TFHS/GFMS Community Newsletter

• First Quarter Grades
• TFHS/GFMS Picture Retakes
• Seniors Decorating Parking Spots
• Financial Aid Night for Seniors
• FAFSA Day 2019
• TFHS Advisory Student Leader Lunch Meeting
• Gill-Montague Education Fund
• Principal Chats
• TFHS Dress Up on October 31st
• GFMS Halloween Dance
• "Baltimore" at UMass
• Late Bus Route
• November's Half Days & No School Days
• 8th grade Math Lesson
• Deans' Grade Assignments
• District Wellness Committee
• Monte's March
• 2019-2020 School Calendar
• Mobile Food Bank
• GFMS Yearbook 2020
• Staff Professional Development
• Middle School Dinosaur Raffle
• GFMS "Pie in the Face" Fundraiser
• Ally Week
• TFHS/GFMS Sports' Schedule
• Sports - HS Football/Cheerleading
• Sports - HS Field Hockey
• Sports - MS Soccer
• Academic Calendar
• Rising Up to the Challenge of High School
• Secondary School Improvement Plan (SIP)
• Community Health Care Center of Franklin County Mobile Dental Service
• Book Fair
• GFMS' Students of the Week
• TFHS Bell Schedule
• Field Hockey Team Prepping the Pumpkins for Great Falls Festival
• 8th grade Decorating Pumpkins for Great Falls Festival
• Great Falls Festival
• Upcoming Dates at TFHS/GFMS

At TFHS and GFMS, our first quarter began on Thursday, August 29th and closed on Friday, October 25th. Grades will be pulled at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 29th.

Picture Retakes will be held on Wednesday, October 30th. Mrs. Bailey will call down anyone who is interested when the photographer arrives.

Pictured here are some of the Seniors painting their own parking spots to enjoy the rest of the year! Seniors approached myself and Mr. Gaffigan during the summer with this awesome idea and then Mr. Cummings, his staff, and Mr. Lamore set up the templates for the students to paint within. Both Mr. Johansmeyer and Officer Miner have worked with them on painting days.

Nice job Seniors!

Financial Aid Night for seniors and their Parents/Guardians- MEFA will be presenting Tuesday October 29th at 6:00 P.M. in the Library at Turners Falls High School. Parents and students are invited to attend this free seminar on paying for college. This seminar is offered through MEFA, the Commonwealth's authority on planning, saving, and paying for college. An experienced MEFA representative will provide an overview of the college financing process, including types of financial aid, how to apply, and financing options for your family.

FAFSA DAY 2019: Planning on going to college in 2020-2021? Then don't miss FAFSA Day Massachusetts - a free event where students and families can get help filing the FAFSA, which is a federally required form for all students seeking financial aid. At FAFSA Day Massachusetts, financial aid experts will provide families with one-to-one assistance in completing the FAFSA form. The services are free and available to anyone entering college for the 2020-2021 academic year; low-income, first generation students are especially encouraged to attend. The FAFSA Day site will be at Turners Falls High School in the Computer lab on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 1:00 pm. Visit www.FAFSAday.org to register, create your FAFSA pin and learn more.

Our Advisory Student Leaders meet at least once a month during lunch to plan, brainstorm and problem-solve. This month, we are planning the filming of a documentary about how our school’s advisory program empowers student leaders, offers choice, and builds relationships through the use of Restorative Practices. This documentary will be used to recruit new advisory leaders, educate new teachers advisors, and show families and other schools what we are doing!

As Principal, I will be holding two Principal Chats a month to communicate with the community at large. These Chats are to share what positive changes we are making, what events have been happening, and to share examples of student learning opportunities.

October's Principal Chats will both be held at our beautiful school. The first on-site Principal's Chat was held on Wednesday, October 16th from 9-10 a.m. in the HS Conference Room. The second on-site Principal's Chat will be held on Tuesday, October 29th from 5-6 p.m. in the Theater.

I am extending a warm invitation to all! Hope to see many of you at the remaining October Chat!

On October 31st, high school students only will be able to dress up in school appropriate clothes for the day. No make-up, masks or props are permitted. Candy will not be handed out.

On Thursday, October 24th, the middle school held a Halloween Dance from 5-7 p.m.

Here are some photos from Ms. Vachula-Curtis' English class’s trip to see the play ‘Baltimore’ at UMass. The show, about racism on college campuses, was followed by a

Q & A session with the actors!

Students raved to me about it when they returned!

Thursday, November 7th: Half Day due to afternoon pre-scheduled Parent-Teacher Conferences

Thursday, November 7th: 5:00-7:00 p.m. - pre-scheduled Parent-Teacher Conferences

Friday, November 8th: Half Day due to afternoon pre-scheduled Parent-Teacher Conferences

Monday, November 11th: NO SCHOOL - VETERAN'S DAY OBSERVED

Wednesday, November 27th: Half Day due to Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 28th: NO SCHOOL - THANKSGIVING

Friday, November 29th: NO SCHOOL - THANKSGIVING BREAK

The 8th grade students did some bridge experiments to continue our study of linear and non-linear functions. We experimented to find out how bridge thickness impacts breaking weight and then how bridge length impacts breaking weight. The students conducted the experiment, recorded the data, graphed the results and made predictions.

With the new administrative team, we have redefined roles for this year.

Dean Rebel McKinley (rebel.mckinley@gmrsd.org) is working with all grade 7, 9, and 11 students and families.

Dean Mike Duprey (mike.duprey@gmrsd.org) is working with all grade 6, 8, 10, and 12 students and families.

Please reach out to them with any attendance or disciplinary concerns.

Jen Luciano and Jess Vachula-Curtis are coordinating Monte’s March teams from GFMS and TFHS again this year. We’d love to beat last year’s fundraising amount of $3,000 and would love support! Attached are pledge sheets for marchers, along with links to our online fundraising pages. Thank you so much for everyone’s support!!

Two new TFHS volunteers at this month's Mobile Food Bank! So many people commented about how sweet and helpful these guys were.

You make us proud!!!!

Just a glimpse into the many professional development opportunities that staff has been participating in!

Middle school students that showed Mrs. Martinelli their town library card were put into a drawing. Mrs. Martinelli then drew one lucky winner to receive the dinosaur!

The middle school ran a "Pie in the Face" fundraiser. Students were able to "vote" on which staff member should receive a pie in the face with funds going to the American Red Cross.

Mr. Oberly and Mr. Fiorentio were the top staff members and are pictured here receiving their prize! Thanks gentlemen for being such good sports!

Last week we celebrated Ally Week at TFHS/GFMS!

Please download the MIAA app to receive the most up-to-date changes in all sports schedules.

Tied Southwick 0-0 to clinch tournie berth on Seniors' Night!

(Excerpt Taken from The Montague Reporter - October 24th)

"Rise Up is a self-actualization course that helps youth figure out who they want to be and reach their goals. We learn leadership and communication skills through team building and community service," teacher Faith Klumb, known as "Ms. K," says when asked what the class is about.

In the fall of 2007, Ms. Sheila Thorn - a former teacher at Turners Falls High School who is now the school adjustment counselor - originally started teaching the class. It was then called "Reconnecting Youth," part of a national program that aimed to help reduce student drop out rates. Students were picked to be in the class. In the class they would have to track their attendance and their substance use. Reconnecting Youth was like a group therapy for everyone involved, and it helped a lot of students stay in school.

Though the class started out as a dropout prevention program, it has evolved into a positive support class. The students do team-building activities, or "Challenge Days" as they are called in Rise Up.

The most recent Challenge Day was a scavenger hunt throughout the school building. Students worked in teams to find inspirational objects and connect with people such as the custodians and office staff. The students are encouraged to see the class, and the whole school, as a positive environment to grow in as a person.

(For the entire article, please refer to the October 24th issue of The Montague Reporter.)

We have been hard at work on our Secondary School Improvement Plan (SIP) at the administrative level. After it was presented, feedback was given by our Curriculum Coordinators and staff and then appropriate adjustments were made to the plan. I then presented it to the School Committee.

Here is the link to the PowerPoint presentation I made to the School Committee.

At our middle school Morning Meeting, four students were recognized with the honor of Student of the Week. Congratulations to all! We are proud of your hard work and good choices!

Our Field Hockey Team spent time on the Friday prior to the Great Falls Festival prepping pumpkins for the festival!

These eighth grade students are seen decorating pumpkins for the Great Falls Festival. Pumpkins were donated by Red Fire Farm.

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our first (of many) Great Falls Festivals!!! So enjoyed seeing many students and staff!!!

Tuesday, October 29th:

7:30 a.m. - First Quarter Grades pulled

9:10 a.m. - TFHS Morning Meeting

5:00-6:00 p.m. - Principal's Chat - Theater

6:00 p.m. - Financial Aid Night for Seniors & Parents/Guardians - Library

Wednesday, October 30th:

Picture Retakes in morning

Thursday, October 31st:

Only TFHS students can dress up in school appropriate attire

Friday, November 1st:

7:45 a.m. - GFMS Morning Meeting

Sunday, November 3rd:

1:00 p.m. - FAFSA Day - HS Computer Lab

Monday, November 4th:

7:45 a.m. - GFMS Morning Meeting

Tuesday, November 5th:

9:10 a.m. - TFHS Morning Meeting

Thursday, November 7th:

Half Day with Students

Pre-scheduled Parent-Teacher Conferences in afternoon

5:00-7:00 p.m. - Pre-scheduled Parent-Teacher Conferences

Friday, November 8th:

Community and Staff Newsletters Published

7:45 a.m. - GFMS Morning Meeting

Half Day with Students

Pre-Scheduled Parent-Teacher Conferences in afternoon

Turners Falls High School

Great Falls Middle School

222 Turnpike Road

Montague, Massachusetts 01351

413-863-7200