9/30/22
Dear Florence Roche Families,
We are quickly moving through the fall season. The cool temps in the morning followed by the warm afternoon sun creates the perfect climate for learning. Students are still working on getting to know each other and practicing the routines in their classrooms and around the building. I am also seeing and hearing students discussing with their teachers our 3 core values of respect, responsibility and resilience. The 3R’s are featured in the 4th graders’ production of the FloRo News Report that will be airing early next week. Stay tuned!
There was a strong turnout for the annual PTA sponsored Welcome Back to School event this past Friday. It was great to see so many of our current students with their families connecting with each other. We also saw many of our former students return to enjoy the event too. Thank you to Kathy Bellorado and her team of parent volunteers for making this event happen for our school community.
School picture day is scheduled for this week on Thursday, 10/6. An order form from O’Connor Studios went home with your student this week. Each form is labeled with a specific student’s name. Please double check to make sure your child brought home their labeled order form. All students will have their picture taken regardless of whether or not you choose to purchase additional photos. If you would like to order your pictures online, you can use this link. You will need the access code in the upper right hand corner (under their name) of your child’s order form to login. O'Connor Studios Online Order Link
Please reach out to Mrs. Walzel in our office if you have any questions.
If your child is absent on 10/6, there will be a retake day on 11/29/22.
Save the date! Our literacy team including K-8 literacy coordinator, Amanda Densmore and reading specialists from both Florence Roche and Swallow Union will be presenting virtually on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 7:00pm.
Early Literacy Night!
Thursday, October 20, 2022
7:00 PM
Please join us to learn more about how our whole community works together with our youngest students on emergent and early literacy skills. Those important skills, such as phonemic awareness, letter/sound knowledge, concepts of print, and oral language knowledge build the foundation that is needed to be a successful reader and writer beyond the early years. We will share how we work with learners at school in these areas. We will also share some ideas for how to make literacy a part of your daily life at home. You will get a chance to hear from Amanda Densmore, the PreK-8 ELA Supervisor, as well as literacy specialists from both Swallow Union and Florence Roche. We look forward to seeing you!
Anyone is welcome to join us, but our focus will be literacy instruction in K-2. Interested PreK families are encouraged to join as well.
A note from our health office…
Hearing, vision, and BMI screenings are scheduled for students in mid October. Students in grades K-3 will be screened for hearing. Students in grades K-4 will have vision screenings and students in grades 1 and 4 are scheduled for BMI screenings. If parents/guardians do not wish to have their child screened for hearing, vision or BMI through the school, they need to email or write a note to either Natalie, npetrucci@gdrsd.org or Elizabeth, eschatia@gdrsd.org in our health office indicating that you do not want your child to be screened.
A Note from the Groton Fire Department
Fire ~ EMS ~ Rescue
“Together We Serve the Community”
45 Farmers Row
Groton, Massachusetts 01450
Tel: (978) 448-6333
Fax: (978) 448-1116
Dear Parents and Caregivers:
Next week, firefighters from the Groton Fire Department will visit Florence Roche School with the S.A.F.E. (Student Awareness of Fire Education) discuss and practice fire safe behavior.
Kindergarten students will discover the significance of the phrase "firefighter is your friend." We will wear our protective equipment and instruct the children on its use. Children are reminded that that we are active participants in the community and are willing to assist others at any time, even when we have our equipment on. We will emphasize "get low and go" and instruct them to crawl under smoke conditions to safety. And “once they're out, to stay out!” After the presentation, the kids will be given a tour of the fire trucks.
Using our home safety board, first and second graders will learn about fire safety by identifying the numerous safety hazards in the home. Students will learn how to create a home escape plan and designate a meeting place in the event of a smoke alarm activation. We will discuss the significance of monthly smoke detector testing. Students will also learn the distinction between "tools" and "toys." Firefighters will also emphasize when to dial 9-1-1. Students will also be taught to “close before you doze” and will be encouraged to sleep with their bedroom doors shut.
Third and fourth grade students will take what they learned throughout the S.A.F.E. program and tie it all together and build a home hazard inspection. Children will be able to identify hazards and notify an adult to make any necessary corrections. At the conclusion of our presentation students will take home a short quiz to evaluate their skills learned.
Please take the time to review this information at home while it is still fresh in your child’s mind and perhaps together, we can make our children safer both at home and in school.
If you have any questions about the material, please call me at the above phone number. As always, the members of the Groton Fire Department remain available to assist you with any issues you may have regarding a wide variety of safety issues.
Thank You,
Derek Maskalenko
Firefighter/EMT
S.A.F.E. Coordinator
Happy October!
Brian