Girls BBall/Poetry Out Loud/Travel/ & Scheduling Info.

Girls Basketball Playoff Game

The GD Girls Basketball team plays at WPI this Saturday at 12:45pm.  They face a formidable opponent, but the lady Crusaders led by coach Mark Hennelly and senior captains Lindsay Werner and Melyssa Langell are up to the challenge.  A fan bus will depart GD at 11am on Saturday morning.  

Poetry Out Loud

Congratulations to David Fitzpatrick who has advanced to the state finals of the Poetry Out Loud competition.  David is one of 24 who will compete on Sunday, March 8 in the Massachusetts State Finals at the Old South Meeting House in Boston.  The incredible talent at the four regional semi-final competitions presented stiff competition and we are proud of David for advancing.   Good luck David. 

2016 International Travel Update
We had quite a bit of activity this week with several trips witnessing growth.  A few trips are nearing capacity.  There are, however,   spots available for all trips.  Please follow the link provided for additional information on each trip.  Each individual website provides a detailed itinerary along with information on how to enroll online. 

 http://www.gdrsd.org/GDRHS/Portal/225-Global-Scholars

There will be an important informational meeting for all students and parents who are interested in the Amazon science expedition trip for 2016. It will be held in the library at 6 pm on Monday March 9th. A representative from the company hosting the trip will be present via Skype. If you have signed up for a place on this trip we will be collecting a deposit to secure your spot that evening.

2015-2016 Scheduling Update

Parents & Students,

Welcome to the 2015-2016 scheduling season. Groton-Dunstable Regional High School continues to streamline the scheduling process by utilizing the iPass program. Use of iTeacher, iStudent and iParent helps us create a student-centered schedule. It is our hope that IPASS will provide you with more information about your child’s teacher recommendations, and that it will be a valuable tool for planning your child’s high school academic experience.

Currently, teachers are entering their 2015-2016 recommendations into the iTeacher system. This process is one that is done thoughtfully and considers all aspects of the child, including but limited to, learning style, test scores, placement level, maturity, historical grades, MCAS scores, homework patterns and work ethic.  Teacher recommendations are due by March 6th.

On March 9th, grades 9, 10 and 11 will have class meetings during the school day to review the scheduling process. There will be a presentation on the evening of March 9th at the high school  for 8th grade students and parents. This presentation will be recorded for ANY parent who wishes to watch the presentation from the comfort of your home at a later time. Additionally, all information shared during the presentation will be posted on the HS website under the Parents and Students Tab.

On March 10th, iStudent will open. Students and parents will be able to see teacher recommendations and will have a 2-week period of time to select courses for next year. Prior to March 10th, current high school students and their parents are encouraged to meet with their guidance counselors to discuss courses for next year, transcripts and/or graduation requirements.  

A link to the scheduling timeline is here:

https://docs.google.com/a/gdrsd.org/document/d/15cGGITK3Dwzth_Xc3-zT5e2NUdlXi0KSCfK2nxYrZKw/edit

It is the hope of the high school staff that you and your student feel well informed throughout the scheduling process.  If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.  

Sincerely,

Marisa E. Brisson

Assistant Principal

Groton-Dunstable Regional High School

978-448-6362

mbrisson@gdrsd.org

Three Girls Making A Difference

Three Groton-Dunstable High School Students are making a difference . . . .

Meghan Hanagan, Jacqueline Richardson and Paige Bailey are all members of the  “Fitness for a Cure” High School Performance Team. The purpose of “Fitness for a Cure” is to raise money for the children of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the performance team represents the children of the hospital.  This team has brought together high school students from all over New England.  This is their third year participating in this amazing event. They not only learn about what it is to be a part of a team but they learn about the spirit of giving to those less fortunate. The team motto is: “Because we are strong in mind and body, therefore it is our obligation to give back to the sick and the weak.”

“Fitness for a Cure”, started 15 years ago when Sherri Sarrouf, owner of SLS Fitness in Lowell, MA brought her passion for health and fitness together with her passion to help children stricken with cancer. “Fitness for a Cure” raises money for St. Jude, and over the years it has raised more than 2 million dollars since it was founded in 1999. 

 As a member of the “SLS Fitness for a Cure” team, these girls understand that a lot is expected of them. They need to maintain good grades, take pride in themselves, continue to be good role models and be committed.  They give up time every Sunday from November to March, to brainstorm fundraising ideas and learn the dance steps for the “Fitness for a Cure Gala Event” held at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. They each have their own St. Jude website and are expected to raise at least $1,000. In addition they are asked to collaborate together on additional fundraising ideas at their individual high schools.

