Hi Middle School families, I hope you had a great weekend.
What does community look, feel and sound like? submitted by Ms. Lundstrom’s 6th grade Advisory: Community looks like people being nice and helping each other. Community feels like people are safe and fun. Community sounds like an exciting place.
Thank you PTO and families for our new water filling stations. This one is located in our 5th grade hall.
New Information:
Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents will bring awareness to the dangers of the internet, including gaming and social media platforms that predators use to groom children with the intent of exploiting them sexually online or for an in person meeting. The presentation will focus on prevention by educating parents and community members how to help keep children safe online. We will be covering the following topics:
Social Media 101 & Digital Footprint
Cyberbullying
Sexting
Gaming
Victim Support
Protecting Against Online Predation
Who should attend: Parents, guardians, local police departments, school administrators, youth program leaders and anyone who would like to learn how to keep children safe from online dangers. REGISTRATION DETAILS
Please register at the following link: (via Chrome browser))
Event address for attendees: https://usao.webex.com/usao/on...
Devices - Parents we are asking that devices be off and away. Please, if you need a message to get to your child about an unexpected dismissal please call the office. This goes for Apple watches also. If they are watches they use them as a watch not as a texting device. Airpods should stay home. They are expensive. They fall out of ears. Students should be using headphones that plug in.
Math Challenges Group Get-Together: Students can work with their peers on challenging math puzzles, competition-type problems, and math-focused games. Those who attend should plan on working with others who enjoy learning new problem-solving strategies. The focus will be on a willingness to take on new challenges using perseverance.
Meeting Location: MS South Library
To attend, you must email Mrs. Gartland at kgartland@gdrsd.org to RSVP for this event.
Games Group Get-Together: Participants in Grades 5-8 will have the opportunity to engage in logic and problem-solving games such as Tsuro, Zombie Dice, Sushi Go!, Blokus, and more!
Meeting Location: MS North Library
To attend, you must email Mr. Fleming at cfleming@gdrsd.org to RSVP for this event.
Friday January 27th we are planning a kids night out. 2:30-5pm is a 5/6 Social. We will have a movie in the PAC and games in the south Cafe. Grades 7/8 will run 6-8pm Dance in the North gym and games in the conference room. Cost will be 5.00 and we will have some concessions. Students will not be allowed to leave either event unless they are being picked up by an adult or we speak to an adult on the phone.
General Reminders:
Grade 8 families for the second half of this school year teachers will be taking period attendance and if students are not in class on time after three tardies in a week a student may receive a detention as time owed back. This is happening because particularly in the North and grade 8 students are not getting to their classes in a timely manner. Teachers have communicated this with your students and we appreciate your partnership.
Nursing reminder: If your student is absent from school due to illness or appointments please remember to send in a Doctor's note so we may excuse their absences.
The Building Friendships Through Sports program had a successful first session and will be offering session two from January 10th through February 9th on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. Games will include corn-hole, cup-stacking and kickball. Sign up for one or both days and have some fun with friends! https://www.familyid.com/programs/building-friendships-through-sports
The YearBook Committee will begin January 20th. They will meet on Tuesdays. We will have announcements in our morning announcements for your students to see. There is no fee.
The Groton Dunstable Education Foundation (GDEF) is looking for your support! Please visit the GDEF website if you are interested in making a year-end donation to the Annual Giving Campaign, or, support GDEF with the purchase of a Teaching Star. Teaching Stars are the perfect way to recognize a Teacher, Administrator, or other Staff/Community Member for their hard work and the impact they’ve had on your child. They say "Thank You" while helping to enrich the schools in the form of a donation to GDEF. Certificates are great holiday gifts! https://www.gdefinc.org/teaching-star
Scholarships and Clubs. We want to make sure that all families know that if you wish for your student to participate in an afterschool club there are always opportunities for assistance. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or your student’s school counselor if you need some financial assistance. We would never want a student to not play because of cost.
SEPAC:
The workshop scheduled for 12/8 has been rescheduled to 1/12. Please see the updated information and flier on our website. https://www.gdsepac.com/meetings-events
SEPAC is hosting a workshop with the Federation for Children with Special Needs on January 19th, 2023 at 7pm . Please see the flier on our website for additional information and register for the event using the registration link noted on the poster. If you have any questions, please email gdsepac2@gmail.com
Please join SEPAC for Coffee and Conversation on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. More information can be found here.
Dates to remember:
Quarter 2 closes January 20th. Grades will be published on the 30th.
No school Monday January 16th
January 20th is a ½ day of school
Friday January 27th we will have an “ Activities night” for students. More to come.
Sincerely your Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Principal
Wendy Salvatore wsalvatore@gdrsd.org