IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
Friday, September 30th - Mid-Point of Term 1
Friday, October 4th - Picture retake day.
Monday, October 14th - No School/Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Tuesday, October 22nd - PSAT Exam
Link to school calendar - Calendar 2024 - 2025
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL SIERPINA
I want to thank everyone for attending the Open House last night. It was a great success and it was nice seeing and speaking with all of you. For those who were unable to attend, we have linked the presentation below. As we move through the year, we are all excited to work as a team to ensure the success of all our students. As always, thank you for your continued support of our students and school community. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school. I am very excited about the school year and am looking forward to our continued partnership. Thank you and have a great weekend.
Stephen Sierpina
OPEN HOUSE
If you were unable to attend the High School Open House last night (9/12/24), CLICK HERE FOR THE PRESENTATION!
PSAT REGISTRATION
The PSAT will be given on Tuesday, October 22 during the school day. We will start at 7:30 am and should be finished by lunch. Priority will be given to juniors. Sophomores will be allowed if there are additional spots available. Students must register to reserve their exam.
CLICK HERE FOR THE REGISTRATION
The cost is $25 per student. Cash or check made payable to GDRHS. Payments can be mailed to: GDRHS, Attn PSAT, 703 Chicopee Row, Groton MA 01450.
COLLEGE VISITS
College Visits are startig next week!! Over 60 college and university representatives will be visiting G-D over the next few months. Visits happen during WIN Block and attendees MUST sign up in advance. To sign up, log into your Naviance Account and navigate to the college visits page. If you need help with Naviance, email your guidance counselor. Full list of College/University visits.
ATHLETIC BOOSTERS FUNDRAISER
The GD Athletic Boosters are selling these new Crusaders Senior Yard Signs that you can display in your yard all year long! Order by Sept 28th! https://forms.gle/omYn5D5ARjTg95qLA
** These are not replacing the graduation yard signs that they sell in April.
GROTON-DUNSTABLE CHAMBER CHOIR FUNDRAISER
Join the fun at Music Bingo and support the GD Chamber Choir's trip to France in 2025.
Learn more and purchase tickets at http://www.gdchamberchorus.org
GROTONFEST VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The time for Grotonfest is around the corner and the Groton Business Association is again looking for Groton-Dunstable students to volunteer for the event. Grotonfest is on September 28th and volunteers will be able to choose from three shifts or opt to help out for the entire day. Volunteer Form
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
The National Honor Society (https://www.nationalhonorsociety.org/about/) encourages achievement, integrity, leadership, and service among high school students. The NHS chapter at GDRHS will soon conduct our fall membership application process. On September 4, the invitation to apply will be emailed to eligible students. This invitation will go out to Juniors and Seniors with a weighted but unrounded GPA of at least 90%. The deadline for all application materials is Wednesday, September 25 at 2:00 pm. After the membership application process takes place, those students who are to be newly admitted will be notified.
Use this link to find information on our Guidance Department page about the expectations for students who are seeking membership in the GDRHS Chapter of the NHS.
GD SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
Coffee and Conversation Tuesday 9/17 @ 9:30AM Peter Twomey Youth Center
Please join us for our first coffee & conversation of the school year. We alternate each month with morning coffees and evening dessert meetings. General meeting and speaker schedule to follow. Please learn more about SEPAC here: https://www.gdsepac.com/about-sepac
Click the link to register today! https://tce.me/iNuXWz
GUIDANCE NEWS
College Aid Pro
Dear Groton Dunstable Regional Families,
We are excited to invite you to an essential session on "Financial Aid 101 with College Aid Pro." Whether you think you’re eligible for aid or not, this event is a must-attend. Many families unknowingly make mistakes that end up costing them tens of thousands of dollars. Don’t let that be your story!
Event Details:**Date:** October 1, 2024***Time:** 7 pm**Registration Link:** https://collegeaidpro.zoom.us/webinar/register/1917256390303/WN_vBa5BooVSIOGqlkWX3DlSg
During this session, you will learn:
1. Will you be eligible for financial aid?
2. Where is your student likely to receive scholarships?
3. How do we get discounts even if we won't qualify for financial aid?
4. FAFSA dos & don'ts (and 2024/2025 changes!)
5. Business & homeowner dos & don'ts
6. What divorced/separated families should know
Can’t make it live? No worries—register anyway to receive the recording.
We strongly encourage all families to attend, even if you think you might not qualify for financial aid. Completing the FAFSA is more important than ever, and this session will help ensure you get it right.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Ann-Marie Sanderson
High School Partnerships Coordinator
Client Success
BAE Systems is excited to share that they are now accepting applications from high school students interested in participating in their Fall 2024 Session of FOCUS (Fostering Opportunities and Careers Utilizing STEM). FOCUS is an 11-week in person program that provides opportunities for students to explore careers in STEM by participating in curriculum and hands-on activities that introduce them to engineering concepts.
The program takes place on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. at their Nashua facility. Students in grades 9-12 with an interest in STEM are welcome to apply!
More information on the program can be found at www.baesystems.com/focus.
FOCUS Fall 2024 details:
Dates: September 25 to December 3
Time: Wednesdays from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Nashua Canal Street facility (95 Canal Street, Nashua, NH)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12)
Application link: https://app.tallo.com/talent/opportunity/view/6d31fd80-fa17-4961-bc08-51e649a40e6b (note: students will need to create a Tallo profile to apply, this is easy and free and compliant with student privacy standards).
Application deadline: September 9
Website: www.baesystems.com/focus
If you have questions about either program, please reach out focus.nashua@baesystems.com
Don’t miss this opportunity to get the word out about MEFA’s Financial Aid 101 webinar for families. The presentation will provide a helpful overview of the entire financial aid process, and include information on financial aid applications and eligibility, types of financial aid, and how colleges determine the details of financial aid offers.
In order to accommodate every family’s schedule and timeline, we’ll be hosting webinars on a weekly basis from September 17th through mid-December. Webinars will occur during both daytime and evening hours and be presented by subject matter experts from MEFA.
Families can view webinar dates and times and register at the links below. Webinars will be recorded and posted online for families who are unable to attend a live event. We encourage you to promote these webinars over email and social media to get the word out.