Principal's Blog

National Merit Scholarship
The National Merit Scholarship Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.  Roughly 1.4 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program.  The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of  U.S. high school seniors,  includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.  We are proud to announce that one of our own is among the one-percent selected in the entire country. Congratulations to Felix Shen for this tremendous achievement. 

Loaves & Fishes Food Drive
To all who took part in your recent food drive, THANK YOU! It was a big success. We brought in 2,155 pounds of food, equivalent to providing 1,658 meals to your neighbors in need.

PSAT
Next week will be the last week to sign up for PSAT tests.  Go here to sign up:   Sign Up Here!

Girls Rec Volleyball
Anyone interested in Girls Rec Volleyball please follow the link to register.   
http://gdrsd.org/gdrhs/2015/09/23/girls-rec-volleyball/

Google Cloud Camp at GD

GDRSD will be hosting a Google Cloud Camp Event on October 17th at the Groton-Dunstable Regional High School. This will be the second time we have hosted a Google training event. 

The Groton Cloud Camp featuring Google for Education focuses on authentic and valuable ways to use the Google for Education Tools. The training keeps the beginner in mind while providing those ready to ‘level’ up with unique uses and tips for using Google apps in the classroom, organization, for productivity or collaboration.  http://groton.appsevents.com/about

Concussion Awareness at GD

Groton-Dunstable Boys and Girls Soccer Support the ThinkTaylor Concussion Awareness Initiative

Athletic Update

By Michael McCaffrey

The Groton-Dunstable Boys and Girls Soccer teams took part in the 1^st Annual ThinkTaylor Concussion Awareness Initiative (Sept. 21-25^th) sponsored by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.  The goal throughout the week was to raise awareness and better educate soccer players, parents, coaches and athletic trainers on concussion injuries and proper treatment.

 “The MIAA is pleased to join ThinkTaylor and Inaria in launching this groundbreaking program designed to promote concussion awareness and safety,” said Bill Gaine, Executive Director of the MIAA. “The MIAA is committed to the safety and welfare of our student-athletes across the Commonwealth, and our ThinkTaylor/MIAA Concussion Awareness Week underscores that commitment. We can’t wait to see the soccer fields of Massachusetts painted orange for Concussion Awareness Week, and we look forward to taking the ‪#‎TTpledge.”

The Crusaders responded to this awareness challenge by not only painting our playing field orange, but by replicating the ThinkTaylor logo in the center prior to hosting Quabbin Regional HS on Thursday afternoon.  The event was a great success as we embraced the theme of ORANGE as the color of concussion awareness while unleashing an offensive barrage on our way to a 7-1 victory!

Boys Soccer supports ThinkTaylor Concussion Awareness Week.  (Photo by Drone Commander Joe Bisbee)

Our Girls soccer team showed their support for the cause last Saturday at home while hosting Leominster High School (2-2 draw).  The field was lined in orange and they sported official orange wristbands to call attention to concussion issues in high school sports today.  The Lady Crusaders also rocked our custom ThinkTaylor t-shirts on their trip to Quabbin Regional High School Thursday afternoon (another draw)!

Girls Soccer taking the ThinkTaylor Pledge on Concussion Awarenesss Week prior to boarding their team bus to Quabbin Regional HS.  (Photo courtesy of Brenda Palmacci)

Concussion Awareness Week was fun for both of our soccer programs.  The ThinkTaylor initiative certainly helped underscore the importance of proper diagnosis and care surrounding concussions around the Commonwealth and Groton-Dunstable was proud to support the effort on behalf of our students.

Drone Footage

About ThinkTaylor

ThinkTaylor was founded by former Major League Soccer all-star and current ESPN Lead Soccer Analyst, Taylor Twellman. Twellman retired from professional soccer in 2010, due to complications from multiple concussions. In 2008, Taylor suffered a concussion that many believe ended his storied career and as Twellman later realized, this brain injury was far more than a career-ending injury; rather, it was a life-changing event. ThinkTaylor is driven and dedicated to changing the culture in the world of concussions. As a leader in the social change for concussion safety, ThinkTaylor’s positive message emphasizing awareness, recognition, education and putting the health of kids first helps create positive social change and in return a safer, healthier and smarter environment. ThinkTaylor is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. More information can be found at www.thinktaylor.org

Open House 9/24 @ 6pm

Open House
Open House will be held on the 24th of September starting at 6:00pm.  Parents and guardians will run through a typical school day following the schedule of their child.  Please arrive with schedule in hand.  

