Weekly News
May 28, 2020
Calendar of Events
TONIGHT: 6pm Class Night available on The Groton Channel
June 4: Senior Sign-out day. All school materials should be turned in.
June 15, 2020: Scheduled last day of school
Update: Week 9
Quarter 4
Like Quarter 3, Quarter 4 grades will also be Pass/Fail. Please note that neither quarter three or quarter 4 grades will be factored into student GPAs.
Scheduling for 2020-2021
Scheduling is in full swing for next year. Our Curriculum Coordinators are busy working on department schedules. We are still on schedule to have teacher and student schedules for next year completed prior to summer break.
Graduation/Senior Updates
Graduation has been officially scheduled for July 31, 2020 with a rain date of August 1, 2020! The Commissioner of Education has provided all schools with very specific guidelines for this event and we will be working hard in the next few weeks to create a ceremony that meets these guidelines while also providing a traditional commencement ceremony. Of course, we will consult local officials and departments to make sure that we are in line with local expectations as well. Although it will may be difficult to meet these specifics, I believe that we will be able to provide a true graduation experience for the class of 2020. I have included the guidelines provided to us from the DESE at the bottom of the newsletter if you are interested in seeing them.
Class Night airs tonight on the Groton Channel at 6pm. With the help of the fantastic staff at the Groton Channel we are creating a virtual awards and scholarship ceremony. For anyone who is not able to view the Groton Channel, we will be providing an option to click a link to view from wherever you are.
Senior Parade! Thanks to the creative minds and hard work of some of our Senior parents we will be participating in a GD Class of 2020 Graduation Day Parade which will take place on the originally scheduled Graduation day of May 29, 2020.
We have extended the timeline for Seniors fourth quarter through the first week of June. Classes for Seniors will end in the last week of May and Seniors can use the extra time (if needed) to complete projects and finish up any lingering assignments. (see timeline below)
Caps and Gowns will be distributed the week of graduation. We will also work with Ms. Cook and the yearbook staff to crate a plan for yearbook distribution.
Senior Timeline
May 28: Class Night 6pm: The Groton Channel
May 29: Senior Parade
May 25 - June 3: All Seniors should complete given assignments in order to receive credit.
June 3: Grades Close; All equipment, books and fees handed in and paid.
June 4th: Senior Sign-Out
June 5: Official End date. Teachers may accept work on any students in danger of not graduating up until this point
June 8: Grades due for Seniors.
July 31: Graduation (August 1: Rain date)
Local Businesses to Honor Class of 2020
Salt and Light in Groton is making GD Grad Donuts! They are selling them by the dozen and must be pre-ordered. Pick up on Friday at the Cafe.
Sweet Ride Candy in Dunstable is offering a personalized balloon and a bag of assorted sweets for the Grad for $20. It must be pre-ordered by Thursday at 9pm. Bags will be available for pickup on Friday in Dunstable on the back of the Candy Truck from 2-4pm!
Professional Pictures
Thanks to the special parents and community members for making this available to our graduates.
Photos will be taken this Sunday May 31st and Monday June 1st at the GDRHS from 4-7pm. All seniors need to sign up ahead of time for their photo. Social distancing will be strictly adhered to and all seniors and volunteers are encouraged to wear a mask. If you do not have a cap and gown, there will be some available to borrow at the school. Caps and gowns are not required and a senior can wear GD swag, college swag, uniform, prom attire or any outfit of choice to the event. Photos will be uploaded to a shared site TBD.
Class of 2020 Graduation Parade
An email was sent to both students and parents last week explaining the details.
I have been asked to remind everyone that all participants must remain in their cars at all times and all spectators must maintain appropriate distancing.
I would like to send a special Thank You to Erin Puranananda for making this a reality.
Senior Sign-out / Junior, Soph. Freshmen return dates
On June 15th, 16th, 17th Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen will be asked to arrive at the high school and drop off materials to the school. Please click on the appropriate tabs in the document below.
Academic Excellence Award Winners were Honored on May 27th.
If you would like to watch the event it is now available:
Patrick Daly
Joshua Booth
Madison Donahue
Maggie Jiser
Akul Chennakesevan
Rory Andrews
Abigail Eisenklam
Kirsten Sjoberg
Chase Herberich
Ari Navetta
Mathletes continue to excel at GD
This year an increased number of students participated in several extra-curricular opportunities offered to all students at the GD. Twenty students were part of the GD math team that competed in the Worcester County Math League. Even though they did not place in their division, the team was invited to the Massachusetts State Meet based on the fact that they performed well in the top "A" division. The Fitchburg State Math Competition which was scheduled for early May was to host 55 registered GD students when it was unfortunately cancelled due to the current shutdown. Another seven students chose to take the very challenging AMC10/12. Although none qualified to move on to the next level, all agreed it was a worthwhile experience and hope to take part again!
The Mathletes and co-advisors wanted to specifically thank the Town of Groton's Lecture Fund which graciously grant-funded these initiatives. Everyone is looking forward to continuing these activities next year.
GDRHS DECA Club Impresses at the State Competition
Six students represented GDRHS at the state DECA business clubs conference in Boston in February. Seniors Harald Gemmel and Pedro Torres-Paraizo who qualified in the individual series competitions presented our banner. Senior Patrick Sullivan, our GDRHS DECA Chapter President, was joined by Senior Austin Drake and Freshmen Colin Koyutis and Dylan Paradis on our quiz bowl team which made an appearance in the semi-finals after winning in 4 rounds of competition.
