March 3, 2022
Dear Florence Roche Families,
We made a smooth transition back into our school routines after the vacation week. Students and teachers spent time reviewing expectations for productive work time and even took on the“uniform” of a word builder during a phonics lesson.
The school committee voted to remove the school mask mandate beginning on Monday, March 8th. Students and staff members who choose to continue with their mask wearing will be supported to do so. Staff members will not be required or expected to enforce mask wearing. If you want your child to continue wearing a mask while in school, please make sure to have that conversation at home.
Anyone entering the health office will need to wear a mask. Please pack a spare mask in your child’s backpack in case they need it for a health office visit. Additionally, if someone returns from a 5 day quarantine following a positive COVID test, they must follow strict mask use, other than when eating, drinking or being outside. They must also conduct active monitoring for symptoms and remain masked through day 10 of exposure.
MCAS Testing Dates for spring 2022
Our 3rd and 4th grade students are scheduled to participate in the annual Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) assessments in literacy and mathematics in April and May. We use this data to inform how our students are performing according to the state learning standards. Each subject area requires 2 testing sessions. Here is our schedule for the upcoming assessments. Please take this into consideration when scheduling other appointments.
Grade Level | Subject | Testing Dates |
Grade 3 | English Language Arts | 4/12 & 4/14 |
Grade 3 | Mathematics | 5/17 & 5/19 |
Grade 4 | English Language Arts | 4/11 & 4/13 |
Grade 4 | Mathematics | 5/16 & 5/18 |
Here is some exciting news about happenings in our physical education program from Ms. Kinneen.
This month Florence Roche students and staff are joining millions of people around the world participating in the Kids Heart Challenge! Together with the American Heart Association we are learning about our own heart and all the ways to keep it healthy.
If you are interested in supporting our school's fundraising efforts we invite you and your child to check out the Florence Roche Kids Heart Challenge team page. Participation in the fundraiser is optional, but we do hope you will be able to join us March 21-28 during your child's Physical Education class for "Bring a Pal to PE" Week to celebrate our heart health and love of movement!
Please check out this link for information on the Kids Heart Challenge and our "Bring a Pal to PE" celebration at the end of the month!
The Groton-Dunstable Ed Fund is once again hosting a fun filled evening of trivia.
GDEF's Annual Trivia Night is Saturday, March 19th, 8:00 pm. Hosted for the 3rd year by Trivia Brothers, it's sure to be a fun time! The event is virtual so teams of up to 8 players can gather virtually or in small groups (your choice) to play. Tickets are $15 per person. Money raised from Trivia Night goes back directly to GD in the form of grants which directly impact the educational experience of all the students in the GDRSD. For more information and to buy tickets ~ https://www.gdefinc.org/tnp
Concurrently, this year GDEF has partnered with Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza (201 Constitution Ave, Littleton, MA) on Saturday March 19, 2022, from 11:30 am-10:00 pm. When people mention GDEF, 20% of the meal’s price is donated back to GDEF! (FYI - You can also just get food and support GDEF without playing Trivia!) https://www.groupraise.com/events/219498.
People can have fun playing Trivia, eating Pizza, and helping fund Grants for GDRSD all at the same time!! Win, win, win!
Enjoy the weekend!
Brian