March 31, 2023
Dear GCS Families,
Thank you again for your patience and under-standing yesterday in terms of dealing with the “no school day” call. We know that the cancelation came very late in the morning, and I am sure that the timing made it even more difficult for families to navigate their daily obligations. Unfortunately, without heat and power and the uncertainty of when it would return, we made the decision to follow the public school and let families know of the plan. We know some of you are having a hard time receiving phone messages from us, and we are currently looking into that with our service provider.
Spring Has Sprung
On a positive note, we are certainly excited to see the outside temperatures rising with warmer sunshine and extended daylight. It is especially welcoming at the end of the day, as children can now spend extra time outside on our playscape. Our maintenance worker, Mike, has taken down the swings for children and is working to remove the barriers around the play structures now that the ground has thawed. We love seeing other signs of spring, such as green grass and flowers peeking up, along with the sounds of birds and insects. New spring life is making its mark after a long and cold season. We will definitely need some extra hands after the harsh winter on our playground and hope that many of you can lend some helping hands on the morning of Saturday, May 6th for some playground tasks.
Week of the Young Child
Next week we will be celebrating NAEYC’s “Week of the Young Child,” which is a very special week in the day and life of an early childhood center. This nationally celebrated week honors young children, celebrating their early years of learning, growing, and developing. It also honors all of those who play a role in their young lives: families, caretakers, teachers, and the community. The list is never ending. We will kick the week off on Monday morning by welcoming a special guest, Steve Charlette, for a magic show for children at both 11am and 1:15 pm. To enable all GCS children to participate, if your child is in a TTh Class, we welcome you to attend with them for the 1:15 PM show. We can’t wait to welcome Steve as he promises to be funny, entertaining and magical, of course. Teachers will be treated to a special luncheon, GCS wearables will be for sale, some special community members will be celebrated, and if the weather cooperates, we will gather at our Peace Pole to enjoy special Peace Picnics together. Please see your classroom communication for other exciting events and celebrations in your child’s classroom throughout the week.
GCS Camp
Summer Camp Registration for inhouse families is coming to close at the end of the day TODAY, and acceptance letters are currently being distributed to families. There are very few openings remaining, so please inquire within or email Bonnie if you are interested, as any remaining spaces will be offered out to our new fall families next week. We have been meeting and planning for a summer filled with Oceans of Fun!!
Groton Garden Club
It was exciting to welcome Groton Garden Club members as guest readers in each of our classrooms recently! Members shared a story, their passion for growing things, and also seed packets for each of the children. Prior to their arrival, with the artistic vision of Yellow Room Teacher Monique Meehan, GCS children created an incredible banner in honor of the Garden Club’s 100 birthday. Our sincerest thanks to past GCS parents Kim Daly & Becky Pine, and to Claire Wilson, Tommy Warner, Lisa Murray, Alan Donald, and Jean Claire Shiely!
Congratulations!
We’d like to congratulate the following families on the birth of their babies: The Coffey family on the birth of their daughter (sister, Maeve, is MWF AM Blue Room); the Jarosh family on the birth of their daughter (sister, Imogene, is in the TTh AM Blue Room); and to the Mann family on the birth of their son (brother, Kenny, is in the TTh FD Yellow Room). Congratulations to all!
Thank You!
A very special shout-out to Laura Babin for her willingness to volunteer her time doing anything for GCS during a hiatus between jobs, and to Kate Ferriola for all of her help with our Annual Open House, as well as her dedication to GCS in general. You are appreciated!
We’ve had many donations over the past month or so and would like to thank all of you: To past parent, Kim Daly, for arts & crafts supplies; the Durkin/Cruz family for farm-fresh strawberries; the Harris, King & Smith families for Staff snacks; to past parent, Pat Hartvigsen, for Kente cloth; to the Krywucki family for a children’s book; the Maillet family for sleds; the Neff family for hand soap for staff; to the Peters/Raynor (past family) for Lite Brite sets; and to the Stelzer family (past family) for Ranger Rick magazines.
Happy Spring!
Linda Kosinski, GCS Director
Dates to Remember
Week of April 3rd
GCS Celebrates NAEYC’s
Week of the Young Child
Friday, April 7th
Good Friday
No School
Monday, April 10th
Board Meeting – 7:30 PM
Monday – Friday
April 17th – 21st
Spring Recess
No School
Saturday, May 6th
Spring Spruce-Up
10 AM – 1 PM