Congratulations to all of the GDRHS DECA participants & thank you to Mr. Arena for providing transportation to the group.
In the photo on the left: back row: (L-R) Patrick Sullivan, Dylan Paradis, Harald Gemmel. front row: (L-R) Austin Drake, Colin Koyutis, Pedro Torres-Paraizo.
Congratualtions to our New Quill & Scroll Inductees!
On the evening of May 21, 2020, the GDRHS Chapter of the Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists inducted three new members: Julia Thompson (Class of 2021), Sydney Barlow (Class of 2022), and Keira Lyle (Class of 2023).
To become a member, students must be in the upper third of their class or have the equivalent of at least a B grade point average cumulative; must have done superior work in high school journalism; must have been recommended by the journalism adviser and GD's current Quill and Scroll members; and be approved for membership by the Quill and Scroll executive director.
This year's Quill and Scroll members, old and new, did exceptional work, completing the 2020 yearbook under the leadership of editors-in-chief Hannah Ketelhohn and Morgan Kimball, both juniors, while their lead adviser was on family leave. They then collectively put forth an intensive effort to meet their final deadline in the five days following GD's shutdown of schools on March 12.
Faculty Message to the class of 2020
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-6S-FwrDRgSaLz7MVwaUm0lfHVmhQZ9q/view?ts=5eb31bce
Need Working Papers?
https://sites.google.com/a/gdrsd.org/guidance-department
Once you have completed the forms email Mrs. Cain to set up a time to process the paperwork.
From the Athletics Office
From Brenda Palmacci; Administrative Assistant; Athletic Department
All refunds for user fees have been processed. If you have paid by credit card and have not received an email regarding your refund, please contact bpalmacci@gdrsd.org. For families that have paid by check and have asked for their checks to be shredded, that process has also been completed. For all other families that have paid by check, you will be receiving your checks via mail.
Thank you so much and if you think I should change anything, please let me know. See you soon.
Mind Matters
Cafeteria Balances
If you would like to carry the balance over to next school year you do not need to do anything. This will happen automatically.
Graduation Guidelines from the Commissioner of Education
• Any graduation ceremony held outside must be in an unconfined outdoor space that can accommodate social distancing and the flow of air. Tents or other enclosed spaces are not permitted.
• Schools must communicate in writing to any graduate, their family, school personnel, and others who may attend that if they are feeling sick, are exhibiting any of the following symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell), or have potentially been exposed to someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, they should not attend the graduation ceremony. A potential exposure means having household contact or having close contact (within 6 feet) with an individual with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time (over 15 minutes) while the person is symptomatic or 48 hours before symptoms developed. Persons who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control (e.g., due to age or underlying conditions) should be discouraged from attending the graduation ceremony.
• The outdoor space must have sufficient space to accommodate attendees who are not from the same immediate household spaced at least 6 feet apart.
• Attendance must be limited to graduates and their immediate family members only. Families must sign up in advance of the graduation, and only those who have preregistered may attend.
• Children under the age of 5, older adults, and those with vulnerable health conditions should be discouraged from attending.
• Staff or attendants must monitor the number of attendees entering the graduation ceremony and confirm that they had pre-registered.
Social Distancing Seating
• Attendees who are not part of the same immediate household must be seated at least 6 feet apart. Members of the same immediate household are permitted to sit together and less than 6 feet apart.
• If there is fixed seating, rows should be blocked off and kept empty to allow for sufficient distancing between rows. • Graduates must be seated 6 feet apart. Entering and Exiting
• Every effort must be made to encourage the orderly arrival and exiting of individuals attending the graduation in a manner that encourages social distancing.
• Graduates must enter and exit 6 feet apart from one another in a single line.
• Social distancing measures include: o Signage or pavement/ground markings should be posted to have one-way aisles or otherwise direct attendees to follow certain pathways for entering and exiting from the graduation service.
• If a line forms outside of the graduation, those waiting should be directed to maintain social distancing. Tape, chalk, or other markings should be laid on the ground outside of the venue in order to maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet.
• Staff should direct people to help maintain social distancing. o Staff should direct successive, row-by-row exiting.
Face Coverings
• All attendees must wear face coverings before, during, and after the ceremony. The only exceptions are when a person is unable to wear a face covering or mask because of a medical or other disabling condition. Speakers may remove masks during their remarks.
• For children between ages 2 and 5, the wearing of a face covering or mask is at the discretion of the child’s parent or guardian. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a face covering or mask. Children under the age of 5 are discouraged from attending the graduation ceremony.
• Any person who refuses to wear a face covering or mask without a valid justification may be denied entry.
Ceremony: Pre, During and Post
• The venue must be cleaned prior to the service, including heavy transit areas and high touch surfaces (e.g. bathrooms, microphones).
• There can be no communal gathering/reception either before or after the graduation.
• No food or drink is allowed.
• The venue must have sufficient access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol available at all entrances and exits. • On the dais/platform, faculty and distinguished guests should be limited and must be seated 6 feet apart.
• Graduates may be invited to walk across the stage individually and turn their tassel in lieu of receiving the diploma. Alternatively, diplomas and awards could be distributed if bestowing the awards and diplomas is done cautiously (e.g. placing each diploma and award on a table as the graduate walks by to retrieve it).
• No hugging or hand shaking should occur.
• Ceremonies should be kept as brief as possible.
• Individuals must promptly depart the premises in an orderly fashion after the ceremony is over following the directions of school officials.
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