Family Engagement

Hello GMRSD Families, 

This is the page on our website for YOU: I post resources, school information, and suggestions. Here's more information about my role as our district Family Engagement Coordinator: Family Engagement.

I can be contacted at: 

Stacey Langknecht, Family Engagement Coordinator
413 863-7473

My office is located in the Central Office building at 35 Crocker Avenue, and this past year I have established a mini-lending library for families to borrow books and board games! If you want to come by to check it out, I am usually in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but the best thing to do is contact me beforehand so I can be sure to be here. 

FYI, I work part-time, and am generally in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but I have some flexbility for meetings outside of those days, so don't hesitate to reach out anytime! I do try to check my messages and email on the other days.I also work through the summer!

                             

                                                                     Happy April Fool's Day!!!

                                                             Glass Apple

School & District News

Please consider donating to the GMRSD Food Drive; the deadline is this Friday 4/4! This flyer has the details: GMRSD Food Drive.

There will be a SEPAC meeting on Thursday 4/10 at 6:15 online. SEPAC stands for Special Education Parent Advisory Council and is a group of parents & caregivers of students receiving special ed services who can advise the school district on how special education needs are being met. This meeting will focus on parents' rights, so please attend!!!! Here's the flyer: SEPAC Meeting April2025 y en Espanol: SEPAC 10 de Abril 2025.

Here's an informational document from the Friends of Hillcrest & Sheffield: FOH FOS Infysormation. Their next meeting is Thursday 4/3 at 5:30.

Here is Principal Bailey's latest newsletter: Hillcrest News. 

Check out these upcoming events for Hillcrest: 

  • Bingo for Books: April 10th 5:30

  • Kindergarten Open House: April 9th 5:30

  • Pre-K Open House: April 30th 5:30

Sheffield is looking for Volunteers to help out with lunch and recess! The details are in here: Sheffield Volunteer Information, and if you are interested, please contact Ms. Heathwaite at kerry.heathwaite@gmrsd.org.

Here is Principal Heathwaite's newest newsletter: Lion's Roar

I am still happy to talk with Sheffield and Hillcrest parents and volunteers about forming a parent/community run walking school bus; 863-7473.

The Friends of Sheffield/Hillcrest is doing a movie fundraiser on 2/22: Paddington in Peru! Check out the details here in the order form: Paddington In Peru Movie Fundraiser .

It's kindergarten registration season!! There will be kindergarten open houses at Gill on Tuesday 4/1 and Hillcrest on Wednesday 4/9, both from 5:30-6:30.  If you have a child who will be 5 before September or know someone who does, check this out and share: Kindergarten Registration GMRSD. 

Gill PTO meetings have changed to the first Thursday of the month; their next meeting is April 3rd at 5:15 at the school. 

There will be a fundraiser for the TFHS freshman class on 5/17 - it's a craft show! There are 2 flyers: one to have a table there and the other advertising the event: Vendor Market Participant Form and Vendor Market Event. 

We sadly have to discontinue the monthly group for new middle school parents & caregivers at Great Falls Middle School this fall. However, please reach out to me if you want to discuss any challenges that you are having with your middle schooler; I'm here to support you!

If your middle or high schooler is participating in band/chorus, sports, or theater, we have Booster groups for those programs! These parent groups support the respective programs in many ways, and of course present another opportuniFroty to get to know other parents/guardians in the school. See the sidebar for contact information for each!

GFMS & TFHS are having their annual Extravaganza on Wed March 26th from 6:30-8! This is for families who are "shopping around" and want to check us out!!! Please spread the word and share this flyer: TFGF Extravaganza. 

Speaking of the Music Program, Alyssa Comeau has a request for TFHS Alumni: 

The Turners Falls Music Department is planning a special event and we need YOU! In collaboration with our fellow arts teachers, we are bringing back the Turners Falls Arts Night. We will be showcasing the amazing work our students are doing in their arts classes combined with the Spring Music Concert which will take place in the gym. 

The music department would like to take this one step further and really make this event about our amazing community. We would like to round out the evening with a performance that includes, faculty, staff, and alumni. If you have ever been in any music class and would be willing to join our choir please reach out to me at the email below. We will be singing a piece called Seeking Light. I will send out practice tracks and sheet music in the middle of March so that you can practice on your own and I will hold two evening rehearsals for anyone who would like to come in an get some practice with a group. 

