GROTON MONTHLY GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT E-NEWSLETTER: MARCH 2020

INSIDE THIS ISSUE ... Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities Food Services Remote Learning New Google Site Student Services Supports Other Ideas Social Distancing vs. Social Isolation Reminders Census 2020 Kindergarten & UPK Registration School Calendar 20-21 Other Resources IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS Per the Governor's order, currently, all NYS schools are closed until Wednesday, April 15, 2020. NYSED has canceled all 3-8 Assessments for ELA, Math & Science for the 2019-2020 school year. There are several other school-related issues that we are awaiting further information and decisions about from NYSED and the Governor's Office: Regents Exams Spring Sports Seasons Please continue to check the website for updated information and resources. We are also sending regular SchoolMessenger (robo) calls when new information is released.

Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities We hope that this newsletter finds you and your family safe and healthy. "March Madness" has taken on a whole new meaning with the COVID-19 pandemic. These are certainly unprecedented times that have created many challenges for many people. Circumstances have changed so quickly and we have been forced to respond... moving to remote learning, working from home, bus drivers transporting food instead of children, navigating child care, and visiting loved ones through windows or screens. This list goes on and on and most of us are just doing our best to manage it all. There is no question that change is difficult. The challenge is finding the strength and courage to look at these obstacles as opportunities to think differently, to be more creative and innovative and to come together to support one another. The beauty in this mindset is the energy, inspiration and hope it renews in each of us as we all play our part. We are so proud of how hard our faculty and staff are working to help students and families figure out this 'new normal' and navigate these unchartered waters. We hope that the additional resources in this newsletter are helpful.

Delivering More Than Food We can't say enough about our food service staff for their commitment to making sure our students are fed daily. They have been working hard to provide breakfasts and lunches for students throughout the district. We are currently packing around 700 breakfasts and lunches daily for delivery and pickup. Thank you for keeping our students' bellies full! Our bus drivers and aides are serving as the couriers for these meals, but they are delivering more than just food. They are spreading messages of hope and kindness that are putting smiles on faces and filling hearts with gratitude during this challenging time. If your situation has changed and you would like to be added to the meal delivery runs, please contact Food Services Director, Kelley Neville - kneville@grotoncs.org. A couple of things that have been helpful for food deliveries: Leaving a cooler or lunch tote at the end of the driveway or on the mailbox to drop the meals into. Keeping dogs inside when the bus arrives or during the delivery times (8:15-11:15 am). We have had several aides chased by dogs and we appreciate your help keeping everyone safe!

Spring Break Food Needs GSCD is lending a helping hand to our students' families that are struggling during this time. In preparation for spring break (April 6-10), when we will not be delivering our daily meal runs to our families, we will be using funds from our Groton Harvest grant (supported by the Park Foundation) to distribute 100 food boxes that will include 7 days worth of meals to our families in greatest need. Meal boxes will include breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that will feed a family of five. This giveaway will take place this Friday, April 3rd at the Village Pavillion on Main Street starting at 11am until 1pm or until gone. Due to constraints with food supplies, we are asking that families with the most need be serviced first. Please click on the link below for more information. Link to "Week of Meals" flyer

'Social Distancing' vs. 'Social Isolation' Social distancing does not have to mean social isolation. Here are some ways people are staying connected to family and friends. Call . Set aside time in the day to catch up with a phone call.   Text . This may be the easiest and most preferred method for many.  Write . Write a letter, card or note to someone. Find a “PenPal” and exchange written correspondence. Or go digital and create a shared google document to communicate more frequently. Virtual Social Hour . Set up a virtual social hour with friends and family using video chatting applications like Zoom, Google Hangouts Meet, Facetime or Houseparty.  Visit . If you have an elderly or more vulnerable family member or friend, consider visiting their residence for some ‘face-to-face’ time through a window (hop on the phone so it is easier to hear each other). For some, physically seeing someone they love is essential to their well-being. Do Together, Apart . This may require a little more creativity, but think outside the box on ways to share some of the things you love to do with others. Using video applications figure out how to bake, workout, read, play games or make art together.   Acts of Kindness . Simple acts of kindness can spread love and hope without ever having to come in contact with someone. Here are some examples: bake banana bread and leave it at a neighbor’s house, paint rainbows or draw uplifting pictures and drop them at your local nursing home to give to the residents, chalk positive messages on the sidewalk, or say thank you to someone who has done something nice for you!

REMOTE LEARNING RESOURCES

Click on the image above to check out our newly created, Groton Resources page. This page contains links to all the Google Classrooms codes, other learning applications and classroom resources for the elementary and junior-senior high school sorted by grade levels (ES) and courses (JSHS).

Check out the new Student Services Google Classroom (GC) using the code: 4nhre3h . The GC includes social emotional learning (SEL) supports, mental health resources, and ways to contact the Student Services team.

Remember, we are all in this together. It is not easy, but let's focus on and be grateful for what we do have. Here are some links for ideas when you are spending 'extra' time with your family! Making the Most of School Closures Creative Ways to Keep Your Family Sane During COVID-19 Self-Sufficient Kids

REMINDERS

CENSUS 2020 The 2020 Census is a count of every person who lives in the United States and its territories. Responding to the census helps your community get its fair share of funding. Census data guides how more than $675 billion in federal funding is distributed to states and communities each year for schools, health care facilities, roads, transportation, recreation centers, social services, and more. You have the power to shape your future, and the future of all children, by counting everyone in your home in the 2020 Census. Go to 2020CENSUS.GOV to submit your household census information and to learn more about how the GCSD benefits from the census count. 2020-2021 SCHOOL CALENDAR (click on link) CHILD CARE RESOURCES: Childcare supports are still available for essential workers. Please contact the Child Development Council (607-273-0259) to get connected with available child care providers. FOOD RESOURCES: The Groton Food Pantry (GFP) is located at 101 McKinley Ave. in the Joyce Crouch Benevolence Building and is open the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 5:30-7:00pm. For more information please contact the GFP Coordinator, Jess Stone, at (607) 592-4825. Loaves and Fishes is another possibility. Meals are served to-go outside St. John’s Episcopal Church on 210 N. Cayuga St on M/W/F from 12-1pm and T/TH from 5:30-6:30pm. If you have questions, please email info@loaves.org or call the office at (607) 272-5457. BABY PRODUCTS: The county has made available a limited amount of baby formula and diapers. Please call '211' for more information.

2020-21 Kindergarten... Registration is open! If you have a child that is eligible for entry please call 898-5853. To be eligible to begin school in September 2020, the child must have been born on or before December 1, 2015. 2020-21 Prekindergarten... Registration is open! Please call 898-5853 for an application. To be eligible : Child must reside in the Groton Central School District Meet NYS immunization requirements Selection is determined by a lottery process. Children that are currently in 3-year-old program will have an automatic seat in a 4-year-old classroom. The program is offered at no cost. 3-Year-Old program : Child must be born on or before 12/1/17 Follows the GES calendar 1/2 day classes (8:40-11am and 12:30-2:50pm) 12 seats in the morning class and 12 seats in the afternoon class are available No bus transportation is available 4-Year-Old program : Child must be born on or before 12/1/16 Follows the same calendar and hours as GES Bus transportation is available 54 seats are available

GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT WWW.GROTONCS.ORG 400 PERU ROAD, GROTON, NY 13073 (607) 898-5301