Student & Family Update
April 29, 2022
Good afternoon everyone,
We have made it through the Feb - April tunnel and vacation has started!
There has been a lot going on as usual this week:
- Students, caregivers and several teachers took part in a three day site visit to schools in VT. This will continue to inform the development of our Trailblazer model. (see image) We will share more feedback after the April break.
- Q3 grades are now in Aspen
- MCAS Boot camp will start after break- students currently taking G9 Bio and students who did not pass Bio MCAS in S1 have been sent an email by Ms Beck with all the details. When official notice comes from DESE all students will receive their MCAS Bio scores.
- Parent caregiver workshop on May 20th - see flier below!
In this week's newsletter there are also updates on:
- The upcoming MTRS sustainability community meeting
- Spring Concert
- You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
- Restorative Practices training for staff
- FRCOG CPR and First Aid community courses at MTRS
- Brennan Tierney named most promising new teacher
- Grading deadlines, last day and Scholarship and Graduation information for the Class of 24
- College and Career resources for students and families
- Grade 7 & 8 Career Morning on April 12th
- Information event for Grade 6 parents
- SEPAC meeting information
- Spring Sports
Please note that we are now in a position to confirm dates for the June Student-led conferences. There is also an additional early release Wednesday which is not included on the calendar:
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 only for HS 3:30-5:30. More details coming soon!)
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 3 and 4th: Spring Musical: You're a good man, Charlie Brown
May 11th: MTAA Spring Fling
May 15 & 16th District Music Concert at BSE
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 Ice cream and Celebration: 5:30-7:30
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
District Calendar for 2023/24: Link (Calendar for 24/25)
MTRS MCAS and AP testing schedule
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
Earlier this week, five students were inducted into the Neil E Potter Chapter of the National Honors Society at MTRS. NHS advisor, Ms. White, oversaw the event in which Bethany Basal was guest speaker and the following students became a part of this illustrious organization:
Emma Canaday
Hazel Foucault
Alex Niquette
Addison Loomis
Norzin Wangmo
Huge thanks to the following outgoing NHS members for their service and support:
Rachel Pease
Kaylin Sumner
Mohamed Abdelgawad
William VanVleet
Eliandra Snape
Students and families enjoyed our second MTRS concert of the year. There were performances from Middle school and High school bands and musicians and some wonderful singing from our mixed Middle and High school Choir.
We look forward to seeing you at the District Concert at BSE (MTRS if it is raining) in mid-May.
Good afternoon students and parents/guardians,
I wanted to follow up on this week's field trip to GCC, where Juniors attended workshops around Career Pathways, Training Programs, and had an opportunity to experience ZSpace, a virtual reality tool that allowed us to look inside a heart and feel the actual heartbeat through a pen (amongst other things).
Career Pathways - MassHire CIS
Takeaway message: Know yourself, your interests, explore occupations and job titles, recognize the size and growth rate of the occupation, identify education or training needed and note the average wages earned.
Click on the Massachusetts Resident Tab (not log in/password)
Click on High School
Choose the town you live in and write in the zip code
Take the Career Cluster Inventory
Many Juniors did this today and wrote down their career clusters, noting specific job titles, salaries, skills, training and more. Ask your child what their results were!
Adults can take this quiz as well
GCC also shared this website: https://www.zippia.com/
Train @ GCC (minimum age is 16 for many of these programs and there are a lot of scholarships and aid to help)
"From manufacturing to healthcare to outdoor education, Greenfield Community College’s Workforce Development offers a wide array of high-quality career training programs that target the most in-demand industries in the region." - GCC Website
Health Care (including EMT basic course)
Manufacturing - announcing HVAC coming Fall 2024!
Outdoor Adventure Skills and Certification (including Wilderness First Responder, only 2 colleges in the country offer this)
Information Technology (including IT for Healthcare)
GCC staff took students on a tour of their facilities, highlighting important places such as the library, tutoring center, wellness center, bookstore, and student activities office. I advised students to visit these same locations during their own college visits (a reminder that next week is a perfect time to visit schools, check out the college websites for more information).
