TURNERS FALLS, MA — Expanding critical thinking and technology skills will be front and center in the Gill-Montague Regional School District as it enters the new school year, according to Superintendent Michael Sullivan.

The district hopes to achieve those goals with a new focus on essay writing across all grade levels and subjects, new teaching strategies, group work and 150 shiny new Chromebooks.

“This increase in technology will allow teachers, especially in ELA and social studies, to have students work collaboratively on research projects and writing assignments,” Sullivan said.

In the respective schools, expanded programming and new staff members will bolster student learning, he said.