Highlights
Wonderbooks
A shout out to GDEF and Mrs. Keegan for bringing Wonderbooks into our 3rd and 4th grade classrooms. We know one of the most important activities for building knowledge that leads to success in reading is reading aloud to our children. These audiobooks provide access and engagement in being able to read high-interest, grade-level chapter books. The proof is in these pictures with our students as the critic!
Indoor Recess
While the wet weather continues to grace us into the Fall, this brings in the opportunity for our students to engage in recess in other ways! While we love being outside, indoor recess was full of fun, laughter, and board game skills and it was great to see our students socializing, cooperatively playing, and showing their creativity. The way the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting, we are likely to have more opportunities this year to engage in indoor activities.
bGreat Assembly
Our PTO supported this event as we kicked off a new school year. Brian Richards of bGreat came to speak to us as a whole school community in a way that aligns with our Core Values, what it means to be a Ti-GRRR! Through his use of magic, comedy, storytelling, and audience participation, we heard about Anti-Bullying, Trustworthiness, Fairness, Respect, Responsibility, Caring, and Citizenship.
West Nile Virus, Message from GDRSD Nurse Coordinator
There was a mosquito that tested positive for West Nile Virus in Ayer. To avoid mosquito bites, use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, wear clothing to reduce exposed skin, drain standing water, and repair window screens. Remember that mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk.
Lorinda Dishington Ortiz, M.Ed., BSN, RN School Nurse - Boutwell Early Childhood Center Nursing Coordinator - Groton Dunstable Regional School District 78 Hollis Street, Groton, MA Mailing Address - 344 Main Street, Groton, MA 01450 978-448-2297 extension 5014 (phone) 978-448-8459 (fax) lortiz@gdrsd.org
Open House - Save the Date!
This year Swallow Union’s Open House is scheduled for Thursday, September 28th from 5:45 pm to 7:15 pm (see schedule below). Just a reminder this event is for parents only and we’ve carefully planned the grade level times in the hope to alleviate the parking limitations. More information about this evening will be shared when the date gets closer.
5:45 pm to 6:15 pm | Grades 1 & 2 | Go to Child’s Classroom |
6:15 pm to 6:45 pm | Grades 1, 2, 3, & 4 | Visit Specialists in their classrooms |
6:45 pm to 7:15 pm | Grades 3 & 4 | Go to Child’s Classroom |
School Start Time
The school day begins right at 8:55 am and both bus and parent drop off areas are completed at this time as well. If you bring your child to school after this time, please park in the parking lot and walk your child into the office to be signed in. Please do not drop your child off at the front door alone and please refrain from parking in the fire lane for safety reasons.
Absences
If your child(ren) will be absent for any reason, parents/guardians are responsible for notifying the school by calling in the absence. All student absences must be reported by 8:55 am by calling (978) 649-7281, choose option #1 and provide your child(rens) name, teacher, and reason for absence. Anyone who calls after this timeframe may receive an automated call regarding your child’s absence from school without notification. This is in place to ensure all students are accounted for either at home or in the school.
Wellness Policy
Below please find the District’s Wellness Policy that we follow in order to ensure we are reinforcing healthy habits as well as student allergies. Teachers will be working with their Room Parents, School Administration, School Nurses and our PTO to ensure food that comes into school for school sponsored events (not including PTO sponsored events) such as special classroom events and school-wide gatherings, adhere to this policy. Thank you in advance for helping us with this throughout the school year.
SEPAC Events
G-D Special Education Parent Advisory Council
Community Education Fall Offerings
Groton Dunstable Community Education is proud to offer a variety of Fall Programs for all ages and interests:
-Click here to view our catalog.
-Visit our website for details, account creation and registration.
-Have any program ideas? We would love to hear from you. Please contact the GDCE office
Important Dates:
September 22nd - Half-Day Dismissal at 12:15 pm
September 21st - School Council Meeting ~ 8:15 am
September 22nd - PTO Color Run 4:30 - 7:30 pm
September 28th - Open House Grades 1-4
October 6th - Half-Day Dismissal at 12:05 pm
October 9th - Indigenous People’s Day - No School
October 17th - School Picture Day
October 20th - Half-Day Dismissal at 12:15 pm
October 27th - Half-Day Dismissal at 12:15 pm