September 28, 2018
Dear GCS Families:
It is so hard to believe that we are already at the end of the first month for this school year. So many wonderful moments of growth and new friendships have begun to take place, and there are many smiles and giggles up and down the hallways. It is always as challenging for teachers and families to settle into new routines as it is for children, but we are off to a terrific start.
EMBRACING CHANGE
Each year we embrace a new theme for curriculum enhancement, as well as staff development opportunities and other school-wide events. As our summer unfolded with the intentions of relocating for a portion of the school year, we began with a focus on the concepts of change and transitions. While some of this focus has changed direction slightly, we will continue to explore change, both in how it affects us adults, as well as young children. Specifically, in making transitions within the classroom, within the school building, and from one new school year to the next.
KINDNESS, PEACE & LOVE DAY
A special tradition here at GCS each September is gathering together at our Memory Garden to embrace “Kindness, Peace, and Love Day”. This is our child-friendly way of helping young children embrace the concepts of kindness and caring and for all of us to share and remember the events of September 11th. We gathered as a school to sing one of our favorite songs, “Red, White, and Blue”, held the flag while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance together, and talked about heroes and how everyone can be a hero in their own way.
CURRICULUM NIGHTS
I hope families are enjoying classroom Curriculum Nights and are beginning to learn more about their child’s classroom. We are all here to help ensure that the school year is the best it can be for all of you. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us at the front desk with any questions or concerns.
GCS BOARD HAPPENINGS
GrotonFest
The fall is always such a busy, but fun time here at GCS. The Board of Directors will have a booth at Grotonfest this Saturday so please stop by for a quick hello and a fun art activity if you are planning to attend this fabulous community event.
Annual General Meeting
They will also host our Annual General Meeting and social gathering for families this coming Monday, October 1st at 7:30 PM here at the school. Please join us to mingle with staff, board, and other GCS families, hear about the boards’ goals and accomplishments, and learn more about the school year as well as our Forward Motion Expansion plan.
Fall Fix-Up
GCS is looking for a few good men and women to help us out at our annual Fall Fix-Up. We’d love your help for an hour or two on Saturday, October 13th from 8 AM to 1 PM to tackle some outdoor tasks on the playground and around the school grounds. The Fall Fix-Up is just one more way that GCS volunteers can help with keeping tuition costs down. Look for a sign-up in the front lobby or online if you would help.
GROTON COMMUNITY HOME TOUR
And finally, we are also in the midst of planning our annual Home Tour. This will be the 14th year that Groton Community School has hosted this amazing day of house touring, holiday shopping, and fun. Please save the date of Saturday, November 17th to take part in this exciting fundraiser that fully supports the children and programming of GCS. Please visit the school webpage for more information on how you can help out or join in on the fun at www.grotoncommunityschool.org/home-tour/.
THANK YOU!
A special thank you to photographer, Erin Chapman, for donating her time and resources for our Class Photos last Spring.
We’d like to thank our volunteer bakers for providing food and beverages for Family Orientation Day and the Board of Trustees meeting this month: Jessica Barie, Katie Coutermarsh, Emily Davis, Anne Dowd, Kara Dumont, Donna Haggerty, Molly Igoe, Elizabeth Ly, Erin McAvoy, Shelby Morris, Tracy Noone, Mairead Orpen, Hannah Pugh, Katie Quinn, Stacy Scott, Bethany Whitefield, and Selina Wilder.
There have been many donations made to the school already this year. We like to thank the Brooks family for shape blocks, the Fieberg family for Word World toys, the Green family for flowers, the Lynde family for craft supplies, Joann Marion for a peace plant, the Moores family for a bubble machine, the Novak family for staff snacks, the Ramsay-Gudelot family for books & staff snacks, Betsey Reeves for recyclables, and the Treadway family for dramatic play food and pots & pans.
Please enjoy this special time in your children’s development and embrace the many special moments of growth and change in the year ahead. We are excited about the upcoming months and look forward to sharing the journey with you!
Until next time,
Linda Kosinski
GCS Director
