Good afternoon Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Families. I hope you had a wonderful weekend.
COVID Update: Please remind your children that when they are in school that they should be wearing their masks over their nose and mouth. This is going to be so important moving into these next few weeks with the surges we are having as a state and nation.
Parents, please share this with your child if they are returning to school after having quarantined. We really don’t want to make them eat alone therefore they really need to put their masks back on after eating.
Can individuals returning from quarantine and isolation remove their masks to eat meals?
Per the updated protocols, individuals returning from 5-day isolation and quarantine must mask for an additional 5 days when around others. Like individuals participating in Test & Stay, during meals, masks should only be removed when individuals are actively eating. Additionally, DESE recommends a physical distance of at least 3 feet while eating, as feasible. This means masks must be worn when individuals are waiting for meals or sitting at lunch tables after meals are finished.
New Topics to be aware of:
Bring your own device. We did have a few students bring their new Macbooks to school this week. This is ok with us as long as families fully understand that the school is not responsible for lost or broken devices. Please look at page 22 of our handbook. https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1571642/GDRMS_Handbook_2021-2022.pdf
Athletics:
There will be a Volleyball Clinic in March. This is the link for more information. GD Volleyball Clinic
I sent out an email on Friday with regards to spectators for our winter sports, should they resume. Spectators
Reminders:
Health Office update: Just a reminder to parents to please send a copy of your students completed vaccination card to your school nurse. You may scan and email it to them or drop off a copy at their office. Fully vaccinated individuals are exempt from quarantine and testing (test and stay) if they are identified as a close contact.
Our 2022 Yearbook Committee is starting to welcome submissions for our Yearbook cover design contest.
Rules: February 1st deadline, Who may enter: any student at GDRMS. What: Layout front AND back cover. Submissions can be on paper or digital. Submissions should be turned into either Front Office and for digital entries, email attachment to Ms. Keras or Mrs. O'Neill(CKeras@gdrsd.org or coneill@gdrsd.org). Please include GD logo, years, name of the school. Your name as the artist. We favor GDRSD colors in the template!. Submissions will be accepted until January 31.
Ms. Stone is getting ready to record our Concerts. The dates are as follows.
January 12/13 (snowdate 14th) for chorus.
January 19/20 (snowdate 21st) for band.
Guidance Corner:
If your 8th grader is interested in applying to NVTHS (Nashoba Tech) or GLTHS (Lowell Tech) for high school, please click here for the most updated information.
If your child is applying to a private school for next year, please click here for the most updated information. Please be aware that the counselors fill out both the principal/counselor recommendation form as well as the transcript form.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's counselor.
Attention all Athletes and Families, Please be advised that it is required of all Winter athletes to participate in Covid pool testing. Taking this measure will help us to avoid unnecessary cancellation of practices and possible forfeiture of games. Any student that does not participate in our Tuesday testing will not be allowed to practice or compete in contests until testing occurs the next week. As we look forward to games and meets we wish to remind all spectators that masks are a state requirement at all indoor athletic events. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.
Ms. Harper will be conducting our ACCESS for ELLs English proficiency assessment during the testing period of January 6-February 10, 2022..
Sarah Rudner is the SEPAC liaison for the middle school. If you have any questions or need any assistance with Special Education or related services I can connect you.
Cell phones, The current rule is Off and Away. Parents and Guardians please help us with this. If you call the school we will get your student the message. If your student calls or texts you ask them where they are. They should only be calling you from an office phone. This is very important. We may need to change our cell phone policy in the very near future. Data is showing that students are using their phones in the bathrooms, they are getting texts and texting home when they are sick rather than going to the nurses office and they seem to be becoming a distraction in school.
Sincerely, your Groton Dunstable Regional Middle School Principal Ms. Wendy Salvatore