National Merit Scholarship/Best Buddies/Open House

Open House

Open House is tomorrow evening.  Please come prepared with your son/daughter's schedule.  The evening will begin at 6pm.

Benjamin Navetta and Nicholas Freiter

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 two of our own are among the one-percent selected in the entire country.  Congratulations to Benjamin Navetta and Nicholas Freiter for their tremendous achievement.

Best Buddies Initiative 

Thanks to Shaw's Market for making a $400 donation to GDRHS.  We intend to use the proceeds to help fund the Best Buddies initiative we hope to begin next year.  http://www.bestbuddies.org/

GDRHS Newsweek Ranking

Newsweek recently came out with its list of top schools in the country.  According to Newsweek, GDRHS is #5 in the great state of  Massachusetts and #86 in the country.  Follow the link provided for a complete list of schools.

http://www.newsweek.com/high-schools/americas-top-schools-2014

Principal's Notes/PJ Kendall

Hello,

I am happy, albeit not surprised, to inform you that the first two weeks have been remarkably smooth. Staff began with two days of professional development on the 25th and 26th of August.  Many of them spent the summer taking classes and attending professional development seminars.  The high school staff is genuinely happy and eager to start the school year.  The positive tone creates an atmosphere that is conducive to learning.  

We try our best to get all the necessary start of year requirements--pictures, fire drill, class meetings, etc,--out of the way immediately.  All of those distractions are now behind us and we can focus solely on our seminal function of educating students.  The smooth opening is due in large part to the students of GDRHS.  They continue to impress with their behavior, attitude, and how respectful they are.  As a staff we talk often about the culture of mutual respect that exists at GD, and it is not something that anyone takes for granted.  It is another essential contributing factor to a conducive learning environment.  Surely there was a healthy dose of teenage indifference to the start of the school year, as many expressed to me their longing for a few more weeks of summer.  We addressed this very issue of indifference during class meetings.  Using some of the world news as a backdrop, I reminded them why we all should be so thankful to attend this great school.  We all should be grateful to attend a school that is safe, organized, and focused on teaching and learning.  We are looking forward to a great year.  We hope to see you all at Open House on the 18th of September starting at 6pm.

I wanted to recognize PJ Kendall for a significant achievement.  He was selected to serve on the influential Student-Advisory Council.  PJ was one of sixteen student-athletes chosen out of a pool of more than one-hundred.  I have included the letter I received from the MIAA, and a picture of PJ.


Best,

Michael Mastrullo
Principal

Dear Mr. Mastrullo,

Philip Kendall, a Senior at Groton Dunstable Regional High School, attended the 4^th Annual New England Student Leadership Conference at Stonehill College from July 15-18, 2014. Philip was one of 250+ students from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont who were selected by their local state associations to attend this event.

Throughout the four days at Stonehill College, Philip represented Groton Dunstable Regional High School, the school community, and the MIAA in an outstanding manner. Philip participated in a variety of small and large group workshop sessions, general sessions and a community service project. Following the conference, Philip applied and interviewed for a position on the MIAA Student Advisory Committee.

It is a pleasure to inform you that Philip Kendall has been selected as one of 16 students from across Massachusetts to serve on the MIAA Student Advisory Committee for the 2014-15 school year. This committee is scheduled to meet on the following dates at the MIAA Office in Franklin, MA:September 26, February 10 and May 13. These meetings are scheduled to begin at 8:30am and will conclude shortly after lunch to allow students time to return for after-school activities. 

In addition, the Student Advisory Committee will play an important role in various MIAA Educational Athletics Events throughout the school year. They will be counted upon to conduct leadership workshop sessions for high school students and participate in statewide events on the following dates: October 24(Wellness Summit), November 21 (Sportsmanship Summit at Gillette Stadium), December 12 (Captains Workshop), January 29 (Leadership Workshop), and March 16 (Captains Workshop). Please see the enclosed calendar for a list of these important calendar dates.

The MIAA Educational Athletics Staff will be in touch with you, your athletic director and Philip regarding meeting dates, times, and agendas in the weeks leading up to each event. While the schedule of events is ambitious, Student Advisory Committee members are reminded that their schoolwork and school activities are always the priority. If you have any questions about the role of the MIAA Student Advisory Committee, please do not hesitate to contact me at 508-541-9834. Thank you for your support of this student leadership initiative. We look forward to working with Philip during the upcoming school year. 

