Soaring – Summer 2025
The Road to our Community Room
Together, we’ve travelled many steps forward, and are almost to the finish line
We are excited to share a special update with our GCS Community! GCS is close to the finalization of Phase Two for our Forward Motion Campaign, taking our Community Room from an empty shell to a fully finished room. Construction is almost complete for this vibrant, multipurpose space, which will soon stand ready to fulfill its role as the heart of our school.
The impact of this new space will be profound. While the Community Room will provide children with a dedicated indoor area and equipment for large motor activities— essential for building physical strength, social skills, and emotional regulation and wellbeing—it will serve many other purposes, as well.
A highlight of our Community Room will be the stage, dedicated in memory of our beloved GCS friend, past parent, and talented musician, Wendy Frank. Other features—a “green room” for children’s performances, a built-in projector and screen, and a kitchenette to support social events—will culminate in a room designed for flexibility and creativity. This space will be used not only during the school day for programming and enrichment, but also for community gatherings, board and volunteer meetings, staff trainings, classroom celebrations, and special presentations. From imaginative play and movement, to musical performances and family events, the Community Room will be a dynamic hub for learning, connection, and joyful exploration.
The remaining essential need for this project is to furnish the Community Room with beautiful adult chairs that will enable comfortable seating for the many remarkable events. With the continued support of our generous community, this final addition will ensure the room is fully equipped for comfortable and meaningful gatherings for all.
We’re almost there—and your support can help us cross the finish line. GCS continues to rely on its community to bring this special space to life, and every gift, big or small, makes a lasting difference!
Please be on the lookout for a Community Room Open House invitation this fall—we can’t wait to celebrate with you and share all that this incredible new space will offer!
Thank you for helping GCS create a place where children can move, imagine, and thrive. With your support, we can finish what we’ve started—together.
A Heartfelt Thank You from GCS Director, Linda Kosinski
I’m writing to you as we approach the end of another busy and joyful year at Groton Community School. Like many years before, it was filled with laughter, exploration, friendship, and growth. And yet, no two years at GCS are ever quite the same—each one brings new discoveries, fresh challenges, and endless opportunities to learn.
Our dedicated teaching staff never tire of watching children’s faces light up as they enjoy a favorite book or game, try different activities, or master a brand-new skill.
As a loyal GCS donor, you play a meaningful role in making those moments—and those smiles—possible. Thank you for being part of the magic!
In this issue of Soaring, you’ll find an update on the completion of Phase Two of our Forward Motion Campaign: the completion of our Community Room. We are thrilled to see this amazing space that will be the future hub of so many activities and experiences coming to life.
You’ll also read about this year’s school-wide theme, A Sense of Belonging, which beautifully reflects our long-standing commitment to kindness, caring, and community engagement. These values have been at the heart of GCS since its founding nearly 80 years ago.
We’re especially proud to share an alumni spotlight on Rob Grove, who credits his GCS experience with shaping both his career and his approach to life. His story is a wonderful reminder of the lasting impact early childhood education can have.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to share more this fall about our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, currently being developed. This plan builds on our strong foundation with thoughtful goals, including fundraising and a redesigned outdoor playground, enhancements to the Community Room, curriculum updates, technology upgrades, and a refresh for our website.
Thank you for making everything at GCS possible. Your generosity and support mean the world to us—and to the children we are so proud to serve.
Warm regards,
Linda Kosinski
Director, Groton Community School
A Sense of Belonging at GCS
Here at Groton Community School, we take our middle name to heart. A Sense of Belonging, this year’s school-wide theme, has been woven into everything we do and is at the core of making our school “a place for children and families to feel a sense of belonging, and to learn and grow together.” Through classroom
curriculum activities, staff development, and social gatherings, we strive to create an environment where children develop a positive self-concept and where diverse cultures, backgrounds, and family experiences are reflected, acknowledged, and celebrated. Our goal is to make every child, parent, caregiver, and staff member feel welcomed, respected, and valued under our school’s “big umbrella.”
To support this theme, GCS has embraced the song You Belong! by Primrose Schools this year. This joyful song, which can often be heard throughout the school, and has become a touchstone throughout the GCS Community. We have also adopted some of the lyrics as a mantra to begin each staff meeting together:
“I am someone special.
My heart is kind and strong.
And all the things that make me different,
They make me belong.
You are someone special.
Your heart is kind and strong.
