GMRSD Family Engagement

Excerpted from SmartBrief:

Research from Drexel University and the University of Fukui indicates that screen time for children under age 2 is linked to atypical sensory behaviors and difficulties in processing sensory information. The study, which used data from the National Children's Study, suggests that children exposed to screens at an early age are more likely to develop behaviors such as sensation seeking, sensation avoiding, and low registration by 33 months, traits commonly observed in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

To read the full article click here on Earth (3/8)

Montague Public Libraries: Offering so many things to include: Lego club, playgroups, crafts, creative writing, games/puzzles, Minecraft, videos, and so many wonderful books for every age and interest!

Montage Libraries Calendar of Activities:

The Family Center in Greenfield has ongoing family support offerings and events (playgroups, youth/adult financial literacy, journaling, grandparent outing to Magic Wings, and more!) as well as some added programming during the April school vacation week. Please feel free to check out their calendar of events here.

The Brick House- their calendar of events, to include April vacation week and other ongoing programming is linked here.

The Highland Street Foundation offers free, family-friendly events and museum admission during school vacation weeks in Massachusetts. This is a wonderful opportunity to check out offerings around the state and locally at the Forest Park Zoo, the Children's Museum of Holyoke and Historic Deerfield. For more information and to pre-register for select programs, please visit www.HighlandStreet.org.

Thank you to our many community readers and school committee members who came to share a great read at each of our elementary schools. Special thanks to Ms. LaTronica, our elementary schools library media specialist, for her part in organizing this multi-school effort. Pictured below is school committee member Steve Ellis, reading in Ms. Ginsberg's 4th grade.

Dear Families,

Our extended school year (ESY) summer services program for qualified students with disabilities is scheduled for Monday July 6, 2026 through Thursday July 30, 2026. The program will run half days from Monday - Thursday with the location and the exact elementary and secondary programs times to be forthcoming. Please be on the look out for ESY invitations being sent out to qualified students at the beginning of April.

We want to gently remind families that the determination for extended school year services is discussed annually at the IEP team of which parents/guardians play an essential part. ESY is different from summer school, summer recreation, or credit recovery and therefore many students with IEPs, actually do not qualify for ESY services.

Kristin Dietz, M.Ed.

Director of Pupil Services

Gill-Montague Regional School District

35 Crocker Avenue, Turners Falls, MA 01376

413-863-4001

Pronouns: she, her, hers

As spring is here at last college applications and acceptances are being announced. We are so proud of our Class or 2026 graduates who are committing to UMASS Amherst, GCC, Western New England, Springfield College, Framingham State University, Cedar Crest College and more.

Friendly reminder, the deadline for 25-26 general scholarship application is before 2:30 PM, Friday, April 17, 2026.

It's not to late to explore college, technical school, or vocational training assistance opportunities. We encourage families to visit our TFHS Guidance Counseling Website and/or to schedule an appointment with Ms. Beth Fortin, TFHS guidance counselor, who is an amazing resource.

Please spread the word to anyone who is interested! The Collaborative for Educational Services is seeking applicants for this year's Schuman Scholarship. The $1000 scholarship is awarded to two graduating high school seniors enrolled for the 2026-2027 academic year at an institution of higher learning. All applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. Each scholarship award will be sent directly to the student’s higher education institution upon confirmation from the student of their acceptance.

You may apply using our online form below. If you need to apply using a paper form, please contact us at specialed@collaborative.org to obtain an application, which must be postmarked by the April 20th deadline.

Please note the following required documents in addition to completing the application. Only fully completed submissions, including ALL required documentation, will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. Detailed information can be found on the application.

1. Student personal statement
2. Letter of recommendation from at least one teacher
3. Copy of your unofficial transcript
4. Copy of your letter of acceptance from your institution or program.

Click to Access the Online Application

After completing the application, please upload your required documents with this link.

In addition to our Big Top Circus Theme, math stations throughout Sheffield School to inspire future mathematicians, we had our wonderful elementary principals donning clown noses, and Henderson in a top hat and mustache as the ring master! Everest, the most adorable and gentle Sheffield School comfort dog, was in a sweet lion costume, and everyone could enter into a drawing for a prize.

We also offered these "mandatory fun" handouts for playing Family Bingo. You are welcome to print them, hang one on your fridge, or screen shot it, to share with your child. They are linked in English, Haitian Creole, Russian, and Spanish. In addition, we provided a handout on the importance of cultivating a "Growth Mindset" to best help your children in math and in life. Additionally, we offered some suggested "Do's and Don'ts", when talking with your children about math.

Family Bingo Link

Growth Mindset & Math Handout

The group will next meet on May 19, 2026, from 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.

Thank you to the Friends of Special Education and our co-sponsor the Community Action Family Center for their support of our Parent/Caregiver Make & Take Binder family event this afternoon, March 31, 2026, from 4:00-5:00 pm at Sheffield School.

Join us today for this family event, if you can! We do have enough supplies to offer to walk in participants.😀

What are Equitable Services? Local public school districts are required to set aside a percent of federal grant funds for low income students and students with disabilities in private schools at private expense and for eligible home school students (identified with educational disabilities). For individuals with disabilities, the percent of funds is based on enrollment data between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1 of the prior fiscal year.

The district holds three meetings per year and invites stakeholders (private and home school families) to these "Equitable Services Consultation" meetings to determine priority use of these limited funds.

Examples of how these funds have been used in the past?

• Instructional enrichment

• Materials

• Student specific & small group instruction

• Tutoring

This year meetings will be held on the following dates and times:

• Thursday, March 5, from 4:00-5:00 PM
• Thursday, April 2, from 4:00-5:00 PM
• Thursday, May 14, from 4:00-5:00 PM

All meetings will be held virtually, to allow for greater accessibility and the link will be sent out to all district families of children who are homeschooled or attending a private school at private expense.

To learn more about Equitable Services you are welcome to visit:

https://www.doe.mass.edu/federalgrants/equitable-services/district-level.html

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

Please note the Student Services and Family Engagement Office offers news and information that our families may be interested in or that may otherwise benefit students and families as a public service. We cannot endorse a specific program or community based activity directly unless specified as a district sponsored partnership. If you have an activity you would like the district to include in our public service communications please contact the superintendent's office for consideration.

Looking for free or low cost family activities this winter? Do you want to meet more people in the community and talk with other parents? Could your family either use additional supports (food, clothing, diapers, etc.) or have household items/toys to donate that are no longer needed?

If you would like to learn more about Franklin County Family Center you are welcome to visit their website at: https://www.communityaction.us/program/family-center/, check out their monthly calendar of events or to sign up to receive their monthly newsletter.

Hello Colleagues!

We recently started a couple of new programs for families. One is a Caregiver & Me Circle Time every Thursday from 11-12 in our Movement Studio upstairs.

Another is a "Take A Break At The Brick House" program on the first Monday of each month from 5:30-7:30 for families with kids ages 4-10. The families start by having dinner together, and then the parents/caregivers get to hang out together in another room while the kids participate in structured activities. The next one is Monday 4/6.

Also, we're offering another round of the Positive Solutions program, which is an evidence-based 6 week program for parents/caregiver of kids ages pre-K through age 8. It starts on Thursday 4/16 going through 5/21, at 445-6:45, and free dinner and childcare will be provided and we'll have a raffle at the end of each session.

The flyers are attached and of course please spread the word and let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Stacey

Stacey Langknecht

The Brick House Parent Family Program

24 Third Street

Turners Falls, MA 01376

413-800-2496

www.brickhousecommunity.org

www.facebook.com/brickhousecommunity

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.