Earlier today, during exploratory block, students in grades 7 & 8 were able to meet and ask questions to community members working in a variety of different jobs. These included: Police, EMT, Vet Tech, Nurse, Architect, Fire Fighter, Engineering, Theatre & Construction. A huge thanks to our community members who gave up their time to talk with MTRS students!
Please let us know if you might be interested in giving up 60 minutes of your time to talk with students about possible careers in the future!
Huge thanks to Ms Ruggeri for organizing the event
Extra rehearsals!
Cast and Crew!
Monday 4/22 & Tuesday 4/23, please report to the auditorium at 1pm
Rehearsals continue on:
Wed.4/24 1:00-3:00
Thurs.4/25 2:30-4:30
Friday 2:30-4:30.
Please note that the performance starts at 7pm, not 6:30pm. We will update the district calendar
Please reach out to Ms Eva with any questions or concerns!
FRCOG CPR and First Aid classes at MTRS in May
On Thurs 5/2 and 5/9, community CPR and first aid classes will be offered. If you need to re-certify your CPR credentials, or bolster your confidence on how to respond in an emergency, these classes are for you! Participants will leave each class with a nationally-recognized certification.
The classes will be deeply discounted ($20/class, $30/both classes), thanks to a grant secured by Cooperative Public Health Service, the health district that supports all West County Boards of Health.
Students can receive an additional discount by using the following codes: STUDENT_CPR (for $10 CPR class), STUDENT_FIRSTAID (for $10 first aid class) or STUDENT_COMBINED (to take both classes for $15).
While these classes will take place at Mohawk Trail Regional School, this is NOT a school-sponsored activity.
Restorative Practices training, Part 2
Earlier this week, thanks to our Barr Foundation grant, fourteen teachers and administration staff took place in a two day training course delivered by trainers from Suffolk University Centre for Restorative Justice. This was a follow up to the introduction to RJ practices from two weeks ago. It is the second step in our comprehensive plan to start to roll out RJ practices across the district as a whole. In early April, the same group will experience Tier 3 RJ training in August.
In the next few months teachers, admin, students and family members will have the opportunity to participate in similar trainings as a way to infuse restorative practices into MTRS and our district as a whole.
Carol Foote, Communications and Outreach Coordinator, cfoote@mtrsd.org
April Update on the Sustainability Project
Please see the update included from BERK12 below and make note that there are still opportunities to engage with the conversation. Two more sessions are on the calendar:
April 24, Mohawk Trail Regional School, superintendents’ conference room, 6:00 to 7:30 pm
April 25, Hawlemont School Cafeteria, 5:30 – 7:00 pm, dinner served and childcare available
For background information and updates visit www.2districts8towns.org
School Committee Members Needed
The MTRS and HRTS School Committees are in need of dedicated community members to serve! The vacancies are:
Ashfield, 2 open
Charlemont, 1 open
Heath, 1 open
Visit the school committee webpages for more information about the work:
https://www.mtrsd.org/School-Committees
Much Ado About the Eclipse
Our district elementary schools hosted eclipse viewing opportunities. See the photos of the school communities in action on Monday, April 8th on that perfect solar eclipse viewing day.
One cool related event was that Third grade students at Hawlemont School in Charlemont were treated to a special guest visit on the previous Friday. Western Mass News Meteorologist Liam Murphy spent time with the students discussing how he predicts the weather and answered many questions about the solar eclipse, among others. This visit coupled with the solar eclipse event helped students to understand the link between what they are learning and what’s happening in the world.
Thanks to staff, families, individuals and groups who made this day special for our students to experience this (almost) once in a lifetime opportunity.
