March 12, 2021

 

Griffin Memorial School News

March 12, 2021 Dear GMS Families,                                                                                                   It was one year ago on this Friday, on a day that felt very much like today, that our lives and ideas about schooling changed dramatically and rapidly. I want to give time to the significance of this day, but also to the incredible work, growth, creativity, and perseverance that has followed. Although I was not a part of GMS last year, the experience was similar regardless of where one was. We left school on Friday, not entirely sure what Monday would look like, but never imagining things would last as long as they have or change as much as they have. In the days, weeks, and months that followed we discovered how to work together to provide for the children despite the situation or circumstances. The phrase Community of Learners took on a definition that no one could predict or even imagine.          This time has not been without its challenges. There have been frustrations, anxious moments, disagreements, and tears. I, by no means, want to negate or belittle the struggles that this time has brought. It has not been easy, but nonetheless it has also been done. We have worked together, leaned on each other, learned from one another. The levels of grace and patience shown has been inspiring. The hope for better days drives us now to continue this work and band together to see this work through.         As mentioned, I was not with you at the beginning of this, however coming in midway through, has provided me a unique insight into the strengths of this school and this community. On this one year mark, I thank you all for your part in providing your children a safe space to learn full of grace, patience, creativity, and curiosity. Our theme of Be Curious has helped us through this time, and it is in no small part due to the buy in and support that you have shown in this concept of curiosity and embracing the unknown in hopes of better days ahead and extraordinary days now... Be Well, Be Safe, and Be Curious, Dan Mitchell, Principal Maura Clinton- Jones, Assistant Principal Upcoming Dates March 17,2021  12:00- 2:00 Litchfield Child Find GMS News Weekly COVID Numbers Currently we have Zero positive cases associated with the school community.  We continue to monitor the situation and will communicate out when necessary.  Girls on the Run  Attention 3rd and 4th graders! Registration is now open for girls on the run! The season starts the week of April 5th. Girls on the run is a physical activity-based youth development program designed to enhance girls’ social, emotional and physical skills. We will meet on Mondays and Thursdays at GMS from 3-430. We will end the season with a 5k celebration! We will be following covid guidelines. Register online at https://www.girlsontherunnh.org/Our-Locations Please click HERE for more information. A message from Ms. Poli and Mrs. Hayes Join Ms. Poli and Mrs. Hayes today for a parent information session on "Working with Challenging Behavior" at 10:30 AM or 6:30 PM. Click the link below to join the Google Meet! https://meet.google.com/kqu-igrw-okd News from the SAU/ Superintendent No News At This Time News from the PTO Next PTO Meeting Our next virtual GMS PTO Meeting will be on Tuesday, March 16 at 6:30pm (postponed from March 9 due to no school that day).  We will be discussing Teacher Appreciation Week, Yearbook and 4th grade activities, and planning for some virtual spring events.  The Zoom information is:  Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86290160582?pwd=cFJBNWdtRnI0ZkQ2NXRsekkyY0llZz09 Meeting ID: 862 9016 0582 Passcode: 344883 As always, please let us know if you have any questions!  - Heidi Ames (hames@mooreames.com) and Jenny Eisenbeis (jeisenbeis@gmail.com).  PTO March Activity Calendar Please click HERE for a fun activity calendar the PTO has put together to enjoy as a family. News from the Community The Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains have a few events coming up in the local area. Animal Dance Party Let’s Get Moving Repeated News and Announcements A Note from Mrs. Seabrook The children are having tons of fun playing at recess, either in or out of the snow. As a result, their masks are getting quite wet and often need replacing after recess.  If possible could each student have an extra mask in their backpack to provide a replacement if necessary after recess? I do have paper masks here, but children are always more comfortable in their own masks. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Child Find Litchfield School District will be hosting our annual "Child Find Program"  Wednesday  March 17, 2021 from 12:00 PM- 2:00 PM. This program is open to all Litchfield residents regardless of enrollment at GMS. If your child is between the ages of 2 1/2 to 5 years 11 months, and you have concerns about their development, vision, hearing, coordination or speech, please reach out to Courtney Beach  to schedule an appointment by calling 603-424-5931 x 1120 or emailing cbeach@litchfieldsd.org. From the Learning Commons I am excited to announce that the Litchfield School District now has the SORA app available to all students.  This is a library of ebooks and audiobooks that can be borrowed from any computer, tablet or Smartphone. I have included a couple of videos to get you started. SORA overview Parent Information If you search using Litchfield's zip code (03052), you can add two collections to the Litchfield School District one:  NH State Library and NH Schools Shared Digital Collection.  Please help your children to be able to take advantage of these book borrowing opportunities.  They could find the SORA app in their Google apps as well and will need to log on using their Litchfield School District Google account.  If you have any questions, please let me know by contacting me at mprevelturmel@litchfieldsd.org. Enjoy! Melina Prevel-Turmel A Message for Families This past year has certainly presented many challenges that may be difficult for adults and this can be even more true for children. Although we may work hard to insulate our children from troubling events happening in our world, they are perceptive and can be impacted by things they do not fully understand. The National Association of School Psychologists offers the following tips on Helping Your Child Cope with Challenging Events. If you would like any additional support for your family, the following resources are available: Jennifer Hayes, GMS School Counselor (424-5931 x1106) Marie Polichronopoulos, GMS School Psychologist (424-5931 x1160) Waypoint Family Services (603-518-4000) LifeStance Health (603-883-0005) NH Substance Misuse & Addiction Helpline (1-844-711-4357) Crisis Text Line (Text 741741) If you or a family member is showing any of the Warning Signs of Suicide, please get help as soon as possible by calling the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or Crisis Text Line (Text 741741). Absence Reporting Email The GMS office now has a dedicated email address to use to report your child tardy or absent:  GMSabsences@litchfieldsd.org. You can also find it on the Griffin Memorial School homepage, on the top, left side under “ABSENCES”. When you send an email please include the following information:                 *Child’s first and last name                 *Teacher                 *Reason for absence If you would prefer to leave a voicemail message when your child is absent or tardy you are still welcome to call 424-5931 and then hit “6” when you hear the automated message. Please remember to include the above information in the voice message. Please note that when you email or leave a voice message saying that your child “will be out” then the absence is recorded as unexcused. Please tell us the reason for the absence so it is documented correctly. Don't forget to join the GMS SEL classroom with Mrs. Hayes and Ms. Poli.  Click the link  to join  https://classroom.google.com/c/MTQyODg4MjYzNDIy?cjc=333dr33 End 68 Hours of Hunger Litchfield Schools are pleased to inform you about a free, confidential food program which provides students with meals from Friday after school until they return on Monday morning. The program is sponsored by “End 68 Hours of Hunger,” a local, private food program whose mission is to help families feed their children over the weekends. If meeting the weekend nutritional needs of your child is challenging at this time, we would like to help meet that need. All food is non-perishable as well as easy to prepare and we do our best to accommodate food allergies when necessary. Guaranteeing your child’s confidential participation in the program is also a top priority. For additional information or to sign up, please contact Jennifer Hayes, GMS School Counselor, at 424-5931 x1106 or jhayes@litchfieldsd.org. Powerschool Parent Portal This summer we switched our Student Information System to Powerschool. As part of Powerschool, you are able to access the Parent Portal in the Unified Classroom feature of this system. Please follow the link below to set up you parent portal account. Please contact the main office if you have an issues creating an account. For Parents - Directions for Parent Access

229 Charles Bancroft Hwy. Litchfield, NH 03052 (603) 424-5931 Past Editions of the GMS School News can be found at: https://griffinnhnews.blogspot.com/