Reggie Happenings Biweekly Update

SUPERINTENDENT & PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Hello GLTS Community,

I hope this message finds you well. It is hard to believe, but we have already reached the halfway point of the first quarter. It has been wonderful to see our students settling into their routines. Our ninth-grade students, along with all students new to GLTS, are getting more comfortable in our school, and a positive energy is building in our halls and classrooms.

A special thank you to all our students for their fantastic participation in our Reggies Read summer reading event this past Tuesday, September 30th. It was a tremendous success! We were so impressed to see students engage in thoughtful, collaborative discussions during the "Book Talk Carousel." Hearing them share opinions, make connections, and offer recommendations on the wide variety of books they read was a powerful reminder of the strong community of readers we have here. We hope everyone left with a few new titles added to their personal "To-Read" list!

This event was a wonderful opportunity to foster a love of reading, and our students truly rose to the occasion. Thank you for your efforts in making it a memorable and successful day.

As we continue through the quarter, please see the remainder of the update below.

Have a wonderful week ahead!

John N. Lavoie

Superintendent-Director

Chet Jackson

Principal

Unfortunately, we have to postpone our Hispanic Heritage Family Game Night scheduled for Thursday, October 9th from 6-8. Please be on the look out for a reschedule date in the fall.

Any student who did not get their picture taken on either 9/9 or 9/11 should come to the PAC during Period 2 on October 14th. This time is for students in both Academics and Shop. If you would like to order pictures.

If you would like to order pictures please click this link: https://vando.imagequix.com/294339Z
Enter Code: A7525F

Upcoming Events

Tuesday 10/7: Q1 Progress Reports Open to Students & Families
Monday 10/13: Indigenous Peoples' Day - No School
Tuesday 10/14: Make up Picture Day in PAC During Period 2
Wednesday 10/15: PSATs at GLTS
Thursday 10/23: Advisory Board Meeting
Thursday, 10/23: Annual Lawrence Disability Awareness Month event
Tuesday 10/28: Middle School Counselor's Breakfast in Four Winds - 8:00am to 9:30am
Wednesday 10/29: Delayed Student Start PD - 7:30am to 10:30am

We are excited to announce an additional late bus option for students who stay after school for extra help or activities.

In addition to our 4:30 PM late buses, we now have buses departing at 3:10 PM.

Here are the details:

Departure Times: 3:10 PM (2 buses) and 4:30 PM (4 buses)
Days: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays
Pickup Location: At the front of the building

Staying after school is a great opportunity for students to connect with teachers, retake assessments, and get additional academic support. Teachers will post the days they are available for extra help on their classroom whiteboards. We encourage students to speak directly with their teachers to arrange a time to stay.

We hope students will take advantage of this new, convenient option.

Please see the buttons below for the late bus routes.

3:10 PM Bus Routes

4:30 PM Bus Routes

GLTS will be hosting a "Walk for Nicey" charitable event here at GLTS on Sunday, 10/26, at 10am. All money raised from this event will go to "The Coach Niceforo Scholarship" - earmarked for an athlete(s) who ran XC and/or wrestled.

We are hoping this is a big community event with music, food trucks, games, raffles and more all to honor Rob and generate funds in his remembrance.

Registration: 9:00 AM on the day of the walk

Walk time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Registration Cost: $30
PLEASE REGISTER THE DAY OF THE EVENT
THE DONATION LINK IS NOT FOR REGISTRATION

Location:

Greater Lawrence Technical School

57 River Road, Andover MA 01810

Donations: If you are unable to attend the event and would like to make a donation Click to Donate Here

On Friday, September 26, I had the opportunity to visit our English Language Arts (ELA) classrooms as part of our ongoing learning walks. I was joined by Assistant Principal, Brendon Sullivan, as we observed the exciting and engaging learning experiences taking place across the department.

Our instructional focus for this year is focused on active, student-centered learning: GLTS educators ensure that all students actively engage in thinking, discourse, and problem-solving that builds ownership of learning and prepares them for success in school, work, and life with targeted support to ensure that those historically furthest from opportunity achieve at the highest levels.

It was wonderful to see this goal start to come to life during our visit. Students were actively engaged in the thinking, discourse, and collaborative problem-solving that is central to our mission. We saw them building ownership of their learning as they worked together to analyze complex texts, and our teachers provided the targeted support needed for every student to succeed.

Some key highlights included:

Active reading strategies, where students learned to mark up texts, highlight key ideas, and summarize what they read.
Turn-and-talk strategies, encouraging the rich student discourse that helps them learn from one another.
Engaging lessons on topics ranging from literary terms to fascinating real-world analysis.
Clear instruction on writing, guiding students on how to use quotes and cite sources correctly for research papers.
Collaborative group work, with students working in teams to solve problems and improve the main arguments for their essays.
Support for all learners, with teachers using creative ways to ensure every student had a chance to share their voice and participate.

