Hello Middle School families. I hope you have a great weekend.
Things to know:
We have our 2025-2026 (https://project351.org/) Project 351 Ambassadors. Andrew Wilson from Groton and Clara Bulger from Dunstable. Congratulations
Given the current changes affecting SNAP benefits I know the district has added more resources should families in our neighborhood need them but I also wanted to highlight them here. https://www.gdrsd.org/page/family-resources-gd
Regardless of whether SNAP is funded as of tomorrow, MA HIP purchases will be honored at MA farmstands/ farmer's markets for fruits and vegetables as long as there is still at least $.01 left in SNAP accounts.
Help for the holidays, For some people in our community, the holiday season can be anything but happy. If you are a family with school aged children and are experiencing financial difficulties, please remember that the Community Children's Fund can help with gifts, food, and winter clothing. If you would like to experience the joy of giving during this upcoming holiday season the Community Children's Fund would be able to offer several different options.
To participate in either of these holiday traditions, giving or receiving please contact Karen Tuomi at 978-877-6787, trustfunds@grotonma.gov or visit the Trust Fund office located at GDRMS, Stoddart building. Confidentiality is strictly maintained.
Winter Athletics, Boys and Girls basketball registration is now open for students in grades 7 and 8. Tryouts will begin the Monday after Thanksgiving (12/1) and both rosters will be finalized by the end of the week. All students must be fully registered with a current physical (within 13 months) and all previous user fees paid to be eligible to tryout.
Also any 8th grade student interested in trying out for the JV boys Ice Hockey, Alpine Ski or HS Winter Cheerleading can register under the HS athletic registration.
Any questions please contact Mr Ricard, mricard@gdrsd.org
5th grade has an Author Visit in conjunction with Silver Unicorn Book store on Monday November 3rd. Diana Renn will be visiting our students and families should have already received an order form from your students' Advisory teacher. There will also be time to order after the visit.
If you do not regularly check out our LiveFeeds I have included the link here. This is where you will find a lot of our pictures.
Day of Connection, 8th grade Connections students, previously World of Difference, will be visiting Florence Roche classrooms on Friday, November 7 for a Day of Connection. Middle Schoolers will lead read-alouds and conversations with the younger students centered around Cultural Awareness and the importance of celebrating the many differences that make us all human. This meaningful opportunity is intended to foster empathy, understanding, and leadership among our 8th grade students while also helping to promote awareness, acceptance, and kindness in the early childhood and elementary communities.
Reminders:
Student Council, we had our first meeting this week to introduce the concept and discuss our next steps. There was a lot of excitement.
Ski Club is coming! Registration for grades 6-12 starts Monday, November 3rd. See the flier for more details. Students with questions (or parents interested in chaperoning) should email dcopeland@gdrsd.org!
NDO Racing is hosting an open Mountain Bike ride on November 1st in Groton Town Forest
for kids that may be interested in joining the team in the spring of 2026. NDO Racing is a mountain bike team for kids from 4th-12th grade that competes in New England Youth Cycling (NEYC). Our mission is to build a community and to strengthen the mind, body, and character of local youth through the sport of mountain biking.
Location: Groton Senior Center, 163 West Main Street Groton, MA
Time: November 1, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Sign up: https://forms.gle/VbpghkMsuEh2Gcwq7
Middle School dates, A parent reached out this week about Middle School dates and from there I wanted to make sure you all knew that we have a middle school calendar on our web page. Middle School website->Menu->Events = Middle School calendar. There you will find conferences, holidays, events and now you will see when our terms begin and end.
Picture Retake Day, This notice is to inform families about your upcoming Retake Day.
Our Retake day is 11/3 and is for new students and staff members, transfer students, or for anyone who may have missed the initial picture day. Additionally, we welcome anyone who was unhappy with their original picture and would like to give it another try. Retake photos automatically replace original photos in school services and yearbook. If a student chooses to retake their photo, please have them return the original picture package to the photographer on picture day. We will replace it at no additional cost.
These proofs will be delivered approx. 4 weeks after picture day. An order code will be on the proof along with ordering instructions.
Parent Conferences will be coming up in November. Please note that the week of Thanksgiving is a week full of ½ days due to conferences and the Thanksgiving break.
Cafe update: It looks like the cafe will start to sell ice cream on Friday. Please note if you students want chips or ice cream they do need to have money on their accounts.
Counseling Corner, please see the link here about what is happening with our counseling department. Some things to note - our counselors will be offering friendship groups during lunch and there is information regarding the 8th grade comings and goings for private and tech schools.
Buses, If you have questions about buses and changing a stop for your child or having your child ride a different bus all of those questions go through Dee Bus.
Bus Contact Erica Renna
The number for Dee Bus is, (978) 448 - 3322
The email is, erenna@deebus.com
Core Values: We are our new Core Values for the Middle School. Teachers and staff worked on these together last year. We will have students help us design posters over the course of the school year.
Ownership, Own your space, Own your learning, Own your behavior.
Awareness, Be aware of yourself and others, Be aware of your surroundings, and Be aware of your impact.
Kindness, Be kind to yourself, Be kind to others, and Be kind to your surroundings.
Dates to remember:
November 3rd Picture Retake day
November 3rd 2nd quarter starts
Tuesday 11/4 No School Staff Professional Development
Tuesday 11/11 No School Veterans Day
11/24 ½ day evening conferences
11/25 ½ day afternoon conferences
11/26 ½ day Thanksgiving break through Sunday 11/30
Sincerely your Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Principal
Wendy Salvatore