Student & Family Update

Good afternoon everyone,

It was fantastic to see so many caregivers and community members at the Open House and Mary Lyon Resource Fair last night. A huge thanks to Mary Lyon Foundation and Stone Soup Cafe for feeding and connecting our community.

For those of you who were unable to make it, here is a Link to the brief introduction that AP Johnson and I gave to caregivers at the start of the Open house Section.

Please make note of the upcoming Information and resources about Financial Aid for students and families in G11 and 12 who may be thinking about applying for college: October 29th, 5-6:30pm

ASPEN

Aspen is the student information portal which allows students and caregivers to view grades, progress reports, and report cards. Here at MTRS, we distribute report cards and progress reports via Aspen. New MTRS students and families (including 7th grade) recently received emails with login information. For assistance with Aspen, please contact the Twin Lakes Helpdesk: Technology helpdesk

Finally, please read on to find out more about:

• Student Council News
• PSAT tests for students in Grades 10 & 11: October 29th
• Financial AID evening for students thinking about college: October 20th
• Hurting or Flirting
• Mohawk Trail Regional School Students Selected for Smith College Knowledge For Freedom Program
• Middle School Math Academic Distinction pilot
• Democratic Knowledge Project curriculum in Grade 8

• Library newsletter
• Bathroom pass of the week - Ms Hoogstraten
• Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Sustainability Project updates

• Introducing: Mason Kelsey our new Math Teacher

Have a nice weekend

Sincerely

Chris Buckland

Principal

District Targeted Learning Focus: All MTRSD and HRSD students will actively engage in critical thinking and communication through evidence-based academic discourse and writing across all grade levels and content areas

School Focus: Students will actively engage in critical thinking through text-based discourse

Hello again from the Student Council!

These past couple of weeks have been packed with activity in our individual class’s councils. Everyone has been feverishly planning for booster week (and how to fund their ambitions).

In booster week, every grade level has a designated color and as each class moves through the grade levels, they plan a theme that fits their new color. This theme determines how they’ll go about decorating a hallway in our school, a wall in our gym, and themselves throughout booster week. Themes have all been decided and are hopefully kept secret for the element of surprise. Many classes are currently planning fundraisers to afford their necessary materials and a few are close to being in effect.

Tonight (Friday Sep. 18th) the 12th grade is holding a movie night at the football field and next weekend (Sat Sep. 26th and Sun Sep. 27th) the 11th grade is holding a car wash!

We can’t wait to make booster week as enthralling as possible.

Don't forget that we are looking for pallets for our bonfire. Please email Ms Ruby in the first instance if you are willing to donate. lrubinaccio@mtrsd.org

Watch this space for bi monthly updates.

Foundations 1 students have been busy this week!

Our wonderful teaching staff continue to strive to Raise the Rigor with classes and to hold high expectations for student achievement. In this section you can read about Free PSAT testing, the Democratic Knowledge Project in Grade 8 Civics, our new Academic Distinction program in Grade 7 and 8 Math and how our students experienced Smith College as part for the Knowledge for Freedom program.

Free PSAT Qualifying Test: October 29th

At MTRS, we believe in creating as many opportunities as possible for our students to prepare for the future. That’s why we are once again continuing to offer the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) to our 10th and11th grade students free of charge. Results from the PSAT/NMSQT provide insights into your child’s academic strengths, along with areas they can work on while in high school.

Taking the PSAT can also help your child to:

• Grade 11 - Enter the National Merit Scholarship Program if they meet program requirements specified in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide (which students will receive.)
• Grade 10 and 11 - See where they are in comparison to other students nationwide.
• Grade 10 and 11 - Practice and prepare for the SAT.

This fall the PSAT/NMSQT will once again be administered in a digital format that will provide an overall easier testing experience for students. The SAT is also now in a digital format. Your child has the opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT at Mohawk Trail Regional School on October 29th during the morning (blocks 4, 6 and assembly) using their school issued device. Students will use Bluebook, the College Board testing app, to take the test on their school based managed Chromebooks.