Advisory, Drama, College Resources, & More

Advisory 
Yesterday featured our second Advisory of the year.  The Guidance Department held a college and career workshop in the BBX for members of the senior class.  College and career planning will be the focus for seniors during the first half of the school year.  For the remainder of the school population, this Advisory aimed at raising awareness of the hunger issues that plague the country and planet.  The students viewed a Power Point presentation that highlighted local and world hunger statistics and also showcased different opportunities for community service should students be compelled to get involved.  You can view the Power Point by following the link.  

As noted in an earlier correspondence, the Advisory program will focus on service, and we intend to keep the service local when possible.  To that end, a school wide competition featured two components.  The first competition was based on share volume with the Advisory contributing the most goods crowned the winner.   Ms. McCracken's Advisory came out on top, again!

The second competition required engineering skills, a little strategy to determine what items to utilize, and a simple but effective plan to accomplish the task in 10 minutes. Mr. Murphy's Advisory built the largest, free-standing structure at 8' 3" tall.   




More Advisory Pictures

Additional Pictures

Open House
Open House will be held on the 24th of September starting at 6:00pm.  Parents and guardians will run through a typical school day following the schedule of their child.  Please arrive with schedule in hand.  

What’s the Buzz with Drama?

By Renée Hampton

It’s only the third week of the school year and already after-school theatre at GDRHS has hit the ground running. After a competitive round of auditions and callbacks, the fall play, Harvey has been fully cast. Twelve talented cast members, with representatives from every grade are eager to get started rehearsing this classic comedy. Cast member and sophomore Celeste Vandermillen says, “After starting to work with the actors and techies, I can already tell that Harvey will be a fantastic show. The sheer number of kids involved is amazing, and I think that the show has a lot of technical and comedic elements that will showcase how much we can do.”

            Meanwhile, a whopping thirty-eight students arrived at a production meeting to see what they could do to contribute to the technical process for the play. That is, what they could build, paint, costume, or work with electronically. Once again, all grades were represented in this gathering to meet with the Drama Guild advisors, Chris Olson and Michael Hoffman, the assistant director of Harvey, GD junior Jack Malone, and the director, Jenny Leung. Julia Joyce, a sophomore involved in coordinating tech work this year said, “I was completely blown away by the amount of people who showed up to the production meeting for Harvey! A few of us had arrived early and we just sat there with our mouths hanging open as more and more people filed in and filled up the whole room. It was completely overwhelming to see all the excitement and support for the show.” She then added, “Everyone who does tech is so passionate about it and we all can't wait to get started with collecting props, sewing costumes, and building sets.”

           In addition to preparing for the fall play, the Drama Guild officers and members are beginning to prepare for a series of fun Drama Guild events and fundraisers to help pay for the cost of putting on plays, and other club expenses. Overall, with all these enthusiastic students and supportive adults, it looks like it’s going to be an exciting and productive year for theatre at the high school. 

College Search Tools
The U.S. Department of Education published a new online tool on Saturday aimed at helping families choose the correct college with a heavy emphasis on actual cost and earning potential.  Below is a link to the article and the online tool.  
http://money.cnn.com/2015/09/12/pf/college/white-house-college-ranking/index.html

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/


How Much Will That College Really Cost?
http://money.cnn.com/tools/collegecost/collegecost.html?iid=EL#


Applying For Financial Aid Just Got a Little Easier
http://money.cnn.com/2015/09/14/pf/college/new-fafsa-deadline/index.html?iid=hp-toplead-dom

Tuition Break
http://www.nebhe.org/programs-overview/rsp-tuition-break/overview/

Google Camp at GD, Friday Night Football & More

Google Cloud Camp at GD

GDRSD will be hosting a Google Cloud Camp Event on October 17th at the Groton-Dunstable Regional High School. This will be the second time we have hosted a Google training event. 

