Hello Middle School families. I hope you have a great long weekend.
* Quick note to families, If you are dismissing your child or you need them to go to the pick up line and not the bus please call the main office before 2.
* We are so proud of our GD Middle School Boys as they are the 2024 MA Middle School XC D2 State Team Champions--The first in the school’s history. Led by Mason Bearer (7th), Cameron Duane (12th) Ashton Duane (17th), Patrick Sullivan (20th), Colin Tyler (37th), Owen Whicher (76th), and AJ Timmons (80th). Coached by Christine Brooks, Codi Bennett and Caitlyn Murphy.
* Thank you to the families that have donated books to our library. We really appreciate you.
* One of the goals of the middle school teaching team is that we will focus on writing across all content areas including integrated arts classes. We have set some expectations when asking our students to write. I tell you this because you may see that your student is bringing an assignment home to rewrite. We ask that you partner with us on this journey. We want to create independent writers, who can use language to represent their full ideas. Thank you for your support.
* The 7th grade watched a video on the importance and meaning of Veteran's Day. Following the video the Advisories had a discussion about the importance of the day and then collaborated to create this patchwork poster to thank our veterans. It is now hanging in the North cafeteria. These are the slides we did in the 7th grade if you are interested in viewing them.
* Best Buddies, Next middle school meeting is Wednesday November 13. We would like to share with you that our local police and fire department are having a unified basketball game at GDRHS on Monday night 11/18 at 6pm. See the flyer here
Vision and Hearing screenings for grade 7 will be completed on Monday, November 18th. Vision Screenings for grade 5 are scheduled for Tuesday, November 19th. Please see this letter from our nurses for more information.
* A note from GDEF, "Are you looking for a unique way to recognize a Teacher, Administrator, or Other Staff/Community Member for their hard work and impact they’ve had on your child? GDEF Teaching Stars are the perfect gift! They are a great way to say "Thank You" while helping to enrich the schools in the form of a donation to the Groton-Dunstable Education Foundation (GDEF). Certificates are great for showing your gratitude in November or as a holiday gift in December! Learn more here about how to show an educator how much they are appreciated with a Teaching Star: https://www.gdefinc.org/teaching-star."
* 8th grade Civic Action project, we currently have an 8th grade student who is collecting new Squishmallows for the Worcester Children's Hospital as part of their 8th-grade civic action project.
All Squishmallows collected will go to Kendra Frederick (Groton resident and Mom). Kendra is one of the hospital's amazing Child Life Specialists. On any given day, the hospital has approximately 60 kids staying overnight. My goal is to collect at least 60 Squishmallows this holiday season. We will be collecting Squishmallows until Friday, December 13th.
There are several ways for you to participate:
1. You can drop off a new, unused Squishmallow to the donation box at the middle school north building.
2. Donate $5-$10, and we will do the shopping for you!
Venmo: @Lori-Ogden-4
In the comments please put "Squishmallows"
3. Purchase a Squishmallow from my Amazon wish list, and it will be delivered directly to me. (Make sure to include your name in the gift message so I know who to thank!)
Mr. Fleming had a dance party during 7th grade lunch today.
* Thanks to all of you who donated during spirit week. We ended up bringing 492.6 lbs of food to the PACH food pantry. Big shout out to all of you.
Reminders:
If you did not see my email the other day our Middle School Library is looking for some book donations. We are looking for “like new/ new condition” books that are appropriate for grades 5-8. If you have some and would like to donate you can do so by dropping them off in either office labeled Mrs. West or Mrs. Thibault.
Grade 8 Families,
Washington DC Trip Information
If you need a scholarship here are the directions, you can apply for a scholarship by doing the following. district website -> scroll down to registration -> kindergarten registration -> kindergarten registration scholarship. This is the link
* Parent Conferences are the week of November 18th. Wednesday November 20th conferences will be in the afternoon from 12-2:30 and Thursday November 21st conferences will be from 6-8. Please be reminded that we only have 4.5 hours for conferences over the course of these two days. Conferences sign ups will be sent out on Tuesday. We do our very best to accommodate all requests. Your kindness is appreciated with the process.
Help for the Holidays:
For some people in our community, the holiday season can be anything but happy. If you are a family with school aged children and are experiencing financial difficulties, please remember that our Community Children's Fund can help with food, winter clothing and holiday gifts.
If you would like to experience the joy of giving during this upcoming season, the Community Children's Fund is able to offer several different options. To participate in either of these traditions, giving or receiving, please contact Karen Tuomi at (978) 877-6787 or email trustfunds@grotonma.gov.
Confidentiality will be strictly maintained.
School Council met on Monday 10/21 we discussed doing a Student of the Month, but rather of the month of the quarter. Seeing as quarter 1 ends next week we will take some time to present the idea to our teachers and start this 2nd quarter.
Our next School Council meeting will be December 9, 2:45-3:45 in the south conference room.
The Middle School handbook can be found on our Middle School website. Link to Website
Important dates.
Monday 11/11 no school Veterans Day
Best Buddies meeting after school on 11/13
Grade 5 Field Trip to Natures Classroom Thursday and Friday 11/14 and 15
Vision and Hearing Screening grade 7 Monday 11/18
Vision Screening grade 5 Tuesday 11/19
Parent Conferences afternoon 12-2:30 Wednesday 11/20
Parent Conferences in the evening Thursday 11/21 6-8
And then it’s Thanksgiving…
Sincerely your Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Principal
Wendy Salvatore