It was inspiring to see our students so engaged, asking thoughtful questions, and working through complex ideas with persistence. The skills they are building in our ELA classrooms, such as critical thinking and effective communication, are the foundation for their success. This is exactly how we prepare our students for success in school, work, and life.

A sincere thank you to our English Language Arts teachers for their dedication to making learning meaningful and engaging. I look forward to continuing to celebrate the hard work of our students and teachers in the months ahead!

Chet Jackson

Principal

Service Night at Cor Unum

A special thank you to our Interact Club, pictured here during their recent service night at Cor Unum. Advisor Chris Cry passed along glowing reviews from the staff, including praise that our students are "the best workers" and "so good with our guests." This is a wonderful reflection of their character and dedication. We are so proud of their consistent commitment to our community, serving at Cor Unum on the first Wednesday and last Tuesday of every month. Well done, everyone!

Spicket River Volunteers

Special thanks to the Reggies who volunteered a couple of weekends ago to assist in cleaning up the Spicket River. Volunteers spent time picking up trash and cleaning out the river and river banks.

A group of Grade 11 Landscape Construction students recently demonstrated strong technical skill and teamwork as they poured and finished a concrete slab on campus. The project required careful preparation of the site, accurate measuring and leveling, and the coordinated placement of mixed concrete to ensure a smooth and durable finish.

Students worked collaboratively to screed, float, and edge the slab, applying industry-standard techniques while maintaining a focus on safety and precision. This slab will serve as the foundation for electrical equipment to be installed in the future, giving the students valuable real-world experience in construction sequencing and the integration of multiple trades.

Want to get involved in a club or activity? Below is a list of all the clubs and activities we have available at GLTS. Check them out and see what you like! Dungeons and Dragons? Chess? Animals? Mario Kart? Crafts? We have something for everyone! Just a reminder we do offer transportation after clubs @ 4:30. Buses meet at the front of the building. We hope to see you at one of our clubs soon! Have questions please reach out to Ms. Gillis in the SAFE office or by email cgillis@glts.net.

Creative Arts Club – Thursdays, 2:45–4:15, Room 5014
Fantasy RPG – Tuesdays (3x/month), 2:30–4:00, Room 5015
Space Club – Tuesdays (1x/month), 2:30–4:00, Room 5015
Gaming Club – Thursdays, 2:45–4:15, Room 3017
GSA – Mondays, 3:00–4:30, Room 3009
Interact Club – Events announced by email
Kaleidoscope Club – Mondays, 3:00–4:30, Room MSPCA/4048
Math Club – TBD
Stand & Deliver – Tues/Wed/Thurs, 3:00–5:00, off-site
Yearbook – Mondays, 2:00–4:30, Room 2049
Chess Club – Tuesdays, 2:15–4:15, Room 4108
Student Council – Mondays, 2:40–4:30, Room 6014
NHS – Last 2 Mondays each month, 2:40–3:00, PAC

GLTS Recognized as a Featured District

On September 24, GLTS was recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as a featured district during the Anchoring in Your District’s Content-Specific Instructional Vision session of the High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) Network. GLTS was highlighted for our approach to curriculum implementation and the progress we have made toward successful adoption of High-Quality Instructional Materials. This recognition reflects our staff’s ongoing commitment and hard work to ensure that students have access to engaging, rigorous, and standards-aligned learning experiences.

Continuing Our Math Curriculum Work

As we continue to implement our new math curriculum, HMH Into Math, The New Teacher Project (TNTP) will be visiting on Tuesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 8 to support our ongoing efforts. Over the past year, teachers have trained on the HMH Ed platform, collaborated to plan lessons, and introduced new practices designed to create more consistent and engaging math experiences for students.

This upcoming visit will help us build on that foundation by enhancing lessons, supporting stronger instruction, and creating more opportunities for students to engage deeply with high-quality math curriculum.

English Department Curriculum Work

For the 2025-26 school year, GLTS was awarded the Partnership for Reading Success (PRISM) III grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). This grant supports educators as they implement high-quality instructional materials in the English Language Arts classrooms. Last year, the English Department began implementing a new high-quality instructional resource called, HMH Into Literature. The PRISM III grant will support the continuation of that work throughout the school year.

As part of the PRISM grant program, GLTS has partnered with The New Teacher Project (TNTP) to support this curriculum implementation. TNTP will be visiting GLTS on October 28, 2025 to visit classrooms and conduct a landscape analysis for the English Department.

On Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 3:00 PM, Greater Lawrence Technical School will participate in the Annual Lawrence Disability Awareness Month event, held at 155 Haverhill Street, Lawrence, MA 01840.

This event will feature a variety of service providers who will be available to share information about the resources and support they offer for individuals with disabilities.

College and Career Fair
Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 8:00am - 10:00am- GLTS

We take pride in providing this event annually to our graduating seniors. Each year we have 30+ representatives from colleges, training programs and military attend this fair to provide our students with a variety of options for their future. The fair will be held in-person at GLTS!

Strong on the Outside, Strong on the Inside

This 8-week group is designed for students at Greater Lawrence Technical School who want to build both physical strength and inner resilience. Through guided sessions in the weight room, participants will explore how healthy movement can be used as medicine—reducing stress, building confidence, and creating a stronger sense of self.

Alongside lifting and training, the group will emphasize connection and community, offering a supportive space where students can motivate one another, share experiences, and learn how physical wellness impacts emotional and mental health.

By the end of the program, participants will not only feel stronger in their bodies but also more grounded, connected, and equipped with tools for lifelong wellness.

Dates and frequency: September 26th - November 14th

Group Meets every week on Fridays WIN block

Facilitators:

Sobhan Namvar, LICSW – School Social Worker
Diana Casado – School Counselor
Ramon Cruz – School Counselor

Student Wellness Committee

The Student Wellness Committee at Greater Lawrence Technical School is a student-led group dedicated to promoting mental health and wellness across the school community. Members meet regularly to plan monthly wellness themes that encourage awareness, positivity, and healthy habits for all students and staff.

The committee focuses on outreach and collaboration, working together to create activities, campaigns, and resources that support a culture of care and connection within GLTS. Their efforts culminate each spring in the Annual Mental Health and Wellness Fair, a signature event in May that brings together students, staff, families, and community partners to celebrate wellness and share resources.

By joining, students have the opportunity to make a positive impact, develop leadership and teamwork skills, and contribute to creating a healthier, more supportive school environment.

Student Wellness Committee Dates and Frequency:
- Students meet once a week on WIN block (Thursday’s WIN block)
- Group participants are engaged throughout the whole school year

Facilitators:

Sobhan Namvar, LICSW – School Social Worker
Sara Silva, LICSW – School Social Worker
Deb Reyes, LICSW – School Social Worker

Partnership with MassHire

We are excited to partner with MassHire again to support students in their career development. Students can sign up on MyFlex for the following WINS to get the support they need from our community partners.

Monday: MassHire Drop in-

Looking for a part time job? Want support on your resume? Sign up for a drop in session where you will get individual support around your career needs!

Thursday: MassHire Career Development Sessions

Each month a different topic will be covered for students to learn about in small groups. Some examples may be: interviewing skills, job search, and more!

Career & College Representatives – Every Tuesday During WIN!

Attention Juniors and Seniors! Each Tuesday, a representative from a college or career organization will visit GLTS during WIN. This is a great opportunity to learn about programs, ask questions, and explore your future options. Don’t miss out—plan to attend!

College Admissions WIN – Every Friday!

Seniors, need help with college applications? Join the College Admissions WIN starting Friday, September 19th! Get your questions answered, work with counselors, access resources, and stay on track with your applications. Sign up each week and make progress toward your future!

Flu/Covid Vaccine Clinic

A Flu/Covid vaccine clinic will take place during the school day on Friday, October 31st, and is open to GLTS Staff and Students only.

Please contact nursing for registration information by emailing nurses@glts.net.

Attention parents/guardians of 11th grade students:

All 16 year old students are required by the state to receive a Meningococcal vaccine. Once received, please send paperwork to nursing (nurses@glts.net). Thank you!

9th grade students in academics have begun training on ALICE protocols. Our School Resource Officer Mini (SRO) led the training for half the freshmen class during their academic WIN period on Wednesday, October 1st. The other half of the freshman class will be trained during academic WIN on Wednesday, October 8th. Transfer students also joined in the training. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Mr. Vogel in the SAFE office. We are anticipating our first ALICE drill soon after our students have been trained. Any student who requests additional training should contact the SAFE office for assistance.

SMARTPASS is a platform that we use to allow students access throughout the building on a daily basis. ALL students start off with access to 4 Smartpasses per day. At the end of each month, data is analyzed and students may be limited based on excessive time that they are out of class. Once a student uses up all their Smartpasses, the teacher can call extension 1000 for an escort if that student has an emergency need to leave the classroom. This process helps us maintain attendance in the classrooms and shops and we are able to locate all students at any time during the school day. Any questions or concerns can be directed to the SAFE office.

Fall Captains Workshop: In collaboration with Haus of Athletes, our fall Captains are learning the skills needed to be a leader on their team, in school and in the community.

Thank you our staff that came to the football, with a special thank you to Jaime Hennessy, Paula Thompson and Dave Thompson for representing the staff and participating in the ceremonial coin-flip