December 20, 2024

 

Griffin Memorial School News At GMS, We THRIVE

December 20, 2024 GMS Families,          A short message to express our wishes for a Happy, Healthy, and Restful Holiday Break for you. When we return in 2025 we jump right in with exciting events and lots to look forward to.         We have so much gratitude and appreciation. GMS is the greatest school community in the best little community that is Litchfield. We are grateful for all that you do and have done to make this school year successful so far and for all you did in 2024.      May you have the warmest wishes during this time from all of us to all of you. Be Well, Be Curious, and THRIVE, Dan Mitchell, Principal Maura Clinton-Jones, Assistant Principal Upcoming Dates December 23- January 3 No School Holiday Break- Return on 1/6/25 January 20, 2025 No School- Martin Luther King, Jr./ Civil Rights Day GMS News 1st Annual GMS Winterfest Counselors' Corner Please click below for the latest information from our School Counselors Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Perkins Counselors’ Corner News from the PTO Happy Holidays from the PTO! The PTO would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy holiday season and we look forward to seeing you after the new year! Monthly Newsletters - December  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.  January PTO Meeting Please join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, January 14th at 6:30pm via Zoom. We hope you will join us as we hear updates from Mr. Mitchell and Mrs. Clinton-Jones as well as updates about the PTO events and happenings for the second half of the school year! Looking forward to seeing you there! Calling all 4th Grade Families! It is time to start thinking about the 4th grade yearbook. We are starting to collect photos for fall activities from past years and the current year. Please click on the flyer for more information.  Yearbook Advertisements Each year the GMS PTO is proud to present each of our graduating fourth graders with a yearbook that captures memories from their last elementary school year at no cost to families. If you are interested in partnering with us for the upcoming publication, please fill out the sponsorship form. Please contact the yearbook coordinators at GMSyearbook2025@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you for your consideration and support! **All of this information and more may be found on our Facebook Page: GMS PTO NH 2024-2025.** News from the Community Repeated News/ Long Term Info to Know Absence Reporting  At Litchfield School District, one of our greatest priorities is ensuring that all our students arrive safely at school each and every day.  To enhance our existing absence-checking procedure, we now use a more efficient student absence reporting system called SafeArrival.  This  system will reduce the time it takes to verify student attendance, make it easy for you to report your child’s absence and easy for staff to respond to unexplained student absences.  With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods: Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at https://go.schoolmessenger.com). The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence. Use the SafeArrival website, https://go.schoolmessenger.com. The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence. Call the toll-free number 1-833-516-0370 to report an absence using the automated phone system. These options are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.  Future absences can be reported at any time.  In addition, we will use the SchoolMessenger Communicate automated notification system to contact parents whose child is absent when the absence was not reported in advance. The automated notification system will attempt to contact parents at multiple contact points until a reason is submitted for the absence. If our system is unable to reach the designated contacts, office staff will follow up.  If you report your child’s absence in advance using the SafeArrival toll-free number, website or mobile app, you will NOT receive these notifications. SafeArrival Sign Up SafeArrival FAQs SafeArrival Report an Absence Back to School Paperwork Back to School forms are available and need to be completed on the portal. These forms MUST be filled out EVERY YEAR Here is a link to the PowerSchool Parent Portal  Here is a link  to the Portal Quick Reference Guide Chromebook insurance can now be paid through Titan (same for lunch) or by check (Please add student name and "CB Fee" on check memo so that it is applied to proper student) Gr 1-4 Chromebook usage fee is $5 Gr 5-12 Chromebook insurance fee is $20 and free/reduced is $10 From Nurse Alexa Hello GMS families! Back to school is a wonderful time of year, but it also means sharing more than just stories from our summer time vacations. Your students, and the staff, also begin sharing germs! And as we enter the cooler months, the more germs we begin to share. So I wanted to share a few friendly reminders to try and keep everyone healthy; ·         Please do not send your child to school if they are experiencing o    a fever (>100.4°)They must be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications o   Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours o   Continuous coughing not relieved by cough medicine o   Are overall not feeling well (headache, stomach ache, fatigue, etc.) ·         Practice hand washing ·         Practice covering a cough and sneeze ·         Drink lots of fluids ·         Get plenty of rest Linked below is a resource for helping prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. As always, you can reach out to the school nurse with any questions or concerns. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html 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.  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-E): 2:45 Yellow Group (Last Names F-N) 2:52 Blue Group (Last Names O-Z) 3:00 Buses: 3:10 targeted departure  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/

