IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
● Monday, August 31: First Day of School
● Tuesday, September 1: Picture Day
● Friday, September 4: No School
● Monday, September 7: Labor Day
● Tuesday, September 15: Activities Fair
● Tuesday, September 15: Open House 6:00 PM
● Friday, September 18: ½ Day for students
PRINCIPAL MESSAGE
Good Afternoon and Welcome Back!
This summer seems to have come and gone relatively quickly. Hopefully everyone had a chance to do things that warmed your hearts, inspired you or just took some time for yourselves and family. There are many of our staff and parents of current students who have dropped off their young adults to college or said farewell for an opportunity in a far away place. Trust the work you have done, coupled with their experiences at GD, have prepared them for the next step.
The teachers and staff have been engaged in professional development and continue to model what it means to be a life-long learner. This only makes GD even stronger! They have been working over the past few days to prepare their curriculum, rooms, and spaces for opening day and things are already looking great!
With school starting on Monday it is important to know each student’s schedule. As of today, you can now access a student’s printable version of the schedule in the School Brains Community Portal. Next week we will be practicing our Safety Drills, learning our schedules and settling into the 2026-2027 School year!
Hats off to all of our upperclassmen who helped usher in our students during orientation. They did a terrific job of representing GD and making sure our new students were able to be a bit more comfortable in our building. A special thank you to Mr. Kiley who helped oversee this and provided the enthusiasm and care for every student who entered our doors!
Picture day is on Tuesday so be sure to wear your best!
New this year:
Visitor Policy
-The district has implemented a visitor policy for all schools using the Raptor Visitor Management System. . All visitors during school hours must provide a drivers license or equivalent ID that is scanned for the following:
Verifying visitor identification;
Managing visitor check-in and badge printing;
Screening against registered offender databases across U.S. states and territories; and
Supporting District safety alerts related to custody restrictions, restraining orders, or banned visitors.
Use
these links for more information. (
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Students must carry their IDs at all times and may need them to sign in and out of school if necessary.
Speed Tables
have returned. They will be painted soon but cones should remain until that work can be completed.
Chromebooks:
Many 9th graders received their chrome books as part of orientation. Those who didn’t, will be given them on Monday at 12:45.
10th graders will be given new Chromebooks on Tuesday. Bring your old one when called down for pictures.
Cell Phone Policy
For those students who are new to our school, there is an Off and Away phone policy. All phones should be powered off and away in a backpack.
Drop off/Pick Up:
Students are to be dropped off at the C-Wing Entrance only beginning at 7AM. Students getting picked up will be dismissed at 1:50.
HS drop off location and flow of traffic:
Attendance
The High School Policy allows for 7 discretionary absences each Semester Class and 4 discretionary absences per Term Class. Please see the handbook for details.
Thanks to the many people who have worked very hard over the summer to prepare the high school, its curriculum and staff in preparation for a new year.
To the Seniors… You are now the leaders and caretakers of our school . What you have accomplished over the past 3 years is phenomenal. We are expecting great things from you in the classroom, in the hallways, on the fields, stages, courts and ice, and anywhere GD is represented. Let’s make 2026-2027 a memorable year together and create a lasting positive legacy.
We are GD!
Rick Arena
From the HS Drama Guild:
The GDRHS Drama Guild has an exciting season planned and we are now preparing for auditions for our fall production of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. Performances are scheduled for November 5, 6, and 7 through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. Auditions will be held on Tuesday, September 8 starting at 4:00pm in the Black Box Theater. Our Director, Kathleen McKenzie, will host an information session to help students get ready for auditions at 3 pm on September 1 in the Black Box. We realize that not everyone can attend and we want people to know to not worry. We will do everything we can to share material and notes so that you know what to do to prepare for your auditions. Also, students are not required to attend the information session in order to audition. Finally, we will post all audition materials on our google classroom page following the information session. If high school students have any questions about auditions and/or the Fall Show, please be sure to contact the director, Ms. McKenzie at kmckenzie@gdrsd.org.
COMMUNITY ED FLAG FOOTBALL
BAE Systems FOCUS opportunity
BAE Systems is excited to share that they are now accepting applications from high school students interested in participating in their Fall 2026 Session of FOCUS (Fostering Opportunities and Careers Utilizing STEM). FOCUS is an 11-week in person program that provides opportunities for students to explore careers in STEM by participating in curriculum and hands-on activities that introduce them to engineering concepts.
The program takes place on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. at the Nashua facility. Students in grades 9-12 with an interest in STEM are welcome to apply.
More information on the program can be found at www.baesystems.com/focus.
FOCUS Fall 2026 details:
● Dates: September 30 to December 9
● Time: Wednesdays from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
● Location: Nashua Canal Street facility (95 Canal Street, Nashua, NH)
● Eligibility: High school students (grades 9-12)
● Application link: https://tallo.com/talent/job/569a00cc-91a8-402e-b836-6c6eb2562126 (note: students will need to create a Tallo profile to apply, this is easy and free and compliant with student privacy standards).
● Application deadline: September 14
● Website: www.baesystems.com/focus
If you have questions about either program, please reach out to focus.nashua@baesystems.com.
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
