SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE TO OUR GRADUATES
Congratulations to the Class of 2021 and to all of your families… it has been quite a journey!
In 1945, a psychologist by the name of Karl Dunker conducted an experiment on people’s ability to problem-solve. The experiment involved giving the participants a single task: to fix and light a wax candle onto a wall so the candle wouldn’t drip wax on the table below. Participants were given three materials: A candle, a book of matches, and a box of thumbtacks. People tried a bunch of methods, including the use of melted wax to stick the candle to the wall and an excessive amount of thumbtacks. The best solution, however, was much more effective. Dump out the box of thumbtacks, tack the box to the wall, and then put the candle in the box.
Interesting to note, his experiment showed that when presented with the thumbtacks in the box, participants often failed to solve the problem. However, if the thumbtacks were placed outside of the box, participants saw the box as an available material to use and were much more successful.
Karl Dunker was measuring a concept psychologists referred to as functional fixedness, which has to do with our brain’s tendency to see things as they are presented to us. Much of the time, this is very beneficial to humans. As someone once told me, imagine being handed a cup of coffee and trying to use it as a hat.
So let’s apply this to something this class seems to have an affinity to: Rocks. Rocks can be viewed as “rock solid,” steady in times of trial and tribulation, and able to “weather” most storms. They can have several unique characteristics: shiny, porous, rough… You know - all those things you learned in earth science class. Kind of like humans. We are all unique. But rocks can also be stagnant. If we choose to live our lives as rocks, it can limit our creativity and close us off to new ideas. My challenge to you all is to be aware of your own functional fixedness and be willing to challenge the way you presently view things in life. Who knows? If you present an idea in a different way, you may spark someone else’s creativity as well. And who knows what will come out of that? For all of you, the sky’s the limit!
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Mission
Empower all students to reach their fullest potential and thrive in a diverse, ever-changing world.
Vision
Ignite the passion for learning and inspire unique pathways to success.
Core Beliefs
Students are our first priority. No exceptions.
All can learn and grow.
We encourage creative and innovative thinking.
Data informs our decisions.
We act with integrity, professionalism, trust, and fairness.
All deserve a safe, secure, and nurturing environment.
We treat each individual with respect, compassion, and dignity.
We promote family and community involvement.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2021!
YOU ROCK!
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Thank you John Brehm for capturing the special day for our seniors!
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Congratulations to our senior student-athletes heading off to college to continue their athletic careers!
Morgan Gunn - TC3 - Basketball & Softball
Emma DeMatteo - Russell Sage College - Soccer
Sophia Bell - Utica College - Soccer
Jackson Slade - ESF - Cross Country & Track & Field
Kalib Manning - Alfred University - Football
James Lucey - Hartwick College - Basketball
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COME & EAT!
The Summer Feed Program starts July 6 and runs through August 13. It provides FREE summer meals to any kid under 18. Stop by the Groton Elementary School cafeteria Monday-Friday between the hours of 8-9am for breakfast and 11am-12pm for lunch. Or you can stop by the Groton Pavilion to pick up breakfast and lunch in one-stop between 9-10:30am Monday-Friday. No applications are needed. Stop by and fuel up for a fun summer! If you have questions, please contact Food Service Director, Kelley Neville @ 898-4516.
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End of the Year Highlights |
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7th & 8th grade ELA students wrote and illustrated narrative poems to be published in a class book. Students all submitted their poems to the National Library of Poetry annual contest. Last year, the following 8th graders won and had their poems published in the National Library of Poetry: Alyssa Slater, Morgan Wyllie, JT Holl, and Emily Trejo. Congrats! |
Congratulations to the seven students who chose to go above and beyond the classroom to participate in the National French Contest! French 8: Willow Orr and Emily Trejo; French 2: Drew Bush and Jadyn Craig. Drew received the status of Honorable Mention earning a chapter rank of 17th place, a national rank of 19th place, and placing in the 65th national percentile. French 3: Mathias Brehm and Julia Ramey; French 4: Emma Kennett. Emma will receive a silver medal having earned a chapter rank of 6th place, a national rank of 13th place, and placing in the 85th national percentile. |
Thank you to Ms. Hogan and the Jr High teachers for making the last day of school so fun! |
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The 7th grade ELA & History Literacy Course integrated English and history to enhance reading efficiency through students' increased understanding of how to construct meaning from narrative, expository, and digital literature. Students read The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave by Frederick Douglass. They also had the opportunity to interview Dr. David Blight who has been featured on PBS, BBC, & MSNBC: Morning Joe for documentaries and interviews. Currently, he is a Sterling Professor of U.S History at Yale University and the Director of the Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance and Abolition, McMillan Center for International & Area Studies. Students were also able to visit the Frederick Douglass statue and gravesite in Rochester, NY.