December 13, 2024

 

Griffin Memorial School News At GMS, We THRIVE

December 13, 2024 GMS Families,           The week before the week before a vacation is always an interesting one, add a full moon and Friday the 13th and oh boy! The excitement of the upcoming Holidays is certainly in the air here at GMS. The energy the students bring is the fuel that gets us adults through.         Last night we all got into the Holiday Spirit thanks to our GMS Chorus. Over 60 third and fourth graders, under the direction of Mrs. Wade, filled the CHS Auditorium with the sounds of their talents. This evening is always one of the highlights of the year and last night did not disappoint. Thank you to everyone who came out in support and to enjoy the show.            Thank you everyone who had a part in making this year's book fair a success!  From the people who helped plan, set up, run or break down the fair to every person who made purchases, it is much appreciated!  The book fair sales were over $10,000!  GMS has earned half of that in Scholastic Dollars, which is used to purchase Bookflix, books, STEAM materials, and other items that benefit the school community.   Be Well, Be Curious, and THRIVE, Dan Mitchell, Principal Maura Clinton-Jones, Assistant Principal Upcoming Dates December 23, 2024 Holiday Cheer Day- Dress in Holiday Colors or your favorite Ugly Sweater December 23- January 3 No School Holiday Break- Return on 1/6/25 January 20, 2025 No School- Martin Luther King, Jr./ Civil Rights Day GMS News 1st Annual GMS Winterfest Counselors' Corner Please click below for the latest information from our School Counselors Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Perkins Counselors’ Corner News from the PTO Thank You to Our Holiday Store Volunteers! We are so grateful to everyone who helped make the Holiday Store a success! From our amazing wrappers to our personal shoppers, your hard work and dedication brought smiles to the student’s faces. This event wouldn’t have been possible without your support. Thank you for spreading holiday cheer and making this season brighter for our school community! Monthly Newsletters - December  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.  January PTO Meeting Please join us for our next meeting on Tuesday, January 14th at 6:30pm via Zoom. We hope you will join us as we hear updates from Mr. Mitchell and Mrs. Clinton-Jones as well as updates about the PTO events and happenings for the second half of the school year! Looking forward to seeing you there! Calling all 4th Grade Families! It is time to start thinking about the 4th grade yearbook. We are starting to collect photos for fall activities from past years and the current year. Please click on the flyer for more information.  Yearbook Advertisements Each year the GMS PTO is proud to present each of our graduating fourth graders with a yearbook that captures memories from their last elementary school year at no cost to families. If you are interested in partnering with us for the upcoming publication, please fill out the sponsorship form. Please contact the yearbook coordinators at GMSyearbook2025@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you for your consideration and support! **All of this information and more may be found on our Facebook Page: GMS PTO NH 2024-2025.** News from the Community Repeated News/ Long Term Info to Know Absence Reporting  At Litchfield School District, one of our greatest priorities is ensuring that all our students arrive safely at school each and every day.  To enhance our existing absence-checking procedure, we now use a more efficient student absence reporting system called SafeArrival.  This  system will reduce the time it takes to verify student attendance, make it easy for you to report your child’s absence and easy for staff to respond to unexplained student absences.  With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods: Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at https://go.schoolmessenger.com). The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence. Use the SafeArrival website, https://go.schoolmessenger.com. The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence. Call the toll-free number 1-833-516-0370 to report an absence using the automated phone system. These options are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.  Future absences can be reported at any time.  In addition, we will use the SchoolMessenger Communicate automated notification system to contact parents whose child is absent when the absence was not reported in advance. The automated notification system will attempt to contact parents at multiple contact points until a reason is submitted for the absence. If our system is unable to reach the designated contacts, office staff will follow up.  If you report your child’s absence in advance using the SafeArrival toll-free number, website or mobile app, you will NOT receive these notifications. SafeArrival Sign Up SafeArrival FAQs SafeArrival Report an Absence Back to School Paperwork Back to School forms are available and need to be completed on the portal. These forms MUST be filled out EVERY YEAR Here is a link to the PowerSchool Parent Portal  Here is a link  to the Portal Quick Reference Guide Chromebook insurance can now be paid through Titan (same for lunch) or by check (Please add student name and "CB Fee" on check memo so that it is applied to proper student) Gr 1-4 Chromebook usage fee is $5 Gr 5-12 Chromebook insurance fee is $20 and free/reduced is $10 From Nurse Alexa Hello GMS families! Back to school is a wonderful time of year, but it also means sharing more than just stories from our summer time vacations. Your students, and the staff, also begin sharing germs! And as we enter the cooler months, the more germs we begin to share. So I wanted to share a few friendly reminders to try and keep everyone healthy; ·         Please do not send your child to school if they are experiencing o    a fever (>100.4°)They must be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications o   Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours o   Continuous coughing not relieved by cough medicine o   Are overall not feeling well (headache, stomach ache, fatigue, etc.) ·         Practice hand washing ·         Practice covering a cough and sneeze ·         Drink lots of fluids ·         Get plenty of rest Linked below is a resource for helping prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. As always, you can reach out to the school nurse with any questions or concerns. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html 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.  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-E): 2:45 Yellow Group (Last Names F-N) 2:52 Blue Group (Last Names O-Z) 3:00 Buses: 3:10 targeted departure  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/