The event will take place the evening of May 16th, and if you are an alum who is interested in participating, please contact Alyssa at alyssa.comeau@gmrsd.org. 

GUIDANCE NEWS:

HIGH SCHOOL “DOCTOR FOR A DAY” PROGRAM

We are pleased to inform you that your school has been selected to participate in the ‘High School Doctor for a Day’ program scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The selected students will have an opportunity to share the expertise of a physician mentor in the daily practice of medicine. This program is open to students in their junior or senior year, who have a serious interest in becoming a physician and have a strong background in the sciences. Students who apply must clearly state their honest interest in being a doctor as one of their top choices for a profession.

Interested students should visit Ms. Fortin in Guidance.

Shrek the Musical was awesome!!!! Thanks to all of the hard work and talent of the TF/GF staff and students!!!

SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council): this is a district-wide group of parents/guardians whose children receive special education services in our district. It's a great way to support each other and also is empowered with advising our district on changes that you feel would be helpful in our program. For more information, please contact Corrina Wcislo at 863-7508. 

EL-PAC (English Learners Parent Advisory Council): 

Para obtener más información sobre este grupo, comuníquese con Corrina Wcislo

For more information about this group, contact Corrina Wcislo

Here is Superintendent Beck's latest newsletter: Superintendent's Newsletter Feb2025

An update on the Covid stuation from our School Nurses: Fall2024Covid Information .

Tina Mahaney, our amazing Director of Technology, sent this along for parents and caregivers about keeping kids safe online: Family Link.

FYI, here's the link that has the Covid protocols that we follow: COVID Protocols.

Community Resources & Events

There's a webinar coming up on Saturday 4/5 from 9:30-12:30 for parents & caregivers about child & adult social security and social security disability for those whose older kids will soon be on their own; here's the link to the details: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/4-5-25-Moving-to-Young-Adulthood--Social-Security---Social-Security-Disability.html?soid=1101297532920&aid=2EaNkxThylY .

There is a new Habitat for Humanity house opportunity coming up in Greenfield with 2 informational meetings for interested families; here's the flyer with the dates and more details: Habitat for Humanity House 4-2025.

I talk with so many of you whose kids sometimes experience what is often called "school refusal". Well, here's a webinar for parents & caregivers about that, with tips on overcoming that situation: School Refusal Webinar . If you watch it, please let me know what you think!

The Salasin Project and the Brick House are collaborating once again to do another Healing Trauma program for adults who identify as female. It's an 8-week program which starts on 4/10 and registration is required; here's the flyer: Healing Trauma Program. 

Here's the April calendar for the Greenfield Family Resource Center: FRC Calendar.

The Brick House has added Saturdays from 10-1 to their Food Pantry hours! Here's the revised flyer about these services: BrickHouseDrop-InHours.

Here's the latest Connections Newsletter: Connections Newsletter.

Here's a flyer from LifePath about their paid Respite Care program: Paid Respite Care .

The Montague Libraries are hopping with activities for teens and younger kids! Check out these flyers: Lego at the Library, imagination Station,  BiLingual Music & Movement , Register for a Free Tree, Craft Club for All Ages, Reptile Nook, and a survey for teens: Library Survey for Teens.

Lifepath has several Healthy Living workshops coming up: LifePath Healthy Living .

Here's information about an upcoming webinar for anyone who is caring for a loved one who is on a wait list for mental health services: 

Families for Depression Awareness is presenting our free webinar — Bridging the Gap: Supporting Loved Ones as They Wait for Mental Health Care<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.familyaware.org%2fwebinar%2fbridging-the-gap-supporting-loved-ones-as-they-wait-for-mental-health-care%2f&c=E,1,Jr7TfRoFvmfhhGelZ88J3xZYzO8vNNjd9g-bvV6kzZZYoBxi4NNGjE7rS5D78pSiXg9Smv52tQRRFFY4L_2VNPBcKrvzXeObDZYqmu--Azep1w,,&typo=1> — on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM ET/ 4:00 to 5:30 PM PT. We would greatly appreciate your support in sharing this resource with your network.
Your loved one is ready for therapy, but the waitlist seems endless. You want to support them, but you’re not sure how to keep them motivated during this challenging, in-between period. How can you help them maintain their momentum toward better mental health without crossing boundaries or enabling unhealthy behaviors? Our upcoming webinar, “Bridging the Gap: Supporting Loved Ones as They Wait for Mental Health Care”, tackles these pressing questions head-on.
Register to join us<https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lmyEcnDnTXKsbDOTY5PTIw#/registration> for a live webinar discussion or watch on demand after it airs.

