Student & Family Update
April 29, 2022
Good afternoon everyone,
I hope you have had a great week.
I am looking forward to seeing the play this weekend and hope that you get a chance to come and see our fantastic performing arts students in action! Have a look at this fantastic report in the Recorder: link
Care providers and parents who drop students off in the morning, thanks for driving slowly and being respectful of bus lanes and flashing red bus lights - remember, it is illegal to pass a stationary bus when its red lights are flashing.
Please find news and updates from MTRS:
- Grade 9 families: Counselor Cairney met with G9 students this week and went over the following slide show, which was also emailed to all care givers. What does being in grade 9 mean?
- Caregiver survey Q2: link This was shared to all families and care givers last week. As a reminder, we would like to ask for your feedback on how we are doing! This survey will be open from December 1st until December 15th and a summary of feedback will be shared via the Friday email and with the SC in early January
- Latest edition of the student newspaper, Tomorrow’s fish and chips: is out now! Fish and chips PDF
- We are recruiting recent MTRS graduates who are currently in college, or enrolled in other types of training programs, to speak with our middle and high school students on the morning of Thursday, December 21. Interested alumni should email truggeri@mtrsd.org and sgarcia@mtrsd.org for more information.
- Winter Play (Gracie's Place - December 8th and 9th (7pm start)
- Winter Concert on December 20th (6-7:30pm)
SEPAC have an upcoming virtual parent meeting on December 13th from 9-10am. See SEPAC section below for more information.
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
Chris
Upcoming dates
Dec 13th: Early release Wednesdays
December 8 & 9th: Winter play: 7pm start
Winter Concert: Grades 7-12: 6:00-7:30pm: Dec 20th
Dec 22nd: 11:30 dismissal for MS and HS
Winter Break: Dec 25 - Jan 1 (Dec 22nd 11:30 dismissal, school starts again on Jan 2nd)
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
District Calendar for 2023/24: Link
Quarter 2: 50 days (including student-led conferences)
First Day: Friday, November 3, 2023
Last Day: Friday, January 26, 2024
Q2 progress report grades close on: Friday, December 8, 2023
Q2 progress report grading window: Thursday, Dec 7 - Thursday Dec 14 at 11:59pm
Q2 progress reports will be distributed on: Friday, December 15, 2023
Q2 grading window: Friday, January 19 - Friday, January 26, 2024 at 11:59pm
Q2 report cards will be available in Aspen on: Monday, January 29, 2024
Semester 1 Student-led conferences
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 - (Early Release)
Thursday, January 25, 2024 - (2 hr delay: 9:45am school starts)
Friday, January 26, 2024 - (2 hr delay: 9:45am school starts)
Just some thoughts to remind your students about:
Students have been catching up with other students in the bathrooms. Of course, students may sign out of class to use the bathroom with teacher permission but should be quick and return to class promptly. Further, there has been some destruction in the bathrooms that has resulted in closing a bathroom for a period of time.
Activity time for the high school students are pre-scheduled. If your student is not going to a club they need to be in their advisory classroom. There have been too many students wandering the halls during activity time. The mantra I have been hearing is, “I don’t have anything right now.”
Upcoming events, at a glance:
Friday, December 8: Gracie’s Place, MTRS Auditorium, 7 pm
Saturday, December 9: Gracie’s Place, MTRS Auditorium, 7 pm
Saturday, December 9: BSE Winter Tag Sale and Craft Fair, BSE Cafeteria, 9 am - 4 pm
Sunday, December 10: BSE Winter Tag Sale and Craft Fair, BSE Cafeteria, 9 am - 3 pm
Wednesday, December 20: Mohawk Trail Regional Winter Concert, MTRS Auditorium, 6 pm
A Call for Recent MTRS Grads
We are recruiting recent MTRS graduates who are currently in college or enrolled in other types of training programs, to speak with our middle and high school students on the morning of Thursday, December 21. Interested alumni should email truggeri@mtrsd.org and sgarcia@mtrsd.org for more information.