The Groton Cloud Camp featuring Google for Education focuses on authentic and valuable ways to use the Google for Education Tools. The training keeps the beginner in mind while providing those ready to ‘level’ up with unique uses and tips for using Google apps in the classroom, organization, for productivity or collaboration.  http://groton.appsevents.com/about

PSAT & College Visit Information

Attention juniors: It is time to sign up for the PSAT.  Please go to the high school website and register.  http://gdrsd.org/gdrhs/ Also, students should check Naviance to see the list of colleges visiting GD.

PSAT registration will be open to sophomores beginning next week. 

Friday Night Football

By Lorrie Stewart

GD Football Club President

Are you ready for some football? The GD Crusaders take on the St. Peter Marian Guardians on Friday under the lights at 7:00 PM. Our youngest Crusaders from the GD Youth Football and Cheer club will be on hand to help welcome onto the field our very own 2015 Crusaders in game two of what is turning out to be a very exciting football season. Gates open at 6:00 PM and besides the awesome chili, hamburgers and hot dogs for sale, the Football club has more give items to give away on Friday night! Keep your student ticket and listen for your number to be called by Maria Antonellis at half time. Chipotle and I-tunes gift cards are up for grabs this week! Maybe one of the 70 youth football players or 25 youth cheerleaders will walk away with the prizes at half time! Show your fan support and do your job...fill the bleachers!

Boys & Girls Soccer & Concussion Awareness

Groton-Dunstable Regional High School Boys and Girls Soccer will take part in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association's initiative to help raise awareness and better educate soccer player, parents, coaches and athletic trainers on concussion injuries and proper treatment. http://thinktaylor.org/

“The MIAA is pleased to join Think Taylor and Inaria in launching this groundbreaking program designed to promote concussion awareness and safety,” said Bill Gaine, Executive Director of the MIAA. “The MIAA is committed to the safety and welfare of our student-athletes across the Commonwealth, and our Think Taylor/MIAA Concussion Awareness Week underscores that commitment. We can’t wait to see the soccer fields of Massachusetts painted orange for Concussion Awareness Week, and we look forward to taking the ‪#‎TTpledge.”

The Crusader Girls Soccer teams will draw attention to this issue when they host Leominster at GDRHS on Saturday, September 19th (11am). Our Boys Soccer team will further support this important initiative on Thursday, September 24th when Quabbin comes to town for a 4pm game.

Additionally, the Athletic Department, in conjunction with the Groton-Dunstable Athletic Booster Club (GDABC), will offer ImPACT Baseline Concussion Testing on the following dates for interested high school students:

Saturday, September 19, 2015, 8am-9am

Saturday, September 26, 2015, 8am-9am

Saturday, October 3, 2015, 8am-9am

TESTING TAKES PLACE AT GDRHS, ROOM 213. PLEASE ARRIVE BY 7:30AM.

Non-Perishable Items Needed

Non-Perishable Items Needed

On the 17th of September our second advisory will feature a competition that requires students to build something with the non-perishable items donated. The advisory with the most items donated wins lunch, and the winner of the building competition wins breakfast. Feel free to send in all of your non-perishable items between now and September 17th. All proceeds will benefit the Loaves and Fishes. http://loavesfishespantry.org/

GD Students Giving Back & More

With week two nearly complete both students and staff are beginning to acclimate to the hectic start of the school year. With the early distractions behind us, this week we focused on settling into a more traditional school routine. Acclimating proved a malleable and fickle substance as the weather did not care to cooperate this week. There is nothing that screams comfortable learning environment quite like 20 plus students in a confined space nearing 90 degrees. Undaunted, the teaching and learning continued. Please read below to learn about some impressive GD students along with a plea for non-perishable items.

Non-Perishable Items Needed

On the 17th of September our second advisory will feature a competition that requires students to build something with the non-perishable items donated. Feel free to send in all of your non-perishable items between now and September 17th. All proceeds will benefit the Loaves and Fishes organization. http://loavesfishespantry.org/

Shaw's Market
Thanks to Shaw's for the generous donation to GDRHS.  

