Host Family Needed

Host Family Needed

We have Paulo, a 17 year old senior boy from Brazil, coming to Groton Dunstable Regional high school at the end of January 2015 to complete his spring semester there.  

He is a very active, friendly, outgoing young man who loves volleyball, sports, and other things that typical teens like, such as movies, music, and hanging out with friends.  He also loves travel, and has already completed a 2 month exchange in Scotland.

At home in Sao Paolo, Brazil, he lives with his mother and father, his older sister, and his pet dog.  Unfortunately, Paulo is allergic to cat fur, and cannot live in a home with pet cats.

Host families are asked to provide Paulo with a bedroom (can be shared with a similarly-aged host brother or 1 other international student) and 2-3 meals a day.  If Paulo chooses to eat lunch at school, he will purchase it.  Paulo will take the school bus to and from school, as long as the host family lives within the district.  Families outside of Groton/Dunstable are welcome to host (Nashua, Littleton, Pepperell, Ayer, etc), but would have to help in providing more rides to and from the nearest school bus stop.

  

Host families must complete a simple online application, as well as a criminal background check for all adult members of the home. 

We have a local coordinator in the area, Ann, who can come and help the family through this process, as well as complete the home visit and interview.

Educatius international pays host families in the Groton Dunstable area $700 per month, per student, as a tax-free reimbursement.  We also pay a $100 referral bonus to you, if you can recommend a family or friend who then becomes Paulo’s host family.

Furthermore, we are happy to work with “welcome families,” which are host families who would only like to commit to hosting for 8 weeks, while we continue to find his more permanent placement.

Thank you for considering this opportunity,

Ann Northup

International Coordinator

Educatius International 

Nicki Wilkinson & Happy Holidays

Nicki Wilkinson

Nicki Wilkinson has been named one of six finalists for Lowell Sun Female Athlete of the Year.  Based on public voting the six will be reduced until only two remain.  

To vote for Nicki just click this link - http://lowellsun.upickem.net/engine/Details.aspx?contestid=154112&pagetype=VOTING&SubmissionID=72884631.  You will be required to complete a quick registration on the site after which you can vote once a day until voting closes on the 5th of January.

On behalf of Groton-Dunstable Regional High School, I would like to wish all students and families a safe and happy holiday season.  

\

Principal's Notes

Progress Reports

Please review the image below for detailed information on how best to access student grade information.  

GD Student Artwork

By Rebecca Kostich

Our Artsonia gallery is up and running for its second year! You can view students' artwork, and you can also purchase a variety of items and gifts (like mugs, magnets, and keychains) printed with their artwork! When you purchase these items, not only are you getting great keepsakes and gifts, but 20% of the proceeds come right back to the Art Department! Our gallery is here: http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=43465

You can get your gifts in time for Christmas using Priority Postal Mail or UPS Ground. (December 21st is the deadline for orders using UPS Express). 

MHA Field Trip

By Jon O'Conner

On Friday, December 12th GDRHS had an interdisciplinary field trip to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.  The visit included upper level students from French, Spanish, Studio Art and Design.   (French IV, Spanish V, Design III and Studio Art III-V)

A key draw was a major exhibit of paintings and illustrations by Francisco Goya (1746-1828), widely held as one of the most influential painters of all time.   A Spanish Romantic Master who specialized in royal portraiture and tapestry design, Goya is now best known for his subversive political pieces criticizing ignorance and violence and for his expressive painting style that was a precursor to essential Twentieth century artists such as Matisse and Picasso.

Students then broke into smaller tour groups and explored the Museum: American Art, Contemporary Art, Impressionism, Art of the South Pacific, Mummies of Ancient Egypt and a special exhibit on Transportation were some of the highlights.  

Special thanks to Madame Sutherland for organizing and to Ms Durst for chaperoning.

Host Families Needed

Educatius International is still seeking host families for two of GDRHS’s incoming spring semester students. Eric is from China, and will be a freshman this spring.  He loves biology, chemistry, the outdoors, hiking, ping pong, swimming, and cooking.  

Paulo is from Brazil, and will be a senior this spring.  He describes himself as a very happy, friendly, and active person, who loves volleyball and drawing.  Unfortunately, Paulo has an allergy to cats, so cannot live with a host family who has cats.

Hosts are asked to provide the student with a bedroom, 3 meals a day, and a friendly family atmosphere.  They are also asked to complete an online application and background check, as well as a home meeting with the local coordinator.  There is a monthly stipend to help offset the costs of having the student in your home.

Rebecca, a representative of Educatius International will be at the high school Christmas concert at the middle school in Groton this upcoming Wednesday December 10^th.  Come and visit her table to learn more about hosting one (or both) of these students. Students coming for spring semester arrive in Groton from mid to end of January, so home placements are to be confirmed before Christmas.