Say Cheese
On Tuesday, Mohawk Trail’s culinary class made batches of stovetop macaroni and cheese. This is an elective class and counts toward art credit. In their specific roles in the kitchen, students worked efficiently and thoughtfully, flashing smiles here and there. Special ingredients in the sauce recipe included mustard powder, cayenne pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
Music to our ears
Winter concerts are coming up! If you are a caregiver to a student who is preparing to perform in the Sanderson Academy, Colrain Central or Mohawk Trail Regional concerts, please offer them encouragement to put in a little more practice at home between now and their concert.
Sanderson Academy students in the orchestra, band, and third-grade recorder players will perform on December 15th and are currently focusing on learning new music for the concert!
Colrain Central’s concert will take place on Wednesday, December 20 at 2 p.m.
Mohawk Trail Regional students will showcase their musical talents under the direction of new music teacher Annalee Clough, on Wednesday, December 20th. The concert will take place in the auditorium, begins at 6pm, and is free and open to the public.
Snow people personified
Maybe you've already seen the snowperson scene at Greenfield Cooperative Bank on Bridge Street in Shelburne Falls. If you take a closer look, you'll notice those snow people have the faces of Mrs. Kelley's 2nd graders from Buckland Shelburne Elementary! The message in the window says, "Buckland Shelburne Elementary is snow delightful." Thanks to Mrs. Kelley and members of her class who made this window particularly special this season.
Letters Between Generations
Members of the 5th grade at Sanderson Academy are pen pals with Ashfield seniors citizens. They wrote and sent letters, have received letters back, and are eagerly reading them and about ready to write again. For this effort the school is seeking donations of blank notecards, stationary paper, and envelopes for the 5th graders to use. Sanderson families may drop supply donations at the library. If community members wish to donate, your supplies may be brought to the front office during school hours. Thank you very much! On a related note, third graders are continuing to learn how to write in cursive. This week they practiced writing dictated words without copying them, which means the proper formation of the letters had to come from memory.
Hawlemont’s 4H Clubs are Offering a Helping Hand
The Hawlemont 4H Clubs are organizing a food drive for Charlemont Good Neighbors as part of their Community Service Project. All 4H students in grades 3rd-6th met with HAY teacher Jenn Sinistore during their lunch and came up with a plan for this project.
Good Neighbors gave a list of items that are really needed in addition to canned and boxed foods (soups, pastas, cereals, snacks, etc.). Personal care items on that list include: toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair brushes/combs, shampoo and conditioner, soap, toilet paper, paper towels, tissues and can openers.
All items, including money or gift cards, may be dropped off to the office by December 18th. This will give Good Neighbors enough time to buy perishable items that are needed.
Student-led-conferences are coming! (January 24th, 25th & 26th)
Dear Parent/ Care Provider,
In the last 18 months MTRS has been shifting towards Standards Based Teaching & Learning (SBTL). SBTL puts a strong emphasis on helping students achieve proficiency and excellence in the skills embedded in content standards.This is vital in helping students apply what they have learned beyond the classroom at MTRS.
This shift to SBTL can be seen in the way that teachers are starting to grade work in terms of proficiency (Not yet meeting proficiency, partially meeting proficiency, meeting proficiency and excelling) as well as traditional letter grades and percentages.
A major part of SBTL is providing support to enable students to have a louder voice in their progress and in setting their own content learning and character habit goals. The Student-led-conference (SLC) is a vital part of this and why, having run a pilot in grade 11 last year, we will start SLCs in January during the time when mid-term exams would normally take place.
I hope that this letter provides you with an overview of what/ how/ where/ when!
We are looking forward to parents and care providers being partners in MTRS student journeys.
Sincerely
Chris
What is a Student-led-conference?
Student-led-conferences (SLC) are at the heart of our shift to standards based teaching and learning. They provide students with more ownership of their learning experiences at MTRS.
