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. 

Principal's Notes (Taylor White)

You may have heard that a farmhouse in Lunenburg was destroyed by fire a few weeks ago.  That home is owned by the Mcleod family of Lunenburg.  Although not students at GD, the impact of that tragedy was felt at our school.  

Taylor White, a senior at GD, was in the home when the fire erupted.  She won’t admit it but Taylor proved to be hero that day.  Taylor kept a level head and acted quickly.  She physically removed David Mcleod from the home as he initially attempted to go rescue the family dog.  Taylor and David jumped from a second story window to escape the flames.  The Mcleod family has endured a difficult few months.  Not only did they lose their dog, their home, and all of their possessions in the recent fire, but they also lost their mother this past summer.  A tragic story.

In an effort to help a family in a neighboring town Taylor spearheaded an effort to raise much needed funds for the family.  Through bake sales and donations we raised nearly 1,000 dollars.  I have included a link to a donation page dedicated to help the family.  

 http://www.gofundme.com/h52btg. 

Taylor White

HS Quiz Show/Hour of Code/ITS

High School Quiz Show

Last Sunday Ms. Brisson and I accompanied four students to take part in the qualifying round for the WGBH High School Quiz Show that is hosted by Billy Costa from 107.9.  One-hundred and twenty schools competed and sixteen will qualify for the televised competition. The students performed brilliantly scoring 940 points out of a total of 1275. We will be notified soon if we qualify for the televised portion of the competition. 

Fiona Henry

Eric Yenchenko

Dan Evans

Ben Navetta

From Left: Ben Navetta, Eric Yenchenko, Dan Evans, Fiona Henry

Hour of Code

GDRHS plans to participate in the Hour of Code in early December.  Last year our  students participated alongside some 10 million students world wide.  This year the Hour of Code 

has the audacious goal of reaching more than 100 millions students.  During the Hour of Code event high school students will present and assist with a variety of programming activities in classrooms across the district.   Thanks to the hard work and effort of the tech team, staff members, and our student ambassadors, we will reach every student in the district.  Each building will have a series of coding activities.  Information about these activities can be found at code.org.  

The Benefits of the Hour of Code

• Creativity, Communication, Collaboration & Critical Thinking Skills
• Build awareness of student opportunities
• Peer to peer teaching and modeling
• Foster computational thinking
• Demystify the belief that coding is only for smart, white and Asian men
• Get kids excited and engaged…. have fun!

The following short video "What is code?" provides an informative, albeit brief, introduction to coding.  

Additional Resources

CS Ed Weeks startling infographic.

CS Ed Weeks "What is Computer Science and What do People Do Once They Know It?"

International Thespian Society

GDRHS drama students demonstrated their commitment to theater at the high school as well as their lives when they joined the International Thespian Society.  To join this international drama society each student must play an active role in GD drama productions.  In addition,  they are required to demonstrate a commitment to community service.  Students in the honor society act, design sets and costumes, manage front of house, build sets, produce, and direct GD theater productions.   Many of the students also volunteer at the high school and community theater projects.  Collectively these students have volunteered literally hundreds of hours.  Congratulations and welcome to our new inductees.  

Veterans Day, Girls Cross Country & More

Veterans Day Ceremony 

Today we held our Veterans Day Ceremony that featured several members of the military.  The assembly began with a wonderful rendition of our National Anthem performed by Rebecca Stark.  I want to thank all members of the armed forces for their service, and for the few who were kind enough to join us today: Petty Officer Keith Woods, Petty Officer Duncan Graham, Sgt. Chris McLaughlin, Captain Bob Johnson, and Captain Joe Dean.   A special thank you for our guest speakers, Lt. Col John Giger and Lt. Col Tamara Scwhartz.

Lt. Col. John Giger

Lt. Col. Tamara Schwartz

Rebecca Stark

Girls CC News
Congratulations to the Girls Cross Country team for taking second place in the Central Massachusetts District Championship this past weekend. The team qualified for the State Championship this coming Saturday at Franklin Park. Freshman sensation Emily Willson finished in second place in Central Massachusetts District Championships.

Winter Sports Registration
2014-15 Winter Sports Registration for high school and middle school is now open. Please visit the following website to register. Please note, registrations after the 16th of November will be subject to a $25.00 late fee.
http://www.gdrsd.org/District/Department/119-Crusader-Athletics … 

Football Playoffs
After a convincing 38-7 victory over Nipmuc this past weekend GD will travel to Holy Name High School on Saturday, November 15th.  The game will start at noon.  

Noises Off
Congratulations to the cast of Noises Off.  The production was well attended and the show was hilarious.  

Grades/Playoff Football/Noises Off/Girls CC

Grades
First quarter grades will be available in both iStudent and iParent at 3:00 this afternoon.  

Playoff Football 
GDRHS Football is playing host to Nipmuc in a playoff football game tonight starting at 7pm.


Girls Cross Country
Girls Cross Country won the Mid-Wach championship. Freshman Emily Willson was first, Emily MacAuliffe was fifth, and Meghan O'Dell finished 9th. Congrats to everyone!
Emily Willson completed a sensational freshman season. A season that featured a new GDRHS course record. Congratulations Emily!

Noises Off

Please come and see the production of Noises Off.  Tickets are available at the door.  

Friday November 7th @ 7 PM
Saturday November 8th @ 2 PM and 7 PM
BBX - GDRHS

Girls Volleyball, Boys Soccer & All-Star Honors

Girls Volleyball
The dominant lady Crusaders suffered a difficult loss to Westboro yesterday in the Central MA Division 2 Semifinal. It was a valiant effort and a remarkable season. The team finished the season with nineteen wins and two losses. The volleyball program is less than ten years old and to witness such a stratospheric rise to prominence is a testament to the hard work and effort of the players, led by the captains pictured below, and coaches Lisa LaPierre,Lori Herberich, and Adam Snodgrass. Congratulations girls!

Jamie Debreceni & Aley Pray

Taylor White 

Boys Soccer
Boys Soccer lost a hard fought game in the quarterfinals to Westboro yesterday afternoon. The game was 2-2 after two overtime periods. The outcome was eventually decided by penalty kicks. Great season boys!

Congratulations to Meghan Colantuoni for being named to the Mid-Wach B Field Hockey All-Star Team. Congratulations to Brittany Belanger and Lindsay Werner for earning Mid-Wach B Soccer All-Star Team honors.

Meghan Colantuoni

Brittany Belanger

Lindsay Werner