Sincerely,

Peter Smith

MIAA Educational Athletics

Freshmen Orientation

Today was a fun filled day for the incoming freshmen.  The upperclassmen greeted freshmen this morning with a warm welcome.  I provided a picture that gives you a glimpse of how freshmen were greeted this morning.  After a brief presentation by the administrators and guidance counselors, freshmen were on their way to participate in a variety of activities.  A scavenger hunt provided a creative way for students to learn the layout of the school, followed by a wide variety of relay races and games.  Lunch, a brief presentation outlining all the after school clubs, and a photo slideshow highlighting all the days activities closed the ceremonies.  We want to thank Future Drivers of America for donating both food and employees to barbecue for all of our students.

Freshmen orientation in many ways encapsulates all that is great about this school.  Upperclassmen worked more than 50 hours this summer planning and fundraising for the days activities.  Upperclassmen donated their time and energy all in an effort to welcome freshmen to their new school.  Without the tireless efforts of Mary Cain, guidance secretary, this day would not have been possible.  A great start to the year.

Nicole Wilkinson, Lindsay Werner, and Izzy Smith

Ciara Selders & Aimee Guichard

 

Welcome Back

Dear GDRHS Students, Parents and Guardians:

It seems as if each summer passes more quickly than the one before. If you're like me, you set goals of things to accomplish before summer's end. That may come in the form of home improvements, a summer reading list, catching up with friends, or learning something new. Perhaps too ambitious, or time simply lapsed, but even with best intentions some of us did not complete all the summer objectives we set out to accomplish. Regardless, it is that time where we need to start thinking ahead to the school year, and setting goals we hope to reach by year's end.

It is with great anticipation and optimism that we open our doors for the 2014-2015 school year. We begin this school year with a dedicated learning community in place all working towards the common goal of keeping Groton-Dunstable High School among the top performing in Massachusetts. We greet our incoming freshmen, welcome our returning sophomore and junior classes, and look to our Class of 2015 to provide the leadership to make every student’s high school experience a positive and memorable one.

Last year the difficult budget situation cast an ominous cloud over the school year.  Fortunately, there is a silver lining to this story.  Members of the school system, town employees, and residents of these two great towns worked together to solve the difficult budget problem.  Without the diligent efforts of all parties the upcoming school year could have been quite different.  It was quite impressive to see such a broad group of people usher aside politics and work together for a common cause.  It is abundantly clear that all parties are committed to maintaining and improving a great school system.

As with all school years, we begin with lots of new faces.  Several new faces reside in key central office leadership positions.  None more important than Dr. Kristan Rodriguez our new Superintendent of Schools.   Dr. Rodriquez and her staff bring an impressive work-ethic and enthusiasm that borders on infectious.  Furthermore, the year ahead brings many challenges for both students and staff, and those challenges spawn goals. Continuing the implementation of the Common Core Standards, continuing our work on the new Global Scholars initiative, expanding and strengthening our AP program, providing our talented staff with ongoing professional development,  increasing student exposure to app development, coding, and robotics are but a few of our initiatives.  All goals supporting the overarching objective of preparing Groton-Dunstable Regional High School students for their future. Preparing our students to compete in the 21st Century is a monumental task that requires a hardworking, dedicated staff committed to student achievement. That challenge begins soon, and I am confident we are worthy of the challenge.

The three basic ingredients of every good school are: safety, organization, and high expectations for learning. You have my utmost assurance that these three factors will guide our daily decision-making in the months and years ahead. I look forward to your input and participation to assist this focus. In an effort to enhance our academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs, your involvement is both welcome and needed. The active participation in your child’s education is the most worthwhile contribution. I look forward to working with and meeting each and every one of you.

Sincerely,

Michael Mastrullo      

            

Habitat For Humanity Is Seeking Volunteers For Tomorrow!!!

CARPENTERS & PAINTERS NEEDED We urgently need volunteers tomorrow and Saturday for trim installation, caulking & paint preparation. Also, carpenters needed next Wednesday, Thursday & Friday to build front & side steps and accessibility ramp. You can click to sign up online now, call 978-348-2749 x201 or e-mail Clare atclare@ncmhabitat.org. Click for a map and directions. Skilled and novice volunteers welcome! All training and tools will be provided. If you know someone who might be interested in helping out, feel free to forward this e-mail.  For any questions of concerns, please e-mail me ! Thank you for your continued support of Habitat for Humanity NCM, and we look forward to seeing you very soon.

Grades & Schedules

Final Grades & Schedules
Final grades and schedules will be published tomorrow evening on both iStudent and iParent.
We wish everyone a happy, safe, restful, and exciting summer.