Student & Family Update
April 29, 2022
Good afternoon everyone,
I hope that you have had a great week. Things have been busy as usual at MTRS with events taking place in classes, on the sports fields and on field trips around the region.
Understanding the Vote on MCAS
Election Day results in Massachusetts included the passage of ballot question 2, which removed the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) as a high school graduation requirement. Follow up communication from the Secretary of the Commonwealth offers clarification that the earliest that this ruling would take effect is December 5, 2024.
Between now and December 5, the MCAS retests in English Language Arts and Mathematics scheduled for November 2024 will go ahead as planned. Since these tests will be administered before the new law goes into effect, any student who earns a qualifying score on the retest will satisfy the competency determination (CD) requirements for that subject area.
As further guidance becomes clear, we will share those updates and respond accordingly.
Student Led Conferences - caregiver feedback needed
Caregivers, thanks for sharing feedback by Nov 11th. Feedback will be shared at the November school committee meeting and in the newsletter if the same week
As a reminder, our next SLC will be on April 2nd when there will be another 11:30am dismissal. This will be for Grades 7-12.
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We are looking forward to grades 5 & 6 coming to MTRS to join up with grades 7 & 8 for our Biannual STEAM Fair on November 14th. See the poster opposite to see what the Community Engagement team has been planning for our visiting students and guests!
The Winter Play needs you!
We need three more actors for the Winter play! Please email Director Paul with any questions! stagedirector@mtrsd.org
Quarter 1 Report Cards
Report Cards are available to view in Aspen through 11/28/24:
- login to Aspen https://ma-mohawk.myfollett.com/aspen/logon.do
- look for "Published Reports" (right side of the screen, mid-way down)
- click on the icon
First day of Quarter 2: Friday, November 1, 2024
Last day of Quarter 2: Tuesday, January 2, 2025
Quarter 2 Progress Reports are scheduled to be available on Friday, December 13, 2024
Aspen
Aspen Login page can also be found on the MTRS website under Quick Links
Please contact Twin Lakes Technology with questions related to Aspen access:
https://www.twinlakesllc.org/support
Can you help? We are looking for caregivers who might be interested in being paid to help monitor school lunches between 11:10am & 12:40pm. Please email me for more details: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Please read on for information and news related to our busy school. This includes:
- Athletics Updates
- Teaching and Learning updates
- Winter Play news
- AP Brault's Culture Corner
- Community involvement and outreach opportunities
- District updates
- SEPAC updates
- Welcome to MTRS... Gabriel Larouche
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.
As a reminder, Monday is Veterans Day and there is no school for students or staff. See you all on Tuesday.
Best
Chris
Upcoming dates
- November 11th: Veterans Day, no school for students
- November 14th: Grades 5-8 STEAM Fair
- November 20th: Photo retake day
- November 27th: 11:30 release (Thanksgiving break, 28th & 29th November)
- Dec 4th: Grade 8 students experience high school
- Dec 13 & 14th: Winter Play 6:30pm
- Dec 19th: College and Alumni conversations with current MTRS students
- Dec 19: Winter Concert 6:30pm
- December 21st: Last day of school - 2:20 release
- December 23 - 31st: Winter Break
- January 1: No school
- January 2nd: School starts again
- 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
District (Calendar for 24/25)
Live Solar Panel Energy Information
Twin Lakes has taken over from Suzor as our IT company. support@twinlakesconsulting.zendesk.com
Quarter 2: 45 days
First Day: Friday, November 1st, 2024
Last Day: Tues, January 21, 2024
Q2 progress report grades close on: Friday, December 6, 2024
Q2 progress report grading window: Thursday, Dec 5 - Thursday Dec 12 at 11:59pm
Q2 progress reports will be distributed on: Friday, December 13, 2024
Q2 grading window: Thursday, January 16th - Fri, Jan 24th 2024 at 11:59pm
Q2 report cards will be available in Aspen on: Monday, January 27th, 2024
Student Leadership workshop
Last Friday, Ms Trombley ran a workshop for several students interested in developing their leadership skills and potential. This is the first phase of training and developing peer mentors to help students support students in our building. This work also ties into the Restorative Practices training that MTRS staff have participated in recently. Here is a brief report from one of the participants:
"The Leadership workshop was great! I learned so many important lessons and skills that I can use in the future. I learned a bunch of acronyms that I can remember and use in important times for example, A.N.T.S(automatic negative thoughts) which was a big take away for me and learning that the things I think about myself aren’t necessarily what others think of me. Making positive impressions not just once but every time, was a great lesson to learn. I also really enjoyed making a vision board for myself and envisioning a future and not just saying that it’s what I want but also saying that it WILL happen.