December 6, 2024

 

Griffin Memorial School News At GMS, We THRIVE

December 6, 2024 GMS Families,          We hope you all had an enjoyable and restful Thanksgiving Break. Our Book Fair has added a sense of excitement to this week back and it has been great to see the enjoyment that these purchases have brought. It was nice to see so many families take advantage of our Family Shopping Event last evening. This event is not only a great community event but helps to fund some amazing opportunities and resources for our Learning Commons. Thank you to everyone that has had a hand in this from our planning committee to our shoppers and especially to Mrs. Prevel-Turmel.         This week certainly reminded us of what Winter feels like here in NH. As you  prepare your child in the morning we ask that you please remember a few things. If the temperature feels like 20 or above they will go outside for recess. 20 is still cold so please make sure they have everything they need to have a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable time while outside. Also, once snow has taken over the grass areas, students must have sufficient snow gear (hats, jacket, gloves, pants, and boots) to be allowed on the snow. If they are without this gear they will have recess on the blacktop, while this can still be fun, it is nothing like playing in the snow.  Thank you for your assistance in making sure recess is safe and enjoyable.          We have many events coming up not only at GMS but within our community. On Thursday evening, under the direction of Mrs. Wade (Ms. Magoon) our GMS Chorus will put us in the Holiday spirit as they present their Holiday performance at CHS at 6:30. We hope you can join us for this wonderful tradition. Next week, our PTO will also be holding their Holiday Store. This gives the students an opportunity to do a little shopping for those in their lives. There is nothing more adorable than the blending of elementary aged students and the idea of commerce.         Finally, save the date of February 6 as we will be holding our 1st Annual Winterfest. More information will be coming, but this is guaranteed to be a great evening of crafts, community, food, and fun.... oh and did I mention a Bonfire! Be Well, Be Curious, and THRIVE, Dan Mitchell, Principal Maura Clinton-Jones, Assistant Principal Upcoming Dates December 10- 13, 2024 PTO Holiday Store December 11&13, 2024 Dear Edwina- LHS 6:30 PM (Tickets at the Door) December 12, 2024 GMS Holiday Chorus Show- 6:30 @ CHS December 23- January 3 No School Holiday Break- Return on 1/6/25 GMS News 1st Annual GMS Winterfest Absence Reporting  At Litchfield School District, one of our greatest priorities is ensuring that all our students arrive safely at school each and every day.  To enhance our existing absence-checking procedure, we now use a more efficient student absence reporting system called SafeArrival.  This  system will reduce the time it takes to verify student attendance, make it easy for you to report your child’s absence and easy for staff to respond to unexplained student absences.  With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods: Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at https://go.schoolmessenger.com). The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence. Use the SafeArrival website, https://go.schoolmessenger.com. The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence. Call the toll-free number 1-833-516-0370 to report an absence using the automated phone system. These options are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.  Future absences can be reported at any time.  In addition, we will use the SchoolMessenger Communicate automated notification system to contact parents whose child is absent when the absence was not reported in advance. The automated notification system will attempt to contact parents at multiple contact points until a reason is submitted for the absence. If our system is unable to reach the designated contacts, office staff will follow up.  