Check out the newscast below!
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Congratulations to our 5th-grade graduates! Enjoy the summer and good luck with your transition to the Jr-Sr High School! |
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Congratulations to our youngest future graduates!
"You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!"
~Dr. Seuss
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Anastasia... a musical masterpiece!
Congratulations to the cast and crew for putting on an outstanding show this year! Thank you to Mrs. Twitchell and the Drama Club for all your hard work in allowing the show to go on!
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CDI Follow-Up
On June 21, faculty and staff at Groton CSD hosted Dr. Sharroky Hollie, a national educator who provides professional development to thousands of educators in the area of culturally responsive teaching and learning. He shared the importance of being aware of, sensitive to, and understanding of ALL students to build more powerful and meaningful relationships to increase student engagement. We are looking forward to continuing our work with Dr. Holle in the coming school years.
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Distinguished Alumni
Elizabeth (Betty) Conger was the 2021 Distinguished Graduate Hall of Fame inductee because of her many accomplishments and positive impact on the community. Betty graduated from Groton Central School in 1960. She has many accomplishments that were achieved through being involved with the American Legion. Her accomplishments with the American Legion include: being a 44-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary, awarded an honorary life membership with the American Legion Auxiliary in 1998, served as the American Legion Auxiliary Sixth District of the State of New York president, served as an instructor and associate dean for the American Legion Auxiliary College, and served as president of local American Legion Auxiliary, the Carrington-Fuller Post 800. Betty has also had many other accomplishments in addition to the American Legion. Those accomplishments include serving on the Board of Directors of the Groton Business Association, including as vice president and treasurer. She served 21 years as a member of the Groton Village Board of Trustees including as police commissioner and park commissioner. She serves as a member of the joint Town and Village Recreation Committee and the Groton Youth Commission. Lastly, she serves as representative for the village of Groton on the Tompkins County Council of Government. With all that Betty has accomplished and impacted, it is easy to say that being inducted into the Graduate Hall of Fame is well-deserved.
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Congratulations to our National Honor Society inductees! Students were inducted based on the merit of their academic, service, leadership, and character qualities. Continue to hold yourself to high standards and push yourself to be the best version of you, you can be!
2021: Elisa Allen, Natalia Bell, Lucas Darling, Alyssa DeForrest, Eric Deuel, Mackenzie Hamilton, Austin Hunt, Jillian Lucey, Mattison Lucey, Dianna Nino, Thomas Pinkowski, Devyn Roberts, Mason Slade, & Kayla Todd
2020: Rachel Cargian, Chloe Conger, Mike Cooper, Abby Dykeman, Kael Eldred, Madison Howell, Bryanna Jacobs, Emma Kennett, Noah McCormick, Madelyn Redfield, Dylan Sedorus, Hailey Van Alstine
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(click on images above and below to view) |
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MUSIC TO OUR EARS
Please enjoy the spring concert series by our Jr. and Sr. High band and chorus ensembles. Click on the images to listen & view each concert. Also, if you are interested in joining the Outdoor Cabaret click on the Invite button below.
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20-21
STEAM SHOWCASE
(click on image to the right)
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OTHER REMINDERS & INFO
Student Registration
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Kindergarten Registration - please contact the GES main office if you have a student you need to register - 607-898-5853.
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Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) - There are a few more spots left in the UPK program. If you are interested please call 607-898-5853.
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GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
WWW.GROTONCS.ORG
400 PERU ROAD, GROTON, NY 13073
(607) 898-5301
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