Good morning Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Families. I hope you're having a lovely weekend. I was lucky enough to attend a 1 and half day Professional Development training on being an Anti-Racist Leader. The keynote speakers were very inspiring and thoughtful in their approach to the room of administrators. A training like this is a reminder of all the work we have ahead of us to support all students. Thank you for your partnership in this work. It takes a village to create informed lifelong learners.
As a reminder, POW stands for Power of Words. This is a book that the district read as a way to tie us all into using the same language. A+B+C+D=E is the district initiative Acceptance, Belonging, Community, and District Multi Tiered Systems of Support all tie into Equitable outcomes for all students. In an effort to support these initiatives I try to find links every week from my work and experiences from school to demonstrate what we are talking about.
POW Corner: “Just because your intentions are good doesn’t mean that you aren’t impacting people negatively. We can always mean well, but if we don’t slow down to consider how our words, decisions, and behaviors impact those around us, we run the risk of doing some serious harm. Make the impact just as important as your intentions and see how your relationships begin to change” This is a quote from my training. I use Impact Vs Intent all the time with our students in my conversations so this really stuck with me. Our words… decisions… and behaviors impact those around us. This is the work.
A+B+C+D=E Corner: Last week we invited a student or students from each 8th grade lunch table to meet with Administration to discuss the assemblies and to brainstorm ways in which we could hear student voice while also supporting the ABCD=E initiative. Our first meeting is this Monday. I look forward to reporting out to the community about how this goes.
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:
A note from the bus company. At this time we are not allowing students to switch buses. Students must still ride their assigned bus to and from school. They will re-evaluate for the 22-23 school year
Water bottles. Your students need a water bottle to fill. We have students daily coming to the office asking for water. We do not have an endless supply of bottled water in the office, we are able to provide cups. Currently the school only has water filling stations. Your student may need a new bottle.
We are so pleased to be letting you know that our Project 351 8th grade ambassadors will be helping with a state wide service campaign, Cradles to Crayons. Every ambassador will collect clothing at a host site. Our ambassadors will be collecting clothing here in both the North and South buildings. They will be collecting clothing from April 4-8.
Our Middle School PTO sent out their first newsletter. I have also included the link here. PTO Newsletter
Note from the 7th grade nurse:
2021-2022 Physical Exam and Immunization Requirements. Physical Exam requirements for the 2021-2022 School Year per the MA Dept. of Public Health Immunization Division: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations requires a physical exam dated within 1 year of entry into grade 7 to be on file in the school health office. If your child has had a physical during the current school year, please send a copy to the school nurse so we may update our records. If your child has not had a recent physical, please make an appointment with your primary care physician. If you are unsure if your student has an updated physical exam and the required immunizations on file at school, please email the school nurse Pam Fleming RN at pfleming@gdrsd.org or call 978-448-6155 X 2180. Thank you.
Reminders:
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.
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.
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 at the Black Box Theater at the high school. High school counselors will also be at the middle school in late March 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.
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:
Below find the link for the Community Youth Wellness Programs
Sincerely, your Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Principal Ms. Wendy Salvatore