Weekly News
June 5, 2020
Calendar of Events
June 15, 2020: Scheduled last day of school
June 15, 16, 17 . Underclassmen sign-out dates
July 31: Class of 2020 Graduation
Update: Week 10
Quarter 4
Like Quarter 3, Quarter 4 grades will also be Pass/Fail. Please note that neither quarter three or quarter 4 grades will be factored into student GPAs.
Scheduling for 2020-2021
Scheduling is in full swing for next year. Our Curriculum Coordinators are busy working on schedules. Any questions that students or parents have in the scheduling process should be directed to the assigned guidance counselor.
Graduation/Senior Updates
Graduation has been officially scheduled for July 31, 2020 with a rain date of August 1, 2020! The Commissioner of Education has provided all schools with very specific guidelines for this event and we will be working hard in the next few weeks to create a ceremony that meets these guidelines while also providing a traditional commencement ceremony. Of course, we will consult local officials and departments to make sure that we are in line with local expectations as well. Although it will may be difficult to meet these specifics, I believe that we will be able to provide a true graduation experience for the class of 2020. I have included the guidelines provided to us from the DESE at the bottom of the newsletter if you are interested in seeing them.
Caps and Gowns will be distributed the week of graduation.
Senior Timeline
June 8: Grades due for Seniors.
June 11th: Make - up Senior Sign-out
- Any Senior who did not make it in for Senior Sign-out must come by on this date to hand in any school materials, pay any yet unpaid fees, and collect their personal records.
July 31: Graduation (August 1: Rain date)
Living in Turbulent Times
For our part, we will be working as a school to provide opportunities for students to learn more about the factors that have lead us to this point and provide outlets for students who want to take even deeper dives into this area. Mr. Wilkins is heading up a group to create a forum to discuss these matters and we will provide more information as we have it.
Class of 2020 Graduation Parade
Thanks to all who came out to pay tribute to this amazing graduating class.
Although many things have been missed this spring, this parade was something that the class of 2020 was able to enjoy that no other class has had the pleasure of enjoying.
I would like to send a special Thank You to Erin Puranananda for making this a reality.
Junior, Soph. Freshmen return dates
On June 15th, 16th, 17th Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen will be asked to arrive at the high school and drop off materials to the school. Please click on the appropriate tabs in the document below.
*Please check the link below for times as the schedule has been adjusted since last week.
Student Sign Out Information - Click here for your Scheduled Time
Juniors - Monday, June 15th 9:00 am- 1:00 pm
Sophomores - Tuesday, June 16th 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Freshman - Wednesday, June 17th 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Please double check your assigned time as they may have changed. Wear a mask and adhere to six foot social distancing when coming in.
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PARKING - Parking sign up documents will be accepted during your sign out assigned time. You must have all documents in order to be registered. You will receive your parking sticker after a lottery assignment. All documents must be submitted by June 19th to be in the Lottery. All other students will be able to register after July 6th.
Parking Registration Form and Instructions, Click here.
If you are unable to come in during your assigned time, please contact the office to make arrangements for an alternate date.
YEARBOOK - If you purchased a Yearbook they will be available for pick-up during sign out.
If you have borrowed a Chromebook there is a specific time and destination for that. Our Tech Director, Luke Callahan, is sending out reminder emails with regards to this. Do not drop off Chromebooks at the high school. Thank You.
Attention New Drivers
If you anticipate a visit to the RMV over the summer to obtain a learners permit, you may need an official transcript for proof of residency. If you would like to pick one up during your sign out time, fill out this spreadsheet and one will be ready for you when you sign out. If you need one after sign out you will need to email mcain@gdrsd.org.
Arts Update
The Fine and Performing Arts Senior Show 2020. Like many things this term the show came together unconventionally with an open source google slideshow for all seniors who wanted to contribute. The result was a nice collection of Paintings, drawings, Illustrations, Photography and Musical Scores from some of our dedicated seniors who were able to contribute on relatively short notice. I plan on sharing this with other admin/ forums as well.
I wanted to send a note of appreciation in regards to Caddy Cicogna as it is evident she did a remarkable job under historically difficult circumstances.
Ms. Cicogna is very hard working and very much deserving of finding a great district.
Academic Excellence Award Winners were Honored on May 27th.
If you would like to watch the event it is now available:
Patrick Daly
Joshua Booth
Madison Donahue
Maggie Jiser
Akul Chennakesevan
Rory Andrews
Abigail Eisenklam
Kirsten Sjoberg
Chase Herberich
Ari Navetta
Mathletes continue to excel at GD
This year an increased number of students participated in several extra-curricular opportunities offered to all students at the GD. Twenty students were part of the GD math team that competed in the Worcester County Math League. Even though they did not place in their division, the team was invited to the Massachusetts State Meet based on the fact that they performed well in the top "A" division. The Fitchburg State Math Competition which was scheduled for early May was to host 55 registered GD students when it was unfortunately cancelled due to the current shutdown. Another seven students chose to take the very challenging AMC10/12. Although none qualified to move on to the next level, all agreed it was a worthwhile experience and hope to take part again!
The Mathletes and co-advisors wanted to specifically thank the Town of Groton's Lecture Fund which graciously grant-funded these initiatives. Everyone is looking forward to continuing these activities next year.
