Gator Bites- 10/20/23
Important Dates:
*Bus Evacuation Drills this week!
Monday, 10/23-Picture re-takes at the MS/HS
Friday, 10/27-Chester Elementary Boo Bash!
Sunday, 11/5-Daylight Savings! Turn clocks back 1 hour
Tuesday, 11/7-Election Day-Half day for students, full day for staff
Friday, 11/10-Veterans Day Observed-No School
Safety Info for Families
Some families have asked the difference between a lockdown drill and a shelter in place. Each protocol is used for different scenarios, and staff are trained to facilitate each of these drills by our police partners at the beginning of every school year. These protocols are best practices used in every public school in Massachusetts.
To shelter in place means that all students, staff and visitors will remain in the room that they are in with the door locked until they are notified that it is permitted to move about the building. It can be used for a variety of reasons including but not limited to:
Medical emergency in a public area and need to maintain privacy
There is an outside disturbance like a wild animal
There is a disturbance not in the immediate vicinity of the school
Police or fire activity in the neighborhood
Lockdown is the procedure used to secure all persons in the building if there is some threat to safety. Sometimes this may mean that there is a serious or dangerous situation in or outside of the building.
A lockdown secures all persons in the building if there is some threat to safety. Teaching stops and individuals get ready to respond.
Lockdowns will be called if there is an immediate threat on campus including but not limited to:
Violence or threat of violence
Uncontrolled Hostility
Unknown Intruder
If a lockdown needs to be called, communication will be sent to families as part of our safety protocol. Families will also be notified if a shelter in place is held for an extended period of time. If you have questions about the difference between these protocols, please reach out to the building principal or Superintendent Smidy.
Barr Foundation Grant-Final week of survey!
Attention Gateway Families, Community Members, and Alumni!
We NEED to hear from YOU!
As you know, Gateway was selected to receive a grant from the Barr Foundation. This grant requires the district to hear from YOU to understand how we can shift our practices to make sure we are engaging EVERY STUDENT in their education.
Families: Please take one survey for each child enrolled by THIS FRIDAY!
Schools that reach 80% family participation rate will have a fun event to celebrate!
HIGH SCHOOL FAMILY SURVEY LINK: ytsurvey.org/barrfamily23
MIDDLE SCHOOL, LITTLEVILLE, AND CHESTER FAMILY SURVEY LINK: ytsurvey.org/gatewayregionalfamily23
Community members and alumni: please take one survey from the link below.
COMMUNITY MEMBER AND ALUMNI SURVEY LINK: https://tinyurl.com/GRSDcommunitysurvey
If you are a student or staff member, a different survey link will be shared with you.
The photo below may not be linkable, but use the link above to take the survey.
Vision Impairment Program (VIP) News!
You may know that Gateway Regional has an inclusive and dynamic special education program for students with vision loss. This program serves students from our own district, plus accepts students from other districts on a tuition basis. Led by teacher Amy Mason, this incredible program is just another reason to be proud to be a Gator!
If you need a screen-reader friendly copy of this newsletter, please email amason@grsd.org. If you need this newsletter in hard copy (paper) braille or large print, please email kpoehler@grsd.org.
GRHS/MS Winter Sports Sign Ups!
Interested in winter sports at Gateway Regional MS/HS? Sign ups can be found on our website by clicking the last link on the right hand side "Sports Sign Ups".
Lunch Menu for October
High School Yearbooks for sale!
A Few Notes from our Nurse Leader
The nurses offices have been rocking and rolling into this school year and appreciate all of your dedication to keeping sick kids home to help prevent the spread of illness while still encouraging good attendance whenever possible. Littleville and Chester’s health offices have nearly completed their state mandated health screenings and the middle/high school nurse’s office is working on an exciting new pilot project to offer kids the opportunity to use a room for telehealth appointments. More to come about that in the next Gator bites edition!
Halloween Safety
The end of October marks a festive celebration of all things spooky for some. Click the link above to learn more about how to celebrate safely presented by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is breast cancer awareness month; a time to educate everyone about breast cancer and the importance of early detection and access to timely, high-quality care.
Talk with your doctor about any concerns you may have or to learn how to do a proper self-breast exam.
Massachusetts State Mandated Screenings in October
Health screenings have been ongoing throughout the month of October in the nurse's office. These screenings are not diagnostic, but serve to identify students who may need further medical evaluation. We will only contact parents with results if they are outside of normal limits and need follow up for further evaluation. If you would prefer to have your child screened by their primary care provider please contact your school nurse to make arrangements to gather required documentation.
Postural Screenings
In preparation for scoliosis screening, it is suggested to watch the video below with your child about scoliosis and the screening process.
Catch the Curve Scoliosis Education Video
Postural screening is not diagnostic, but a program to identify students who should have further medical evaluation. In Massachusetts, postural screenings are performed in school for children in grades 5 through 9 because this is a time of rapid growth and the most likely time period in which children can develop problems of the spine or scoliosis. For a proper and more accurate visualization during postural screening, female students are encouraged to bring a two-piece bathing suit or halter-top to school. This type of clothing permits a more accurate observation of the child’s back. Please be assured that privacy will be maintained at all times. Parents will be contacted with results only if there is a need to follow up with a physician or licensed practitioner for further evaluation.
If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to opt out of this screening, please contact your school nurse.
Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening
BMI is a measure that is used to show a person’s weight for height for age. It is calculated using an individual’s height and weight. Just like a blood pressure reading or an eye screening test, BMI can be a useful tool in identifying possible health risks, but it does not provide a diagnosis. Massachusetts schools have taken students’ heights and weights each year since the 1950s. According to the state’s new BMI screening regulations (approved in 2013), schools must now collect the heights and weights of students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10. BMI data collected for all children in these grades will be gathered and reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as a combined number. No individual student’s BMI results will be shared with anyone other than you. The school nurse will supervise your child’s screening and will make sure your child’s privacy is respected at all times. Your child’s height, weight, and BMI measurements are strictly confidential – results will be kept in your child’s school health record and will not be shared with anyone without your written permission.
The Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
The SBIRT program screening process will be incorporated into our annual state mandates screenings; and be done once in middle school and once in high school. All screenings will be conducted by our school nurses confidentially in private one-on-one sessions. We will utilize the CRAFFT-N screening tool, the most commonly used substance use screening tool for adolescents in Massachusetts. This year SBIRT will be done with grades 7 & 11.
Students who are not using substances will have their healthy choices reinforced by the screener. The screener will provide brief feedback to any student who reports using substances, or who is at risk for future substance use. If needed, we will refer students to our counseling staff for further evaluation. This program focuses on harm prevention and does not generate disciplinary action. Results of the screening will not be included in your student’s school record. As with any school screening, you have the right to opt your child out of this screening. Please contact the Health Office at (413) 685-1240 if you have any questions about this program or if you wish to opt out. Additionally, screening is voluntary and students may choose not to answer any or all of the screening questions. We encourage all parents/guardians to talk with their child about substance use. Together, schools and parent/guardians CAN make a difference for our youth.
Resources
“7 Ways to Protect Your Teen From Alcohol and Other Drugs”
http://files.hria.org/files/SA1011.pdf
Underage Drinking Prevention Parent Resources from SAMHSA
http://www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking/parent-resources
Marijuana Talk Kit
Fundraisers
Pizza! Pizza! For the Class of 2025!
The Class of 2025 is running the Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraiser again this year! Feel free to click the link below to order pizza, breadsticks, and cookies delivered right to your home. This fundraiser will run through the end of the month!
https://fundraising.littlecaesars.com/products?support=9d7e549b-f140-473d-ab7a-0a71168cf093
Gateway Socks for Chester's Playground!
Get your awesome Gateway Socks here and support Chester Elementary's playground project fundraiser at the same time!
GEF Trivia Night--Save the Date!
Get your thinking caps on--March 23rd at Stanton Hall for Trivia Night 2024!
A Message from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Please see below for a message from the Department of Elementary and Secondary of Education regarding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for students attending college in the 2024-25 school year will be delayed until December 2023 due to the implementation of the federal FAFSA Simplification Act. The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority has resources for educators and school counselors on this subject at mefa.org/counselors.
Students who plan to attend college in the fall and their families should take the time between now and December to ensure they are ready to apply for financial aid once the FAFSA is available. Students and families can learn about the financial aid application process, find out which family members need to contribute information on the new FAFSA, and create Federal Student Aid (FSA) IDs (usernames and passwords) for those contributors. MEFA’s resources for students and families, including webinars, recorded videos, blog posts, and one-on-one assistance, are available at mefa.org/college-financial-aid.
The U.S. Education Department’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) office will host a free Federal Financial Aid Virtual Bootcamp on October 25 and 26 for students, parents, school counselors, college access professionals, college and career coaches, and other members of the financial aid community. Sessions will include one on how to prepare for the 2024-25 FAFSA form, and other giving an overview of the prototype of the 2024-25 FAFSA.
In addition, uAspire will host FSA ID help sessions via Zoom in November. Registration is open online.
From our Community Partners
From the School Based Health Center
he FLU is no Halloween treat and can be scary!!
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that is more dangerous than the common cold for children. Annual flu vaccination offers the best protection against flu and its potentially serious complications in children. Parents can help children fight flu by getting themselves and their children vaccinated against flu each year. The School Based Health Center has Vaccines available. Call or stop in today for more information. (413) 667-0142.
Although flu season lasts for months, experts say it’s best to get a flu vaccine by the end of October.
The Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Taskforce
On Thursday, October 26th from 5:30 PM-7:00 PM, the Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force will be celebrating their 25th anniversary supporting families in our district. There will be a photo booth if anyone wants to participate in the "Bystander Campaign".
At the Russell Public Library!
Kids, Happy Fallidays
Join us for our Celebration of Fall Story Time
Saturday, October 21th, from 10:30 -12:00.
Leaf Crafts and Pumpkin Eats, A full morning of fabulous fall fun and a story too. Open to everyone, no registration required
For Adults and Teens: “Guided Pastel Painting of Georgia O’Keeffe’s Famous Lily,” with artist Gregory John Maichack.
Thursday, November 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00PM
This pastel painting workshop serves beginners to advanced artists, and all materials are provided. Mr. Maichack’s workshops have been so well-liked that he has been booked annually at the Russell Public Libraryfor a number of years.
Register by email rpldirector@townofrussell.us, call 413-862-6221 and
leave a message, or come in and sign up at the library.
This program is supported in part by funds from the Russell Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
At the Blandford Public Library!
Contact Information:
Chester Elementary School:
Principal Vanna Maffuccio vmaffuccio@grsd.org
Littleville Elementary School:
Principal Melissa McCaul mmccaul@grsd.org
Principal Jason Finnie jfinnie@grsd.org
Assistant Principal Will Sullivan wsullivan@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