Youvisit.com

Find virtual campus tours and virtual reality experiences of 1000+ colleges & universities online. Take the best guided walking tours of schools worldwide

http://www.youvisit.com/colleges

National Student Exchange Program

400 colleges in the USA and Canada participate in the National Student Exchange Program. This program allows students to take courses at other colleges across the nation while paying the same tuition as your college. The only difference in price would be the cost of room & board which may be higher in another location. Colleges work with students to assure the courses they are taking fit into their major and will transfer back to their "home" college.  

Here is the link: 

http://www.nse.org/exchange/offices.asp

Ciara Selders Ciara Selders is an accomplished student with an interest in photography. She is currently pursuing the Girl Scout Gold Award, which represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. She is hoping to build a raised, mobile, sustainable vegetable garden on school grounds. I have included a short bio, a picture, and a link to her photography website.  

Hello all, my name is Ciara Selders and I’m currently a senior at the high school. My past (almost) four years at the high school have opened my eyes to new areas of interests both in and out of the classroom. One area in particular that I have recently grown to love is digital photography. Not too long ago I envisioned professional DSLR cameras as confusing and even intimidating, but after taking Mr. O’Connor’s photography class I have grown to appreciate a camera’s capabilities and even bought a DSLR of my own! I would encourage anyone reading this to consider giving photography a try, even if you’re artistically challenged (like myself). 

Aside from photography, I am interested in attending college next fall to start my journey toward obtaining my Bachelor of Science degree. I plan on majoring in neuroscience/neurobiology, with a concentration in neurodegenerative diseases. My interest in this area stems from a recent death in the family due to a related cause. I am excited to see what the rest of my senior year holds, and can’t wait to embark on the journey more familiarly known as “adulthood”.

Ciara's Photography Website http://cselders21.wix.com/cseldersphotography.

Students Serve the Southwest

This summer several GD students donated their time and effort to a worthy cause in the Southwest. Below you will find pictures along with information about their journey.

Teec Nos Pos, AZ -- Five GDRHS youth traveled to the southwest this past summer, for an experience like no other. Students Samantha Ferraro(‘16), Lauren Duhamel(‘16), Justin Duhamel(‘18), Philip Kendall(‘15), and Geoff Kidger(‘15) labored tirelessly to repair homes for the elderly and low-income Navajo people. Through the organization Group Mission Trips, under the guise of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, these youth gathered with three hundred others from across the country to partner with the State of Utah Weatherization Program. In just under five days, this group of volunteers successfully repaired over thirty five homes on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.

Throughout the journey from Salt Lake City to Four Corners, the seventeen participants encountered bizarre landscapes, an alarming lack of trees and spectacular red rock formations. They traversed the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, mammoth mesas in Monument Valley, and sweeping arches at Arches National Park. Many of these kids have participated in these service trips since the age of twelve, amounting to six trips over the years, yet this year the remote desert environment and cultural immersion of the Navajo people posed an added challenge. “Miles down a dirt road, with only a wood-stove for heat and no transportation, my resident lived as a single mother with four children ages zero to thirteen,” a leader recalled.

Working hard in 106 degree heat. From top left to bottom right: Geoff Kidger,

Lauren Duhamel, Justin Duhamel, Philip Kendall.

Not only did these volunteers transform parts the Navajo community by applying coats of paint, constructing porches, building wheelchair ramps, and installing weather-proofed metal roofs, but the community transformed the youth’s own views on the world. Long-time participant Lauren Duhamel described:

“This trip opened my eyes to a new culture in our country. The experience is something that I will take with me for the rest of my life. It taught me how to be respectful of other cultures by observing how the Navajo need to use an item to its full potential. Unlike in the northeast, we had to conserve every scrap of extra construction material. Neighbors immediately painted their homes with our excess paint, and residents saved all scrap wood for winter kindling.”

The students served with volunteers from as far away as Alaska, California and Arkansas. The volunteers were dispersed into groups of six, each member from a different location across the country. Incoming senior Samantha Ferraro explained:

“The kids in my home were my age, about seventeen and eighteen. Listening to us talk about college, they casually mentioned that it wasn’t an option for them and they were better off learning the artistic trades of their parents to profit off of tourists as a livelihood. It was sad to know they never even have access to the opportunities we take for granted.”

The eyes of everyone involved were opened a little wider, as the youth embraced the natural beauty yet experienced the harsh living conditions on the Navajo reservation.