PRINCIPAL’S AUGUST/SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

August, 2007

Dear Parents and Students,

I hope your summer is going well.  It’s hard to believe that school is just around the corner!  Please make note that the first day of school is Thursday, September 6th for grade 5 students and Friday, September 7th for grade 5-8 students.   School hours are from 8:08 AM to 2:25 PM.  Students who walk to school are asked not to arrive before 7:45 AM.  Doors will open for students at 7:45 AM.  Once students enter the building at 7:45 AM, they are to report to the following locations where there is teacher supervision:

Grade 5 (South Cafeteria)

Grade 6 (North Cafeteria)

Grade 7 (South Gym)

Grade 8 (North Gym)

On the first day of school, all classroom teachers will be in the cafeteria/gymnasium to meet and escort their first period students to their classroom.  

To ensure that Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle School makes a concerted effort to ensure that all of our students enjoy school equally, and feel safe, secure and accepted regardless of color, race, gender, popularity, athletic ability, intelligence, religion and nationality, I have instituted some new changes.  As part of our “No Bullying” policy, all students will receive a copy of our “No Bullying” pledge in their 2007-2008 Student/Parent Handbook.   Parents and students will be responsible to read, sign and abide by it.  This pledge will be kept in their school folder. 

To enhance communication between home and school, a monthly parent newsletter will be published each month highlighting some of the events/activities that will be taking place at Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle School throughout the school year.  Copies will be given to students on the first day of each month, so please remember to ask your child for a copy!  These monthly newsletters will keep you informed on the various activities taking place at school.   Copies will also be available in the main office.

The first day of school will basically be spent acclimating students to their new grade level teams.  During the day students will receive a variety of forms to bring home (be looking for them!), including their Agenda Book, and their Student/Parent Handbook.  In addition, students will be assigned a locker.  Most of the day will follow a regular class schedule, which will include a building tour for our 5th grade students and four grade level assemblies to personally welcome students and to highlight pertinent sections from the Student/Parent Handbook.  All teachers will set aside time during first period during the first two days of school to go over our fire drill and building safety procedures in the event of a school emergency.

In continuing to promote a safe environment for our students, I am asking those parents who choose to drive their children to and from school to please adhere to the following protocols for morning and afternoon pick-up/drop off.   Please plan the morning departure from home to arrive at school no earlier than 7:45 AM.  This arrival time makes a safer, timelier and more efficient traffic pattern.  School buses arrive and depart in the morning between 7:45 – 7:50 AM.  School does not begin until 8:08 AM so there will be sufficient time for students being transported by car to enter the building, go to their locker and be in their first period class by 8:08 AM.

Morning Drop - Off Procedure

When dropping your child off at the North Building, please come up the main driveway, let your child out in front of the main entrance, continue past the North Building and take a left to exit the parking lot.

When dropping your child off at the South Building please come up the main driveway, turn right into the lot between Florence Roche and the South Building, enter the small circle at the side door, let your child out, continue around the circle and exit the way you came in. 

Early Dismissal and Afternoon Pick-Up Procedure

When dismissing your child early from school, please park in the main lot and go to the main office of your child’s team.

When picking up your child at the end of the school day, please park in the main lot.  Have your child meet you in a pre-determined place or come in and meet him/her in the lobby.

* We understand that there is quite a bit of traffic in the mornings and afternoons.  Please be considerate of others and refrain from blocking entrances and exits.  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Your child’s safety is our first priority.

Please be aware that on the first day of school your child will be bringing home our new updated and revised Student/Parent Handbook!  Please take time to read it over with your child.  Each student must return the various parental signature forms (at the end of the handbook) no later than Friday, September 21st.

As most of you will soon find out, I view parents and guardians as our partners in the educational process and encourage you to become involved in many of our school activities.  I also encourage you to contact the school if you have any questions or concerns during the year.  If your questions or concerns deal with events within the classroom, please contact the teacher first.  On any other issues, please feel free to contact one of the administrators and/ or guidance counselors. 

To keep you updated on various events and dates that will be taking place throughout this school year, I am enclosing a copy of our 2007-2008 Calendar of Events so you can plan in advance.  You may want to hang it on your refrigerator!  There may be other events that will take place during the school year that are not on this calendar.  These events will be included in our monthly newsletters.

Sincerely,

Steven M. Silverman

  September School Calendar