Weekly News
June 17, 2020
Final Edition for 2020-2021
This will truly be a school year that we will never forget even though many of us will want to. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, our students and our families for finding a way to make it through this. While some of us struggled to make it through this time others have flourished and learned to adapt quickly. Through the pain and frustration of this year I am sure we will have all learned quite a bit about ourselves. I hope that the summer provides everyone out there with some well-earned down-time and relaxation.
There are already so many questions about what we can expect to begin next year. The unfortunate answer to that is nobody knows at this point. We will be meeting weekly for the next three weeks in our High School Task Force group and then some will continue meeting on the District Level Task force after that with the goal of establishing a plan for the fall which will deliver effective academic activity with student and staff safety. This will be no small task assuming we do not have dramatic positive changes in the COVID-19 situation.
To the members of the Class of 2020, I am sorry that this year ended in the fashion that it did. You deserved more as did the thousands of other high school and college seniors around the world. This does not diminish your accomplishments and achievements however. Thank you for representing this school so well over the last four years. You have maintained a high bar of excellence and set a positive example for those that will come after you. Given that we will have graduation later this summer, please check your school email periodically for important information on this event.
Whatever the situation, we will find a way to make it work. I keep thinking about one of my favorite quotes given this situation. I know I have shared it before but this is why it is such a good quote... it fits many situations.
"Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out."
John Wooden
Have a wonderful Summer Break.
Mike Woodlock
Calendar of Events
July 31: Class of 2020 Graduation: 6pm
August 1, 2020: Graduation Rain Date: 10am
Graduation Updates
Graduation has been officially scheduled for July 31, 2020 with a rain date of August 1, 2020!
We are in the process of approving our protocols for our graduation ceremony later this summer. The DESE guidelines are included in this newsletter for your information.
If there are any members of the Class of 2020 who have not officially signed out yet, please contact Mrs. Cain to set up a time to do so. You will not be able to register for graduation until this is done.
One important factor that will affect many families is that we will need to limit the number of guests per graduate. After researching available space at our venue we have set the number of guests at four per graduate. All guests will have to be registered when families sign-up for participation at our commencement exercises. See further information for registration below.
Graduation Registration
After all have signed up, each family will be assigned a parking spot in the front lot. You will likely check in at the main entrance and then, again, at the field gate. Following the ceremony, guests will be asked to exit by groups that will be designated at the time of the ceremony so that we will not create a large number of people attempting to exit through a narrow gate at the same time.
Keep in mind that the ceremony is likely to be quite a bit shorter than in previous years as we have been instructed to keep it as brief as possible. With this in mind, we will only be hearing speeches from members of the graduating class and we will not be formally processing into the venue.
As we finalize the full plan and gain approval from all local entities we will share more. In the mean time, please be ready to sign-up beginning this Thursday.
Summer Conditioning
Hey G-D,
Coach Unger here. Just wanted to let everyone know that Groton-Dunstable Strength and Conditioning Camps are going to be a go this Summer. The focus will be on Speed/Power Development, Agility, Injury Prevention, Strength, and Conditioning. Classes are limited to nine participants each due to the pandemic. As of now there are only three time slots available but depending on demand, times could be added. All are welcome to sign up. Remember that the next season starts today..
Stay Motivated,
Coach Unger
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fpIi2yesoh30CKaxxLr785DHfiJZFJr7/view
Yearbook News
From Ms. Cook...
It was great to see the Class of 2020 on June 4 during senior sign out. Thank you to senior Caroline McCretton and her mom Colleen and father Martyn for treating our yearbook staff, along with all the seniors, to free ice cream!
The Key 2020 Has Sold Out
The Key 2020: "We See You" has sold out. Occasionally, we receive a few "overage" copies from the printing plant. If we find we have a few copies left over after distribution, we will notify students and parents through email and will sell any overage copies first-come first-serve.
Here's a timelapse video of The Key 2020 "We See You." Be sure to buy your 2021 yearbook as soon as sales open next year.
Signing Yearbooks: When and How?
As soon as state guidelines permit, the yearbook staff will host a signing event for students who bought the 2020 yearbook.
For now, our yearbook publisher Herff Jones has partnered with Kudoboard to a offer a digital signing option: "Friends can 'sign' your board and share thoughts and memories from the year. They can even add a custom image. The completed board can be downloaded as an image and kept electronically or printed to tuck in your yearbook." Herff Jones is giving everyone a free signing page, equivalent to one page in your yearbook, and it can show up to 10 posts from friends. If you want more pages, you can buy them at a discount with provided codes.
To access your free Kudoboard, follow the directions on this pdf.
Guidance Info
Barbara J. Rich, M.Ed., a former Learning Disabilities teacher, and former Director of Special Education for Tyngsborough School District, offers one-to-one tutoring for students who learn differently. Barbara, a Groton resident, is currently a Special Education Advocate/Consultant. She tutors on Zoom in all areas of reading, writing, comprehension, decoding, focus, self-regulation, self-esteem and organization.
An initial phone consultation is free. Tutoring: $35 an hour
Please call Barbara at 508 397 6505 or email for more information.
BJR Special Education Advocacy/Consultation
The show must go on!
Hello, everyone, as you may or may not have been aware, the spring show that Drama Guild should have presented in April was A Midsummer Night's Dream. Unfortunately, everything closed down with just three weeks to go on the show, and we were unable to perform.
But, not to fear! After weeks of grueling Zoom'ing and thanks to the generous help of the Groton Channel, we will be presenting our socially distanced Zoom performance of Midsummer.
Check out the performance...Groton Channel on Demand
http://schedule.thegrotonchannel.org/Cablecast/public-site/index.html#/show/8172?channel=1
The kids have worked super hard and created a really beautiful product, when they could have simply shrugged and given up. So, watch, support, and enjoy!
Covid 19 infographic - Mind Matters
Feeling lonely is normal but it needs to be acknowledged to help prevent social isolation, depression, substance abuse, poor sleep, and more. As humans we depend on those around us for survival, and emotional connectivity is a core component of the biology of the human race. Separation can often lead to feelings of isolation, so as a community at GD let us find ways to connect and commit! Hold yourself accountable and create a schedule. Let's start by getting out of bed and turning our camera on for our zoom calls -- and maybe even find a way to get together outside and practice social distancing with those you love. Balance is a powerful tool in all aspects of life, and now more than ever.
Limit your news intake, be realistic, and focus on the present. Times right now are nothing short of dwelling, but we will get through it and things will get better.
Wishing you well and in good health,
The MindMatters Team
Attention Juniors
We work with Mark Lawrence for our yearbook. Although we have had a great working relationship with this company you are not bound to utilize this company for yearbook protraits.
To the Class of 2021:
Below you will find the link to our virtual junior class meeting. This virtual presentation will show samples of our work and also explain the importance of having the senior portrait taken over the summer.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bey6O-j85ajVCqRPA4_QSK8gCW7Dt_Pj/view
Summer ELA News
From Ms. Cook....
Summer Language Exploration Assignment: ELA Grades 9 - 12, All Levels
The GDRHS English Language Arts Department requires students to complete a summer language exploration for their upcoming school year. Because we know that many students are ardent viewers, creative writers, journalists, movie makers, actors, vocabulary vultures, conversationalists, storytellers, and more, we want them to tap into their passions, as long as they play with language. This approach follows the philosophy of Universal Design for Learning.
It is important for students to continue to engage with language during the summer to prevent losing some of the gains they made in their skill level during a school year. (Typically, students who stop reading, writing, and other language activities will regress a bit.) This assignment is a way to keep students’ language skills at or above their grade level.
Here is a link to the 2020 options. We've modified previous options to account for social distancing guidelines and we've added suggestions for students wanting to become better informed about social justice issues.
Summer Reading Requirements for Honors ELA Classes and AP Lang. and AP Lit.
Here is the link to summer reading assignments for Honors ELA Classes in grades 9 (open honors), 10, 11, and 12, as well as additional assignments to those juniors and seniors taking AP classes.
Attention New Drivers
If you anticipate a visit to the RMV over the summer to obtain a learners permit, you may need an official transcript for proof of residency. If you would like to pick one up during your sign out time, fill out this spreadsheet and one will be ready for you when you sign out. If you need one after sign out you will need to email mcain@gdrsd.org.
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.
Living in Turbulent Times
For our part, we will be working as a school to provide opportunities for students to learn more about the factors that have lead us to this point and provide outlets for students who want to take even deeper dives into this area. Mr. Wilkins is heading up a group to create a forum to discuss these matters and we will provide more information as we have it.
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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