Rather than reviewing letters/ numbers on a report or progress card, SLCs provide students with an opportunity to lead a 15 minute conversation about their progress towards proficiency in habits of learning and content-based skills.
They also enable students to reflect on their learning experiences to date and to set goals for the rest of the school year.
Does my student have to do an SLC?
SLC are based in an advisory class, which is scheduled for each student every day. Advisory is a graduation requirement and student participation in SLC is expected and contributes to the pass/fail (credit/no-credit) for the course at the end of the year.
SLCs are scheduled 2 x a year for grades 7-12 and 1 x a year for grade 12. Students in grades 7-11 must participate in both SLCs for the year in order to pass the class, in addition to attendance and participation.
If a student is absent or unwell when their SLC is scheduled, they will make this up when they return.
Who will be at the Student-led-conference?
Students will lead their own conference as it is their opportunity to talk about their experiences at MTRS as well as their goals for the rest of the year and beyond high school.
We would like to invite care providers and families to be an integral part of every student’s journey and to try to be present at the SLC - in-person or virtually.
Your student’s advisory teacher will be present. As advisory groups meet every day for a year, advisory teachers have the best overall insight into habits of learning and academic progress of each of their students. They can help support students as they lead their conference.
When will the Student-led-conferences take place?
Student -led conferences will happen in place of midterms and finals week.
S1 SLC will be scheduled during 24/25/26th January and S2 will be scheduled during 5/6/7 June (depending on snowdays)
SLC will take place for grades 7-12 in S1 and 7-11 in S2. Grade 12 will have a final exam as their last week of school is typically earlier than the last day for the rest of the school.
Will SLC replace traditional end of semester tests/ assessments?
SLC will take place during the time typically used for mid-terms/ end of semester testing.
End of course or mid-course assessments will take place during regular classes
Where will the Student-led-conference take place?
If you are in-person, please arrive at school 10 minutes before your scheduled time and someone will bring you to the advisor’s room.
If you are meeting virtually, please log in to the google meet 5 minutes before your scheduled time.
What is the difference between a S1 and a S2 Student-led-conferences?
SLC at the end of S1 - A chance for the student to reflect on their strengths, growths and challenges in the first semester, to reflect on their discoveries as a learner during the year so far and to set some habits and academic goals for the second semester. It is also an opportunity for students to talk through current post-high school plans.
SLC at the end of S2 - A chance for the student to reflect on challenges and successes of the year, to set goals for the year ahead and to revisit and possibly change post-high school plans.
What is the schedule for the S1 Student-led-conferences?
Wednesday 24th January
7:45-9:45 am: Grades 7, 9, 11
9:50-11:50 am: Grades 8,10, 12
Early release: 12:50 dismissal
Thursday 25th January
Two hour delay: School starts at 9:40am
9:45-11:45 am: Grades 7 & 8:
Advisory teachers in 9-12 to share specific availability between:
11:50-12:20: & 1:05-2:20 pm:
Friday 26th January
Two hour delay: School starts at 9:40am
9:45-11:45 am: Grades 7 & 8:
Advisory teachers in 9-12 to share specific availability between:
11:50-12:20: & 1:05-2:20 pm:
How do I schedule my SLC?
From next week, advisory teachers will reach out to caregivers and families by email to schedule conferences of 15 minutes per student (in-person or virtual) on the above days.
What if I have children in multiple grades?
We will start to schedule appointments so care providers will be able to arrange times convenient for them during the SLC window.
What if 15 minutes is not enough time?
Advisors can help care providers/ families set up a subsequent appointment to meet with themselves or specific content teachers at a later date.
What will happen if I am unable to attend?
We understand that not everyone can be available in-person or virtually during the school day. If you are unable to attend, your student will still conference with their advisory teacher.
As we continue to develop our Student-led conference process, we will look at ways to have early afternoon/ early evening conferences as a way for all families and care providers to have the opportunity to be a part of the process.
