is some summer preparedness information from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency!

Cynthea was one of over 2600 students to participate and represented Gateway incredibly!

Middle School students paint some beautiful art on bricks in the hallway!

Ms. Passman's first grade class at Chester study animals of the tropical rainforest in a creative habitat!

First grade classes at Littleville host a poet's tea party!

It's often said that once a Gator, always a Gator.

We wanted to take a moment to highlight some incredible achievements a former Gateway Gator Joshua Hartley has made to show current students that anything is possible!

Here are some thing's Josh has done!

-Gateway Class of 2013

-Between 2014-2017 worked for Gateway as a Custodial Sub and became Security Monitor..

-Army National Guard for nearly 11 years. E-6 Non-Commissioned Officer

-Veteran of the Afghanistan War

-Graduating May 19th from Framingham State University with a 4.0, summa cum laude.

-Organic Chemistry Undergraduate of the Year

-Physical Chemistry Undergraduate of the Year

-Biochemistry Undergraduate of the Year

-College Marshall for the College of STEM

-Will be beginning a PhD Chemistry Program at UConn in August

Despite continuous advocacy and pressure from Gateway Gators and so many other rural schools, the MA House of Representatives released their budget proposal with a massive cut to Rural School Aid. Their proposal slashes funding in half to just $7.5 million statewide, which is only about 1/8 of the $60 million recommendation from the Commission on the Fiscal Health of Rural Schools. Now the Senate is currently debating their budget with an amendment filed to bring the number to $17.5 million. Let's continue to advocate for this vital aid to be increased as much as possible because Gateway students desrve for their education to be fully funded!

As you know, Gateway Regional School District is the recipient of the Barr Foundation Grant to transform the student experience. The Barr Foundation is committed to being the district's long term partner financially and academically by providing guidance to improve the instructional core, strengthen Central Office efficiencies to directly support student success, and define our vision for Gateway students. Next year, this work will include more school visits and site experiences with students to develop that vision. Additionally, the Barr Foundation will fund hands on learning experiences for students and professional development to strengthen instruction for staff. Finally, the Barr Foundation will be supporting more community-based activities, so be on the look out for additional opportunities to be invited into the schools to see great learning on display. We are excited to continue this work!

Every Tuesday and Wednesday we host Book Squirms PreK storytime! Littles and their families are encouraged to join us for a story, songs, crafts and sensory play! Tuesdays from 4-5PM and Wednesdays at 10:30AM.

Storywalk at Watson Park: Read “The Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of our Unknown Soldier” which will be installed for Memorial Day week.

The library will be closed on Saturday May 25th and Monday May 27th for the Memorial Day weekend.

Please reach out if you have questions or concerns!

Chester Elementary School:
Principal Vanna Maffuccio vmaffuccio@grsd.org

Littleville Elementary School:

Principal Melissa McCaul mmccaul@grsd.org

Principal Will Sullivan wsullivan@grsd.org

Interim Assistant Principal Kylie-blu Crawford kcrawford@grsd.org

Athletic Director Matt Bonenfant mbonenfant@grsd.org

Superintendent Kristen Smidy, ksmidy@grsd.org

Gateway Regional School District

Website: grsd.org

Location: 12 Littleville Road, Huntington, MA, USA
Phone: 413-685-1100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GatewayRegionalMA?mibextid=LQQJ4d