Friday, January 6, 2023

January 6, 2023

 


Griffin Memorial School News

At GMS, We THRIVE

January 6, 2023
GMS Families,

           Happy New Year and Welcome Back! We hope that your break provided you with the time to rest and be with family and loved ones. The students returned on Tuesday ready to take on 2023 and all that it has to offer. This energy helps keep us all going and we are most appreciative for it.

           Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram for our flashback to the 80s pictures from today. There were colors and styles present today that haven't been seen in 30 years... 

            January is a packed month with plenty of activities. This coming Thursday is the School Budget hearing at 7:00 in the CHS auditorium. Later this month we will have a Math and Literacy Game Night. Be sure to come out and enjoy some of these games as a family. Also, this month we will have our first Coffee with the Principal. This is a chance to come together and just talk, no agenda, no presentation, just enjoy a casual coffee, and discuss whatever is on your mind. I hope you can join us. 

            GMS is getting ready to begin registering students for Kindergarten only (PreK registration will open in March) for the 2023-2024 school year. Your child must be 5 years old before October 1, 2023 to be eligible for Kindergarten. Online registration will not be available until later in February, but parents can begin collecting the documents required for registration now. A list of the needed documents can be found at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TPlgp2vWo9tj64rKr5qoNDSi9LlwRejzYrWQgfzvHI0/edit?usp=sharing

Be Well, Be Curious, and THRIVE,

Dan Mitchell, Principal
Maura Clinton-Jones, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates
January 20, 2023Coffee with Mr. Mitchell - 9:00 AM
January 31, 2023GMS Math and Literacy Night 5:30- 7:00 PM
February 13, 20212023-2024 Kindergarten Registration Opens

GMS News

FIRST Lego League Applications are due by 1/13/2023.

Lego League is an opportunity for students to learn about problem solving and teamwork through hands-on building opportunities, research and coding. Applications are open to students in grades 2-4. Teams are limited to 6 members, because there are limited spots available team members will be chosen by lottery. Families will be notified  by 1/18/2023. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Tuesday meetings will start 1/24/2023 and Thursday meetings will start 1/26/2023. 

Please direct all questions to Kristin Starrett at kstarrett@litchfieldsd.org 

The application can be found at this link: https://forms.gle/PdKqLGkTn9ofwCbS7 

News from the SAU/ Superintendent

With winter weather around the corner, a message has gone out reminding parents and staff of the procedures we will follow to delay or cancel school due to inclement weather.  Our goal is to make a decision based upon current safety conditions the morning of the event no later than 5:00 AM.  The school district will provide 5 methods of notification of school cancellation or delay:  Facebook, email, text, website, and WMUR followed by a final phone message.  We will not be contacting any other media outlets, so please be sure to monitor these 6 methods.

News from the PTO

January PTO meeting: Please join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, January 10th at 6:30pm via Zoom. We hope to see you there!

Attention all 4th Grade Families: Here is the link to submit photos for this year's yearbook! This will be the link to submit all current year photos. If you have any questions, please email gmsyearbook2023@gmail.com.

Newsletter: Our January Newsletter includes PTO news as well as a fun winter checklist!

Attention all GMS Volunteers: GMS would like to apply for a Blue Ribbon Award this year and in order to do so, we need to keep track of volunteer hours. We are currently using a Google form to track. Please be sure to enter any time you may have spent volunteering this school year. Some examples include baking for the back to school breakfast bash, volunteering in the library, planning/coordinating an event, etc. Thank you to our volunteers for all that you do!

January PTO Newsletter

News from the Community

No News at this time

Repeated News/ Long Term Info to Know

Though it may be hard to believe, we are getting close to the time of year where weather may become a factor in our school days. While we are not ready to utter the "S Word", please know that Chromebooks will only be issued to students, on Remote Days, if they have paid their insurance. For more information please Follow this link: 

Chromebook Insurance Information

If you need assistance in making these arrangements, please reach out to Mr. Mitchell.

From Food Services

All schools offer breakfast every morning to our students! The cost of breakfast is $1.75, and is open a half hour before school begins!  If you have any questions regarding the school breakfast program please reach out to Food Service Director lcrowley@litchfieldsd.org for more information!"   For Kindergarten families, please use THIS LINK to place a daily order for breakfast.

Hannaford Helps

Do you shop at Hannaford? If you do then please help Hannaford support GMS by just doing your regular grocery shopping!!

Shopping In-Store 

SHOP – Look for shelf tags on over 1,500 participating products.

CHECK OUT – Collect your School Dollars from an associate at checkout.

DEPOSIT – Drop your School Dollars in the Hannaford Helps Schools collection tower in-store.

Hannaford To Go 

SHOP – Look for the apple icon on over 1,500 products online.

CHECK OUT – Receive your School Dollars with your receipt.

DEPOSIT – Drop your School Dollars in the Hannaford Helps Schools collection tower in-store, or send them to school with your child.

End 68 Hours of Hunger and the Litchfield School District 2022-2023

The End 68 Hours of Hunger Program and 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 to school on Monday morning.  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 and easy to prepare.  If your child has any food allergies, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate this need.  Nut products are included for those who are not allergic, but children are informed that they are not to open the bags until a parent can review the contents.  

Each week, bags containing food will be provided to students at school.  Students will bring the bag home on the bus or by whatever mode of transportation they have at the end of the day.  If you prefer, parents may pick up the bag at school. Please contact your GMS School Social Worker Jada Tessier for further information jtessier@litchfieldsd.org.

End 68 Hours of Hunger Sign Up

Pick Up Procedures

Those utilizing parent pick up are asked to fill in the large loop at the designated time. Please have the colored pick up slips that were sent home, as these act as verification for our staff. If you arrive early for your designated time, you will be directed to a waiting line in the parking lot until your group time.

Pink Group (Last Names A-G): 2:45

Yellow Group (Last Names H-O) 2:52

Blue Group (Last Names P-Z) 3:00

Buses: 3:10 targeted departure

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 “2” 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.




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/


                                                                                                



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