If you report your child’s absence in advance using the SafeArrival toll-free number, website or mobile app, you will NOT receive these notifications. SafeArrival Sign Up SafeArrival FAQs SafeArrival Report an Absence Counselors' Corner Please click below for the latest information from our School Counselors Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Perkins Counselors’ Corner News from the PTO PTO Holiday Happy Grams – Volunteers Needed! The PTO is spreading holiday cheer by sending Happy Grams to all GMS students! We’re looking for volunteers to help assemble holiday bags at home—no volunteer training required. The December Project includes assembling holiday bags with a candy cane and necklace. Minimal crafting is needed—just tie a bow and attach a tag.  Pick up materials by December 6th and return completed items by December 13th. This is a great way to brighten students’ holidays and get involved from the comfort of home. Sign up here to help! Holiday Store We are thrilled to announce that the GMS PTO Holiday Store will be open December 10th, 11th, 12 (13th reserved for inclement weather)! The store is open to K-4 GMS students to enjoy the joy of holiday shopping and pick out gifts for their loved ones. We are in need of volunteers to help the students pick out their perfect gift. Sign up now to volunteer . Inventory forms have started making its way home, a copy can be found here. This year’s Holiday Gift Guide is now available here. December PTO Meeting Please join us for our next meeting on Wednesday, December 11th at 6:30pm via Zoom. We hope you will join us as we hear updates from Mr. Mitchell and Mrs. Clinton-Jones as well as updates about the PTO events and happenings! Looking forward to seeing you there! Holiday Cheer Meal The PTO is planning a holiday lunch for GMS teachers and staff on Thursday, December 19th. If you are interested in donating an item, please click here. No time to shop but would like to contribute? Please contact Sarah Vasil at sarah_willis01338@yahoo.com. Monthly Newsletters - December  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.  Calling all 4th Grade Families! It is time to start thinking about the 4th grade yearbook. We are starting to collect photos for fall activities from past years and the current year. Please click on the flyer for more information.  Yearbook Advertisements Each year the GMS PTO is proud to present each of our graduating fourth graders with a yearbook that captures memories from their last elementary school year at no cost to families. If you are interested in partnering with us for the upcoming publication, please fill out the sponsorship form. Please contact the yearbook coordinators at GMSyearbook2025@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you for your consideration and support! **All of this information and more may be found on our Facebook Page: GMS PTO NH 2024-2025.** News from the Community GMS Daisy Troop Project We are asking for our amazing school to help our Daisy Troop 64205 create 10 boxes full of items that each of our Troop members can bring to the Litchfield Food Pantry! For those of you who do not know much about Girl Scouts, a Daisy is the youngest branch of Girl Scouts. We work with the girls to help them build social skills, learn to be friends and good neighbors, as well as to discover the world around them partly by giving back to our community. Daisy scouts earn Petals and badges while exploring together, finding new skills, giving back to our town, and having adventures. We are hoping that you can help our troop by being a part of our adventure and making a donation. This donation will help meet our troops goal of 10 boxes donated, providing items needed directly to our town, and help our Troop earn a petal! Drop off will be in a tote bin outside @ 10 Blackbird Lane or reach out to Sarah @ 207-615-6921. No time to shop but want to donate Venmo with memo "Daisy Troop" @Sarah-Vasil-1 We are asking for all donations to be dropped off by 12/13, if you are unable to drop off send me a message and I'm happy to coordinate pick up. Daisy Troop: Reverse Advent Calendar Spirit of Litchfield Tree Lighting Give a meaningful gift this holiday season that you don’t need to wrap. Give the gift of life – donate blood with the Red Cross. Your donation can bring hope & help someone through some of life's toughest moments. This drive is held in partnership with the GMS & the GMS PTO on Monday, December 9th from 1:30pm - 6pm at the Open Doors Christian Fellowship. For more information and to schedule, please click here. Students who recruit an adult to sign up will receive a special gift!  Repeated News/ Long Term Info to Know SKI CLUB 2025 is here!  We are pleased to announce that we will be doing both Pat’s Peak on Fridays AND Crotched on Tuesdays! Kids can sign up for one or both programs! As we are not affiliated with schools, all Litchfield kids are able to attend, grades K-12! Both mountains are 37 miles from GMS and approximately 50-55 minutes. Both have a nice learners area, and a nice bar/restaurant for parents to visit while children are skiing or boarding! Full Pricing and details in comments Pat’s Peak Sign Up –  https://www.patspeak.com/plan-your-visit/lessons-rentals/learn-to-ski-ride-program/ Code is GMS2025 for Griffin, LMS2025 for LMS, and CHS2025 for Campbell Crotched Sign Up – https://www.crotchedmtn.com/plan-your-trip/ski-and-ride-lessons/products/slope-days Code is LIT2025 for all kids. Ski Club Coordinators: GMS Coordinator - Melissa Feeley - mkfeeley@gmail.com LMS/CHS Coordinator- Brian Stafford - brian.s.stafford@gmail.com In order to balance out our bus routes, some adjustments have been made. Please see the updated lists below.  2024-2025 GMS AM Bus Schedule - Updated 10.2.24 2024-2025 GMS PM Bus Schedule - Updated 10.2.24 Back to School Paperwork Back to School forms are available and need to be completed on the portal. These forms MUST be filled out EVERY YEAR Here is a link to the PowerSchool Parent Portal  Here is a link  to the Portal Quick Reference Guide Chromebook insurance can now be paid through Titan (same for lunch) or by check (Please add student name and "CB Fee" on check memo so that it is applied to proper student) Gr 1-4 Chromebook usage fee is $5 Gr 5-12 Chromebook insurance fee is $20 and free/reduced is $10 From Nurse Alexa Hello GMS families! Back to school is a wonderful time of year, but it also means sharing more than just stories from our summer time vacations. Your students, and the staff, also begin sharing germs! And as we enter the cooler months, the more germs we begin to share. So I wanted to share a few friendly reminders to try and keep everyone healthy; ·         Please do not send your child to school if they are experiencing o    a fever (>100.4°)They must be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications o   Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours o   Continuous coughing not relieved by cough medicine o   Are overall not feeling well (headache, stomach ache, fatigue, etc.) ·         Practice hand washing ·         Practice covering a cough and sneeze ·         Drink lots of fluids ·         Get plenty of rest Linked below is a resource for helping prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. As always, you can reach out to the school nurse with any questions or concerns. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html 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.  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-E): 2:45 Yellow Group (Last Names F-N) 2:52 Blue Group (Last Names O-Z) 3:00 Buses: 3:10 targeted departure  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/