September 8, 2023

 

Griffin Memorial School News At GMS, We THRIVE

September 8, 2023 GMS Families,              This week will go down in the History Books as the week of weather... It was only fitting that dismissal today involved a storm. Thank you to the parents, students, and staff for adjusting on the fly to ensure that the process was as safe and timely as possible. We are a community that rallies when it needs to and today was yet another example.              In a few weeks, we will be holding our Open Houses. On Tuesday, September 19th from 6:00 - 7:00 PM we welcome out 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.            Picture Day is also coming up on the 19th so be on the lookout for the flyer regarding that.            Here's to weather that feels a bit more autumnal....     Be Well, Be Curious, and THRIVE, Dan Mitchell, Principal Maura Clinton-Jones, Assistant Principal Upcoming Dates September 19, 2023 School Picture Day September 19, 2023 Open House Grade PreK, K & 1 September 21, 2023 Open House Grade 2,3,&4 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.  Girls on the Run - Fall 2023  We believe that every girl is inherently full of power and potential.  As the leaders of their lives, these are the girls that will change the world.   At Girls on the Run, we inspire girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate  what makes them one of a kind. Each session is led by trained volunteer coaches  who guide and mentor the girls through dynamic discussions, activities and running  games. Lessons are fun and engaging and teach specific skills and strategies such  as how to manage emotions, help others, make intentional decisions, and resolve  conflict. Girls can then use these strategies at home, at school and with friends.  The program culminates with all participants walking or running a celebratory 5K  event, which gives them a tangible sense of accomplishment, as well as a framework  for setting and achieving life goals.   The 10-week program is for girls in 3rd, and 4th grades of all fitness abilities.   Practice Times: Mondays and Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:30 PM   Start Date: week of September 11   Location: Griffin Memorial School   5K Celebration Event: November 18 (Concord, NH)   To learn more about Girls on the Run, registration or financial assistance, please  visit our website:   https://www.girlsontherunnh.org/   Program lottery registration will open on August 7.   No girl will be turned away for financial reasons. GOTR-NH is a 501© 3 organization. Contact Rachel Maynard: 603-778-1389 or 117 Water Street, Exeter, NH   News from the SAU/ Superintendent This section is where you will find regular updates from our Superintendent or other SAU offices. News from the PTO PTO Forms Friendly reminder, please be sure to fill out the following forms today, September 8th: GMS PTO Family Directory Volunteer Form Room Parent Form Please note the directory will NOT be posted on Facebook - only those who sign up will be emailed a link.  First PTO Meeting of the School Year Please join us for our first meeting on Monday, September 11th at 6:30pm via  Zoom. Come meet the board and learn about the PTO! At this meeting we will be reviewing the dates for the upcoming year and voting on the proposed budget. A link will be provided on the PTO FB page (GMS PTO NH 2023-2024). We look forward to seeing you! *Please note our meetings are typically on the second Tuesday of the month, unless otherwise noted. Due to scheduling conflicts, this first meeting will be on a Monday. GMS Back to School Family Fun Night Join us on Saturday, September 16th as the Fisher Cats take on the  vs Somerset Patriots. First pitch at 6:35pm. Exclusive on the field experience for GMS students! Please click here for tickets and more information! 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! 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! 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 Fellowship Room Time: Thursday, Sep. 21, 6:30PM This program is open to all ages--bring the whole family! 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! Registration required. Please register each person separately through Aaron Cutler Memorial Library. Presented in partnership with Litchfield Community Church.    Email  Text 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/