Good afternoon Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Families. I hope you are enjoying a wonderful long weekend. I wanted to stop and ask, how are you? We have had a number of families experiencing COViD these last two weeks and we haven’t stopped here at school to check in. We haven’t stopped to check in with families or students probably because we really aren’t sure who has COViD at home. Probably because we know that it’s good to stick to a routine and that students need structure. But, we do know students have had COViD. We do know that quaranting at home can be super anxiety provoking and stressful. We do know that families have had COViD and we do know that students are experiencing all sorts of stressors that are new to them and really new to all of us. I don’t remember anything like this happening when I was in middle school. So, how are you? How is your family? How is your child? If you think that your student could use a check in with a school counselor please email us. If you don’t remember who to email.
Grade 5 lbowness@gdrsd.org, Grade 6 pascione@gdrsd.org, Grade 7 czwicker@gdrsd.org and Grade 8 kbuckley@gdrsd.org. Mr. Fleming AP South cfleming@gdrs.org, Ms. Russo AP North arusso@gdrsd.rog and myself Ms. Salvatore Principal wsalvatore@gdrsd.org We care about you and we care about your students very much please don’t hesitate to reach out.
COVID Update: Please remind your children that when they are in school that they should be wearing their masks over their nose and mouth. This continues to be an issue with some students. At lunch we have been reminding students that if they are done eating to please put their masks back on.
Can individuals returning from quarantine and isolation remove their masks to eat meals?
Per the updated protocols, individuals returning from 5-day isolation and quarantine must mask for an additional 5 days when around others. Like individuals participating in Test & Stay, during meals, masks should only be removed when individuals are actively eating. Additionally, DESE recommends a physical distance of at least 3 feet while eating, as feasible. This means masks must be worn when individuals are waiting for meals or sitting at lunch tables after meals are finished.
New Topics to be aware of:
Two upcoming events from SEPAC;
SEPAC Transition Planning Workshop
The 2nd semester will start on January 25th. This means grades will close on January 24th. We will publish grades on January 31st.
If you took your student on an extended vacation their work is due January 24th.
If your child missed school because of illness please make sure that the teachers are aware of this so that we can make the appropriate arrangements.
Extended vacations are not excused absences and therefore extensions for school work will not be given.
Being home because you had an illness or someone in your family was sick and you stayed home to keep others safe is excused.
Parents, when the term ends your students will start new Integrated Arts classes.
Please remind your student not to delete their old IA classes from google classroom as the teachers would not be able to access school work to be graded.
Best Buddies will be meeting Tuesday, January 25th, in the north cafeteria until 3:30. Please reach out to Ms. Blydenburgh or Ms. Franceschi if you have any questions. We hope to see you there!
If you wish to reach out to the middle school PTO their email is, gdrmspto17@gmail.com
Reminders:
Bring your own device. We did have a few students bring their new Macbooks to school this week. This is ok with us as long as families fully understand that the school is not responsible for lost or broken devices. Please look at page 22 of our handbook. https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1571642/GDRMS_Handbook_2021-2022.pdf
Athletics:
There will be a Volleyball Clinic in March. This is the link for more information. GD Volleyball Clinic
Spectators at athletic events, Spectators
Health Office update: Just a reminder to parents to please send a copy of your students completed vaccination card to your school nurse. You may scan and email it to them or drop off a copy at their office. Fully vaccinated individuals are exempt from quarantine and testing (test and stay) if they are identified as a close contact.
Our 2022 Yearbook Committee is starting to welcome submissions for our Yearbook cover design contest.
Rules: February 1st deadline, Who may enter: any student at GDRMS. What: Layout front AND back cover. Submissions can be on paper or digital. Submissions should be turned into either Front Office and for digital entries, email attachment to Ms. Keras or Mrs. O'Neill(CKeras@gdrsd.org or coneill@gdrsd.org). Please include GD logo, years, name of the school. Your name as the artist. We favor GDRSD colors in the template!. Submissions will be accepted until January 31.
Guidance Corner:
If your 8th grader is interested in applying to NVTHS (Nashoba Tech) or GLTHS (Lowell Tech) for high school, please click here for the most updated information.
If your child is applying to a private school for next year, please click here for the most updated information. Please be aware that the counselors fill out both the principal/counselor recommendation form as well as the transcript form.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's counselor.
Ms. Harper will be conducting our ACCESS for ELLs English proficiency assessment during the testing period of January 6-February 10, 2022..
Sarah Rudner is the SEPAC liaison for the middle school. If you have any questions or need any assistance with Special Education or related services I can connect you.
Cell phones, The current rule is Off and Away. Parents and Guardians please help us with this. If you call the school we will get your student the message. If your student calls or texts you ask them where they are. They should only be calling you from an office phone. This is very important. We may need to change our cell phone policy in the very near future. Data is showing that students are using their phones in the bathrooms, they are getting texts and texting home when they are sick rather than going to the nurses office and they seem to be becoming a distraction in school.
Sincerely, your Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Principal Ms. Wendy Salvatore