Hi Middle School families, I hope that whatever this weekend brought your way that you enjoyed. We made it through our first week of MCAS. YAY! Grades 7&8 start their testing this coming week, Tuesday and Wednesday.
What does community look, feel and sound like? This weekend’s response comes to us from Ms. Weeks 6th grade Advisory: Community looks like some people being calm and some people being crazy.
New Information:
Day of Silence; On Friday, April 14, students at GDRMS may choose to participate in a Day of Silence during school hours by choosing not to speak during the day.
The GLSEN Day of Silence is a national student-led demonstration where LGBTQ students and allies all around the country—and the world—take a vow of silence to protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ people in schools.
Started in the mid 90’s by two college students, the Day of Silence has expanded to reach hundreds of thousands of students each year. Every April, students go through the school day without speaking.
Students are aware that they are still responsible for classwork and still expected to follow school rules. Staff has been informed that this choice will not impact curriculum planning. No changes have been made to the school schedule.
Square 1 Art, Should have come home this week. Order by: 4/21/2023
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The Middle School Math Get-Together group will meet on Wednesday, April 12th, in the South library from 2:30-3:30 p.m. All those students who are interested in math challenge problems and puzzles are welcome to attend!!
Reminders:
Grade 5 and 6 we have secured the Master Storyteller and Musician Odds Bodkin to come and do an assembly with our 5th and 6th grade students on April 10th. It is an 1 hour performance with three age-appropriate tales with music and compelling character voices that teach how kindness works best.
The Stonecutter: a Japanese Samurai Folktale A poor stonecutter wants to be ever more powerful but as he does so, he loses compassion for all those around him. In the end, he returns to what he was but remains trapped forever inside a mountain. (performed on 12-string guitar)
The Boys and the Frogs: an Aesop’s Fable Boys pummel helpless frogs in a pond until a wounded old frog speaks to them about seeing others’ points of view. (performed on Celtic harp)
Finn MacCool and the Big Man: An Irish Tale with Chorus A hilarious story with a sing-along chorus that tells how Finn and his wife Oona outwit the biggest bully they have ever met without hurting him too badly. (performed on 12-string guitar)
This assembly was made possible by a grant from the Town of Groton’s Trust Funds’ Lecture Fund.
Grade 6; Chariot of the Sun is a 50 minute live performance, which uses an age-appropriate, energetic, audience-involved dramatic performance to depict stories from Greek mythology. The subject directly enriches the curriculum taught in all sixth grade classes. Selections from Greek mythology are dramatized on stage both by the actor alone and with the help of student volunteers from the audience. This “one man” production will be staged by either the actor Jeffrey Benoit, or Seth Reichgott. It has won awards for excellence in education. This will be the thirteenth year that Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School has hosted this performance. The past nine years we have been able to do so with the generous support of the Commissioners of Trust Funds. The performance has more than surpassed the expectations of both students and teachers.
Reminders for all grades:
Groton Dunstable Softball is selling custom GD Pura Vida adjustable bracelets. Great to buy for yourself or as a gift! Please help our players raise money to build protective softball dugouts.
GD Softball Protective Dugouts Fundraiser Custom GD Pura Vida Bracelet Order Form
As we head into the busy months of MCAS, it’s important to remind our students about calming strategies when they are feeling stressed, worried or anxious. Here is a 5 minute relaxation you can try together. Another fun way to explore calming strategies is to use the virtual calming room on our website.
Scholarships and Clubs. We want to make sure that all families know that if you wish for your student to participate in an afterschool club there are always opportunities for assistance. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or your student’s school counselor if you need some financial assistance. We would never want a student to not play because of cost.
Dates to remember:
3rd term ended April 6th
Grade 5&6 Assembly April 10th
Grade 6 Assembly April 12th
Grade 7 SBIRT April 13th
MCAS this month, you can check our website for exact dates
April Vacation 4/17- 4/21
Term 4 info Gradebook updates 4/14 5/5 5/19 6/2
Term 4 ends June 16, Grades are due June 14th.
Dates to remember for end of year
Moving up ceremony Thursday June 15th
Grade 8 to New Hampshire May 30th
Grade 8 to New York June 1st
Grade 7 to Boundless Adventures June 1st
Grade 6 Greek Olympics June 9th
Band Concert June 8th
Chorus Concert June 6th
Sincerely your Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Principal
Wendy Salvatore wsalvatore@gdrsd.org