 St. Jude continues its life saving mission to find cures and save children.  These three high school students will end this school year by traveling to St. Jude Children’s Cancer Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. They will be volunteering for 4 days with sick children and their families. The valuable lessons they have learned will hopefully continue to encourage them to always want to give back and make a difference in the world!  If you are interested in finding out more about this organization and how you can help, please go to www.fitnessforacure.com.

International Travel Update/ 3 on 3 Tournament

2016 International Travel Update
There are currently spots available for all trips, but a few have only a few spaces remaining.  Please follow the link provided for additional information on each trip.  Each individual website provides a detailed itinerary along with information on how to enroll online. 

 http://www.gdrsd.org/GDRHS/Portal/225-Global-Scholars

There will be an important informational meeting for all students and parents who are interested in the Amazon science expedition trip for 2016. It will be held in the library at 6 pm on Monday March 9th. A representative from the company hosting the trip will be present via Skype. If you have signed up for a place on this trip we will be collecting a deposit to secure your spot that evening.



 2015 11th Annual WJW 3 on 3 Tournament
Last day to register to guaranty tournament tee shirts is Saturday, March 7th.  Don't miss out! Register online today - click here. Registration closes March 14. Click here for more information about rules, bylaws and corporate sponsors. If you have any questions, please contact the tournament committee at tournaments@gdybl.org We hope you get a chance to enter a team for the 2015 tournament. Looking forward to seeing you.

The Tournament Committee

2016 Travel Opportunities Presentation: Wednesday, Feb. 25th @ 6pm

Global Scholars 2015-2016 Travel Opportunities Presentation      

We will hold an informational night highlighting the 2016 travel opportunities on Wednesday, February 25th at 6pm in the BBX Theater.  

These trips are part of the Global Scholars Program we initiated last year.  In short, we are offering thematically based trips around service learning, leadership, language and cultural immersion.  In addition, in 2016 we are offering a science expedition in the Amazon. At the conclusion of the presentation students will have the opportunity to register for the upcoming trips. Space is limited and students will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis.  

For more information please click on the link below.  

http://www.gdrsd.org/GDRHS/Portal/225-Global-Scholars

  

Before highlighting the upcoming trips I would like to share information regarding a service learning trip that transpired over February vacation. Thirty-two students and four chaperones spent a week in Peru.  Students immersed themselves in the culture of Peru, learning about local cuisine, touring the Sacred Valley, and visiting modern and colonial parts of Lima.  In addition, they learned about ancient and contemporary art, explored Machu Picchu as well as other sacred Inca archaeological sites.  The trip culminated in a two day service project at the Yachay Wasi kindergarten.  Below is a link complete with videos and pictures of this amazing trip.  

http://gdglobalscholars.weebly.com/peru-2015-blog

2016 TRIPS:  February 2016   Dominican Republic Service Learning Lead Chaperon: Keith Woods kwoods@gdrsd.org Tour Website: http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1711888AZ February 2016  French Language Immersion Tour of Nice Language Immersion Lead Chaperon: Dominique Sutherland dsutherland@gdrsd.org Tour Website: http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1711873XN April 2016 Ecuador Service Learning Lead Chaperon: Audra Kaplan akaplan@gdrsd.org Tour Website: http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1639038VK April  2016 Rome: The Eternal City Cultural Immersion  Lead Chaperon: Katie Martin katherinemartin@gdrsd.org Tour Website: http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1711689KB June 2016 London & The Hague  Leadership Summit  Traveling with Tyngsborough High School  Leveraging STEM to Protect Human Rights Lead Chaperon: Jocelyn Smith   jsmyth@gdrsd.org Tour Website: http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1711256DH June 2016 Pacaya-Samiria Natioanl Reserve, PERU Science Expedition  Operation Wallacea - Science Research Themed Trip Lead Chaperon: Heather Salemme hsalemme@gdrsd.org
Tour Website: http://opwall.com/sixth-form-high-school/locations/peru-school-expeditions/