What if I have more questions?
Please reach out to your students advisor in the first instance. Your grade level guidance counselor will also be able to help.
Grades 7 and 8: truggeri@mtrsd.org
Grades 9-12: acairney@mtr
What is a Student-led-conference?
Student-led-conferences (SLC) are at the heart of our shift to standards based teaching and learning. They provide students with more ownership of their learning experiences at MTRS.
Rather than reviewing letters/ numbers on a report or progress card, SLCs provide students with an opportunity to lead a 15 minute conversation about their progress towards proficiency in habits of learning and content-based skills.
They also enable students to reflect on their learning experiences to date and to set goals for the rest of the school year.
Who will be at the Student-led-conference?
Students will lead their own conference as it is their opportunity to talk about their experiences at MTRS as well as their goals for the rest of the year and beyond high school.
We would like to invite care providers and families to be an integral part of every student’s journey and to try to be present at the SLC - in-person or virtually.
Your student’s advisory teacher will be present. As advisory groups meet every day for a year, advisory teachers have the best overall insight into habits of learning and academic progress of each of their students. They can help support students as they lead their conference.
When will the Student-led-conferences take place?
Student -led conferences will happen in place of midterms and finals week.
S1 SLC will be scheduled during 24/25/26th January and S2 will be scheduled during 5/6/7 June (depending on snowdays.
SLC will take place for grades 7-12 in S1 and 7-11 in S2. Grade 12 will have a final exam as their last week of school is typically earlier than the last day for the rest of the school.
Where will the Student-led-conference take place?
If you are in-person, please arrive at school 10 minutes before your scheduled time and someone will bring you to the advisor’s room.
If you are meeting virtually, please log in to the google meet 5 minutes before your scheduled time.
What is the difference between a S1 and a S2 Student-led-conferences?
SLC at the end of S1 - A chance for the student to reflect on their strengths, growths and challenges in the first semester, to reflect on their discoveries as a learner during the year so far and to set some habits and academic goals for the second semester. It is also an opportunity for students to talk through current post-high school plans.
SLC at the end of S2 - A chance for the student to reflect on challenges and successes of the year, to set goals for the year ahead and to revisit and possibly change post-high school plans.
What is the schedule for the S1 Student-led-conferences?
Wednesday 24th January
Early release: 12:50 dismissal
7:45-9:45 am: Grades 7, 9, 11
9:50-11:50 am: Grades 8,10, 12
Thursday 25th January
Two hour delay: School starts at 9:40am
9:45-11:45 am: Grades 7 & 8:
Advisory teachers in 9-12 to share specific availability between:
11:50-12:20: & 1:05-2:20 pm:
Friday 26th January
Two hour delay: School starts at 9:40am
9:45-11:45 am: Grades 7 & 8:
Advisory teachers in 9-12 to share specific availability between:
11:50-12:20: & 1:05-2:20 pm:
How do I schedule my SLC?
From next week, advisory teachers will reach out to caregivers and families by email to schedule conferences of 15 minutes per student (in-person or virtual) on the above days.
What if I have children in multiple grades?
We are starting to schedule appointments early so that care providers will be able to schedule times convenient for them during the SLC window.
What if 15 minutes is not enough time?
Advisors can help care providers/ families set up a subsequent appointment to meet with themselves or specific content teachers at a later date.
What will happen if I am unable to attend?
We understand that not everyone can be available in-person or virtually during the school day. If you are unable to attend, your student will still conference with their advisory teacher.
As we continue to develop our Student-led conference process, we will look at ways to have early afternoon/ early evening conferences as a way for all families and care providers to have the opportunity to be a part of the process.
Are there other opportunities to speak to staff about my student?
SLC are additional opportunities for parent/ care providers to speak to MTRS staff about your student. They did not exist in MS/ HS before this year!
