Gator Bites 11/5/24
November 5, 2024 Edition
Hello Gateway Families!
With today being a half day for professional development I wanted to thank you for your ongoing support to ensure that our staff has time to engage in learning.
At Gateway, we are committed to providing each student with the best possible learning experience. This commitment means that we must also dedicate time for our teachers and staff to learn, grow, and enhance their skills through targeted professional development. During today's half-day sessions, our educators are going to be working on developing skills and strategies to support students to be able to persevere through challenging tasks. It is part of our instructional vision to design lessons where students work hard and don't give up.
We understand that half days can sometimes be challenging for families, and we are grateful for your understanding and flexibility. Your support makes it possible for us to continue investing in our staff’s growth, which, in turn, strengthens the entire school community.
Thank you again for your partnership and for recognizing the value of this time for our teachers.
Sincerely,
Kristen Smidy, Superintendent
Please Mark Your Calendars!
Tuesday, November 5: Half Day for students. Staff have professional development!
Monday, November 11: No School, Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 13: School Committee at 7pm
Saturday, November 23: National Honor Society Boot Drive, Littleville Craft Fair
Wednesday, November 27: Half Day of School
Thursday, November 28-Friday, November 29: No School-Thanksgiving Break
Every Gator Bites, we will share a safety tip for our community as a reminder of our protocols. Our protocols are analyzed each year with the new guidance that is published and vetted by our local and state police partners.
This month's safety tips are taken directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Stop for School Buses
When you see a school bus slowing down or stopping, it’s not just the bus that you need to have your eyes on – but the surrounding area too. Children wait at least several feet away from a bus and often cross the street when they’re boarding or getting off the bus. This is why you must stop for school buses, and don’t attempt to pass.
Illegal School Bus Passing
Illegal school bus passing poses a significant threat to children and others on the road. In every state, it is illegal for you to pass a school bus while the stop-arm is extended and the red lights are flashing.
Understanding School Bus Lights
Learn the school bus laws in your state and always follow them, as well as the flashing lights that school bus drivers use to alert you.
- Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. You should slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle.
- Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. You must stop your car and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving, before you can start driving again.
Before the Bus Arrives
Your child should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus arrives. Ahead of the new school year, visit the bus stop and show your child where to wait for the bus, at least ten feet — five giant steps — away from the curb. Remind your child that the bus stop is not a place to run or play.
Getting On and Off Safely
When the school bus arrives, your child should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay to get on or off. Your child should use the handrails to avoid falling.
Always Use Caution Around the Bus
Your child should never walk behind a school bus. If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, tell them to walk on a sidewalk or along the side of the street to a place at least ten feet — five giant steps — in front of the bus before crossing. Your child should also make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing to make sure the driver can see that they’re crossing to avoid the danger zone. If your child drops something near the school bus, like a phone or book, the safest thing is for your child to tell the bus driver right away. Your child should not try to pick up the item, because the driver might not be able to see them.
See this link for updates.
Are you Interested in Joining our District Wellness Committee?
Our District Wellness Advisory Committee is looking for community and student members!
Our team has members from District leadership, the Nutrition department, the School Based Health Center, and interested staff. We meet quarterly to discuss wellness both in policy and initiatives. This committee will meet to recommend, review and help implement school district policies addressing school nutrition, nutrition education, physical activity and related issues that affect student health and wellness. If you are interested in joining, please contact Kelly Sudnick via email @ ksudnick@grsd.org.
Dear Gateway Community,
For more than twenty years local Hilltown families have received assistance with gifts for their children through a community project called Hilltown Holiday Help. Since 1998 the Gateway National Honor Society has worked with Hilltown Social Services and Hilltown Community Health Center on a worthy chapter service project known as Hilltown Holiday Help. Years ago some local people referred to the project as "Toys for Tots." However, the service project is completely local and not affiliated with Toys for Tots, the Marine Corps, or Massachusetts State Police. All donations go to local Hilltown families in need this holiday season.
Fundraising will take place in the form of a Boot Drive. The Boot Drive has been a tradition for many years, and we need your support! Please consider driving by the center of downtown Huntington (near the bridge and by the Stanton Hall/fire department) on Saturday, Nov. 23rd from 9am to 2pm to donate. NHS students will have boots from the fire department and will be collecting cash donations. The money raised from both the Boot Drive and the link below will be used to purchase gifts for those families listed in need. NHS students will be completing the holiday shopping and fulfilling wish lists later in the month as part of this chapter service project.
If you are unable to attend on 11/23, you can also donate directly to the HCHC Holiday Help via this link here: https://www.hchcweb.org/hilltown-holiday-help/
See you Saturday, Nov. 23rd!
Thank you,
Olivia MacIver, Madilyn Beneway & Taylor Simpson
NHS Co-Presidents & NHS Advisor
Chester Elementary Food Drive!
Littleville Craft Fair!
Middle School After School Program
Later Gators
Sign-ups for the new after school program for students in grades 6-8 are ongoing. The program will be Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 4:30. If interested, please sign up using this link.
COVID vaccine available for children 5-11 and12+ available at the School Based Health Center.
Flu vaccine available for children of all ages.