Democratic Knowledge Project curriculum in Grade 8

This year our 8th-grade Civics class will be using a curriculum entitled Civic Engagement in our Democracy, which is aligned with the Massachusetts History and Social Studies Framework. It has been developed in

partnership with teachers across the state and the Democratic Knowledge Project (DKP), a civic education organization based at Harvard University. I am excited to be teaching the curriculum. I am also excited to be working with you and look forward to hearing your feedback as the students and I dive into the curriculum. It’s project based, and research shows that project-based learning has a strong impact on student achievement. Civic Engagement in our Democracy seeks to offer students an opportunity to understand and develop a sense of their civic self. Students’ sense of their civic self develops when they reflect on who they are and what they value, what they understand (civic knowledge), and what they can do (civic skills). It also involves committing to the shared civic values of civic

self-care, civic reciprocity, and civic self-confidence. This means that students: exercise good judgment and care when engaging civically; seek and respect the democratic values, perspectives, and goals of others; and feel confident they can have an impact on the world around them because of the knowledge and skills they’ve gained. Our curriculum supports students in preparing to be civically engaged now and in future civic roles, for example as voters, elected officials, jurors, or service members. You can access this freely available curriculum by visiting the DKP Curriculum Site. You can find answers to some frequently-asked questions about Civic Engagement in our Democracy on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Civic Engagement in our Democracy supports and encourages diverse perspectives and experiences. Our goal is to create a civic community in our class and help students build the knowledge, skills, and commitment to shared civic values that allows them to fully participate in our constitutional democracy. I look forward to working with you and your students in what’s sure to be an exciting year.

Sincerely,

Mr. Tierney

An Exciting New Math Opportunity In Grade 7 & 8 Math

This special pathway is designed for students who love thinking deeply about math concepts and want to use their skills to solve real-world problems. Because this is our pilot year, we will be expanding and adjusting the program’s requirements along the way to make sure it is the best possible experience for our students.

Who is this for?
Earning Academic Distinction is a rewarding challenge. Participating students will need to show consistent perseverance and great teamwork. On a regular basis, this means tackling the extra-challenging ("spicy") daily practice problems, completing homework challenge questions, and taking the advanced Academic Distinction assessments. Students will also complete additional weekly skill practice on IXL and dive into one or two rigorous math projects each trimester.

How can your student join?
If your student is interested, the selection process is simple. Students just need to fill out and submit a program contract, which requires a recommendation from both their current math teacher and their previous 6th or 7th-grade math teacher. Signed contracts must be submitted by early October or at the beginning of a new trimester. Don't worry—you only need to apply once per school year!

What if I thought I would like it and it turns out that it is not for me?
We want this program to be a positive experience. If a student decides Academic Distinction isn't the right fit, they can drop it at the end of any trimester by emailing their math teacher and guidance counselor (we highly recommend meeting with the teacher first). Please note that students must consistently meet the guidelines to stay in the program. If a student is struggling to meet the requirements, we will notify both the student and their caregivers of a placement change one week before the trimester ends.

Celebrating Our Mathematicians
We can't wait to celebrate the hard work of our students! Those who achieve Academic Distinction will be formally recognized in the comments section of their report card at the end of each trimester. Even more exciting, they will be honored by the entire school community and presented with a certificate of acknowledgment during an all-school meeting.

How do I sign up?

Everyone who attended Open House on Thursday was given a copy of this overview and contract. We would encourage caregivers to talk with their students about taking advantage of this opportunity and returning the form next week. This information and the Distinction Contract has also been sent to all caregivers via email.

Please reach out to me with any questions: cbuckland@mtrsd.org

MTRS Students attended Smith College over the summer: Knowledge for Freedom Program

Five Mohawk Trail Regional School seniors were selected to participate in the inaugural summer of the Smith College’s Knowledge For Freedom Program (KFF), a two-week residential seminar fostering collective reflection, debate, and civic engagement, made possible with funding through the Teagle Foundation. Students chosen from Mohawk Trail Regional School to participate in the KFF program were: Joey Calhoun, Landon Clark, Lexi Gilbert, Virginia Krezmien, and Alaina Shearer.

The program was led by Michael Thurston, the Helen Means Professor of English at Smith College, who is also the author or co-author of four books, and has had a career-long interest in the relationship between the humanities and thriving civil society. Thurston was the first in his family to attend college and found higher education to have a transformative effect on his life. In his desire to provide this awakening for others, he had the opportunity to institute the KFF program with the support of the Teagle Foundation, which has a long-time relationship with the College. When the Foundation’s Program Officer described this program, Thurston knew it had to be a summer program offering at Smith College. Thurston’s goal was to create an opportunity for students to imagine themselves with an academic future that includes learning and growing in a college environment.

Over the course of the two-week seminar, students lived in Smith College residence halls and dined on campus while experiencing the independence of college life within a fully supervised, creative community. The group will continue to convene monthly and will have support provided through the year of the program.

