GEA

Gateway Education Association

GEA – 2023-2024


Last  updated, 6/12/24

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Access the current issue of “The EduGator“, Gateway Community Newsletter.  Back issues are available at the bottom of each edition.

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 … Almost…

 

Congratulations on a Great Year, folks!

This has been a hard year for most, but, I hope, a rewarding one.  We smoothly weathered administrative changes, Barr grant demands, cuts due to insufficient state funding, and so much more, and the tone (at least from where I sit) is positive and hopeful as we close out the year.  With the Barr Grant seemingly secured, we have a cash “spring-board” to launch us into PD and self-reflection next year, the end result of which, we hope, will be to make Gateway even better and more appealing to our current students and community, and to those outside our geographical community as an option for school choice.

The Smidy, Sullivan, Zeh team at the former middle and high school (now just “school”) have laid the groundwork to move forward with trust and confidence and a belief in the long-term future of the Gateway district in a way that hasn’t always been there.  This frees up brain space and imagination to plan confidently for the future, in our classrooms, and our community.

Have a great summer, everyone!  You’ve earned it!!!

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June 5th, 2024

Gateway Year-End Celebration

We hope you will be able to join us tomorrow, June 5th, at the Annual GEA End-of-Year Celebration
When? –  From 2:30 to 6:30
Where?  –  At the Russell Inn, in Russell (Directions)
What? –  There will be food, good company, and a cash bar.
Why?  –  Because we see too little of each other in a non-working environment and it is important to check-in.

Hope to see y’all there!
~The GEA Executive Committee

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Congratulations!  Both the Cafeteria and the Unit A Contracts Have Been Ratified!

  The new contract will be posted on the GRSD page (and this page under the “Contracts” link above) shortly.   Please check in with a negotiating committee member if you have any questions  These members are:

UNIT A:

  • Jim Duggan
  • Bill Brown
  • Val Zeh
  • Sarah McNamara
  • Hannah Sullivan
  • Jen Bak
  • Linda Hyjek
  • Sue Rhoads
  • Ben Just
  • Andrea Elliott

CAFE:

  • Wendy Koivisto
  • Kendra Gregerson
  • Karen Leis

CONGRATULATIONS, EVERYONE!!!

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Access the current issue of “Barr Updates“, an update of our community progress towards a new vision for Gateway schools!  Back issues available at the bottom of each edition.

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NEXT MEETING DATE –> December 13th, 7:00 (MS double room) – Budget Planning

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  ADAM WELCOME!     Because our Kids Deserve It!

Adam Welcome’s visit to Gateway was perfectly timed to coincide with the launch of the “dream phase” of or grant work with the Barr Foundation.  We have spent the summer and fall digging through a huge amount of data about what works and doesn’t work about our current district model and mindset.  Adam’s speech gave us permission to “think outside the box”, to find ways to get out of our students’ way, and to provide them with the authentic learning experiences they crave and that they DESERVE.  Click the image or the title above (or HERE) to watch a snippet of Adam’s wisdom.

 

Help Us Support Sustainable Rural Schools

(Click here for slide show from the Gateway visit to the Statehouse to Testify in support of this bill)

Senator Jo Comerford and Rep Natalie Blais are sponsoring an important act to provide ongoing and sustainable funding for rural schools in Massachusetts.  The act is titled:

H.3567/S.2388 – An Act to provide a sustainable future for rural schools.

Among its benefits will be:

  • ensuring full funding of the $60 million for rural school aid that was recommended by the legislature’s own “Commission on the Fiscal Health of Rural Districts” in their report.
  • ensuring a minimum of 90% funding for Chapter 70
  • clearly defining what constitutes a rural school

Please click here to see how you can share a statement with to the Joint Commission on Education, which is conducting hearings about this bill this coming week.  You can share a statement live, remotely, or in writing.  I will attach some samples here shortly.

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Negotiations are Coming Soon!   Let us know what you care about!

Take a couple of minutes to fill out the GEA Unit “A” Pre-Negotiations Survey   (Remember, you must be logged into the page using your MTA Member ID or username and password if you’ve set one). Visit the “Members First Access” link under “Members” menu above.  This will also give you access to negotiations updates, and more.

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GEA Grievance Process

Now that the 2023-2024 school year is fully underway, I wanted to reshare the process for addressing issues and filing a grievance.  These are not always the same thing.  A grievance is only a complaint about the district potentially violating the language of the current contract.  Many issues are not covered in the contract, but this does not mean that we cannot help you address them. I does mean that we have less leverage in this process.  Please be sure to carefully read your contract (linked on the menu at the top of this page (and also here: https://www.grsd.org/contracts).

Please review the grievance process HERE, so you know the steps to take and what order to take them in:

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GEA Bylaws Changes Pass

The GEA Executive Committee proposed some changes to the structure of their committee and the roles that members of that committee play in maintaining the association here at Gateway.  During the union meeting on opening day this year, these changes were passed unanimously by the membership. 

Here’s an outline of the changes:

  • The two VP positions were merged into a single VP role. This position will be held until elections by Bill Brown, the district librarian.
  • The VP position will be responsible for:
    • chairing the Grievance Committee
    • chairing the Sick Bank Committee
    • co-chairing the Negotiating Committee
    • managing the GEA website
  • The GEA President will now take on co-chair responsibilities for the Negotiating Committee
  • A new position, titled “Membership Chairperson” was created to divide the overwhelming work that had been taken on by our GEA treasurer.
  • The Membership Chairperson position will be responsible for:
    • the preparation, dissemination, collection, and organizing of all membership forms, including new member forms, payroll deduction forms, sick bank forms, and GEA membership forms.
    •  regularly contacting MTA leadership with all additions and removals of members from the GEA roles.
    • working with the GEA treasurer and VP to ensure that payroll deduction forms and sick bank information is communicated to the GRSD administration in a timely manner.
    • chairing the Calendar Committee

If you have any questions about any of these changes, please contact your building rep or anyone of us on the Executive Committee.    Thanks!

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Meet the New Staff Members for the 23-24 School Year!

*** If you are new and don’t see your name below, PLEASE let Bill Brown (wbrown@grsd.org) know so we can add you and check in.

At the Middle and High School:

  • Daniel Rose- Music MS (shared with Littleville)
  • Emily Cavanaugh- MS English Teacher
  • Eric DeCastro- HS PE Teacher
  • Kyle Murphy-Learning – Learning Lab teacher
  • Kristan Keiderling-Learning  – Learning Lab Para
  • Theresa Fairley-Learning  – Learning Lab Para
  • Bryanna Gates-Learning Lab Para

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At Chester

  • Jonas Cain CHS -Music (.2)
  • Elizabeth Hamaoui- Teacher
  • Rebecca Nicholson-STEM (shared with Littleville)
  • Kaitlyn Kelly – Preschool Teacher

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At Littleville:

  • Elizabeth Casey-Teacher
  • Kimberlee Parker-Teacher
  • Rebecca Miranda-Teacher
  • Elisabeth Bartkus-Teacher
  • Melissa Kubacka-Teacher
  • Allison Craig-Interventionist
  • Hilary Dupont-Special Education
  • Erica Allen- Special Education

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District Staff:

  • Christina Kadzik – Speech-Language Pathologist
  • Jesse Baker-Occupational Therapist

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