Week of November 6th, 2023
Important Dates:
November 13th - World Kindness Day Kicks off Spirit Week
November 13th-17th - Swallow Union Spirit Week
November 16th - 2nd Annual Turkey Trot
November 20th & 21st - Half-Day Dismissal 12:15 pm & Parent Conferences
November 22nd - Half-Day Dismissal at 12:05 pm
November 23rd & 24th - No School - Thanksgiving Recess
11/28 - Picture Retake Day
Highlights
In the spirit of Veterans Day, our second graders proudly stand before the Grade 2 Veteran Wall of Honor, which has become more than just a display—it's a mosaic of personal heroes. Each name, belonging to a relative or friend of our students, represents a story of courage and dedication they have explored throughout this week's lessons on bravery, sacrifice, and freedom.
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Please join me and all of the SU Staff in congratulating Mrs. Sarah Brylle, NECC Senior Lead Teacher who is the recipient of this year's Maria Felix Lonergan Award awarded to her by the New England Center for Children. This award is presented annually to an individual for outstanding contributions in three areas of Maria's lifework as an autism education professional; mentorship, advocacy of effective education, and professionalism. Sarah was selected among nine other outstanding nominees. Her nomination was enthusiastically supported by her supervisors and evaluated by a committee. After a rigorous evaluation process, Sarah was chosen as this year's very deserving recipient. We are so grateful to have her here in Groton Dunstable!
Sarah Brylle, NECC Senior Lead Teacher
During professional development this past Tuesday, two of our very own Swallow Union Specialists graced us with an impromptu Celtic fiddle performance. How wonderful it is to have such talented musicians and artists on our Swallow Union Team!
Sarah Mohan, Music & Gwendolyn Johnston, Art
This week our GDRSD team presented at the annual statewide Health and PE conference in Worcester. Presenters were Phil Unger (HS) and Nicole Pelletier (SU), however, the success of the presentation would not have been possible without the unity and input of the entire Health and PE team.
They presented about Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD), an effort they have been working to implement in physical education over the past 2-3 years in K-12. LTAD focuses on addressing movement pattern deficiencies and helps to create competent and confident movers. It has been illustrated in studies that improving movement patterns has a direct effect on cognition and participation in physical activity for life. It is universally designed to meet all movers where they are at and provide challenge and correction in movement. It is as challenging as the student chooses to make it. This is achieved through obstacle courses and quick starter games in elementary, stations in middle school and sport specific warm-ups in high school. Congratulations on an excellent presentation and teamwork to achieve this accomplishment and represent GDRSD!
Missing are Mark Coronis and Paige MacNeil
Swallow Union Elementary School
Celebrate Fall Spirit Week November 13th-17th
Brought to you by the Swallow Union Student Council
Monday 13th | Tuesday 14th | Wednesday 15th | Thursday 16th | Friday 17th |
World Kindness Day Take a moment to think about who would love to know that you are thinking about them here today at school. | Fall Read Aloud and Colors Day Wear your favorite fall colors! Teachers will share one of their favorite Fall books today. | What Are You Thankful For Wednesday Be ready to share about someone or something that you are thankful for. | Turkey Trot Thursday/SU Pride Day Get ready to participate in the second annual Swallow Union Turkey Trot! Show your pride by wearing your SU gear or by wearing blue and white. | Flannel Friday Cozy up in your favorite flannels as we finish up our first Spirit Week. |
Ti-GRRR Awards
G ~ We believe that one can develop a GROWTH mindset and learn new things.
R ~ A RESPECTFUL school community member is considerate of others.
R ~ A RESPONSIBLE school community member takes care of themselves, others and their environment.
R ~ A RESILIENT school community member takes on challenges, learns from mistakes and experiences growth through this process.
We have several students this week shining bright by demonstrating what it means to be Responsible!
We are happy to announce that Callum Kovach (1C) has earned recognition for his Responsibility as a first grader. He follows all classroom expectations each and every day and is motivated as a learner. Congratulations to you Callum!
Congratulations go out to Josie Spear (2R) for being recognized by Ms. Johnston for showing Responsibility and care towards her peers and teachers. She kindly offered a set of beautiful stencils that Josie no longer uses to be shared with Mrs. Johnston’s students so that all students could enjoy them.
Mrs. Prescott has recognized Maggie Enos (4O) for showing Responsibility by being a model student with self-advocacy, independent work habits, and working hard to show her teachers what she has learned. Well done Maggie!
GDRSD CORI Requirements
This past week it came to my attention that there was much confusion regarding whether or not volunteers coming into the school during the school day require a CORI Check. This confusion seems to come from past practice before me. So to be clear, ANY adult volunteering (in school events or out-of-school field trips) is required to be CORI’d regardless if they will be alone with a child or not. Once you have a CORI on file, it lasts for three (3) years. If you are not sure you have an up-to-date CORI, please email Mrs. Dzwonek (dzwonek@gdrsd.org) and inquire. CORI forms require you to be in person with a legal Driver’s License and you can complete this form in the school office. Any questions or concerns, please reach out. The GDRSD CORI Form can also be found on our school website.
Swallow Union Spirit Wear
It’s a great time to get some Swallow Union Spirit Wear, and delivery will be in time for the Holidays!
Place orders at Swallow Union Apparel Store - Orders due Sunday 11/19/23 or scan the QR code below. Orders are due by Sunday, November 19 and will be distributed by mid-December. 10% of the proceeds go to the Swallow Union PTO! Please include your student’s name and class in the Student Field when checking out (ex: John Doe (1C)
Loaves and Fishes
This is not just a place where you get a few cans of soup and a box of pasta. Here's a few key points that our GDRSD Nursing Coordinator, Lorinda Dishington Ortiz, M.Ed., BSN, RN, learned when she recently spoke with them.
They serve both Groton and Dunstable - last year only 3 Dunstable families came, but there are surely more in need. So we want to get the word out.
There is no income requirement - this is great for families that do not qualify for food stamps, but are still struggling to make rent/mortgage, car payment, or other bills. By coming to the food pantry the families get an average of $400-$500 worth of food a month. That frees up a big chunk of change to put towards other expenses.
They want to reach people before they are in crisis - if a family is struggling to get bills paid they want them to come in before they have a late payment or are facing eviction/foreclosure.
It's OK to come even if you have a nice house and fancy car. Things can happen to anyone that can tip the scale in the wrong direction - reduced work hours, unexpected emergencies like a furnace needing replacing, an unexpected medical bill that insurance didn't cover.
It's really good food. They often include meat, cheese, eggs, produce, bread, toilet paper, paper towels, pads/tampons, diapers, formula, Ensure. They even have toothbrushes, toothpaste, and sometimes pet food. There are gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options as well. They really work with people to get them the food they like and the things they need.
What they have asked of us is how can they help reach our school community? What barriers do you see or suggestions that you have that I can pass along to them? Would a presentation to staff be helpful? Please let me know if you have some suggestions!
Their website is here https://loavesfishespantry.org/
Holiday Help - Community Agencies
Once again, the Groton Commissioners of Trust and the Masons are offering to help families in need this holiday season. They want to provide assistance to any of our families by giving them holiday meals and gifts. If you know any families that might be able to use some help this year please feel free to let us know or fill out this form and return to the Swallow Union Health Office or it can be emailed to the nurses directly (email links are on the form attached HERE). The deadline for Thanksgiving Meals is November 10th and the deadline for Holiday Meals is December 8th.
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