GDRHS DECA Club Impresses at the State Competition
Six students represented GDRHS at the state DECA business clubs conference in Boston in February. Seniors Harald Gemmel and Pedro Torres-Paraizo who qualified in the individual series competitions presented our banner. Senior Patrick Sullivan, our GDRHS DECA Chapter President, was joined by Senior Austin Drake and Freshmen Colin Koyutis and Dylan Paradis on our quiz bowl team which made an appearance in the semi-finals after winning in 4 rounds of competition.
Congratulations to all of the GDRHS DECA participants & thank you to Mr. Arena for providing transportation to the group.
In the photo on the left: back row: (L-R) Patrick Sullivan, Dylan Paradis, Harald Gemmel. front row: (L-R) Austin Drake, Colin Koyutis, Pedro Torres-Paraizo.
Congratualtions to our New Quill & Scroll Inductees!
On the evening of May 21, 2020, the GDRHS Chapter of the Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists inducted three new members: Julia Thompson (Class of 2021), Sydney Barlow (Class of 2022), and Keira Lyle (Class of 2023).
To become a member, students must be in the upper third of their class or have the equivalent of at least a B grade point average cumulative; must have done superior work in high school journalism; must have been recommended by the journalism adviser and GD's current Quill and Scroll members; and be approved for membership by the Quill and Scroll executive director.
This year's Quill and Scroll members, old and new, did exceptional work, completing the 2020 yearbook under the leadership of editors-in-chief Hannah Ketelhohn and Morgan Kimball, both juniors, while their lead adviser was on family leave. They then collectively put forth an intensive effort to meet their final deadline in the five days following GD's shutdown of schools on March 12.
Faculty Message to the class of 2020
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-6S-FwrDRgSaLz7MVwaUm0lfHVmhQZ9q/view?ts=5eb31bce
Need Working Papers?
https://sites.google.com/a/gdrsd.org/guidance-department
Once you have completed the forms email Mrs. Cain to set up a time to process the paperwork.
Cafeteria Balances
If you would like to carry the balance over to next school year you do not need to do anything. This will happen automatically.
Graduation Guidelines from the Commissioner of Education
• Any graduation ceremony held outside must be in an unconfined outdoor space that can accommodate social distancing and the flow of air. Tents or other enclosed spaces are not permitted.
• Schools must communicate in writing to any graduate, their family, school personnel, and others who may attend that if they are feeling sick, are exhibiting any of the following symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell), or have potentially been exposed to someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, they should not attend the graduation ceremony. A potential exposure means having household contact or having close contact (within 6 feet) with an individual with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time (over 15 minutes) while the person is symptomatic or 48 hours before symptoms developed. Persons who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control (e.g., due to age or underlying conditions) should be discouraged from attending the graduation ceremony.
• The outdoor space must have sufficient space to accommodate attendees who are not from the same immediate household spaced at least 6 feet apart.
• Attendance must be limited to graduates and their immediate family members only. Families must sign up in advance of the graduation, and only those who have preregistered may attend.
• Children under the age of 5, older adults, and those with vulnerable health conditions should be discouraged from attending.
• Staff or attendants must monitor the number of attendees entering the graduation ceremony and confirm that they had pre-registered.
Social Distancing Seating
• Attendees who are not part of the same immediate household must be seated at least 6 feet apart. Members of the same immediate household are permitted to sit together and less than 6 feet apart.
• If there is fixed seating, rows should be blocked off and kept empty to allow for sufficient distancing between rows. • Graduates must be seated 6 feet apart. Entering and Exiting
• Every effort must be made to encourage the orderly arrival and exiting of individuals attending the graduation in a manner that encourages social distancing.
• Graduates must enter and exit 6 feet apart from one another in a single line.
• Social distancing measures include: o Signage or pavement/ground markings should be posted to have one-way aisles or otherwise direct attendees to follow certain pathways for entering and exiting from the graduation service.
• If a line forms outside of the graduation, those waiting should be directed to maintain social distancing. Tape, chalk, or other markings should be laid on the ground outside of the venue in order to maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet.
• Staff should direct people to help maintain social distancing. o Staff should direct successive, row-by-row exiting.
Face Coverings
• All attendees must wear face coverings before, during, and after the ceremony. The only exceptions are when a person is unable to wear a face covering or mask because of a medical or other disabling condition. Speakers may remove masks during their remarks.
• For children between ages 2 and 5, the wearing of a face covering or mask is at the discretion of the child’s parent or guardian. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a face covering or mask. Children under the age of 5 are discouraged from attending the graduation ceremony.
• Any person who refuses to wear a face covering or mask without a valid justification may be denied entry.
Ceremony: Pre, During and Post
• The venue must be cleaned prior to the service, including heavy transit areas and high touch surfaces (e.g. bathrooms, microphones).
• There can be no communal gathering/reception either before or after the graduation.
• No food or drink is allowed.
• The venue must have sufficient access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol available at all entrances and exits. • On the dais/platform, faculty and distinguished guests should be limited and must be seated 6 feet apart.
• Graduates may be invited to walk across the stage individually and turn their tassel in lieu of receiving the diploma. Alternatively, diplomas and awards could be distributed if bestowing the awards and diplomas is done cautiously (e.g. placing each diploma and award on a table as the graduate walks by to retrieve it).
• No hugging or hand shaking should occur.
• Ceremonies should be kept as brief as possible.
• Individuals must promptly depart the premises in an orderly fashion after the ceremony is over following the directions of school officials.
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