The Gates Newsletter

Volume XIII, Issue 12 Charting the course for excellence March 19, 2010
Scituate Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
sex, disability, religion, or sexual orientation.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________http:/www.scituate.k12.ma.us__________________________________

Principal’s Corner

April is almost here—I think most of us find this a little hard to believe! And right now, the
weather is very May-like, quite a reprieve from last weekend‘s soaking rainstorm. Every season
reminds us of different things; as tomorrow, March 20th, is officially the first day of Spring, there is
a host of topics which may come to mind. There is ‗March Madness‘, as the NCAA basketball
tournament has already begun. We start the process of MCAS testing (ELA, grade 7, March
23rd) just as the crocuses are nudging to the soil‘s surface. Golfers begin to anticipate the
Masters tournament in Augusta in April, students and teachers continue to work hard in their
classes, boaters start priming their hulls, parents continue to taxi their children from one event to
another, and the planning process for the next school year continues in earnest. The pace
quickens so much so fast, it‘s almost as if people emerge from hibernation (although we‘ve all
been busy all winter!), because our schedules suddenly seem much more hectic. Parents,
teachers and students all strive to ‗fit everything in‘ before the end of the school year.

This is also the time when we have Town Meeting and Town Elections. Town Meeting is
scheduled for April 12, 2010, while our Town Election will be on May 8th. Important decisions will
be made by our community which will determine the desired level of services for our town.
Which candidates can best provide the management philosophy which will benefit our students,
our town, and our level of services? The opportunity to vote is truly a cornerstone of our
democracy. Often, it is referred to as ‗our civic duty‘. Well, that‘s fine, and certainly going to the
polls demonstrates an important responsibility which adults in our country and other democracies
share. But I like to think that the level of voting participation from a community also reflects the
commitment of a community, especially when the Town Warrant contains Articles which affect
everyone in town. This year, no constituency is left out. Our votes will determine everything from
class sizes in our schools, to the quality of curriculum in our classes, to important planning
issues, to how our capital improvement money is spent. Our votes will influence how we allocate
our Community Preservation dollars and what easements should be adopted. So please take
the opportunity to exercise your right to vote—the quality of our community depends on it!
From the Literacy Corner

Check out the Literacy webpage:

http://267msullivan.googlepages.com/home

Happy Reading! ~Mrs. Sullivan

KEEP THE DATE!!!

Gates First Annual Family Math and ELA Literacy Night

Wednesday, March 31st from 7-9 pm
Media Center

Come join us as we celebrate both sides of the brain!

Participate in a myriad of literacy activities!
Try your hand at math games!
Participate in parent Information Sessions:
Gateway to Conversations: Using novels as a discussion point for
adolescent issues
Understanding Middle School Novels: Survey popular novels and understand
the significant differences in maturity and content level.
Engaging middle school students in literacy
“I can’t study math!” Test preparation and test study strategies at middle
school
“I can’t help my student with the math!” Resources to assist students with
math
Check out a demo of Dimension M, the immersive video game that engages
students in the instruction and learning of mathematics!
Explore popular websites!
Check out the Gamewright Table! Gamewright is a game company founded by
parents with the purpose of providing fun, interactive literacy games! Games will
be available to preview or buy!

Enjoy some homemade goodies from the bake sale table!

Foreign Language Department:

Latin News:
.
March 15, was the Ides of March, the date in 44 BC that Julius Caesar was assassinated in the Roman
Senate by being stabbed to death by more than 20 Roman Senators.
The seventh grade Latin students commemorated his death by watching a video on his life, having
already studied about him in class. The eighth grade Latin students acted out Act III, Scene I from William
Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar. All students enjoyed refreshments while they commemorated the
memory of Julius Caesar

QUEBEC CITY FIELD TRIP:

The final balance check is due no later than Wed. March 24th along with roommate preferences. Merci!
Mme Dufault.

Gates Dates: May 3 Faculty Meeting

March 19 Term II Report Cards May 5 PTO Meeting
March 23 ELA Long Comp MCAS, Grade 7 May 7 Term III Progress Reports
March 24 Band Recital 7pm, SHS May 11 Math MCAS Grade 7/8
March 25 Principal Coffee, 5:45-6:30 pm May 14 Math MCAS Grade 7/8
March 25 Parent Conferences (evening) May 14 Dance
March 25 Early Release Day May 19-20 Science/Tech MCAS Grade 8
March 26 Sports Dance, 7-9pm May 25-26 MCAS Make Ups
March 29 ELA MCAS Grade 7/8 May 27 National Junior Honor Society
March 31 Literacy Night May 31 Memorial Day, no school
April 1 ELA MCAS Grade 7/8 June 2 Spring Concert, Gym
April 2 Good Friday, No School June 2 PTO Meeting
April 5 Faculty Meeting June 4 Great East Festival, Canobie
April 7 PTO Meeting Lake
April 7-8 MCAS Make Ups June 7 Faculty Meeting
April 9-11 Gates School Play, SHS June 11 8th Grade Boat Trip
April 19-23 Spring Recess June 11 Grade 6 Step up Day
 Introducing...
Principal Coffees

Date Time Topic

March 25 5:45-6:30 pm Transitions - to/from Gates

Parents and Guardians of Gates students are welcome to join Principal Dick Blake and Vice
Principal Sharon Seyller for an informal discussion on the above topics. No need to RSVP – just
come as you are! Meetings will be held in the Gates Library. Please note that the March dates
are evening coffees.

GUIDANCE NEWS:

MCAS testing for English/Language Arts will be held on Tuesday, March 23rd (7th grade only), Monday,
March 29th (7th & 8th grade), Thursday, April 1st (7th & 8th grade). Students should have a #2 pencil with
them to take the test. Please ensure that your child has a good night‘s rest the night before testing. Also,
having a nutritious breakfast is highly recommended for students to maintain a strong focus level during
the exam. We are also asking that students be on time for their testing dates. As always, we thank you
for your support. If you have any questions, please call the guidance department. The complete
schedule has been emailed to parents and can be found on the Gates Intermediate School website.

Gates Band:

The Gates Band Recital will be held on March 24, at 7:00 PM. The recital venue has been changed. It
will be held in the Scituate High School Auditorium. Please join us for a wonderful evening of music
making!

Gates Drama Club:

Our student actors, actresses and dancers have been rehearsing for the annual Drama Club production.
This year the musical comedy, ―Flapper‖, an uproariously funny show set in the 1920‖s, will be performed
at the High School Auditorium on April 9, 10 and 11 so mark your calendars now. Tickets will be available
for purchase at school. Tickets are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children and seniors.

The Drama Club members will be running a fundraiser on the night of parent conferences, March 25.
That evening they will be selling baked goods, coffee, tea, sodas and water to raise money for the
purchase of props and special effects for the shows. In addition the club will be selling snacks during the
Literacy Night to be held in the Gates Library on March 31st. We hope you will please support them!
Thank you.