6th Grade Events: MFA TODAY and Follow Up On the Ice Cream Social
This morning around 7:30, buses left MTRS carrying 6th graders from across the districts to Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. Not only is this trip related to current curriculum, it is another opportunity for 6th grade students from across the districts to interact before coming up to the middle school in the fall.
By the way, the 6th grade Ice Cream Social at MTRS was a sweet success. Thanks to everyone who attended to hear more about what to expect as their student moves into 7th grade at the Mohawk Trail Regional middle school.
The bowls of ice cream were huge and toppings were plentiful. (Yum!) Thanks to the 7th grade team for scooping and then providing a full overview to 6th graders and their family members in the packed library. Thanks, also, to the parent ambassadors who made themselves available to attendees.
If you have thought of other things you'd like to know, or weren't able to attend, don't hesitate to contact middle school guidance counselor Taffy Ruggeri at truggeri@mtrsd.org.
Brennan Tierney named most promising new teacher!
The Massachusetts Council for Social Studies is proud to announce that Brennan Tierney has been selected to receive the Richard Aieta Award for Promising New Teacher.
The letter and supporting materials submitted by his colleagues on Brennan’s behalf describe an accomplished and inspiring educator. Amidst a remarkably strong field of candidates, Brennan’s talents and contributions to his students and school stood out.
Each year the Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies presents Awards of Excellence in a variety of social studies areas to educators from across the Commonwealth. Teachers, administrators, and museum educators at all levels are eligible for recognition. Named in memory of Richard Aieta, an extraordinary social studies educator who provided training for pre-service teachers at the college level and worked on behalf of MCSS, the Promising New Teacher Award is presented to an individual in the first five years of their career.
This award is also a recognition of the support your district provides for social studies teachers and the civic education of your students. Congratulations. We are thrilled to recognize Brennan’s excellence with this award.
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!
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/
Bus Schedules and Questions
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.
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 May 8th
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 May 10th. See joining information below!
Second 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
Spring sports are underway!
As always, game schedules will be updated in live time at ARBITERLIVE. Cross your fingers for good weather moving forward!
MIAA STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 26TH!
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is again seeking applications from rising Juniors and Seniors to join their Student Advisory Committee! Throughout the year, Student Advisory Committee members meet as a group approximately once a month. They are tasked with facilitating student leadership workshops, meeting as a committee to discuss student related topics and participating in various association activities throughout the year. The student voice is critical in how we continue to improve the Educational Athletic offerings of the MIAA. If your student is interested in applying for this committee, please contact District Athletic Director Greg Lilly at glillyAD@mtrsd.org.
ANNUAL MOHAWK TRAIL SPRING FLING SLATED FOR SATURDAY, MAY 11TH!
This year’s Annual Mohawk Trail Spring Fling will be taking place on Saturday, May 11th at MTRSD! Athletic clinics directed by Mohawk Trail coaches and players will be taking place throughout the day all over campus for elementary students throughout the district. MTRS Student Council will simultaneously host a large tag sale on the field hockey field, while individual classes will be holding fundraisers on campus. Food will be offered at the Kiwanis Club as well! Please stay tuned for more details regarding this exciting event as they come available.
Special Education Updates
Mohawk Trail SEPAC Member and Parent
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
Role
Contact Information
Leann Loomis
Director of Pupil Personnel Services
413-625-0192 x1025
Melissa Plesnar
Assistant to Director of Pupil Personnel Services
413-625-0192 x1015
Erin Beaudet
7-12 Liaison
413-625-9811 x1314
Carolyn Goodnow
1-6 Liaison
Mohawk Trail District
413-625-2521
Kate Dwyer
1-6 Liaison
Hawlemont District
413-339-8316
Amy Socquet
Early Childhood Coordinator and Liaison
413-625-6194
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. Upcoming meetings: Sept 28, Oct 23, Nov 27 at 6:30 pm
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.
MOHAWK SEPAC MEETING
MONDAY NOV 27TH AT 6:30PM
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
Chris Buckland
Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional