This past week has been a quiet one at school, with cold temperatures keeping our students indoors for recess a few of the days. While it’s always a bit of a challenge to have several days of indoor play, our students made the most of it by staying active and engaged with their classmates. Let's hope the freezing temps are less and less as we move into February so we can enjoy the winter weather outside.
We were also thrilled to have the Discovery Museum team visit us for several days of enrichment programming. The hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences are always a big hit, sparking our students' curiosity and creativity. Please check out our Live Feed section for some pictures. Thank you to our PTO, which makes these programs possible!
Please be sure to visit our Live Feed on our Website to keep up to date on all the exciting things happening both at Swallow Union and in the district.
IMPORTANT DATES
February 3rd-7th - National School Counselors Week
February 6th - Grade 2 Concert Performance @ 6:00 pm
February 7th - District Half-Day - Dismissal at 12:17 pm
February 10th-14th - School Spirit Week
February 14th - Half-Day - Dismissal at 12:17 pm
February 17th-21st - School Vacation
Elementary Science Fair
The elementary science fair is scheduled for Saturday, March 15th. The science fair will be held at the Swallow Union School this year. Stay tuned for more details coming over the next few weeks.
Student Expectations for Device Damages
Given the number of damaged devices across the district, this serves as a reminder of the District’s Technology Policy per our Elementary Student Handbook (Section 8, page 18). Please note the following section, Student Expectations for Device Damages (page 20):
Parents are responsible for the cost of damaged or lost Chromebooks or iPads, similar to textbooks.
Typical repair costs range from $75 to $100, while a replacement due to loss or extreme damage costs $275.
Parents who face financial hardship should contact their student’s principal.
Tiger Twist: Save the date! Friday, April 4, 5:30-7:30. Your student + their selected adult can get dressed up and dance the night away (or just enjoy hanging with friends and eating some snacks)!
Fun Fridays: Want to show how much we appreciate our teachers and staff? Sign up for a Fun Friday as an individual or as a class! Fun Friday Sign-Up
Groton Dunstable Youth Softball Registration
Registration for the 2025 Spring Softball season is now open for grades PreK-11! Registration can be found on our website at http://www.gdysl.com
Please contact don@gdysl.com for any questions. We hope to see you this spring!
GDEF Teaching Stars
Are you looking for a unique way to recognize a Teacher, Administrator, or Other Staff/Community Member for their hard work and the impact they’ve had on your child? GDEF Teaching Stars are the perfect gift! They are a great way to say "Thank You" while helping enrich the schools by donating to the Groton-Dunstable Education Foundation (GDEF). Certificates are great for showing gratitude in November or as a holiday gift in December! Learn more here about how to show an educator how much they are appreciated with a Teaching Star: https://www.gdefinc.org/teaching-star
It’s that time of year again! Please make sure your child(ren) has the appropriate winter weather gear—we rarely stay in for recess!
Healthy Bites - Cold vs Flu
Hi there, SU Families! It’s cold and flu season. Inevitably, we will be exposed to people who are not feeling well or who do not feel well ourselves. Understanding the difference between a cold and the flu is important. Both illnesses affect your breathing, but they come from different viruses and have different symptoms. Let’s break it down!
What Causes Them?
Cold: Colds are caused by many viruses, with rhinoviruses being the most common.
Flu: The flu is specifically caused by influenza viruses, mainly types A and B.
Common Cold Symptoms
Runny or Stuffy Nose: This is a big sign of a cold.
Sore Throat: Usually, it feels mild.
Cough: It can be annoying but is often not too bad.
Sneezing: Sneezing happens a lot with a cold.
Mild Headache: Not as intense as what you might feel with the flu.
Feeling Tired: You might feel a little tired, but not too much.
Flu Symptoms
Fever: This can be high and come on suddenly.
Chills: You might feel really cold when you have a fever.
Muscle Aches: These can hurt a lot and make you feel weak.
Extreme Tiredness: You might feel super tired for a long time.
Severe Cough: This can really bother you and last a while.
Sore Throat: It can happen, but not as much as with a cold.
Runny or Stuffy Nose: This is less common than with a cold.
Severe Headaches: These are usually worse than a cold.
How Long Do They Last?
Cold: You usually feel sick for about 5 to 7 days, but it can last up to two weeks.
Flu: Symptoms might improve in a week, but you can feel tired and cough for weeks afterward.
How to Feel Better
For a Cold
Rest: Make sure to get plenty of sleep.
Drink Fluids: Water and juice help keep you hydrated.
Over-the-counter medications: These can help you feel better by reducing symptoms.
For the Flu
Antiviral Medications: A doctor might give you these if you see them early.
Rest and Hydration: These are very important just like with a cold.
Pain Relievers: Medications like ibuprofen can help with body aches and fever.
How to Prevent Them
For Colds: Wash your hands often and stay away from people who are sick.
For the Flu, the best way to avoid it is to get a flu shot each year. Good hygiene also helps!
Parent/Guardian Notes Required for any changes in Dismissal
If your child(ren) has a change in dismissal from their normal plan, a written note or email to the teacher is required. Please be sure to send that note the same day noting the change. From there, those notes go to the office, where we verify the change and create a bus slip for the bus drivers. This ensures students are going where their parents have arranged and provides permission to the bus drivers to take them (or drop them off at a different stop). Students are not allowed to change their dismissal plans on their own.