Doug ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Etiam quis mi eu elit tempor facilisis id et neque. Nulla sit amet sem sapien. Vestibulum imperdiet porta ante ac ornare. Nulla et lorem eu nibh adipiscing ultricies nec at lacus. Cras laoreet ultricies sem, at blandit mi eleifend aliquam. Nunc enim ipsum, vehicula non pretium varius, cursus ac tortor. Vivamus fringilla congue laoreet. Quisque ultrices sodales orci, quis rhoncus justo auctor in. Phasellus dui eros, bibendum eu feugiat ornare, faucibus eu mi. Nunc aliquet tempus sem, id aliquam diam varius ac. Maecenas nisl nunc, molestie vitae eleifend vel, iaculis sed magna. Aenean tempus lacus vitae orci posuere porttitor eget non felis. Donec lectus elit, aliquam nec eleifend sit amet, vestibulum sed nunc.
What Else is Happening?

Guidance Corner

College Conferences for Seniors and Juniors

College representatives are scheduled to come to Gateway and meet with interested 11th and 12th grade students to familiarize them with the colleges they represent.  Topics covered include the college’s academic and extra-curricular programs, tuition and fees, admission requirements and scholarship information.  Seniors and juniors must sign up for these college conferences in the guidance office.

ACT and SAT Test Schedule (2011-12)

All individuals preparing to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) should check with their counselor one month prior to test date. Go to www.collegeboard.com to register. Parents may contact the guidance office at 848-8104 ext. 226 with any questions. Register at www.collegeboard.com.

If you have remaining questions concerning your child’s schedule, please feel free to contact his/her counselor.

 Career Day At Gateway

On Friday, December 2nd Gateway will be hosting a Career Day for students.  We are implementing this special day in cooperation with New Jersey’s Career Cluster Initiative. Gateway’s goal is for students to be exposed to 16 different occupations and walk away with more knowledge about potential career choices. As a productive member of society, your participation in this event is greatly appreciated. Please consider signing up to address classes during the day, giving a description of your career, the responsibilities it entails, outlook for the future and salary range.

              If you are able to share your time and knowledge with our students on December 2nd, please contact Mrs. Melissa Eckstein ASAP at meckstein@gatewayhs.com.

Parents’ Corner

Listed below are the dates for 2011-12 parent meetings.  The monthly parent meeting is a forum for fostering open lines of communication between the school and the community.  Each month we plan to feature various departments as well as plan activities suggested by parents.  Please make every effort to join us each month. An open line of communication is one of the essential keys to an effective school. Let’s work together to ensure the success of all of our students. All meetings are on Wednesdays and will be held in the media center.

Student Record Policy Reminder for Parents

Gateway Regional School District responds to all reasonable requests for explanations and interpretations of students’ records. Parents and adult pupils have the right to access and review student records, including academic (guidance office), discipline (assistant principal’s office), individual education plans/evaluation reports (Child Study Team office), 504 plans (assistant principal’s office), medical (nurse’s office), and attendance (attendance office). The district will provide copies of the records if failure to provide copies would effectively prevent the parent or adult student from exercising the right to inspect and review the records. In addition, representatives of the parent or adult student have the right to inspect and review the records in accordance with NJAC 6A:32-7.7(a). The district presumes that the parent has the authority unless the district has been advised that the parent does not have the authority under state law.

For more information on your rights to inspect records and procedures for making requests, please contact:
Mrs. Carol O’Connell, Director of Guidance or Mr. Steve Hindman, Principal, at 848-8200.

Family Life Education

At Gateway, family life education is presented through an interdisciplinary approach. Parents/guardians may review the curriculum to determine its appropriateness for their child consistent with NJAC 6.29-71. Parents/guardians who find any aspects of this curriculum inconsistent with their personal beliefs may have their child excused from those portions of the program without penalty.

Affirmative Action

In accordance with its Equal Educational Opportunity Policy, the Gateway Board of Education ensures that no person will be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity of this distrtict on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, religion, economic background or disability.

Any questions or concerns regarding affirmative action should be directed to:

Dr. Joan Mattson, District Affirmative Action Officer, at 856-848-8200 ext. 220.

2012 Senior Trip Plans

The Class of 2012 Senior Trip to Walt Disney World is scheduled prior to spring break from March 24 – 27.  Please refer to Gateway’s website at www.gatewayhs.com for updated information and payment due dates.

