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Date: 8/11/2022
HUNTINGTON – Despite an unexpected localized downpour that dampened the start of the Gateway Family Night on Aug. 2, more than 100 students and family members came to the Gateway Regional school campus on Littleville Road and stayed for the barbecue, fun activities and concert by The 413 that was moved inside to the high school’s Performing Arts Center.
“It was so great that our community still came out. We had over 100 people. Even though it was raining and we had to move inside, the kids were smiling, the parents were smiling, and the band played for over an hour,” said Martha Clark, coordinator of after school and summer school programs at Gateway.
Activities which began in the rain and moved inside included face painting by Westfield State University student and Gateway graduate Ashley Neveu and T-shirt painting by Gateway junior and camp counselor Nariyah Renaud. While the grill, which was manned by volunteers including Adam and Becca Cormier, remained outside when the weather cleared, people had the option of eating outside or in the cafeteria.
The 413s, comprising Gateway graduates Julian Greve on vocals, Dylan Nicolle on guitar, Daniel McKellick II on bass and Liam McKellick on drums, were flexible, but opted to go inside in case the weather turned again.
A silent auction was also moved inside. Clark said over $1,500 was raised before expenses. All proceeds will go to next year’s programs.
This year’s summer camp, which was offered for free using federal COVID-19 emergency relief funds, served 300 students district-wide from mid-July through Aug. 11, including food services. Clark and Superintendent Kristen Smidy hope that funds will continue to be available next year, as they hope to continue the summer camp program.
The Family Night was more than just a fundraiser, however. Smidy said that one of her team’s three priorities is community involvement.
“We are being really intentional about how to bring people together to build community, and make Gateway the hub of the community,” she said, adding that this event was an opportunity for Gateway families to come together.
“Our community is so resilient and so fabulous. Those with and without children came all to support our school. That just says so much about our five towns,” Clark said, emphasizing that even though it was pouring down rain, people still came. “Everybody that [we] talked to was having so much fun. It was still great,” she said.
Summer camp is wrapping up Aug. 11, with three days of outdoor adventures planned on Aug. 9-11 at Camp Wilder in Springfield with Next Level Adventures. The previous week was STEM week at camp, which had hosted the Agawam competitive robotics team in one activity.
Meanwhile, plans are being made for an active after-school program for the 2022-23 school year. Clark said the after-school program is divided into two tracks, Outdoor Adventures and the Arts.
Last year, the kids in Outdoor Adventures went kayaking, fishing, orienteering and hiking, and at the end of the year went on a Crabapple whitewater rafting trip. The students on the Arts track did drama, photography, film study, sewing and baking, and went to MassMOCA at the end of the year. “Everybody went somewhere,” Clark said.
Gateway also partnered with Otis Ridge for a learn-to-ski program and Ski and Snowboard Club. Clark said scholarships are available for that program.