October 10, 2025
Dear Florence Roche Families,
We had a great turnout for our family open houses this week. Thank you for being a part of your student’s school experience. It felt good to see students proudly sharing their work and showing off their classroom spaces.
After a busy week of open houses, the week ended with an all school meeting this morning. Amy Wheeler- Sutton and Jillian Doyle joined us and helped to facilitate this month’s meeting with our continued focus on kindness. Together, we read the book, Be Kind and danced to Kindness is a Muscle. We also got to see and hear about lots of examples of kindness that have been noticed throughout the building over the past month.
Wondering how you can bring this theme alive at home? Consider switching up your daily after-school question from “How was school?” to “Who was kind to you today?” or “How were you kind to someone else today?” When people are appreciated by others for their kindness and when they see themselves as altruistic or compassionate, they feel satisfaction and purpose in their lives. Studies have shown that engaging in acts of kindness increases overall well-being, peer acceptance, and cooperative behavior.
Friday “Pink Out!”
Our GDRSD high school students are celebrating their annual homecoming next week. They have a variety of community building activities planned to make it a fun filled week for their school community. Across the district, we will join in on their “Pink Out!” themed day by wearing pink next Friday. I’ll be looking through my closet over the weekend to make sure I am ready. We encourage students and staff to join us by wearing pink on Friday in support of building community across the district.
Please review our elementary handbook language regarding electronic devices in school…
We acknowledge that an increasing number of our students have access to personally owned electronic devices including, but not limited to, cell phones, smart watches, iPods, iPads and eReaders. Students are responsible for adhering to our guidelines regarding personal technology. If a student is not responsible for following these guidelines, the device will be held in the school office until a parent is able to pick it up.
Cell phones are to be turned off and stored in a student’s backpack. This is consistent with the off and away expectations at the Middle School and High School.
Texting and calling features on smart watches are not to be used during school hours. Parents/guardians are encouraged to set smart watches to a “school safe mode.”
During MCAS administration, students taking the MCAS will need to remove their smart watches. Parents/guardians are encouraged to have students keep smart watches at home on MCAS administration days.
No photos or videos of other students are to be taken with personal devices or cameras on school grounds, including the playgrounds, or the bus. eReaders may be used with teacher permission. All other electronic devices of personal value should be left at home The school assumes no liability for the loss, theft, or damage of any personally owned electronic device. When a student does not follow electronic device guidelines, we view it as an opportunity to learn and grow. First, we talk with the student to help them understand the rules (a “teachable” moment). If the behavior persists, we may need to call home. If needed, the device will be held in the office until a parent/guardian can pick it up. We will use a progressive approach to discipline that focuses on helping students make better choices.
The Anxious Generation Book Discussion Group
The Groton Public Library is hosting a book group opportunity in collaboration with GDRSD parents.
See the flyer and follow this link for more information.
Important Dates
Pink Out! - wear your pink on Friday, 10/17
Scholastic Book Fair - 10/27-10/31
Dress Like a Book Character Day - 10/31
Professional Development Day - 11/4 - no school for students
Have a nice long weekend.
Brian