Student & Family Update

I hope that you enjoyed a restful April break and are looking forward to the official start of spring.

Please find below information in relation to many events happening at our busy school.

Best wishes,

Chris

Background image of our Girls Softball team playing earlier this week

• May 15: Student Council Tag Sale and Mohawk Trail Athletic Association Spring Fling

• May 19: Trailblazer District Wide Celebration of Learning

• May 20 and May 21 at 5:30 p.m. and May 22 at 2:30 p.m. - Bits of Broadway MTRS Musical

• May 26: Spring Concert @ BSE (Rain venue: Auditorium at MTRS)

• May 27: Prom

• June 2 - Awards Night

• June 4 - Graduation 1-3pm

• June 13 - Step-Up Day

This pilot intends to support students in Grades 7 & 8 in learning how to use technology responsibly; increase active student engagement and participation in classes; and help to manage the very real anxiety students experience with cellphones and social media.

This pilot uses a gradual “release of responsibility” model in Grades 7, 8, and 9 where students are provided with more opportunities to access and use their cellphones appropriately as part of their school day.

The pilot will run from May 2 through until June 22.

Overview

Use of electronic devices, including cellphones, in middle school classes is prohibited except when approved by administration at the request of staff for educational purposes.

Middle school students may use their cellphones and electronic devices before first bell at 7:40 a.m., during their body/mask break, and after school at 2:20 p.m. in the school foyer, cafeteria, main hallways near the gym and towards the cafeteria, or outside on school grounds, but not in any other section of the building.

Administration discussed the pilot program, which begins May 2, with students.

More information about the pilot can be found here.

Caregivers - we would like your feedback to provide additional perspectives and ideas. Please contact principal Buckland with thoughts/questions/feedback: cbuckland@mtrsd.org

Please join us for a districtwide celebration of learning on Thursday, May 19 at MTRS from 4-6 p.m.

Learn about our Trailblazer model and how MTRS students blaze their trails with us!

Elementary Literacy event in the library sponsored by the Mary Lyon Foundation -- free books, make your own comic, and dress like a superhero/favorite character photo-op spot!

Throughout the building you'll see student work displays; go on a district-wide art walk; get a preview of the MTRS musical and spring concert; have a chance to play and bring home math games for the whole family; and so much more!

AND... thanks to the incredible generosity of the Mary Lyon Foundation and Foxtown Diner, dinner will be provided (FREE!) for all attendees!

Families - please join us as we celebrate our students and their work AND have some fun! This event is for *all* ages!

“As you may know, NHS recently started the composting program again. So, you may be wondering what composting is and how it works. Composting is a microbial process that turns food scraps or plant materials into usable soil/mulch. This soil mixture that comes out of compost is rich in nutrients and beneficial organisms. How does this process work? Microorganisms in the soil eat away at the organic waste and break it down into simpler parts. Through aerobic respiration the microorganisms are able to break down the material, using the oxygen the compost receives when it is turned over. These microorganisms also require water to live, so compost is kept moist so that they can multiply. Composting is important because it reduces the amount of solid waste you produce, and saves room in landfills. Composting works great as natural fertilizer for gardens and is more environmentally friendly then ones you may purchase from the store. Climate change is also reduced through composting because it reduces the greenhouse gas emissions coming from landfills. MTRS is very grateful to be able to continue the composting program and do our part in helping the environment.”--Savannah S

Live theater is back at MTRS and we would love for you to join us for an evening

of

Broadway music and vignettes

A little something for everyone to enjoy!

~Performance Dates~

Friday May 20, 2022 - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday May 21, 2022 - 7:30 p.m.

Sunday May 22 ,2022 - 2 p.m.

Ticket information:

Tickets may be purchased in advance by

emailing stagemanager@mtrs.org, calling (413) 244-5904, or writing a check and leaving it at the front office.

Ticket prices:

Adults: $12

Seniors/Staff/Faculty/Students: $10

Please make checks payable to: MTRS and add Bits of Broadway in the Memo

Questions? Contact Miss Eva at stagemanager@mtrs.org

Good morning families and students of the Class of 2022,

Time is rushing past and Awards and Graduation are within sight!

Thank you to the students and families who responded to the feedback surveys. This was very helpful in informing planning for this year. Please find below the main information in relation to events for the Class of 2022:

• Last Day for Seniors - Friday, May 27

• Prom - Friday, May 27

• Awards night - Indoors: 5-7 p.m.: Thursday, June 2

• Graduation - Outdoors: 1-3 p.m.: Saturday, June 4 (Rain plan - Indoors, June 4)

After the April break, we will email a link to a google form to help organize the awards event.

More information about graduation will also be shared after the April break.

Hold on to your memories from Mohawk Trail Regional School forever and get your yearbook today! The 2021-22 yearbook is a beautiful, student-designed artifact and a special way to hold on to your high school memories for the rest of your life.

Visit TreeRing to order your yearbook today!