The Brick House is starting a Youth Performance Ensemble in February; here are the details: Youth Performance Ensemble .

There is a suicide loss support group every Tuesday evening in Greenfield; here are the details: Suicide Loss Support Group.

The Salasin Center offers a weekly Nurturing Program for Families in Recovery Program; here are the details: Nurturing Program for Families in Recovery. They also have an ongoing group called Survivor Support Space every Wednesday from 1-2; here's the flyer: Survivor Support Space . 

Here are some flyers about regular weekly programs at the Brick House's Parent&Family program: Drop-In Hours for Assistance (now includes a Food Pantry!),  Hygiene Supplies Available ,  Spanish-English Gatherings , Coffee Hour .

Here is the January calendar for The Brick House Teen Center: Brick House Teen Center .

Here's the latest Connections Newsletter: Connections Newsletter.

The ARC in Turners Falls has a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Group: Grandparents Raising Grandkids Group. 

Helpful Websites and Benefits Information: 

This website can be helpful for families who want to apply for Section 8 (subsidized) housing or are on the waiting list already: Section 8 Housing Info. Also if you have a Section 8 voucher and are looking for housing, this program may help: SUN Program for Section 8.

This website offers resources and tips for keeping children away from guns in the home: GunSafetyInfo.

If your family receives SNAP benefits, you should check out this info about the Health Incentive Program (HIP): HIP. 

Important reminders about SNAP and P-EBT: 

Based on federal rules, students attending school in-person are not eligible for Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT), but the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) encourages students and families to keep their P-EBT cards. More information can be found at MAp-EBT.org.
 
 If students received P-EBT, they may be eligible for SNAP. Please encourage families who received P-EBT to sign up for SNAP. It is fast and easy to apply, and the monthly SNAP amount is now higher than ever ($658 for a family of three and $835 for a family of four!). The following resources can help spread the word: 

 

The Importance of Being Involved

Whether it's joining your child's school PTO or School Community Council, or attending their school events, or helping out in the classroom, you are contributing to your child's education! 

There is evidence that parent involvement increases the chances of overall success for students; this is from the CDC website: 

  • Research shows that parent engagement in schools is closely linked to better student behavior, higher academic achievement, and enhanced social skills.
  • Parent engagement also makes it more likely that children and adolescents will avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as sexually risky behaviors and substance use.
  • Efforts to improve child and adolescent health have typically addressed specific health risk behaviors, such as tobacco use or violence.

Lean more at Centers for Disease Control

Resource of the Month

Big Brothers Big Sisters aka BBBS

16 Court Square
Greenfield, MA  01301

(413) 772-0915

https://www.bbbswm.org/

You've probably heard of this amazing organization which provides mentors for school-age kids and young teens. They also have mentoring groups. If you feel that your child will benefit from having a Big Brother or Big Sister in their life, contact them at above phone number. 

The GMRSD Internet Safety Task Force invited the Northwestern District Attorney's office to do a zoom presentation for our parents & guardians on, well, internet safety. The presentation was done by them and the Children's Advocacy Center in March, and for those of you who missed it, here's the link to the Power Point: 

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1634jmPqCPrkF6vszKilR7oDvkyXyZ7LQ/view?usp=sharing.

Please take a look at it; it has lots of great information and websites that may help you learn how to protect your kids from online dangers!

More Community Resources for Students and Families             

Local Resources Updated Sept2022                                                       

Local Food Resources                                                                           

Community Action of the Pioneer Valley                                               

Pandemic-EBT- Help for Families During Covid                                     

413Cares                   

Montague Catholic Social Ministries 

The Brick House

The United Arc

https://franklinareasurvivalcenter.org/

Center for New Americans

Massachusetts Migrant Education Program: https://www.collaborative.org/programs/migrant-education-program

Helpful Websites for Parenting

https://handholdma.org/ 

http://https://www.onetoughjob.org/ 

http:// https://centerforparentingeducation.org/library-of-articles/school-and-learning-issues/supporting-school-success/

https://www.strong4life.com/en/emotional-wellness/coping/healthy-coping-strategies-for-kids

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/