Friday, September 15, 2023

September 15, 2023

 


Griffin Memorial School News

At GMS, We THRIVE

September 15, 2023
GMS Families,  
               The first full, five day week is in the books. After the ease in back from summer, we are now full steam ahead. The routines are now more established and progress and growth are underway. 
            As a reminder, next week we will be holding our Open Houses. On Tuesday, September 19th from 6:00 - 7:00 PM we welcome our PreK, K, and Grade 1 families; on Thursday, September 21st from 6:00 - 7:00 PM we welcome our Grades 2, 3, & 4 families. Please bring your student and let them show you their school, classroom, and teachers.  We will be running our Volunteer Trainings and Annual Sign Offs at these Open Houses. If you think you would like to volunteer in any capacity (room parent, field trip chaperone, class party helper, etc.) now is the time to get that training and verification completed. Instructions can be found HERE.  
           On September 27th at 6:30, we, along with the School Board, will be hosting a Community Forum regarding the future of GMS. This evening will include building tours and a community discussion. We hope that you are able to join us on this evening and be part of the conversation. Your voice matters and is important as we plan for the future. More information can be found HERE.
            We hope to see you all at tomorrow night's Fisher Cats' Game!

Be Well, Be Curious, and THRIVE,

Dan Mitchell, Principal
Maura Clinton-Jones, Assistant Principal

Upcoming Dates


September 19, 2023School Picture Day
September 19, 2023Open House Grade PreK, K & 1
September 21, 2023Open House Grade 2,3,&4
September 28, 2023GMS Community Forum and Tours 6:30 PM

GMS News

End 68 Hours of Hunger and the Litchfield School District 2023-2024

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. 

If you’d like to sign up for the program or need additional information, please contact Taryn Staples, School Social Worker, at tstaples@litchfieldsd.org


News from the SAU/ Superintendent

Please make note of our Daily Health Screener as you evaluate whether or not your child should attend school on any given day.

News from the PTO

GMS Back to School Family Fun Night

Join us on Saturday, September 16th as the Fisher Cats take on the Somerset Patriots. First pitch at 6:35pm. Exclusive on the field experience for GMS students! Please click here for tickets and more information!

Pumpkin Festival Planning Meeting

The 6th annual Pumpkin Festival is scheduled for Friday, October 27th from 6pm - 8pm. Join us for the next planning meeting on Wednesday, September 20th at 7:30pm via Zoom. We'd love your help as we plan a fun night for the GMS community!

Griffy Store is Back!

The dates the store will be open can be found here. To keep the store running we need VOLUNTEERS during recess times. Please consider volunteering for one of the slots. You can sign-up here!

Monthly Newsletters

Be sure to read our monthly newsletters where we will highlight important dates and upcoming events, and we'll introduce you to our Executive Board and Coordinators.

PTO September Newsletter

News from the Community

Aaron Cutler Memorial Library Presents:

“Owl & Raptor Encounter”

At the Litchfield Community Church Presbyterian

359 Charles Bancroft Highway ~ In the downstairs Room

Time: Thursday, Sep. 21, 6:30PM

Meet live owls and other raptors, courtesy of local conservation group Tailwinds!

New Hampshire’s fields and woodlands are home to 11 species of owl, as well as a

wide range of other birds of prey. You’ll get to see several of these magnificent

birds up close and learn about their biology, habitats, and natural history. We’ll

also cover environmental concerns, such as the impact of humans on raptors and

other wildlife, and what you can do to help!

This program is open to all ages--bring the whole family!

Presented in partnership with Litchfield Community Church

*Registration is required through Aaron Cutler Memorial Library.


Join the Healthy Kids Running Series at Roy Memorial Park for a fun and easy run series. The fall runs will be on Sundays at 4pm starting on 9/17/23 and running to 10/22/23 with one break for Columbus Day Weekend. Participants can start as young as 2 years old, and distances are determined by age. Sign up at: https://runsignup.com/hkrslitchfieldnh


Repeated News/ Long Term Info to Know

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.

Morning Drop Off Procedures

During the morning drop off, both buses and cars will utilize the big loop. As vehicles pull in please pull as far forward until all cars have stopped. Then you can let your child out of the car. Please then wait until the cars in front of you move before pulling forward. Please DO NOT pass a stopped car or stop at the front door if there is space in front to pull forward. We also ask that you avoid parking in the parking lot and walking your child to the door, this adds pedestrian traffic to car traffic. Our attempt is to make this a safe and fluid process. We understand that some back ups do occur, but this procedure ensures safety of all and limits the length of any delay.

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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