All participants were identified by teachers and counselors as those who were capable of engaging in a rigorous 3-hour seminar meeting, processing complex texts, participating in discussion, and being good partners in the experience. They also required a base-level of advanced capability to keep up with the planned material and pace of the program. The seminar’s central question, “What do we owe each other in our freedom?” and its promotion of purpose and civic responsibility resonated with the Mohawk Trail Regional students.

Alaina Shearer (she/they) gravitated toward the elements of the experience that were meant to demonstrate what college would be like. It has been a stressful topic for her and she found some ease in her participation on the Smith College campus. Alaina felt that Michael Thurston struck a perfect balance between lecture and physical activity.

Lexi Gilbert (she/they) understood there would be a considerable amount of writing in the Knowledge for Freedom program, which they wanted to focus on. Balancing the workload with the responsibilities of taking care of themself was difficult in the first first couple of days but Lexi figured it out. That gave them a sense of personal growth.

When participant Virginia Krezmien (she/her) considered what prepared her to engage in the rigor of the program, she harkened back to work she completed in her Advanced Placement (AP) Literature class. She describes that Mohawk Trail Regional teacher EriK Sussbauer encourages his students to explore ideas that push past starter questions and consider how the context might influence a piece of writing or why an author made a specific choice. Having learned to dive deep in that Mohawk Trail Regional course, and others, Virginia felt that her contribution was significant. Virginia was also able to benefit from others’ points of view which, she feels, create new paths to her own understanding.

Each of the students examined the assigned material - Martin Luther King, Jr’s Letter From Birmingham Jail, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Antigone by Sophocles, and more - and debated content based upon laws, freedoms, the difference between right and wrong, and civic duties. The texts served as a foundation to a civics project that the individuals will take on over the coming months. For Mohawk Trail Regional students, pillars of their education are civic action projects that have an impact on the school or broader community during their 8th and 10th grade years. This element of the Knowledge for Freedom program allows for participants to either start fresh or continue a project they already started.

Alaina plans to expand on a group project she had been involved with a focus on amplifying student voice. There had been suggestion boxes around the Mohawk Trail School buildings, but those seemed underutilized even though they were well-intentioned. In speaking with another participant from a different school, their push was to digitize a suggestion box making the path from idea to implementation more streamlined, which Alaina appreciates. The program gave Alaina an opportunity to pick up where she left off while infusing it with new energy, ideas, and methods.

Lexi is interested in having a positive impact on rivers and their related ecosystems. The delicate balance in the interconnectedness of clean rivers and every where they flow inspires Lexi to plan or participate in a river clean up.

Virginia shared that her chosen project was influenced by her mother, a teacher in our school district, who encouraged her to take on a project related to the Chapter 70 formula which dictates how much money public school districts need and splits that cost between the state and local towns in Massachusetts. After looking into it, Virginia asked herself, “This is a big thing - how can I bring it into our school to affect change and have an impact on our school?” One approach she plans to implement is to establish a subgroup of the Student Council. The branch will serve as a student union and will work, not only to educate and inform peers, but also take action to have an impact.

Mohawk Trail Regional High School Guidance Counselor Linda Desarro observes, "The students who participated from our school are musicians, artists, activists, mathematicians, civic leaders, and more. We were represented well and are proud that Michael and Smith College looked to our school and our students in this first year."

Smith College Professor Michael Thurston shared “how wonderful it was to work with the MTRS students” and knows they will be great ambassadors for the program as he looks to welcome next summer’s participants from Mohawk Trail Regional."

This program paired inquiry, examination, responsibility, and action in a way that many students don’t experience until college or beyond. While this experience was meant to inspire students to include attending college in their future plans, it seems sights are set even higher as these students become citizens of the world and better understand their place, and impact on it. Over the next number of months, it will be exciting to see where this foundational experience and their resulting plans lead each of them.

Congratulations to the five Mohawk Trail Regional School students who were successful on this journey of exploration, self-reflection and growth. Thanks to Smith College and the Teagle Foundation for hosting the Knowledge For Freedom program.

On September 25th, seventh grade students will participate in a workshop about sexual harassment, called “Flirting or Hurting?” During the workshop, we will be discussing the definition of sexual harassment and what students can do if they witness or experience harassing behavior. The workshop will take place during Social Studies classes, and facilitated by Ms Ruggeri, School Counselor, and Olivia Rakocy, Student Teacher.