If you have questions please contact high school principal, Michael Mastrullo.  He can be reached at (978) 448-6362.

Progress Reports & More

Progress Reports
Progress reports are available for viewing in both iStudent and iParent.  The first semester ends on the 23rd of January and report cards will be published on the 30th of January.

Army Bound
Congratulations to Parker Blodgett as he officially signed with the United States Army. Parker departs for boot camp this summer.

PSAT Information
PSAT scores have arrived.  They can be picked up in the Guidance office.

Host Families Needed

Educatius International is still seeking host families for two of GDRHS’s incoming spring semester students. Eric is from China, and will be a freshman this spring.  He loves biology, chemistry, the outdoors, hiking, ping pong, swimming, and cooking.  

Paulo is from Brazil, and will be a senior this spring.  He describes himself as a very happy, friendly, and active person, who loves volleyball and drawing.  Unfortunately, Paulo has an allergy to cats, so cannot live with a host family who has cats.

Hosts are asked to provide the student with a bedroom, 3 meals a day, and a friendly family atmosphere.  They are also asked to complete an online application and background check, as well as a home meeting with the local coordinator.  There is a monthly stipend to help offset the costs of having the student in your home.

Rebecca, a representative of Educatius International will be at the high school Christmas concert at the middle school in Groton this upcoming Wednesday December 10^th.  Come and visit her table to learn more about hosting one (or both) of these students. Students coming for spring semester arrive in Groton from mid to end of January, so home placements are to be confirmed before Christmas.

If you have questions please contact high school principal, Michael Mastrullo.  He can be reached at (978) 448-6362.

Winter Concert/Host Families Needed

Host Families Needed

Educatius International is still seeking host families for two of GDRHS’s incoming spring semester students. Eric is from China, and will be a freshman this spring.  He loves biology, chemistry, the outdoors, hiking, ping pong, swimming, and cooking.  

Paulo is from Brazil, and will be a senior this spring.  He describes himself as a very happy, friendly, and active person, who loves volleyball and drawing.  Unfortunately, Paulo has an allergy to cats, so cannot live with a host family who has cats.

Hosts are asked to provide the student with a bedroom, 3 meals a day, and a friendly family atmosphere.  They are also asked to complete an online application and background check, as well as a home meeting with the local coordinator.  There is a monthly stipend to help offset the costs of having the student in your home.

Rebecca, a representative of Educatius International will be at the high school Christmas concert at the middle school in Groton this upcoming Wednesday December 10^th.  Come and visit her table to learn more about hosting one (or both) of these students. Students coming for spring semester arrive in Groton from mid to end of January, so home placements are to be confirmed before Christmas.

If you have questions please contact high school principal, Michael Mastrullo.  He can be reached at (978) 448-6362.

Winter Concert

This Wednesday is the High School Winter Concert & Art Exhibit.

The art exhibit starts at 6:00 PM and the Winter Concert starts at 7:00 pm

Members from the High school Drama Guild will be serving refreshments.

Come and enjoy a night out.

School Assemblies: Appropriate Use Of Technology

Today we met with all students during school assemblies.  We discussed several topics regarding the appropriate use of technology.  Being mindful of your digital footprint and reinforcing the notion that words and images posted online are potentially permanent were two of the topics discussed.  In addition, we recently discovered that students are not only engaging in improper internet searches, but many students are involved in the dissemination of inappropriate images of students.  Furthermore, students are using anonymous digital resources to post comments aimed at humiliating, teasing, bullying, and spreading rumors about students.

Yik Yak is a common application they are using to engage in such behavior. Yik Yak allows for anonymous, and often hurtful messages to be communicated to a large audience.  We discovered that the posting and sharing of inappropriate images is more prevalent than we anticipated.  Lastly, it became abundantly clear that some students were communicating about using and selling drugs.

We sent a very clear message to students.  We are all proud of the climate and culture that is present in our building.  We take pride in the respectful manner in which students and staff interact.  In addition, we take pride in the manner in which students treat one other.  So needless to say we were alarmed to witness such a high level of cyber bullying between GD students.  We informed students that engaging in such activity would not be tolerated, and students willfully humiliating one another is not acceptable.  

It has come to our attention that students are frequently using their phones during class without permission. We recognize it is our responsibility to police such behavior; however, if the problem persists more drastic action might be needed.  Students often claim that the messages are from parents.  Please use discretion when sending messages to your son or daughter during school knowing that it may cause an issue during class.  

We would urge you to discuss the appropriate use of technology with your son or daughter, and reinforce the important concept that one digital mistake can carry with it severe and lasting consequences.  Although much of this behavior transpires outside of school we are asking for your help and support to reinforce the important concept of using technology appropriately.