Open House for MS in early September
Celebration of Learning: March 27th, 2024
Content teachers can be contacted by email - please see the staff page on the MTRS Website
What if I have more questions?
Please reach out to your students advisor in the first instance. Your grade level guidance counselor will also be able to help.
Grades 7 and 8: truggeri@mtrsd.org
Grades 9-12: acairney@mtrsd.org
MTRS is partnering with CHD to provide a DBT Skills Group and the Brick House to provide the Project AMP Mentoring program. Both opportunities are being offered during the school day. Interested students & families should contact their school counselor for consent forms and additional information.
DBT Skills Group: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skill building group will teach specific skills related to mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. The group will meet weekly during the school day, for 8 weeks, October-December. It will be facilitated by two therapists from The Center for Human Development (CHD). Participation in this group will be billed through insurance:
MassHealth, Fallon, BMC/Wellsense, Tufts, Health New England, Aetna are accepted insurances. If your insurance is not covered, the private pay rate is $55, but they do have a sliding fee scale with rates as low as $10.
Project AMP: A brief, youth-driven, strengths-based mentorship program. Students meet with mentor, Hannah Bertrand, of the Brick House over 4-6 weeks, for 45 minute sessions during the school day. Youth explore interests, develop goals, and navigate through pressures and risks that might impact their well-being. There is no cost to participate.
Check out what is new in the library!
Take a look at our MTRS Library December 2023 newsletter: “Check It Out!”
Latest newsletter, here:https://www.smore.com/4msuz
I want to update you on some information that is being shared with the Grade 9 students during their Advisory on Thursdays. Throughout the remainder of the semester, I will be presenting information that focuses on the Grade 9 transition to high school. Topics include, but are not limited to, school resources, habits for student success, semester grading, time management, student schedules, learning style inventory, an introduction to the Naviance program, and taking a peek into what sophomore year will entail. I will continue to update my presentation here as the weeks go on Grade 9 Advisory - Student Services, feel free to check it out and reiterate some of the same messages at home! I've enjoyed meeting the freshmen, what a wonderful group of students :)
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.
Shared by Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG)
Food Resources:
Thanksgiving specific:
Bear Country Bobby Cambell helps families with a full Turkey Dinner for Thanksgiving, you can find him on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/bobbyc.campbell/
Community Action Family Center gives out a Harvest Box before Thanksgiving to their participants, please call them to reserve a box 413-475-1555 .
Thanksgiving Meal Delivery Program:
AGENCY: NORTH QUABBIN COMMUNITY COALITION
The North Quabbin Community Coalition (NQCC) will deliver FREE Thanksgiving Dinners to the elderly or homebound on Thanksgiving Day (November 24th) to residents of Athol, Erving, New Salem, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Warwick, and Wendell only. To register for the Free Home Delivered Thanksgiving Meal, call the NQCC at (978) 249-3703. Provide your name, address, telephone number, and the number of people requesting meals. Meal reservations are required by November 21st.
Or, reserve a spot at the in-person William J. O’Brien Memorial Thanksgiving Dinner by calling the Athol Council on Aging at (978) 249-8986. The meal is held at 12:00 noon at the Athol American Legion. Transportation is available upon request. More details here: https://www.look4help.org/search/?id=53171212
Holiday food (general):
https://www.foodbankwma.org/get-help/mobile-food-bank/ phone: 413-247-9738
https://www.franklinfoodpantry.org/get-help/ Please look over this site, as it has a lot of great resources for many Holidays as well as daily needs. Contact info: email: ldu@franklinfoodpantry.org phone: 508-528-3115
Self Reliance Food Pantry in Greenfield, Mass phone: (413) 773-5029 https://www.communityaction.us/food-pantries
https://www.fccmp.org/ contact info: 413-772-1033 email: info@fccmp.org
All year round this great group serves hot meals to many including during the Holidays https://thestonesoupcafe.org/ you can find where some local hot meals are served and which days they will be served on and the locations. Contact info: phone: 413 422 0020 email: info@thestonesoupcafe.org info@thestonesoupcafe.org
Salvation Army in Greenfield, Mass serves up Breakfast and Lunch https://massachusetts.salvationarmy.org/ma/greneedhelp
https://catholiccommunityofgreenfield.org/p/29/Feeding-The-Hungry https://www.saintsjamesandandrew.org/meals--more.html
I believe People’s Pint in Greenfield does either a Christmas dinner and or Thanksgiving, Please call them to find out 413 773 0333.
