Happy Sunday Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Families. I hope you had a lovely weekend.
Mr. Fleming wants to let you know that the Dungeons and Dragons club was a huge success on Thursday. We had over 40 students attend. If any parents want to volunteer to help out you can reach out to Mr. Fleming, cfleming@gdrsd.org.
We are holding our Staff vs. Students basketball game this Thursday. Because of this the Board Games club will be held Friday instead of Thursday so that Ms. Fleming can play in the game and students who wish to attend the game, can. There will be a 1.00 fee for students to attend the game. We will be using the money raised from the game to help fund the grade 8 end of year activities.
POW Corner: This week's word, for me, will be acceptance. I will attempt to use the word acceptance as I work with all stakeholders. For me this week I have to accept that I have a ton of work ahead of me and I will need to find time to nourish my soul while also getting everything done. I will have choices to make, let’s hope I make good ones. LOL (Gotta have some humor.)
A+B+C+D=E Corner: I think I’m going to focus on these words in my next few memos. Acceptance = Acceptance in human psychology is a person's assent to the reality of a situation, recognizing a process or condition without attempting to change it or protest it. As you learn to accept and make peace with the way things are in this very moment, you step out of your own way and step forward on the path to growth. The important part to focus on is that acceptance is a willful act. In other words, it's a choice. We all make choices to accept the things and people around us.
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:
The annual 8th Grade Music and Arts Presentations will be happening on Tuesday and Wednesday March 22nd and 23rd.
Tuesday March 22nd Band and Art 8:59- 9:20
Mr. Savoy, Mr. O'Connor, and students
Tuesday March 22nd Art 12:42- 1:00
Mrs. Kostich and students
Wednesday March 23 Chorus 8:59- 9:20
Mr. Savoy and students
Best Buddies will be meeting Tuesday 3/29 in the North Cafeteria until 3:30. We are hoping to go outside, so please dress accordingly! As always, reach out to Ms. Blydenburgh or Ms. Franceschi if you have any questions.
We welcomed Ms. Lafave back this week. If you do not recall who Ms. Lafave is she is the Art teacher we hired following Ms. Hanson’s resignation. Please help us welcome back Ms. Lafave.
Grade 6 Ms. Arsenault will be returning this week, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. We are so happy to have her back.
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.
Reminders:
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.
The North building has moved our lost and found from the PE locker room to a table in the lobby. If you have noticed that your student is missing a sweatshirt, lunch bag or water bottle. Please have them check the table.
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.
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.
We have scheduled our grade 8 Promotion ceremony for Wednesday June 15th. Mark your calendars
Athletics:
Reminder spring sports begin Monday 3/21 for all registered students.
Volleyball will meet in the North gym for tryouts.
Track will meet in the South gym and will be practicing at the MS complex.
Baseball will meet at the side entrance of the North building for a 2:45 pick up.
Softball will start on the MS softball field behind the North building.
Community Activities:
Below find the link for the Community Youth Wellness Programs
Sincerely, your Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Principal Ms. Wendy Salvatore