Adopt-A-Local Veteran

Adopt-A-Local Veteran

By Kelly McManus

Students and staff felt the excitement on December 3rd as we concluded the last of a three-part series dedicated to honoring our nation’s Veterans.

The first Advisory, on November 10th included an assembly that featured local members of the armed forces including Lt. Col John Giger and Major General Bruce Zukauskas who gave heartfelt speeches to the staff and the student body. 

During the 2nd Advisory, each class “adopted” an active service member, brainstormed ideas, and put a plan into action for filling a large USPS flat rate box with donated items.  On December 3rd, students came prepared with their thoughtfully chosen donations and worked together to decorate and fill their care-package.  They wrote heart-felt thank you notes on over-sized cards designed by Mr O’Connor’s design class and even contributed money to help defray the cost of shipping the boxes. 

In addition to the items personally selected, each care package included a GDRHS lanyard and a limited edition camouflage GD baseball hat.  Overall, we shipped out 35 boxes to active members of the armed services with an affiliation to Groton Dunstable, most of whom were former graduates.

Principal Michael Mastrullo was impressed by the effort.  "The students and staff have rallied around some worthwhile causes this year, but I can think of none better than this one. The students and staff are truly grateful for the service provided by members of the armed forces, and to send a thoughtful care package during the holiday season is the least we can do to demonstrate our gratitude."

The Advisory Program was re-designed this year to promote school spirit and enable students and staff to develop meaningful relationships and make a positive difference inside and out of the GD community.  The theme this year has centered around community service.  English teacher, Ms. Danielle Patenaude-Dumont added, “this year’s advisory program is more meaningful.”  

We have something really special here.  Teachers and students alike have reason to feel proud. No matter where those boxes end up, each participant will no doubt feel remembered and appreciated this holiday season.  Spanish teacher Nicole Penchansky excitedly reported  “Our class has enough stuff to fill a whole extra box!”  The students really came through again with their enthusiasm and generosity.  “It was great!  The kids were amazing.”  said, Social Studies teacher Sam McLellan. He and another Social Studies teacher, Colin Murphy combined their classes and experienced 100% participation.  “The one student who actually forgot, went home and brought his item back before the end of the day. We could have easily filled 3 boxes with the items that were donated.”  said McLellan.  

If you have a Twitter account you can view more pictures of our advisory programs by using the hashtag: #gdadvisory2015.