A high value to me personally is taking into consideration my listening skills, and how to listen. I enjoyed meditation and going around in a circle talking about our own experiences during presentations as leaders.
The group size was really good and the age group was good because everyone had the same understanding, It would be nice if it was bigger. I would recommend this workshop to others because I was shown important tactics that I can use next time I’m faced with having to present and lead a large group.
It’s great advise, and a good time to connect with other people that are the same way. I will continue to work on my confidence and not doubting myself. I would give this workshop a 5/4 1/2 stars, and I think that there should be a follow up workshop in the spring!" (KS)
WINTER SPORTS REGISTRATION IS OPEN!!!!!
While the weather may be sending mixed messages, it is time to start getting prepared for winter sports! We are again offering five athletic opportunities for our Mohawk Trail students.
Basketball
Wrestling
Indoor Track
Nordic Skiing
Alpine Skiing
As always, the winter athletic season begins the Monday after Thanksgiving and runs through the end of February. The link to registration can be found HERE. Please remember that in order to participate, every student must have a current physical on file with the health office (last 13 months) and have completed a Baseline Concussion Test within the last two years. The link to the Baseline Concussion Test can be found within the registration link. Please reach out to District Athletic Director Greg Lilly HERE with any and all questions regarding your student’s participation in winter athletics.
We are so fortunate to have a fantastic group of educators at MTRS. They go above and beyond in trying to create learning opportunities for our students. Here are a few that recently took place:
Middle School Band trip to Symphony Hall
All the students in the music department went to Symphony Hall in Boston to see the Boston Symphony Orchestra perform a tribute to Duke Ellington's tone poems (music that symbolizes a landscape or scene). Then we went to a local cafe to get some treats! Middle school band student Maddan G summed up the experience: "I liked the fact we were able to see a huge orchestra in action and I liked the Cafe we went to, I got a delicious oreo cake"
Art trip to Double Edge Theatre
On Thursday highschool art students were guests at the Double Edge Theatre farm center in Ashfield where we were treated to a performance of Leonora, la maga y la maestra.
The work explores the life and art of Leonora Carrington, a hugely talented and influential figure in the surrealist and feminist art movement.
After the incredible show we had a chance to talk to the actors and then had a picnic style lunch in the orchard on the farm. Thank you to Double Edge Theatre for hosting us and sharing your artistic work!
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
Gabriel Larouche
Hello! My name is Gabe Larouche, or Mr. Gabe, and I am the new high school math teacher. I graduated from Cornell University in May 2024 with a degree in atmospheric sciences. My long-term career goals involve eventually returning to graduate school for energy meteorology. Connected to this long term plan, this winter I am set to begin a part-time weather forecasting position offering consulting to international television productions and have spearheaded efforts as a prospective CEO of an energy forecasting company.
One of my goals as both a teacher and a mentor at MTRS is to instill a growth mindset, where students can recognize and seize their full potential. With hard work, you are all capable of achieving your dreams and leading extraordinary lives - and I pledge to extend my advice and experiences.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about college admissions, common app essays or anything else about the daunting transition from high school to the real world!
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.
The Power of the Sun
Though the wind was strong and sunshine was intermittent, students in the Ms Woofenden's Climate Resiliency class put the power of the sun to the test. They built solar ovens out of pizza boxes to cook up s’mores. Students proudly showed off a little melt on their chocolate bar despite the suboptimal conditions. Then it was off to the races!
Solar cars made out of a cardboard base, two axles with 4 wheels, a motor, a solar panel and a couple of wires were encouraged to perform on a downward slope. Following each run, students discussed what may be slowing or sending their car off course. Bounce, friction, and whether a part was level or straight were among the issues to fix for better performance in the future.
