Week of December 18th, 2023
Important Dates:
December 25th through January 1st - Winter Break - No School
January 12th - Half-Day 12:15 pm
January 15th - MLK Jr. Day - No School
January 19th - Half-Day Dismissal
Highlights
This was a packed week of learning and team-building activities for students and staff! Each day of our Spirit Week starts us off by talking and sharing about ourselves with one another - it is so fun to see all the participation! We also continued to watch the Polar Express during lunch blocks this week - thank you again, Max McLane, Principal for the Day, for starting us off with this last week.
From Kindergarten Winter celebration activities and writing about their Gingerbread person, creating Gingerbread houses in 2nd grade, our 3rd graders had a Holiday Read-a-Thon, our annual visit from Mr. Kimpton reading the Polar Express to each classroom, our staff celebrations with a potluck luncheon and gift giving - Wow! Here are some pictures to try and capture the spirit of this amazing week of learning and connecting with our students and one another beyond the classroom. We truly have a special community at Swallow Union!
Karter Fairbarn, PTO Feed the Tiger Winner, arrived in style yesterday! Along with her brothers Krew and Ryan, made quite an impression. Thank you Dunstable Fire Department!
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.
Jake Erikson (40) was very engaged in the math work this week that required students to make deeper connections with number sense. He showed grit, Growth and Responsibility by sharing with his peers what he observed with his classwork through discussion and collaboration.
Well done, Gavin Thibault (1S) for showing your peers Respect and Responsibility during recess while playing ball on the field. When he realized two peers were not including another peer, Gavin made sure to throw the ball to that friend and include him in the game. Yes!!!
Sam Swift (4F) is being recognized for showing his Resilience by accepting feedback on his essay with an open mind and considering suggestions. He not only made a few changes, he exceeded the expectations of his teacher!
Royce Tourigny (1S) is a Ti-GRRR through showing Growth in staying engaged in his learning throughout his school day. Your classmate's cheer and excitement for you were wonderful to see. Way to go Royce!
Being a Ti-GRRR also means advocating for yourself and that is exactly what Claire Keeney (4F) did when she left herself a note on her work and then found her teacher to ask clarifying questions on a challenging concept.
Message from GDEF ~ Please consider a donation.
The Groton Dunstable Education Foundation (GDEF) is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting innovative and inspiring grants to enhance the quality of our students’ education. In the last academic year, GDEF awarded 12 grants across district schools totaling over $16,000 (information about all funded projects can be found here). If you or any loved ones are looking to make a year-end donation that will have an impact on your children's education, please consider donating to GDEF here. Your donations are directly returned to the hands and minds of students in the form of science, arts, technology, math, literacy, social-emotional learning, and civics programming.
Thank you for being so supportive, The GDEF Board of Directors
The GDEF recently and graciously granted Swallow Union funding to buy 16 wordless picture books for each of our Kindergarten classrooms. These books are an example of all the ways GDEF supports our students! Thank you for enriching our learning community!
Bear, GD Therapy Dog Visits Swallow Union in the New Year
Bear and Zoey
Dear Groton-Dunstable Regional School District Students, Families, and Staff,
I am pleased to announce that my Golden Retriever, Zoey, will be joining Bear as a second therapy dog who will be available to visit the Groton-Dunstable School District. I will usually bring one of them one or two days each week. Although I am primarily based in the middle and high schools, I do work throughout the district, and in my travels, I may bring Zoey or Bear to Florence Roche, Swallow Union, or Boutwell for a meeting or consultation, so you might see us around.
Bear and Zoey are both certified with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD). They have completed basic and advanced obedience courses and passed the ATD’s testing and observation process. They are insured through their ATD membership, as well as through an additional liability policy that provides coverage for them when they come to work with me. Bear and Zoey are NOT hypoallergenic. They have lots of fluffy fur and shed a lot. If anyone does not wish to have an encounter with one of the therapy dogs, either because of allergies or uncertainty around animals, they are both well-trained and will not approach anyone unless I give them permission. A therapy dog’s purpose is to provide comfort and support for students and staff.
If you see us walking in the halls and you do want to interact with them, they are sweet and friendly and will most likely be excited to meet you and get patted. However, don’t be offended if we are on our way somewhere and don’t have time to stop to say hi. Also, they are extremely tolerant, but sometimes they get overwhelmed when too many people try to approach them at once. If you’re not sure, feel free to ask whether it’s a good time to greet them.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me or your building principal.
Jennifer Schultz Bray, MA ET, LMHC, LSAC, REAT
jschultzbray@gdrsd.org
she/her/hers (why I share my pronouns)
District Social Worker/Adjustment Counselor
Groton-Dunstable Regional School District
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 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