Getting vaccinated lowers your chances of getting infected. If you do get infected, you will be
much less likely to get severely ill if you have been vaccinated.
In addition to protecting yourself, getting vaccinated will also help protect other people, especially
those who are at higher risk of getting very sick or dying. It also protects people who can't get a
vaccine, like young babies.
Call School Based Health Center today to coordinate (413) 667-0142.
Russell Public Library November 2024 News
RUSSELL PUBLIC LIBRARY HOURS:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3-7pm
Tuesday and Thursday 10am-2pm
Saturday 10:00am -1:00pm
The library will be closed on Saturdays of 3 day holiday weekends.
Please join our updated Facebook page and connect with our other resources there.
Russell Public Library Facebook Page
Russell Public Library Website
Check out StoryWalks® Sponsored by the Hilltown Family Center at Noble View Outdoor Center”s All Person’s Trail: and behind the Russell Public Library around our Community fruit trees and play area.
Adults: Saturday, November 2nd, from 2:00-4:00. In keeping with the season of Mysteries and Monsters join the Vogel Brothers as they lead us on their search for BIGFOOT. Register by email rpldirector@townofrussell.us, call 413-862-6221 and leave a message, or come in and sign up at the library by October 31st.
Adults: Tuesday, November 12th, from 6-7:15 pm. Save a life, learn how to administer Narcan and and Epipen with Cate from the Hilltown Community Ambulance. Register by email rpldirector@townofrussell.us, call 413-862-6221 and leave a message, or come in and sign up at the library by November 8th.
Adults and Teens: Join us Thursday, November 14, from 6:00-8:00, for a pastel painting workshop with Gregory J. Maichack. Join Greg as he guides us through painting, “Seascapes,” art inspired by Winslow Homer’s painting Summer Squall. For those with and without art experience. Register by email
rpldirector@townofrussell.us, call 413-862-6221 and leave a message, or come in and sign up at the library by November 12th.
Kids: (ages 3-9) Saturday, November 16, from 11:00-12:00 Get Pumped for Pumpkins with Ms Jennifer who will share a Story, Craft and Snack filled with seasonal fun. Register by email rpldirector@townofrussell.us, call 413-862-6221 and leave a message, or come in and sign up at the library by November 13th.
Adults and Teens: Tuesday, November 19th, from 6-8 pm, Join us to watch the “Reciprocity Project,” a series of 7 short films (a joint endeavor of Upstander Project and Nia Tero in association with REI Co-op Studios) that seek to share Indigenous (Native People from the Americas) perspectives on our relationship to the Earth, other living beings, and one another.
Celebrate Veterans Day and National Native American Heritage Month at the library by checking out a book by Veteran or Indigenous author. See our displays throughout the library.
Events at the Porter Memorial Library!
Library Events: Porter Memorial Library in Blandford
November 2024
The library be closed on Monday, November 11th to mark Veteran’s Day.
Every Tuesday: 4:30pm-5:30pm
All Ages Sensory Story time. Join us for a story, crafts and sensory play.
Every Wednesday: 10:30am-11:30am
Book Squirms! Join us for stories, songs, sensory play and socializing for preschoolers and their caregivers.
The library will close early at 2pm on Wednesday, November 27th. The library will be closed on Thanksgiving, November 28th.
Sign up for Family Photo Day! Visit the library to reserve a spot for one of two dates: Friday November 29th from 12-2pm and Saturday November 30th from 11am-1pm. We use your cell phone to take pictures you can edit and print on your own. It’s a fun way to get a family photo taken and its FREE!
Save this December date!
Saturday, December 7th: Kid and teen gingerbread party 11-noon.
Gingerbread cookie decorating with a story and scavenger hunt!
Just in time for cold weather, the Hilltown Community Coat Drive
Isabella LeBarron, a parishioner of Holy Family Parish in Russell and a Senior at Hampshire Regional School District, will coordinate the eleventh year of the Hilltown Community Coat Drive. This will continue the community effort that her sisters initiated eleven years ago. If you would like to donate, please bring washed, gently used, or new coats, boots, mittens, and hats for local hilltown adults and children to collection boxes at the following locations beginning on October 9th:
Gateway Regional H.S. lobby (during normal school hours 7:30-3:00)
Hilltown Community Health Center - Huntington (Route 20, Mon - Fri 8:00-5:00)
Holy Family Church (Route 20 Russell Center, during Mass times)
Hilltown Community Health Center - Worthington (58 Old North Road, Mon - Fri
8:00-5:00)
Littleville Elementary Lobby (during normal school hours 9:00-3:00)
Hampshire Regional High School (during normal school hours 7:30-2:15)
Norris Elementary School (during normal school hours 9:00-3:00)
Coats and winter items will be available for hilltown families at the beginning of November through It Takes a Village in Huntington and some through the Hilltown Family Center. For questions please email Bella LeBarron. @bella.lebarron44@gmail.com
Lynn Lyons
Lynn Lyons is an amazing speaker on student anxiety--she is doing a local presentation at a nearby high school for FREE for families who are interested in attending.
District Contact Information:
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
Assistant Principal Martha Gendron mgendron@grsd.org
Principal Dr. Will Sullivan wsullivan@grsd.org
Assistant Principal Valerie Zeh vzeh@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