January 21, 2021
Greetings to Middle School Families & Staff!
“Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others…”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This document is posted weekly on the GDRMS website, under News: https://gdrsd.org/gdrms/news/.
Newsletter submitted by, Kathi McCollumn, GDRMS Principal: kmccollumn@gdrsd.org.
Update on Flu Vaccinations
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is removing the requirement for flu vaccination for attendance in education settings. Preliminary data show that this has been a mild flu season to date, presumably as people have received their seasonal flu vaccine and have been adhering to mask-wearing and social distancing due to COVID-19. Given the intensive Commonwealth efforts regarding COVID-19 vaccination, DPH wants to alleviate the burden to obtain flu vaccination and focus on continuing our COVID -19 vaccination efforts. DPH continues to strongly recommend that everyone age six months and older receive their seasonal flu vaccine each year.
News from SEPAC
Today, Thursday, Jan. 21, at 6:30pm SEPAC [Special Education Parent Advisory Council] will host a workshop focusing on the IEP; how it is developed, the breakdown of each section, and how it supports a student. Beth Bostic is the presenter and those who heard her last year found her exceptionally helpful. Please see attached flyer. You must pre-register in order to attend, by clicking on the link in the flyer. Hope to see you there!
Basic Rights, Understanding the IEP
News from the Cafeteria
Lunches are free until the end of the school year for students in hybrid and remote learning! Please call 978-448-6155 x3108 for details. Let us take lunches off your meal planning plate! Water and milk are available for purchase for thirsty students.
Harvest of the month – Apples! Did you know that there are 7,500 varieties of apples in existence throughout the world—2,500 of which are grown in the United States. If you want to try a different variety of apple once a day, it would take you approximately 20 years to try them all! Submitted by: Patricia St. Laurent Food Service Director
News from our Library
Click on the library link. Open and copy JANUARY’S “GUESS THE EMOJI BOOK TITLE QUEST“! Share your answers and your own Emoji Title with Mrs. Hourani and Mrs. O’Neill. Stay tuned for a surprise.
Google Classroom & IAs
Please tell your middle schooler to NOT delete their 2nd quarter IA Google Classroom accounts when the quarter ends! The teachers will not be able to finish grading for the quarter!
SEL News Social Emotional Learning
Social Awareness
In January, every student will receive a weekly lesson in this topic. ‘The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The ability to understand social and ethical norms for behavior and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.’
★Perspective-taking ★Empathy
★ Appreciating Diversity ★Respect for Others ★Peer Pressure ★Stereotyping ★ Encouragement/Listening
Here’s this week’s links that parents can use at home: Helping Your Child Deal with Peer Pressure – familydoctor.org
News from Groton Public Library
We invite anyone in grades 6-12 who would like to read books and talk about social justice themes to join with us. The books are available to borrow and pick up at the library curbside, and they are on our YA Nooks to borrow as well. They are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month from 4-5pm on Zoom.
Here are links to sign up for the next 3 meetings.
February 3: Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
March 3: March (Book 1)
April 7: The Black Friend by Fredrick Joseph
Submitted: Deborah Dowson, Young Adult Librarian, Groton Public Library, gpl.org
https://www.instagram.com/gpl_ya/
https://www.facebook.com/GrotonPublicLibraryYA/
Best Buddies
Our GDRMS chapter of Best Buddies welcomes new members. ‘Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.’ If your middle schooler would like to join our chapter, please see the application link. Their next meeting will be virtual on January, 25 @3:30 and if students do want to sign up, before the 25th would be the best time. Membership Application
Reference Links:
Early Dismissals for Hybrid or Remote
Recent ‘GDRMS Has Pride Posts’
January 14, 2021 December 23, 2020
January 7, 2021 December 17, 2020
Upcoming Dates
Jan 20 – Grades updated in School Brains!
Jan 22 – Sync learning in a.m. w/teachers; all afternoon independent work for students
Jan 25 – Best Buddies Meeting, 3:30pm
Jan 29 – Last day of Quarter 2 – all work due!
Jan 29 – Sync learning in a.m. w/teachers; all afternoon independent work for students
Feb 3 – School Brains Grades updated
Feb 5 – Sync learning in a.m. w/teachers; all afternoon independent work for students
Feb 5 – 2nd Quarter ‘Report Cards’ Live in Feb 12 – 5th grade 2nd Quarter awards zoom
Feb 12 – Sync learning in a.m. w/teachers; all afternoon independent work for students
Feb 17 – Grades updated in School Brains!
Feb 15-19 – No School, No Classes
Feb 26 – Sync learning in a.m. w/teachers; all afternoon independent work for students
Mar 3 – Grades updated in School Brains!
Mar 5 – Sync learning in a.m. w/teachers; all afternoon independent work for students
P.R.I.D.E.:
Determination:
- Be ready to learn
- Don’t give up
- Work hard