The curriculum is introduced in 7th grade because middle school is a time when many students begin experimenting with language and gestures that they do not fully understand. They are faced with the task of developing identities within peer groups and the larger community, and interactions between students can result in confusion and misinterpretation. Often students in middle school do not realize the effect that their behavior has on others, and many are unaware of the definition of sexual harassment and that it can be a form of bullying.

Proactively providing students with information about sexual harassment in middle school is part

of our commitment to creating a community of learners who are respectful and accountable, as well as promote a culture of empowerment.

Please feel welcome to be in touch with Taffy Ruggeri, School Counselor, with questions or concerns truggeri@mtrsd.org 413-625-9811 X1304

Upcoming dates to be aware of:

• October 2nd: Senior Class fitting for Caps and Gowns

• Oct 13-16: Booster Week

• Oct 17th: Homecoming dance

• Oct 20th: FAFSA information night for students and families interested in applying to college: 5-6:30pm

• Oct 29th: PSAT assessments

• Nov 2 - no school for students

• Nov 3rd - Deadline for AP test payment

• Nov 12 & 13th: Student Led Conferences 11:30 am dismissal both days

• May 26th: Senior Academic Awards assembly - 9-11 am

• June 4th: Graduation and Scholarship evening: 6-8 pm

Early Release (11:30 am) dates:

Sept: 23

Oct: 7, 21,

Nov: 12 & 13th

Dec: 9

Jan: 27

Feb: 24

March: 10, 18, 19, 24

April: 7

May: 5, 19

June: 9

District Calendar

Student Handbook

2026-7 Course Catalog

Bell schedule

Solar Panel Live Energy Tracker

Assessment schedule

No Late Bus for the 2026-27 school year

Unfortunately there will not be a late bus running this year. Caregivers are expected to collect their student/s from after school activities.

Trimester 1

Sept 2 - November 24th

Progress grades close: October 14th

SLC Nov 12 & 13th

Final grades close: November 24th

Trimester 2

November 25 - March 12th

Progress grades close: Jan 20th

Final Grades close: March 12th

Trimester 3 (This takes into account 5 snow days. If we have no snow days, we will adjust so the last day for kids is June 15th)

March 15th - June 23rd

Progress grades close April 29th

SLC March - 18th and 19th

Graduating Class Academic Awards: May 26th

Junior Book and Presidential Awards: June 10th

Final Grades close: Weds 23rd June

T3 report cards will be available in Aspen: Thursday 24th June, 2027

Hi everyone! My name is Mason Kelsey (Mr. Mason) and this year I've begun my math teaching career at MTRS. I'll be teaching Integrated Math 1 and 2, personal finance, and I lead an advisory group of juniors. I began subbing for MTRS in 2024, picked up three long-term substitute positions in 2025 and 2026, and was very happy to be offered a full-time teaching position at the end of last school year. Before I began subbing, I offered private math tutoring to my peers in college, as well as worked at my college's tutoring lab. Outside of school I enjoy hiking, fishing, farm work, giant pumpkin growing, and cheesy movies. I'm looking forward to helping foster the environment of student achievement and community at MTRS this year!!

Work continues on the 2 Districts 8 Towns (Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont) Sustainability project.

The project has been focusing on building a shared Educational Vision: the description of what teaching, learning, and the student experience could look like on a single PreK–12 campus. Last year the Ed Visioning Steering Committee met each month and held a community convening in April.

Findings and ideas were incorporated into a set of documents and resources to support the districts' future work in realizing the aspirational single-campus vision. Over the summer, the project team reviewed input from educators to incorporate into that vision, and on August 31 the full staff of MTRS and HRSD came together to learn more about the project and add their own ideas. Educators voiced support for many of the anticipated benefits for students while raising thoughtful questions about staffing, resources, and how a single campus would work day to day. The Educational Visioning Steering Committee will meet again in September to finalize the educational visioning documents.

Alongside this work, the project team is also updating financial projections, taking a closer look at bus ride times for our youngest students, and expanding community outreach as the districts prepare for a future vote on whether to fund an MSBA feasibility study.

Families and staff can find project documents, along with updates, summaries, and other resources, at 2Districts8Towns.org.

September Library newsletter: https://app.smore.com/n/wxs8a

GIRLS JV SOCCER CONTINUES TO ROLL OPPONENTS

Coach Steve Tomi and his girls soccer team remained undefeated this week as they posted two 8-0 shutouts against Holyoke and Pioneer. For the week, the Lady Warriors were led offensively by Serai Jetzon (6 goals), Clara Stevens (3 goals), and Zoey Thurber (3 goals). To date, our girls squad has yet to give up a goal on the defensive end. With upcoming matches against the likes of Mount Greylock, Hampshire, and Easthampton, our ladies will certainly be challenged moving forward.

