Good afternoon Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Families. I hope you had a lovely weekend. I was lucky enough to be invited to Swallow Union this week to read to a Kindergarten class and a 4th grade class as part of the community read project.
The picture attached to the news is from the 6th grade data day. The 6th grade teachers wanted to find a way to do shout-outs for positive behaviors and hope it catches on with all students. They made a Shout-Out Mural. Ask your 6th grader about how it went this week.
POW Corner: Unexpected, This will be the word of the month. In the North building we have set expectations for phones, hallway behavior, earpods, inappropriate touching in the halls, etc…. Should we see these behaviors in the building instead of saying, “what are you doing?” We can simply say. “That is unexpected behavior. Do you need a reminder on what the expectations are?”
In an effort to make this Corner more collaborative I have invited teachers to share with me any examples of POW they see in their travels.
A+B+C+D=E Corner: Our message from this week's assemblies should align with ABCD=E. The point is for all students to feel accepted as part of the larger school community. I can tell you that some of the 8th grade teachers have already looked at the data from the exit ticket and are thinking about making a change to the, “late to class” policy based on student feedback. Nice job.
COVID Update:
We should do our home tests on Sunday. Those that have been covid positive in the last 90 days MAY NOT participate in the at home testing and may not participate in pool testing. If your child does test positive on Sunday please let your building nurse.
If you have noticed we are no longer doing contact tracing. If we have a positive case or are notified that we had a positive student in school we will simply email that grade and let you know. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out.
New Topics to be aware of:
YRBS survey with grade 6 & 8. Below you will find the link for the information regarding the Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2022. Clicking on this link will provide parents with access to the link for a copy of the questions that will be asked this year as well as the "opt-out" form should parents choose to opt-out. Parents will have until March 6th to review a copy of the questions and until March 8th to choose the "opt-out" form, should they choose to do so. Youth Risk Survey Letter & FAQs
2 new clubs
Dungeons and Dragons - This year the Middle School is offering a DnD roleplaying club every other Thursday afternoon starting March 17, 2022 through May 19,2022. It will be held in the south cafe from 2:30 to 3:30 and is open to any student at the middle school, with no experience necessary to join. If interested or just looking for more information please see Mr. Fleming or email him at cfleming@gdrsd.org . A permission slip will be sent home for all who wish to join.
Board Game Club - This year the Middle School is offering a board game club every other Thursday afternoon starting March 24,2022 through May 26, 2022. It will be held in the south cafe from 2:30 to 3:30 and is open to any student at the middle school, with no experience necessary to join. If interested or just looking for more information please see Mr. Fleming or email him at cfleming@gdrsd.org . A permission slip will be sent home for all who wish to join.
With masks now being optional I have sent this email to your students.
A face covering that covers the nose and mouth is strongly recommended to be worn by individuals who remain unvaccinated or are otherwise immunocompromised in school buildings, and on school grounds, even when social distancing is observed.
Individuals who are vaccinated are not required to wear a mask, but may do so if desired.
Students and staff returning from 5 day quarantine following a positive COVID test must follow strict mask use, other than when eating, drinking, or outside, and conduct active monitoring for symptoms, through day 10 of exposure.
Masks will be required in all school health offices.
Please remember that there will be some staff and students who still wish to wear a mask. We do not walk in other people's shoes. As a community we will respect each other for who we are and the choices we make. A community should be safe and welcoming to all. Therefore it would be very unexpected for anyone to be questioned for what they choose to do with their mask from here forward.
If you have any questions please see me, Ms. Russo, Mr. Fleming, your school nurse or any other adult you feel comfortable with.
Groton-Dunstable Education Foundation (GDEF)
"The Big Night In"
GDEF's Annual Trivia Night is Saturday, March 19th, 8:00 pm. Hosted for the 3rd year by Trivia Brothers, it's sure to be a fun time! The event is virtual so teams of up to 8 players can gather virtually or in small groups (your choice) to play. Tickets are $15 per person. Money raised from Trivia Night goes back directly to the GDRSD in the form of grants which directly impact the educational experience of all the students in the GDRSD. For more information and to buy tickets ~ https://www.gdefinc.org/tnp
Concurrently, this year GDEF has partnered with Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza (201 Constitution Ave, Littleton, MA) on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 11:30 am-10:00 pm. When people mention GDEF, 20% of the meal’s price is donated back to GDEF! (FYI - You can also just get food and support GDEF without playing Trivia!) https://www.groupraise.com/events/219498.
Notes from the Office
(A few reminders about Attendance and Extracurricular Activities, from the GDRMS Student Handbook.)
Students are only eligible to participate in the day’s extracurricular activities if they were present at school that day.
Students are only eligible to participate in the day’s extracurricular activities if they arrive at school before 11:10 am.
Students are only eligible to participate in the day’s extracurricular activities if they are present in school from the hours of 11-2:30pm.
Students must maintain a minimum academic standing. Students failing two or more subjects will not be allowed to participate in intramural/interscholastic sports.
Please see the GDRMS Student Handbook for more information.
Reminders:
For 8th grade families:
If your student is planning to attend GDRHS next year it is almost time to start to think about schedules for their freshman year. The High School will be hosting an information night for all 8th grade families on Thursday March 24th from 6-7:30pm. High school counselors will also be at the middle school this week to have individual meetings with your students and they will follow up individually with all students prior to finalizing course selections for the incoming class of 2026.
Parent conferences will be held again on Friday afternoon March 18th. This will be a ½ day for your students. These conference slots will be used 1st, for teachers to invite parents in who teachers may have concerns about, 2nd these slots will be used for parents who did not get a slot in the fall. Please understand this is one 2.5 hour afternoon. There are not a lot of slots. We thank you ahead of time for your understanding and patience.
A message from Dee Bus Service. They would like to remind parents that in order for the bus to get their children to school in a timely manner, students should be at their designated bus stop at least 5 min prior to their stop time - they also should NOT be waiting in their cars/houses (no matter the weather) and if they have any questions to please call Erica (978) 448-3322.
If you wish to reach out to the middle school PTO their email is, gdrmspto17@gmail.com
Athletics:
Spring athletics GDRMS Spring 2022 Athletics
JOIN THE CRUSADERS YOUTH HOCKEY FAMILY! Crusaders Youth Hockey is a non-profit, co-ed town hockey program. We proudly serve the communities of Ayer, Ashby, Dunstable, Groton, Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend and beyond. We offer programs from Learn to Skate/Play all the way to 18U hockey. For over 41 years, CYH has been dedicated to developing on-ice skills and off-ice friendships that last a lifetime! Player evaluations start March 14th for next season.Click Here to View Flyer Register now using the link below.http://www.crusadersyouthhockey.org Want to learn more? Visit our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/crusadersyouthhockey See you on the ice!
Due to low registration numbers we will open our 7th/8th grade Baseball and Softball teams to students in the 6th grade. Spaces will be limited and if cuts need to be made those cuts will come from the 6th grade group only.
Registration for all spring offerings will close on 3/18 and will start on 3/21
Track & Field (5th,6th,7th,8th grade)
Girls Volleyball (7th, 8th grade only)
Baseball/Softball (6th,7th,8th grade)
Community Activities:
Sincerely, your Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Principal Ms. Wendy Salvatore