And all the things that make you different,
Linda Kosinski
Director, Groton Community School
They make you belong.
We Belong!”
These words reflect our commitment to kindness, caring, and a positive self-concept instilled in everyone.
In Loving Memory: Tara Swane Lynch
“They may forget what you said—but they will never forget how you
made them feel.”
— Maya Angelou
We want to share and honor the passing of a beautiful soul, Tara Swane Lynch. Tara was a beloved GCS alumna who passed away early last fall and left a deep hole in the lives of many. She was a gifted glass artist who shared her work and passion with all of those she loved. She is fondly remembered for her magnetic energy and the joy she brought to all of those around her. She had a magical gift for lighting up any room and a genuine appreciation for life’s smallest moments—reminding others to embrace each day with purpose and gratitude. Described by those who knew her as charismatic, animated, and the life of the party, Tara’s spirit lives on in the memories she created and the lives she touched.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Tara’s loving parents, Gerry and Donna, and her best friend and sister, Cailyn.
The time did go by too quickly!
Caroline Bouris: A Lasting Commitment to GCS
Caroline Bouris has a deep and lasting connection to the GCS community. Her journey began over thirteen years ago when her daughter Olivia enrolled in the Toddler Program, eventually attending for four years, culminating with Kindergarten.
“GCS was such a remarkable place. It was purposeful learning from the very beginning,” Caroline shared, reflecting on her early impressions of the school. “The teachers, the leadership, the energy—they made a lasting impact on our family.”
Caroline’s appreciation for Groton Community School quickly grew into active involvement. She joined the Board of Directors in 2014, eager to give back to a school that had given her family so much, and she currently serves as a GCS Trustee. Now, as Olivia prepares to start high school,
Caroline continues to see the benefits of a GCS foundation. “Olivia recently applied to a veterinary camp at Tufts Grafton all on her own. The confidence and independence she shows today were nurtured at GCS,” she said proudly.
In addition to volunteering, Caroline has been a faithful donor to the GCS Annual Fund. “When I think about the experience Olivia had, I want other families to have that same opportunity,” she explained. “Supporting GCS helps ensure its incredible mission continues for future generations.”
Caroline also values the way GCS supports not just children, but families. “They teach parents and grandparents how to help little humans grow into fully functioning adults,” she reflected. Lifelong friendships formed during Olivia’s early years remain an important part of her family’s life today.
Looking back on the school’s recent Forward Motion building renovation and expansion, Caroline is proud to have been part of the community that made it possible. “The people at GCS have always been phenomenal. Now, the building matches their passion and hard work.”
Grateful for the role GCS has played in her family’s life, Caroline offers a simple message to those considering a gift to the school: “Groton Community School touches lives in ways you may not expect. It builds not just young children, but families— and a stronger community.”
Look Who’s Soaring Now!
Rob Grove
GCS holds a special place in Rob Grove’s family! Rob, like his brothers, attended Groton Community School, and he participated in the Toddler, Preschool and Pre-K programs from 1991 to 1994. After Rob finished Pre-K, his mother, Shelley Grove, joined the school’s teaching staff and went on to dedicate over 20 years to nurturing young learners at GCS.
Rob remembers a strong emphasis on kindness, outdoor exploration, and appreciation for nature while attending GCS. “I have vivid memories of playing outside on the old playground,” he shared. “It always felt like there was encouragement to be kind to each other and to appreciate the world around us.”
Today, Rob owns and operates a successful construction company based in Dunstable, MA, doing much of his work in Groton. After earning degrees in marketing and finance from UMass Lowell and spending time in the corporate world, Rob discovered his true passion for building and creating with his hands. “Looking back, it makes sense,” he said. “I was always building forts and ramps with my friends. It’s in my blood.”
Outside of work, Rob is a passionate musician. Over the years, he’s been part of many bands and music projects and has helped inspire a thriving community of musicians in Groton. In the winter, Rob loves snowboarding, a lifelong hobby that has taken him to mountains around the world.
Rob’s connection to GCS has come full circle. His daughter, Juliana, is currently enrolled in the Aqua Room, and his son, Alden, will be joining her there this fall. “Based on my own experience and seeing my mom’s passion for GCS, it was an easy choice,” Rob said. “The values that made
GCS special—kindness, creativity, a love for learning—are still just as strong today.”
His advice for today’s GCS families? “Kindness matters! The lessons your children learn here stay with your family for life.”