MS FOOTBALL WINS OPENER IN CONVINCING FASHION OVER ATHOL

It was a rainy night under the lights, but that did little to slow down Coach McCloud and his middle school boys as they dominated visiting Athol on Thursday by a score of 32-0. The Warriors started their scoring on the opening drive and never looked back. Top performers included Durham Lilly (3 touchdowns), Owen Chamberlain (2 touchdowns), Beaux Buchine (7 tackles, 1 sack), Carter LeBeau (6 tackles) and Sean Porter (2 TFL). The Warriors return to action next Thursday when they travel to Mahar for a 3:30 game on the turf.

ARBITERLIVE IS YOUR SOURCE FOR UP TO DATE ATHLETIC SCHEDULES

Please remember that the best way to find out when your favorite Mohawk Trail athletic teams are playing is by visiting ARBITERLIVE. All schedules are updated in real time, so please make sure to look for updates regularly.

GO WARRIORS!

Please see the Student Services latest newsletter

Our first full week is complete. Ask your student how classes are going. Sports are in full swing.

Please continue to have your students put their phones off and away. Attendance has been encouraging as well. As a reminder students with 3 or more tardys will need to serve a detention. Seniors who are looking forward to having senior privileges must not have more than 3 tardies to school.

Please reach out if you have any questions

Students and Caregivers, please be aware that we expect students in all grades to have cell phones off and away from 7:45am-2:20pm each school day. We would like students to participate in distraction-free learning during their day at MTRS.

Caregivers, if you need to communicate with your student during the day, thanks for calling the front office.

Here is a powerful slide deck about Youth Mental Health and Technology, shared with us through our FRCOG partnership.

Please see the section below from the handbook in relation to electronic devices including cell phones:

Use of Electronic Devices, Including Cell Phones

Mohawk Trail Regional School District (MTRSD) is committed to fostering a school environment that prioritizes engaged learning, supports the development of social skills, and promotes the overall well-being of our students. To achieve this, MTRSD has an “Off and Away All Day” requirement for students. This means that cell phones and other personal electronic devices may not be used by students during school hours (7:45 am to 2:20 pm).

Phones may be used between arrival at school and the start of classes at 7:45am. However, all devices must be turned off and put away in student bags or backpacks before entering class.

Failure to meet the expectation of this policy will result in disciplinary action. At the determination of staff, inappropriate use of a cell phone or electronic device (including airpods) is cause for confiscation of the device. Cell phones must be relinquished in their complete form, including SIM cards and battery. There will be no “warnings” and no student is excused from the policy and the offenses as outlined below unless they qualify for accommodations. If a student has a disability or medical condition that requires a cell phone or other device, the accommodation will be noted in the student’s IEP, 504 Plan, and/or health plan. The special education team coordinator or health office will notify appropriate staff of the necessary accommodations.

Discipline is at the discretion of the building principal; possible discipline may include but is not limited to:

• Teacher will take the phone for the remainder of the class, returning it at the end of class. Teacher will also make a behavior referral report to administration.

• Administration is notified and the device is confiscated and taken to the main office, where it can be collected at the end of the school day. Caregiver is notified.

• An infraction may result in the phone being taken to the office and the caregiver will be required to come into school to meet with administration and to pick up the phone. • At the meeting, the Phone Plan will be developed and modified as necessary to consider the underlying needs of the student that may be contributing to repeated non-compliance will be discussed and addressed.

• The Phone Plan will require the student to drop off the phone in the front office at the start of the school day and collect it from the office at the end of the day.

• Other discipline as deemed appropriate based on the circumstances.

Any additional infraction after successfully completing a Phone Plan will result in the student being unable to have a phone in their possession for the remainder of the current grading period or, in the case of repeated offenses, for the remainder of the school year.

Local Education Council (LEC)

This meets virtually every second Wednesday of the month between 3:45 and 4:30pm. More information can be found here. The next meeting will take place on October 14th

The virtual joining information is as follows:

Meeting ID

meet.google.com/gzo-toke-ibz

Phone Numbers

(‪US‬)‪+1 813-435-9650‬

PIN: ‪741 012 215#‬

Principal Drop-ins

As was the case last year, I will hold regular virtual office hours. You don’t need an appointment to come and talk with me and share your thoughts on what goes on at MTRS. I will try to be available for the whole 60 minutes but can't always guarantee it at our busy school. The next one will take place on October 9th.

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

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