Want to customize some yearbook pages? Check out our quick start guide on creating a TreeRing yearbook account.

• Class of ‘22 Senior Yearbook Ads/Messages

• Custom Yearbook Pages

• Free Custom Yearbook Pages

• Recognition Ads

• Yearbook Photos

Yearbook Questions? Email Rachel Silverman at rsilverman@mtrsd.org

YOU have stuff to sell and WE have space for you!

JOIN US on for the Mohawk Trail Regional School Student Council TAG SALE on Sunday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the MTRS field hockey field (26 Ashfield Road, Shelburne Falls). Help us FILL THE FIELD and sign-up to be a vendor today!

VENDOR INFORMATION:

$20 per space (spaces approx. 10' x 15')

$10 table rental (limited amount, first come first serve)

*Bringing your own pop-up/EZ up tent is encouraged*

Sign-ups are due by APRIL 29

To sign-up, email: MTRSstuco@mtrsd.org and include subject line: "May Tag Sale"

**Vendors: To sign up, please CLICK HERE and complete the form to reserve your space.**

Graphic by STUCO member and communications intern Sophia Goodnow

On Monday, April 25th Andrew Forsthoefel, author of Walking to Listen visited the MTRS Library. All 10th, 11th and 12th graders attended. During the presentation, Andrew talked about how the act of listening is a skill that needs to be practiced and modeled. Additionally, there was discussion of how to know if a person is a trust-worthy listener and what conditions are needed for a person to be truly vulnerable and speak their truth.

Many thanks to the Mary Lyon Foundation for funding this meaningful experience!

Please click here for the most recent Student Services updates

Attendance waiver pilot

As the school year draws to a close, the guidance team will be issuing reminders to students who have missed classes and need to complete an absence waiver so they are counted as credit. Waivers are not always granted. Please be aware this year we are trying to determine a meaningful way to make-up the missed time. This year, students may have the option to complete community service projects to help improve the school and grounds rather than just sitting in a classroom during a lunch break.

Zamer’s Corner

At MTRS, 10th grade students take a Civics Action Project class. The course is a precursor to our Senior Capstone project and takes students through the process of identifying an issue in their community, researching that issue, and creating an action plan to address the issue. Students have dentified the issues they care about and are starting the research phase. Our students care about their community - take a look at some of their initial ideas. We can’t wait to see how your work develops over the next few weeks!

• management of invasive species in our area

• cleaning/repurposing neglected spaces around the building

• creating some informational tools about the walking trails on campus (maps, distances, walking times, names, etc)

• boosting interest in reading in the elementary schools

• gathering resources and support for veterans in the community

• creating a community food garden

It’s frog dissection time for our 9th grade Biology students. Check out pictures of our students working with partners to identify internal organs of their frogs

Middle School Summer Program

Outdoor Advisory Committee

Here is a general list of short, medium and long term ideas. Everyone is welcome to attend our next virtual meeting on May 11, 5-6 p.m. The meeting information is here:

meet.google.com/ysh-dgqv-jvz

Meeting ID

meet.google.com/ysh-dgqv-jvz

Phone Numbers

(‪US‬)‪+1 470-210-0524‬

PIN: ‪190 585 623#‬

Local Education Committee

The next virtual meeting is scheduled for May 4th, 3:45-4:30pm. Joining information is here:

meet.google.com/gzo-toke-ibz

Meeting ID

meet.google.com/gzo-toke-ibz

Phone Numbers

(‪US‬)‪+1 813-435-9650‬

PIN: ‪741 012 215#‬

MAA meeting

Please join MAA for our monthly meeting on 05/02/2022 at 6:30.

In person in the Superintendent’s Conference room. This meeting will have a hybrid option:meet.google.com/aub-csyv-jdz

Agenda items

Spring Fling Event for May 15th

Reuben Bassett Fundraiser

Coach Requests

Open Floor

Please click here for information on Mrs. Camarda’s trip to Italy and Greece in June of 2024. Email Mrs. Camarda for more information: lcamarda@mtrsd.org

Athletics

Click Here to check out this weeks MTRS Athletics Newsletter!

MTRS will once again host the Division 2 Track Championships Saturday May 21 starting with field events at 9:30 AM!

Download the APP via the App Store or Google Play and add MTRS as a favorite for quick access to all of our teams’ game schedules. You can also access our schedules by visiting the “Arbiter Live” website:

https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=14937

If you need any help or have any questions don't hesitate to reach out to Athletic Director Greg Vouros for more information at gvouros@mtrsd.org

Have a virtual coffee or tea with me! Pop-by and tell me about your experiences at MTRS and the Trailblazer model. Each month I'll host two virtual drop-in hours for caregivers and hope you'll stop by to say hello!

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

Third Friday of each month: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Meeting ID: meet.google.com/sru-mshz-rht
Phone Number: (US)+1 (218) 301-2866
PIN: 136 064 523

Mohawk Trail SEPAC Member and Parent

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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.

Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional