Global Scholars Program

Thanks to all the parents and students who attended the Global Scholars Program presentation last night. We are very excited about this new initiative, and we are hopeful this is the beginning of a long, prosperous, meaningful program. The goal is to provide travel opportunities for as many students as possible.  Judging by the attendance last night we are grateful that students and parents are equally excited.

It is now possible to enroll in one of the trips slated for 2015.  More than 30 students registered last night. All trips have limited capacity, and they will be filled on a first come, first served basis.  There is an application process for the leadership conference in Costa Rica.

Information about the Global Scholars initiative, along with details about upcoming trips, is available on our website.  http://www.gdrsd.org/gdrhs

Click on the "Global Scholars Program"

For detailed information about each trip please follow the links to the websites that are trip specific.

Tonight at 6pm: Global Scholars Program Informational Night

Global Scholars Program Informational Night

Students interested in the service learning trip to Peru, the language immersion trip to Spain, or the leadership conference in Costa Rica next year are encouraged to attend an informational session tonight at 6pm in the Black Box Theater.  

Parents are also encouraged to attend. Lead chaperons, and a representative from Education First, will give a brief presentation outlining the specifics of each trip.  The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.  All trips have limited capacity and they will be filled on a first come, first served basis.  Students can enroll beginning tonight during the presentation.  Please note, all trips require School Committee approval.   

Global Scholars Program Informational Night

Students interested in the service learning trip to Peru, the language immersion trip to Spain, or the leadership conference in Costa Rica next year are encouraged to attend an informational session tomorrow night at 6pm in the Black Box Theater.  Parents are also encouraged to attend. Lead chaperons, and a representative from Education First, will give a brief presentation outlining the specifics of each trip.  The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.  Please note, all trips require School Committee approval.   

Global Scholars Program Informational Night/Open House Information

Global Scholars Program (2015 International Travel Informational Night)

Just prior to February vacation the freshmen, sophomore, and junior classes attended an assembly to learn about a new initiative, the Global Scholars Program. I have included a link to an article that will be featured in the upcoming issue of the school newspaper, the Barometer (see below).  The article details the genesis of the Global Scholars Program.  In addition, it provides detailed information about some exciting international travel opportunities beginning next spring.  

For anyone interested in the 2015 trips, we are holding an informational night on Thursday, February 27th in the high school Black Box Theater.  The presentation will begin at 6:00pm.  Each trip has limited capacity, so we strongly encourage students, and the parents of students, who are interested in learning more about these trips to attend on Thursday.  The ability to enroll in each trip will begin following this meeting.  

For additional information please follow the links below. The first link will bring you to the Global Scholars Program page on our website.  There you will find all necessary information including, but not limited to, our mission, information about EF Tours, and 2015 international travel opportunities (Pending School Committee Approval).  In addition, you will find a website specific to each of our customized trips.   Lastly, I have included a link to a brief survey attempting to gauge interest in the international trips. Said survey can also be found on the Global Scholars Program page. 

http://bit.ly/GlobalScholarsProgram
http://bit.ly/GDGlobalScholarsSurvey

Global Scholars Article

Open House for current grades 9-12 (Tuesday, 25 February)

High school parent open house will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 from 6:00-8:00pm.  There will be a brief presentation for high school parents in the Black Box Theater beginning at 6pm. At the conclusion of the presentation, high school parents will follow their son/daughter's Semester II/Quarter III schedule. Please arrive with your son/daughter's schedule in hand.  Student schedules can be accessed from iStudent or iParent.

Open House for 8th Grade Parents (Tuesday, 25 February)

By Marisa Brisson

It is that time of year when you begin to look ahead toward your high school experience. It is the goal of the high school staff to make this transition as seamless as possible. With the appropriate information and communication, the high school staff, in conjunction with your current 8th grade teachers, will guide you through the scheduling process. Your 9th grade year is the foundation of your high school experience and thoughtful planning is critical to your success.

We will begin the transitioning process on February 25, 2014 with an 8th Grade Parent Open House at the high school from 7:00-8:00pm. The presentation in the Black Box Theater will focus on:

• Graduation requirements
• 8th grade teacher recommendations
• 2014-2015 scheduling timeline
• Program of Studies
• Logging in to the iStudent system

Due to limited space, 8th grade students should not attend, but it is critical that at least one parent attend the presentation. If you are unable to attend, all information distributed at the presentation will be posted to the High School website on February 14, 2014.

Additionally, on February 28, 2014 from 11:30 to 12:30, high school staff and current students will be at the middle school to present to the 8th grade class. During this presentation, students will be introduced to the GD high school culture, block scheduling, extra-curricular offerings and the course selection process. Students will receive their iStudent login information needed to begin the scheduling process. They will also be directed to the high school website to find the 2014-2015 Program of Studies, help guides and timeline for completing the scheduling process.

It is the hope of the high school staff that you and your student feel well informed and welcomed as you transition into the 9th grade. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

GDRHS Military Hockey Night/GD Wrestlers

GDRHS Varsity Hockey Military Night

GD Wrestlers Doing Well

The MIAA sectionals tournament is Saturday (2/15) at Newton.  The top 4 finishers of each weight move on to the State tournament.

G-D's participants have done well in representing G-D, Leominster, and themselves.

Christian Curll has wrestled at 120 and 128 for the varsity squad and placed as high as 3rd at the recent Northbridge Tournament.  Christian has won about 60% of his dual meet matches.

PJ Kendall has wrestled at 160 and 170 for the Blue Devils this year.  He was named Captain prior to the Blue Devils first meet. PJ Kendall has placed as high as 4th place at the Marlboro Tournament and has won over 50% of his matches at the different weights.

Open House/Global Scholars Program

Open House
Due to inclement weather Open House has been moved to Tuesday, February, 25th.  The time remains the same.  6:00-8:00pm.

Global Scholars Program

Yesterday, the freshmen, sophomore, and junior classes attended an assembly to learn about a new initiative, the Global Scholars Program.  I have included an article that will be featured in the upcoming issue of the school newspaper, the Barometer (see below).  The article details the genesis of the Global Scholars Program.  In addition, it provides detailed information about some exciting international travel opportunities beginning next spring.  For anyone interested in the 2015 trips, we are holding an informational night on Thursday,  February 27th in the high school Black Box Theater.  The presentation will begin at 6:00pm.

For additional information please follow the links below. The first link will bring you to the Global Scholars Program page on our website.  There you will find all necessary information including, but not limited to, our mission, EF Tours, and 2015 international travel opportunities (Pending School Committee Approval).  In addition, you will find a website specific to each of our customized trips.   Lastly, I have included a link to a brief survey attempting to gauge interest in the international trips. Said survey can also be found on the Global Scholars Program page.

http://bit.ly/GlobalScholarsProgram

http://bit.ly/GDGlobalScholarsSurvey

Global Scholars Initiative

BY Michael Mastrullo

In an era of globalization, are we doing enough to expose our students to different cultures, traditions, customs, and languages?  How do we prepare them to be responsible, competitive citizens of the global world?  With these questions in mind, we formed a think-tank at GDRHS.  Not only are we striving to answer these questions, but we are also looking to develop creative ways to increase student exposure to the interconnected, globalized world they were born into. 

The Global Scholars Committee is comprised of teachers and administrators who meet weekly to discuss and create solutions to the questions posed above.  Globalization has transformed the world that we live in; politics, business, culture, and labor trends have all been impacted deeply by globalization.  Surely, international politics, trade, and cultural interactions have transpired long before the term globalization was coined, but never on such a grand scale.  Improved communications and the ease of travel, the advent of multinational corporations, global trade and interconnected economies have all contributed to this unprecedented expansion of globalization.  As it touches all facets of our lives, as it expands seemingly unabated, as it makes the world seem smaller, we are forced to consider what part, however small, we can play in making sure globalization becomes a positive force in the world.

Hosting International Students

Students from around the globe gravitate to the United States for a higher education.  International students are eager to start this process before college, and we have capitalized on this opportunity.  For the past two years, GD has hosted international students who arrive hungry to absorb American culture and experience a typical American high school experience.   More than thirty international students have enrolled at GD over the past two years.  Although they are only with us for a year, they make our school more diverse while sharing an international perspective.  They have a positive impact on both students and staff.  We view this as one small contribution not only to the diversification of GD, but also to the development of positive, long lasting relationships between future leaders. 

International Travel

We are looking to expand our borders at GD by providing meaningful opportunities for international travel.  We are currently developing a four- year travel proposal with the noble ambition of providing all students with a realistic opportunity to travel abroad during their high school career.  These international trips will be thematically based with focuses on: Service Learning, Leadership, and Cultural and Language Immersion.  Certainly all trips will allow students to benefit from the local sites, experience new customs and languages, and explore amazing cities; however, we are also looking to delve deeper into cultures.  Cultural and Language Immersion trips will allow students to interact with local students and families while enhancing their foreign language skills through interactions with native speakers.  Each day is built around a different theme that ties together daily language classes, cultural activities, and interactions with locals. 

Service Learning trips will give students the ability to make a positive impact in a local community. Next February will be our first annual service learning trip as we embark on a memorable experience in Peru.  In addition to taking in the breathtaking sights and sounds from atop the mighty Andes, students will volunteer at a local school, participate in local agricultural projects, and discover the ancient traditional weaving techniques, used to this day, with the guidance of community members.

Global Student Leadership Summits bring young leaders together from around the world to inspire and prepare them to solve the global challenges of today—and the future. This experience will create a forum for students to strengthen their skills of creativity, innovation, and adaptability.  Assistant high school principal, Marisa Brisson, will soon accompany nine future leaders on a trip to China with these goals in mind.  In addition to these trips, we are eagerly pursing exchange programs with several potential opportunities in the works.  For detailed information on these trips, please visit the high school website, or contact me at the high school. 

Hosting international students, expanding international travel, partaking in exchange programs, are only a few ways that we intend to expose the students of GD to the world.  The Global Scholars Committee has just begun the work.  As we put the finishing touches on our travel plans, it is our goal to expand the mission of the group.  As we increase the size of the committee to include additional staff members and students, we are eager for fresh insights and ideas that will expand student exposure to the world. 

Open House/One-Act-Plays

Open House
Open House will be Thursday, February 13th from 6-8pm.  Parents will follow their son/daughter's schedule. Please make sure to have a copy of their schedule with you.

One-Act-Plays

Even with the Snow Day, The Fifth Annual Festival of One-Act Plays will STILL be held on Thursday, February 6 at 7 p.m. and Friday, February 7 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets, which can be purchased at the door, are $12 GA / $10 students/senior.

Mock Trial Team Update

Mock Trial Update
By Jay Villagomez

Dear GD Community,

In winning form, the GD Mock Trial defense team won during yesterday's
match versus Oakmont's plaintiff team. It was a close competition with
a score of 96 vs 94 in GD's favor.

In our inaugural year with 2 wins and 1 loss, the team finished second
(along with Oakmont and Lunenburg) in Region 13.  Parker Charter
School will represent the region at the next level.

The learning curve has been steep for our entire team, students and
coaches alike.  But like all things at Groton-Dunstable, we strive
toward excellence in everything we do.

Defense attorney Kate Nash gave a measured, confident opening
statement that outlined the main contentions and delineated the role
of defense witnesses.

Brent Emerle and Collin Donaldson showed their mastery of the Socratic
method of questioning during direct and cross examinations.

Defense witnesses Rebecca Roberts (aviation expert Fran Doolittle),
Colby Reardon (aircraft businessman Corey Shinoda), and Clark Johnson
(expert witness Donald Hamel) played their roles with aplomb and
verisimilitude.

An impassioned closing argument by Sage Mastakouras-Seppala anchored
the defense team's case -- that due to the preponderance of evidence,
pilot error and not product design was the cause of the Caborite Model
2 crash.

 Kudos to the attorney coaches who devoted +30 hours training our
students. The team is grateful to attorneys Christopher Reardon and
Susan Edgett and Police Office Racheal Mead, who shared their time,
skills, and effort to form a winning team.  State Representative
Sheila Harrington was a tremendous help ever since the initial teacher
coach/attorney coach meeting at the Massachusetts Bar Association in
Boston.  She helped me launch the team.

If you know of students, parents and teachers who may be interested in
being a part of our team next year, please send them our way!

Best regards,


J. Villagomez
History, Civics & Economics Teacher
Freshman Class & Crusaders for Conservation Adviser
Mock Trial Coach

Yearbook Information, Mock Trial Update, & More

Yearbook Information

Attention parents! If your student has yet to purchase a yearbook, you can purchase one for them! Simply go onto www.yearbookordercenter.com, enter our school code 6666, and select the option “purchase a yearbook.” This is a secure website through our publisher, Herff Jones, and you can purchase a yearbook with a credit card number.

Help support the Groton-Dunstable School community and allow your child to remember these years forever through beautiful pictures and captivating stories. Buy a yearbook!

Mock Trial In The News

Military Night & Youth Hockey Night

This coming Wednesday, February 5th, the Crusaders Hockey Team is hosting the 3rd Annual Military Night. It's a big game for the community as we honor all military personnel, both past and present, on this special night. All proceeds from the night will benefit the Sgt. William Woitowicz Memorial Fund.  All military veterans and all youth hockey players (wearing team t-shirts and accompanied by an adult) will be admitted free of charge.  

One-Act-Plays

GD’s graduating classes of 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 are preparing to duke it out in the Fifth Annual Festival of One-Act Plays. Freshman Jill, sophomore Emily, junior Ben, and senior Zach are directing casts of students from their respective years in a one-act play competition that will be adjudicated by community judges.  

The Fifth Annual Festival of One-Act Plays will be held on Thursday, February 6 at 7 p.m. and Friday, February 7 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Groton-Dunstable High School.  The 3 p.m. show is a new idea offered in the hopes that more students will be able to attend the show directly following the school day.  Be sure to mark your calendars and see the four grades compete for the gold!"