Important: Open House/ 2016 Travel Opportunities

Upcoming Events @ Groton-Dunstable Regional High School Tuesday, February 24th – Semester II Open House                            Open House will begin with a brief presentation starting at 6pm in the BBX Theater.  The presentation will cover scheduling for the 2015-2016 school, travel opportunities for the 2015-2016 school year, as well as recent highlights and accomplishments. After the presentation parents will have the opportunity to follow their son/daughter's four period schedule.  Each class will last approximately 10 minutes.  We look forward to seeing you on the 24th. Wednesday, February 25th – Global Scholars 2015-2016 Travel Opportunities Presentation.         We will hold an informational night highlighting the 2016 travel opportunities on Wednesday, February 25th at 6pm in the BBX Theater.  These trips are part of the Global Scholars Program we initiated last year.  In short, we are offering thematically based trips around service learning, leadership, language and cultural immersion.  In addition, in 2016 we are offering a science expedition in the Amazon. At the conclusion of the presentation students will have the opportunity to register for the upcoming trips. Space is limited and students will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis.   For more information please click on the link below.   http://www.gdrsd.org/GDRHS/Portal/225-Global-Scholars    Before highlighting the upcoming trips I would like to share information regarding a service learning trip that transpired over February vacation. Thirty-two students and four chaperones spent a week in Peru.  Students immersed themselves in the culture of Peru, learning about local cuisine, touring the Sacred Valley, and visiting modern and colonial parts of Lima.  In addition, they learned about ancient and contemporary art, explored Machu Picchu as well as other sacred Inca archaeological sites.  The trip culminated in a two day service project at the Yachay Wasi kindergarten.  Below is a link complete with videos and pictures of this amazing trip.   http://gdglobalscholars.weebly.com/peru-2015-blog 2016 TRIPS:  February 2016   Dominican Republic Service Learning Lead Chaperon: Keith Woods kwoods@gdrsd.org Tour Website: http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1711888AZ February 2016  French Language Immersion Tour of Nice Language Immersion Lead Chaperon: Dominique Sutherland dsutherland@gdrsd.org Tour Website: http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1711873XN April 2016 Ecuador Service Learning Lead Chaperon: Audra Kaplan akaplan@gdrsd.org Tour Website: http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1639038VK April  2016 Rome: The Eternal City Cultural Immersion  Lead Chaperon: Katie Martin katherinemartin@gdrsd.org Tour Website: http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1711689KB June 2016 London & The Hague  Leadership Summit  Traveling with Tyngsborough High School  Leveraging STEM to Protect Human Rights Lead Chaperon: Jocelyn Smith   jsmyth@gdrsd.org Tour Website: http://www.eftours.com/tour-website/1711256DH June 2016 Pacaya-Samiria Natioanl Reserve, PERU Science Expedition  Operation Wallacea - Science Research Themed Trip Lead Chaperon: Heather Salemme hsalemme@gdrsd.org    Tour Website: http://opwall.com/sixth-form-high-school/locations/peru-school-expeditions/

2 Hour Delay: Regular Schedule

Tomorrow we are opening 2 hours late. We will follow a traditional, albeit abbreviated,  schedule (A-B-C-D).

Report Cards/DECA/One-Act-Plays

Report Cards & 3rd Quarter
Grades will be available for viewing in iParent and iStudent on Tuesday, February 2nd.  In addition, due to the recent school cancellations the 3rd quarter will end on Tuesday, April 7th.  

DECA 

Groton-Dunstable Regional High School participated in its first Massachusetts DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) District Competition which was held on January 13, 2015 at the Radisson in Chelmsford, MA. Approximately 200 students from District 5 including high schools in Billerica, Chelmsford,  Dracut, Greater Lowell, Nashoba Regional, Nashoba Technical, Tewksbury,and Westford Academy attended the competition. This is Groton-Dunstable’s first year joining DECA and we sent six students. Catherine De Groot, Felix Shen, Kirsten Habermann, Madison Ready, Julia Mendel and Ethan Webber represented Groton-Dunstable. Three students placed in their series events. Felix Shen competed in Business Financial Services and placed second. Madison Ready competed in Quick Service Restaurant Management and placed sixth. Kirsten Habermann competed in Accounting and placed seventh. The top seven students in of each of the series events will move on to the State Competition which will be held on March 12-14, 2015 at the Copley Plaza in Boston where they will compete with the eight remaining districts in Massachusetts. Congratulations to all the students and their mentor Ms. Barbara McNulty.

One Act Plays Coming Soon

The 6th Annual Festival of One Acts will be on
Friday Feb 6th at 7 PM and
Saturday Feb 7th at 2 PM and 7 PM in the BBX.

Tickets will be on sale at the door and during school lunches.
$12 for adults
$10 for students and seniors.

Student directors are:

Freshmen - Julia Joyce
Sophomores - Jack Malone
Juniors - Renee Hampton
Seniors - Caroline Phelps