S'Update 2024-9-29
November 5 Professional Development
Across the nation schools have historically served as Election Day polling places because they are central and easily accessible locations for voters. Though our district towns do not hold elections in our schools, we follow the tradition of closing school for Election Day. However, instead of serving as polling locations, we take advantage of the space and time to hold professional development for our teachers and staff.
The STEAM Fair was Full of Energy
More than 300 district students participated in the highly anticipated STEAM Fair at Mohawk Trail Regional. Fifth and sixth grade students traveled from Buckland Shelburne Elementary, Colrain Central, Hawlemont Regional, Sanderson Academy and Rowe Elementary to learn and grow with middle school students as they were entertained by STEM magician Peter Boie, worked on a community weaving project, participated in a hands-on sessions, and learned about solar energy.
Individual STEAM sessions included shark dissection, dramatic expression, bugs and disease in trees, canine therapy, the science of cheesemaking, and more. The energy in the auditorium and gyms was palpable. And in smaller groups, students were curious, brave, and respectful.
We offer our thanks to the middle school, food service and custodial teams; other teachers and staff including those from the elementary schools; high school student volunteers; and helpers from the community, who really made it all come together.
Mastering Metal!
MTRS teacher Mark Biagini and guest demonstrated blacksmithing techniques with which students helped.
One activity in the Dog Sense session
Heroes, Horses and Hounds founder Colleen Campbell led 3 sessions focused on canine therapy.
Literacy Builds Toys
Across the district, students are working with a new EL curriculum. Kindergarten students have read Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon, a story about building things from reused and natural materials. We caught up with students engaged in the lab portion of the lesson which had them building toys out of recycled items like paper towel rolls and cardboard boxes, plus pipe cleaners and LOTS OF TAPE. Students have let their imaginations run wild building ships, trucks, musical instruments, dolls, and more.
In Mrs. Tomlinson's class at Buckland Shelburne Elementary, students were inspired by the main character, Molly Lou Melon and were following in her creative footsteps. It was amazing to see what they made possible using items from the recycle bin and their imagination.
In Ms. Forbes' class at Sanderson Academy, students did an exercise in which they considered a classmate's creation and practiced offering words of encouragement and suggestions. They modeled, "What if you try...?" and "Have you thought about...?" as ways to introduce ideas to enhance the toy made by their peer. This work on collaboration and approach are lessons to last them a lifetime.
The Power of the Sun
Though the wind was strong and sunshine was intermittent, students in the Climate Resilience class put the power of the sun to the test. They built solar ovens out of pizza boxes to cook up s’mores. Two students proudly showed off a little melt on their chocolate bar despite the suboptimal conditions. Then it was off to the races! Solar cars made out of a cardboard base, two axles with 4 wheels, a motor, a solar panel and a couple of wires were encouraged to perform on a downward slope. Following each run, students discussed what may be slowing or sending their car off course. Bounce, friction, and whether a part was level or straight were among the issues to fix for better performance in the future.
Student-Led-Conferences feedback
Thank you to students, caregivers and staff for participating in the SLC on October 30th. The feedback below in the hyperlinks was shared at the most recent LEC and school committee meeting.
As a reminder, SLCS are a vital part of our shift towards Standards Based Teaching and Learning as they provide students an opportunity to reflect on the content concepts and skills they have developed and applied so far at MTRS.
This round of SLC was also an opportunity for students to share their goals and next steps for the rest of the academic year and beyond with caregivers and teachers. In April, the second round of SLC will be a chance for students in 8-12 to look back at their year and how they have grown and developed since October. It is also an opportunity for students to make specific action plans on how to best use the rest of the school year and the summer break too!
For Grade 7, the April SLC is an opportunity for students to reflect on their first year at MTRS and start to make plans for Grade 8 and beyond in order to become leaders of their own learning.
For advanced planning purposes, we will run April 2nd as an 11:30 dismissal for all students. There will not be any athletic practices or events scheduled for April 2nd, so all students should plan to take the bus home at 11:30. Students and caregivers should plan to either return to school at their SLC time or attend remotely via google meet. More details will be shared at the start of semester 2 in 2025!
Dungeons and Dragons Club, Rolling More Dice
Congrats to the MTRS Dungeons and Dragons Club, which received a $200 grant from the Sly Flourish After-School TTRPG Grant Program. Founded by author Mike Shea and his wife Michelle, the program awards after-school roleplaying game programs with funds they can use for the club.
The D&D club used this money to buy dice! Every time a new student joins the club they are given a set of dice for D&D that are theirs to keep. This grant let the club load up for the next year or two of new adventurers.
MTEA Fights Food Insecurity
The Mohawk Trail Equity Alliance will again fight local food insecurity as they march and raise funds for the Food Bank of Western MA when they tackle an 8 mile stretch of the March for the Food Bank on Tuesday, November 26. Click to donate to their effort and support the Food Bank!
MTRS Musicians In Action
Hear members of the MTRS Jazz Band and chorus at Moonlight Magic on November 29, and then hear the band, chorus and others in-house on December 19!
MTRS Winter Theater Production
And Then There Was One is the MTRS winter performance with shows on Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14th. Tickets are $10/students and seniors, $12/adults. Watch the Facebook page for timing and other details. To volunteer to help or bake for the intermission sale, please contact stagemanager@mtrsd.org.
Honoring Veterans
Vice Principal Joe Moynihan invited area veterans to attend the Buckland-Shelburne Elementary annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 8, at 9:30 a.m. Servicemen and women with connections to students or families of those attending BSE, and others, attended the event.
During the ceremony, which featured a reading about the origin of Veterans Day, patriotic singing, and the playing of Taps, veterans introduced themselves and shared short stories about their experience.
Moynihan, a veteran himself, shares that this event is meant to express appreciation and recognize the contributions made by the men, women, and families of those who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States.
4th Grade Poets