Holiday Gifts:
Resources that need an agency referral:
Adopt-A-Family of Franklin County, MA found on facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community/Adopt-A-Family-of-Franklin County-MA-793508417425897/
Salvation Army Of Greenfield, Mass Salvation Army helps children 12 yrs and younger.
Contact Info: Phone: 413-773-3154
https://massachusetts.salvationarmy.org/MA/GRE_holiday
If you are currently connected to CSO they often have a little Toy Drive as well. Please contact your agency connection directly on how to participate.
If you are connected to the Salasin Project they often have resources for gifts. Please contact your worker there.
Toys For Tots: Applications accepted until November 15th.
https://westernmass.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx?nPa geID=300&nPreviewInd=400&nRedirectInd=3
Self sign up resources:
Project Just Because: https://www.projectjustbecause.org/programs/ This list has great resources for ALL Holiday seasons, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and many more Holidays. There are resources for food, gifts and more. Contact information: 77 South Street Hopkinton MA 01748 phone: 508.435.6511 Email: office@projectjustbecause.org
Community Action Family Center of Greenfield, offers a Toy Drive as well to the community. Please call them for more information at, 413-475-1555.
Gazettenet Sidney F Smith this resource for gifts for the Holidays is very specific, please read well, helps southern Franklin County and Hampshire County. Ages 1-14 yrs of age. https://toyfund.gazettenet.com/
Giving Back Together Toy Drive This local toy Drive serves children 0 to 18 yrs old. Contact info: givingbacktogether@yahoo.com
https://www.facebook.com/GivingBackTogether/
True Christmas Not sure the age range of this drive, but another local gift drive. Contact info: 39 grove at , Turners Falls, MA, United States, Massachusetts Phone: (413) 824-4170 email: davidshea71@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/truechristmas1/
This site you will be able to poke around and look for resources you may need, including Holiday help:
https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/christmas_assistance_programs.html
General and All year Round and other amazing resources and supports, browse these sites to meet your needs:
https://www.projectjustbecause.org/programs/
https://lowincomerelief.com/free-christmas-toys-food-franklin-county-mass/#Get_Fre e_Toys_In_Franklin_County_Mass
https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/franklin_county_assistance_pro5.html https://www.communityaction.us/family-center
Winter sports are in full swing, and most of our teams are just days away from live action! While our ski teams are at the mercy of Mother Nature, our basketball, wrestling, and indoor track squads are chomping at the bit to begin their seasons! Let’s dive right into what is currently underway in the Mohawk Trail Athletic Department.
Our Girls Varsity and Junior Varsity basketball squads begin games next week under new head coach Steve Bzomowski. Coach Bzomowski previously served as head coach of our middle school girls basketball program for the last two seasons, and is eager to bring his leadership and knowledge to the varsity level. Steve brings a wealth of experience to the position as he has worked with basketball teams at the highest of levels. After a long stint as an assistant men's basketball coach at Harvard University, Steve served as a scout for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA!
Wrestling coaches Bob Mastorakis and Mark Biagini look to successfully blend a team of inexperienced middle school athletes with a duo of top notch grapplers to hopefully compete for a league title! Captains Will Van Vleet and Logan Moore aim to continue their successful Mohawk Trail careers and compete for individual regional championships, while a slew of rookies look to get their feet wet on the mat! The team will travel to Athol High School this Saturday to compete in their first tournament of the season. Good Luck!
Chris Buckland
Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional