GMRSD Family Engagement

Several holiday gift-giving programs are available in the larger Franklin County area including Adopt-A-Family of Franklin County and the Giving Back Together Toy Drive which connect families with donors and volunteers for holiday assistance. Additionally, the statewide Salvation Army offers holiday programs and gift assistance, while the Wonderfund program works with children involved with the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

For those seeking help

• Adopt-A-Family of Franklin County: This program matches donors with families in need to help with gifts and holiday meals.
• Giving Back Together Toy Drive: Collects new and unwrapped toys for children and teens up to age 18 in Franklin County and the North Quabbin region.
• Salvation Army: Has local chapters that provide assistance, which can include gifts and financial aid. Contact your local chapter to sign up for their programs, such as the Angel Tree program.
• Wonderfund: Sponsors wish lists for children and teens engaged with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF).
• Mass 2-1-1: This online directory can help you find local holiday assistance resources by searching for "holiday".

For those who want to give a gift

• Adopt-A-Family of Franklin County: Donate by contacting the program to get a wish list and drop off gifts at the specified location.
• Giving Back Together Toy Drive: Donate new, unwrapped toys at their various collection events throughout the season.
• Salvation Army: Participate in their Angel Tree program to fulfill the holiday wishes of a child in need. You can find information on their website.
• Wonderfund: Sponsor a child or teen by registering with the program online. You will receive a wish list to fulfill.
• Franklin County Chamber of Commerce: Purchase a Franklin County Gift Card, which may be matched with an additional amount through a special promotion.
• Franklin County’s YMCA: Purchase gift certificates or specific gift certificates for programs like personal training, massage, swimming lessons, or summer camp.

Additionally, we encourage families to connect with the Heartwing Center and the BrickHouse in Turners Falls to see if they are able to direct families further on ways to seek out holiday gift giving programs or contribute to charitable efforts that are underway that benefit families in our community.

*Please know the school district is sharing this information as a public service message and cannot endorse specific agencies or promote specific holiday celebrations or gift giving programs.

Dear GMRSD District Families,

We invite you to join us in promoting family reading time! The benefits of reading and boosting language and literacy skills have lasting, life long impact. Here are just a few reasons why this is incredibly beneficial for not only your children but for ALL family members.

Educational and cognitive benefits

• Improves literacy skills: Reading together helps children develop foundational reading skills, improve comprehension, and strengthen their attention span and concentration.
• Builds vocabulary: Exposure to new words in a story context expands a child's vocabulary.
• Boosts critical thinking: Discussions about a book's plot and characters encourage children to think critically and reason for themselves.
• Fosters creativity: Stories transport children to new worlds, which stimulates their imagination and creativity.

Social and emotional benefits

• Strengthens family bonds: Reading together creates dedicated, shared time that fosters emotional closeness and a sense of security.
• Develops empathy: Stories allow children to explore different perspectives and understand the emotions and experiences of others.
• Teaches life lessons: Books can provide a safe way to introduce and discuss complex real-world topics and family values with children.
• Increases self-esteem: When children are read to, it can make them feel important and connected, which can lead to higher self-esteem.

Lifelong impact

• Instills a love of reading: By making reading a fun family activity rather than a chore, you create a positive association with books and learning that can last a lifetime.
• Encourages lifelong learning: A foundation in reading and a love for books helps set children up to become lifelong learners.

We encourage our district families to join us in a Family Reading Bingo Challenge.

Elementary Reading Bingo Challenge

Middle/High School Family Reading Challenge linked here

If you need these in print copy please ask your child's school office. The challenges are translated in Haitian Creole, Spanish, and Russian. This is intended to inspire a little family fun. If you turn in a reading challenge sheet at your child's school office before January 30th they will be recognized with a small prize.

We are so pleased to welcome Angie Hawk and Rhonda Setkewich, from Family Empowerment a Pathlight Program of Servicenet, to our next GMRSD Friends of Special Education meeting held on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 from 4:00-5:00 pm. Family Empowerment assists families, children, and adults with developmental disabilities among other services.

Angie and Rhonda will be able to answer questions and speak to the programming that they offer in the areas of:

• Information and Referral
• Service Navigation
• Family Trainings
• Family Networking Opportunities
• Community Connections
• Family Resources and Library

This is a virtual meeting and the link is sent out via email to all families in the district whose children receive special education services or are in referral. If you would like the link sent to you directly, please email Dianne.Ellis@gmrsd.org with the subject line December Friends of Special Education meeting link.

Our Friends of Special Education group will next meet on December 16, 2025 4:00 to 5:00 pm. Please look for the meeting link, in your email, if you are a parent/caregiver of a child identified as having a disability requiring special education services or a child who is currently being referred for evaluation.

Linked below are meeting slides and prior information that has been sent out.

October Friends of Special Education presentation

November Friends of Special Education presentation

Since 2019, Turners Falls High School has proudly participated in the State Seal of Biliteracy program. " The State Seal of Biliteracy is an award provided by state approved districts that recognizes high school graduates who attain high functional and academic levels of proficiency in English and a world language in recognition of having studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. Our vision is to help students recognize the value of their academic success and see the tangible benefits of being bilingual. The State Seal of Biliteracy takes the form of a seal that appears on the transcript or diploma of the graduating senior and is a statement of accomplishment for future employers and for college admissions."

Excerpted from: https://www.doe.mass.edu/scholarships/biliteracy/

The district has proudly had multiple students earn this recognition each year, including some who have earned it with the State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction. Depending on the higher education institution or college, students earning the State Seal, can earn advanced placement and college credits.

What Students / Families Should Do

1. Talk to your school guidance counselor and world language teacher about preparing and taking a partner language assessment to see whether you qualify for the Seal.
2. Check College Websites: Look for "Credit for Prior Learning," "Seal of Biliteracy," or "World Language Credit" policies on the admissions or academic pages of the colleges you're interested in.
3. Include on Applications: List the Seal on your college applications (like the Common App) and transcripts to show your achievement.

In an effort to support students and families our student services staff have put forth a compilation of local community based resources for food, housing, legal, transportation, mental health, wellness and more. The resources are included in the Family/ Community Resources linked as well as pasted below. Family/Community Resources

The Brick House is a wonderful community resource for GMRSD families. Please note their next upcoming dental clinic on December 8, 2025. Good oral care is so important for children and families and often not very accessible given limited providers in the greater Franklin County area and/or limits on dental insurance plans.

In addition, the Brick House is hosting the Federation for Children with Special Needs to offer information sharing and support for families to learn more about ways and resources to support their children with special needs. We encourage families who may be interested and available to join this offering on December 11, 2025, at 10:30 am.

To learn more contact Stacey Langknecht at the Brick House

slangknecht@brickhousecommunity.org

The Brick House Parent Family Program
24 Third Street

Turners Falls, MA 01376

413-800-2496

www.brickhousecommunity.org

www.facebook.com/brickhousecommunity

COMMUNITY ACTION FAMILY CENTER

WHAT WE DO

The Family Center is a place for your whole family to come for fun, learning and support.

• We can connect you to needed resources and support you in achieving your goals.
• You can meet with a staff person to get help for your family or your child who is struggling at home or in school.
• We offer playgroups with stories, songs and activities to build early literacy skills.
• You can join classes or groups to connect to others and build parenting skills.
• We use a strength-based and trauma-informed approach.

All our programs are free and open to all families.

WHO CAN VISIT THE FAMILY CENTER?

Any family can visit the Family Center and participate in our services and programs.

Any family means pregnant people, parents, caregivers and their children and youth to age 18.

All of our services are free and voluntary, there is no income eligibility for our services.

SCHOOL READINESS & EARLY LITERACY

We offer several playgroups for you and your young children to enjoy together. Have fun in our playroom! You can learn more about your child’s development and ways to help support your child’s early learning. We provide ParentChild+, a Kindergarten readiness program in your own home, for 2- & 3-year-olds in Greenfield and Turners Falls.

PARENTING SKILLS & SUPPORT

We offer support groups for new parents, parents of toddlers, grandparents, and Spanish-speaking parents. Join in to build connections around the challenges and joys of parenting. We offer parent education classes to support you to be the parent you want to be.

OUR STAFF CAN HELP YOU GET WHAT YOU NEED

Family Center staff will work with you to connect you to the resources you need. We offer specific services for your family if you have children who are:

• frequently absent from school
• have serious problems at school or at home
• are being exploited
  
  

FREE CLOTHES AND DIAPERS!

You are welcome to check out our Community Closet for free clothing and infant care items and you can pick up diapers every month.

FAMILY FUN

We offer game nights, story time, and other ways to have fun together!

HOW DO I SIGN UP? WHEN ARE YOU OPEN?

Call 413-475-1555 to ask about any program or make an appointment to meet with a staff member.

All services and programs are free. When families visit us for the first time, we ask that you fill out an enrollment form to help us learn about your family and needs. We do not require any verification documents and do not have an eligibility requirement to receive family support.

Visit 90 Federal Street, Greenfield during open hours:

• Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9-6
• Wed 9-4
• Friday 9-3
• 2nd & 4th Saturdays 9-12

Email us familycenter@communityaction.us

SIGN UP FOR OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

HOW DO I CONNECT SOMEONE ELSE WITH THE FAMILY CENTER?

If you know someone who might like our programs, you can send them our fliers, show them our Facebook page, and invite them to one of our events. You can also have them call us to talk about what they need or are looking for.

Dianne M. Ellis, Assistant Director of Pupil Services & Special Projects Liaison*

Email: dianne.ellis@gmrsd.org Website: http://www.gmrsd.org/
Location: 35 Crocker Ave., Turners Falls, MA 01376
Phone: 413 863-7513
*part time-working primarily Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays by appointment.