Department News

	World Language: At the October meeting, Ms. Clanet’s Spanish Club students decorated Mexican sugar skulls to celebrate the day of the dead held on October 31st. Traditionally, in the small villages of central and southern Mexico, these skulls are placed on the graves of loved ones as treats for returning souls on this special night. Although often enjoyed by the living, their main function is to adorn alters and tombs with a sugary delight for the visiting spirits. The Spanish Club interpretations for this project were made of white chocolate. Pictured are (back row l-r): Margot Coates, John Otto, Marisa Reeves, Carly Robinson, Jacob Ledden, Natalie Poirier, Jackie Lloyd and Luis Garcia; (center row l-r): Melissa Gross, Emily Hinkson, Alex Garcia and Emily Sztenderowicz; (front row l-r) Ashley Miller, Angel Vilari, Patrick Dunne and Billy Byers.
	Business: Former Gateway graduate, Ms. Jen Cohen (class of 2001), took time out of her busy schedule to address students in Ms. Dugary’s business classes on the importance of the social media presence in today’s business world. Ms. Cohen delved into the advantages and possible pitfalls of the social media empire, giving students excellent advice on how to use it successfully without falling prey to it’s negative aspects. Ms. Dugary, paving the way to implement social media into the business department curriculum at Gateway, was delighted to have Ms. Cohen share her expertise on this vital subject.
Ms. Cohen’s business, Something Creative LLC, is a full-service marketing company that specializes in creating and implementing integrated marketing plans through social media. An advocate of women succeeding in business, Ms. Cohen participated as a speaker Monday, October 24th, on a social media panel at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women: Small Business Boot Camp with Marion Jones and America Ferrera. Good Morning America’s Tory Johnson hosted the event.
	Family & Consumer Science: Students in Mrs. Pierce’s Fashion Design I, II and Creative Sewing classes created unique tie-dye shirts, shorts and pillowcases during the first weeks of school.  Each piece, although done in a similar method, has a varying pattern and hue exclusive to the student who created it.  Top row (l-r): Keri Hauser, Shakeria Corsey, Eddie Gilbert, Kristina Perdicaro, Shanyn Fleming, Courtney Croft, Meghan Yahrling, Jessica Muller and Miranda Swenson.  Bottom row (l-r) Erynn Myers, Nicole Wood, Kaitlyn Moniz, Daisy Pettolina, Danielle Teschko, Alexis Gratton, Melissa Gross and Montanna Mustaro.  On the floor (l-r) Ryan Hughes and Michelle Devereaux.
	Science: Marissa Mastrando (left) a freshman in Mr. Harris’ 5th period science class, concentrates as she experiments with candy-coated chocolates (such as M&M’s) in a Problem Based Learning Activity to see how many unlike colors make up the visible color of the candy coating. Students were surprised to find the many different colors that go into the process.

A Letter from our Superintendent

Staff and students are off to a terrific start for the 2011-12 school year.

Gateway Regional is taking proactive steps to stop and prevent bullying by adopting the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. This research-based, school-wide program is a coordinated effort by everyone in the school to supervise and intervene when any bullying happens. As part of the program, students participate in weekly class meetings to learn about the effects of bullying, what they can do about it, and how they can work with adults at school to put a stop to it, even as bystanders. Parents will be involved in meetings as well, so they can support the messages students are getting in school. Parents interested in participating on the Olweus committee should contact Mrs. Green, High School Vice Principal at 848-8200.

In May 2011, Gateway Regional was approved as a Choice School District. The School Choice Program allows non-resident students to enroll at Gateway tuition free, in grades 7 through 12. For the 2011-12 school year, 21 choice students chose to attend Gateway. Enrollment is now open for the 2012-13 school year with the following timelines:

• Students notify home district of intent to participate in School Choice November 15, 2011
• Application due to Gateway December 1, 2011
• Notification of acceptance sent by January 4, 2012

For additional information please visit the following links:

As a choice district, Gateway will receive additional funding for each choice student through state aid. This funding will be used to upgrade facilities, increase the use of technology, support anti-bullying programs, and purchase classroom materials. Gateway also received approximately $160,000 in other additional state aid and this funding will be used to provide tax relief in the 2012-13 budget.

If you have questions or would like more information, Board of Education meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month or feel free to contact me at 848-8172.

Sincerely,

Superintendent