Stop the Bleed
This week students in the Forensic Science class focused on the Stop the Bleed curriculum in which they learned how to save a victim’s life by controlling blood loss. The practical part of the class had them using tourniquets and packing a wound. Thanks to state and local police and other first responders who helped in this informative session!
Explore the student services updates for more information!
First and foremost, a shoutout to all of our substitutes and teachers who cover when an adult is out. We all have days that we need to be out of the building and we are very thankful that there are amazing people to help cover in our time of need.
Did you know that Seniors may be eligible for Senior Privileges? If they do not owe money, have passing grades, come to school on time, and are not receiving discipline referrals, they can apply! As a result, they can use the coffee shop, leave at lunch time, and come in late or leave early if they have a block that doesn’t have a class scheduled.
I had an opportunity to walk in on a fabulous conversation in Middle School PE class today. Mr. Suhre was talking about “fair” versus “equitable”. The picture on the left is “fair” as everyone is getting the same height box but the picture on the right is “equitable” because everyone gets what they need! A great conversation for everyone!
Sustainability Update: Progress Update, November 14
For those who missed the first community progress update in October, or want to attend again, a second session will be offered on Thursday, November 14 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. The session will be offered in person at the Mohawk Trail Regional High School Superintendent’s Conference Room, AND may be accessed virtually in these ways:
Video Call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83357032331
Phone: +1 305 224 1968
Jake Eberwein of BERK12 will again be presenting the findings of the ongoing 2D8T sustainability study. (See the content presented at the October 10 virtual session here which will be largely similar to the content presented on November 14.)
The research team has identified 5 models for our communities to consider. In the coming months, each model will be evaluated with several broad questions such as:
● Does the model improve or at least allow the districts to sustain educational quality?
● Does the model advance sustainable finances for the 8 towns in the near- and long-term?
● Does the model lead to greater district efficiency and alignment?
● Is the model feasible?
Additionally, the research team and Steering Committee will consider the impact of each model on school identity, family experience, staffing, retention/recruitment, facilities, transportation, and community partnerships
Once the five models have been explored, community outreach sessions will be held to gather input and address questions. It is anticipated that these sessions will occur in January and February. Ultimately, the decision to support any change will be up to the residents of the eight towns.
Community members are encouraged to review the resources section of the 2districts8towns website, which includes a comprehensive progress report of work to date along with additional reports and presentations related to the study. Questions or comments can be submitted through the CONTACT link on the website. For those just becoming familiar with the Sustainability Study, a one page project overview is available HERE.
For more information, contact project manager H. Jake Eberwein, jakeeberwein@gmail.com.
STEAM Fair - Helpful Humans Needed
The STEAM Fair is happening Thursday, November 14 for district wide students (plus Rowe!) in grade 5, 6, 7 and 8. We are excited to bring science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to our students in this day-long immersive experience. The list of hands-on activities is impressive thanks to MTRS staff and community volunteers.
Speaking of volunteers, we could use a few more helpful humans to assist in the day running smoothly. If you are available at some point between 10:30 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. next Thursday, we’d appreciate having your help! Connect with Carol Foote, 413-625-9811 x1311 or cfoote@mtrsd.org, to discuss duties and your availability.
A quick snapshot of the day is as follows:
9:20 a.m.: Elementary students will arrive at Mohawk Trail Regional School
9:30 a.m.: All students in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 will assemble in the auditorium where they will enjoy a STEM-based magic show hosted by magician Peter Boie.
10:50 a.m.: Students will leave the auditorium to participate in 3 consecutive rotating activities lasting 45 minutes each which include: 1.) lunch, 2.) a community weaving project and 3.) a STEAM-based activity.
10:55 a.m.: Activity #1
11:45 a.m.: Activity #2
12:35 p.m.: Activity #3
1:20 p.m.: Students depart their third activity and move back into the auditorium for the closing presentation which will focus on the solar power industry.
2:00 p.m.: Students will move outdoors (weather permitting) for a quick movement activity.
2:15 p.m.: Students board busses to return to their elementary schools
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 November 13th
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 November 22nd- 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
Chris Buckland
Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional