Dear caregivers,

As we move through the school year, we want to take a moment to reflect on one of our core values: gratitude. Gratitude is more than just saying "thank you"—it's about fostering a mindset that recognizes and appreciates the good in ourselves, others, and the community around us.

Gratitude to Self: Encouraging our students to practice self-gratitude helps build confidence and resilience. We remind them to acknowledge their own efforts, celebrate their progress, and be kind to themselves during challenges. Taking pride in their growth fosters a positive self-image that supports both academic and personal success.

Gratitude to Others: Relationships thrive when we express our appreciation for those around us. Whether it’s a friend lending support, a teacher providing guidance, or a family member offering encouragement, acknowledging these acts of kindness strengthens bonds and cultivates a sense of belonging.

Gratitude to Community: As part of the GMS family, we are privileged to be part of a caring and supportive community. Encouraging our students to give back—through small acts of kindness or active participation in community initiatives—helps them recognize the value of collective effort and shared purpose.

We invite you to join us in modeling gratitude at home. Whether through family conversations about things you’re thankful for, writing notes of appreciation, or giving back to those in need, your example reinforces this core value in meaningful ways.

Thank you for your ongoing support in fostering a culture of gratitude at GMS. Together, we are helping our students grow into kind, compassionate, and thankful individuals.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Chris

Last school year, Grafton Middle, 6th grade, and Grafton High School piloted mathematics materials and after a rigorous process evaluating curriculum, adopted Illustrative Mathematics for Grade 6 through 10 (Algebra / Geometry 2).

We have been utilizing this resource with fidelity from the start of the school year and are seeing benefits already. This highly-rated problem-based curriculum resource is designed to foster a deep understanding of mathematical concepts through problem-solving and critical thinking .

We believe in the power of working with families and the community, so we would like to share some resources with you to better understand what your child is learning.

General Information for Families - In this link you can find a general overview of Illustrative Mathematics. It will answer the questions:

• What is a problem-based curriculum?
• What supports are in the materials to help my student succeed?
• What can my student do to be successful in this course?

Course Specific Information for Families - In this link, you can find unit summaries, and video lessons to accompany the content your student is learning. Please scroll down until you find the middle school level courses. To find the current materials for your child please click on Grade 7 or 8 then the current unit.

Additionally, you may be interested in the following resources:

Access for English Language Learners

Access for Students with Disabilities

Please reach out to your child's mathematics teacher for more information about how your child can best be supported.

Grafton Middle School is proud to announce the selection of Ella Montville as this year’s Project 351 Ambassador. Ella’s exemplary character, leadership skills, and commitment to her community have earned her this distinguished honor. As a Project 351 Ambassador, Ella will join a select group of eighth-grade students from across the Commonwealth to participate in a year-long service and leadership initiative.

Project 351, founded in 2011, unites students from each of Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns to engage in community service projects, leadership training, and community-building activities. Ambassadors, chosen for their leadership qualities, compassion, and dedication to positive change, embody the values of kindness, humility, and teamwork.

Ella’s involvement at Grafton Middle School exemplifies her dedication to making a positive impact. She has been an active member of both the Student Council and the Principal’s Advisory Council, where she advocates for her peers and works diligently to enhance the school experience for all students. Beyond her academic commitments, Ella is a core member of the undefeated girls' cross country team, consistently demonstrating teamwork, resilience, and a commitment to personal growth.

“Ella truly embodies the values of Project 351. She is a silent leader, compassionate, and always willing to lend a helping hand. Her positivity and dedication to others make her a wonderful representative of Grafton Middle School and our community.” Ella was nominated by several teachers and multiple peers; other students nominated included: Joelle Thomas, Emily Viens, Vivianna Larrabee, Kylie Wong, Rishika Sreekanth, Bennett Bredford, Hamna Arshad, Avea Snyder, Kyra Popsuj, Isabella Erhartic, and Laila Blair. A committee of teachers, school district personnel and municipal leaders were very impressed with all candidates and ultimately selected Ella to represent Grafton.

As an Ambassador, Ella will have the opportunity to attend a year-long program that includes a day of service, skill-building workshops, and team-building activities with fellow Ambassadors. This transformative experience will allow her to grow as a leader, give back to the community, and inspire her peers to make a difference.

The Grafton Middle School community congratulates Ella Montville on this well-deserved honor and looks forward to the positive impact she will continue to make through Project 351.

The Grafton High School and Grafton Middle School music programs invite the community to enjoy two evenings of exceptional student performances at their annual winter concerts.

Instrumental Ensembles Concert

• When: Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 7:00 PM

• Where: Grafton High School Auditorium

• Featuring: Combined instrumental ensembles from Grafton High School and Grafton Middle School

Choral Ensembles Concert

• When: Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 7:00 PM

• Where: Grafton High School Auditorium

• Featuring: Combined choral ensembles from Grafton High School and Grafton Middle School

Both events promise to showcase the talents and hard work of Grafton’s dedicated student musicians. From symphonic works to choral harmonies, these performances celebrate the collaborative spirit of music education across grades.

A suggested donation of $2 per person, with a family cap of $5, will be collected at the door. All proceeds will directly benefit the music programs of Grafton High School and Grafton Middle School, supporting student opportunities in music education.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the joy and creativity of Grafton’s young musicians!

Mrs. Martellio, GMS Assistant Principal, has been selected to be a leader in the Blackstone Vally Youth Leadership Academy that is expanding from a high school experience to include a middle school level. Congratulations, Mrs. Martellio!!

The Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy (BVYLA) is a leadership development program for 7th and 8th-grade students from member middle schools in the Blackstone Valley region. The program aims to enhance the potential of these emerging leaders while deepening their connection to the Blackstone Valley community.

Students wishing to apply may click the link below.

Hello Parents,

It's time to begin registering for Jr. Districts. Talented students that are committed to playing their instruments, especially those taking Private Lessons, should consider registering to audition for Jr. Districts. They will audition for a spot to perform with the best of the best in central Massachusetts. At this point, students should already be practicing the music and scales. I've set a deadline of 12/6/2024 to return the permission slip and check made out to Grafton Middle School. If your child is auditioning, please print a copy from the link below and have your child return it to me as soon as possible. Any questions, please let me know.

Mr. Singley (singleyp@grafton.k12.ma.us)

P.S. If you want to send me an email so I know to expect the form, then I can follow up with your child... I can't tell you how many audition forms go in the backpack and never make it out alive :)

Afterschool activities are underway and we have some strong participation! Activities are on a drop in basis except for special activities like Jazz Band, Student Council, Select Chorus, and Ski Club. Ski Club is the only club requiring payment…more information to come for Ski Club as winter approaches. Pickup from afterschool activities is in the same location designated for drop-off / pick-up for the schoolday.

Please be on the lookout for Unified Strength and Conditioning for students. We will be beginning in early-January following our return from vacation and continuing until February Break. No experience? No problem! We will be doing simple exercises to more complex depending on experience and ability.

Unified Athletics partners students with (dis)abilities with athletic partners. Our experience with Bocce this Fall was a great entry into Unified Athletics and we will intend to expand offerings.

We are always open to volunteers to assist with Unified Athletics and Activities - reach out anytime!!

**The Impact of Cell Phones on Learning: A Message for Middle School Parents**

In today’s digital age, cell phones have become an integral part of our daily lives, offering instant access to information and communication. However, when it comes to the classroom, these devices can pose significant challenges to students' learning and focus.

**Grafton Middle School: A "No Phone Zone"**
To ensure that our students can fully engage in their education without unnecessary distractions, Grafton Middle School is designated as a "No Phone Zone." This means that students are expected to keep their phones stored in lockers or backpacks for the entire school day. Phones should not be carried on their person during school hours. This policy is designed to create a focused learning environment where students can concentrate on their studies and interactions with peers and teachers. If students wish to "rent" a lock for the schoolyear, they may bring $10 to school; only school issued locks are permitted. The $10 deposit will be returned to students when they turn the lock in at the end of the year.

**Distractions in the Classroom**
While cell phones are powerful tools, they can easily divert attention away from important lessons. Social media notifications, text messages, and the lure of online games or videos can interrupt students’ concentration, making it difficult for them to fully engage with their studies. Even the mere presence of a phone can be a distraction, reducing the ability to absorb and retain information.

**Impact on Academic Performance**
Studies have shown that students who frequently use their phones during class often have lower grades and are less likely to participate in discussions or group activities. Multitasking between a lesson and a phone is virtually impossible, as the brain cannot effectively focus on both tasks at the same time. Over time, this divided attention can lead to gaps in knowledge and hinder academic progress.

**Social and Emotional Effects**
Beyond academics, cell phones can also impact social interactions and emotional well-being. Constant connectivity can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation, especially when students use social media as a measure of self-worth. Additionally, reliance on phones can reduce face-to-face communication skills, which are crucial for personal development and building meaningful relationships.

**What Can Parents Do?**
As parents, you play a critical role in helping your child develop healthy cell phone habits. Support Grafton Middle School’s "No Phone Zone" policy by reminding your child to store their phone in their locker or backpack and to focus on their learning during school hours. Setting clear guidelines around phone usage can reinforce the importance of staying engaged in class. Also, please be on the lookout for more resources on the topic; specifically, information from "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt.

Together, we can create a learning environment that prioritizes education and helps our students reach their full potential. Thank you for your support in ensuring that cell phones enhance, rather than hinder, your child’s educational experience.

Warm regards,

Grafton Middle School Administration Team--

Signups for winter athletics are underway! Please go to PowerSchool to register your child for tryouts for basketball (7th and 8th Grade) and hockey (8th Grade). All students must be medically cleared and eligible prior to the date of tryout #1.

It's the opening night of a brand-new mystery play, but just as the killer is about to be revealed, the body of the play's director falls onstage instead. At that moment, the theater becomes an active crime scene, and everyone from cast to crew to even the audience becomes a suspect. But how is the intrepid detective supposed to find the killer when everyone and their mother (literally) has a motive to want the demanding director gone? Tickets for sale online https://cur8.com/17137/project/127741

or at the door, $10 for adults, $8 for students/senior citizens

The GMS Counseling Team has a website that will be linked off of our GMS homepage:

https://sites.google.com/grafton.k12.ma.us/gms-school-counseling/home?authuser=0

If a Grafton Middle School student is in need of support from a member of the Student Support Team, the student can always as a teacher to go to the Counseling Suite. Despite our work to ensure that all students are comfortable and welcome at GMS and encouraged to seek help / assistance for themselves or others when it is needed, sometimes students may be choose to go without connecting for fear of being labeled by peers. This resource is available to ANY student looking to talk about any issue involving them or a peer. Students just need to sign up and a member of the team will be in touch very soon!

https://forms.gle/y7nNL3UXQy7EPo59A

Dear Parent / Caregiver,

This year school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek

help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called SOS

Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages

them to seek help.

SOS has been used by thousands of schools for over 20 years. Studies have shown that it

effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of

students’ self-reported suicide attempts.

Through the program, students learn:

● that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help

● how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend

● to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or

a friend

● who they can turn to at school for help

Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about

depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video,

students will complete a brief depression screening form. This form cannot provide a

diagnosis of depression but does indicate whether a young person should seek help from a

mental health professional.

At the end of class, students will complete an exit slip which asks whether they would like to

talk to an adult about any concerns. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any student

asking to talk.

We encourage you to visit www.mindwise.org/parents for information on warning signs for

youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn.

If you or someone you know is experiencing an immediate mental health need, please connect with your outside health care provider, Community Health Link (Emergency Mental Health Services) at 1-866-549-2142 or your local emergency room/911.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program please

contact our counseling department. Contact information is on our new department website.

We will be running this program during the week of 9/30/24 for half of our 7th graders (Patriatis Periods 3 and 4, Daoust Periods 3, 5, 6) and the other half the week of 1/6/25 (Patriatis Periods 1, 2, and 5, Daoust Periods 1 and 2).

If you do not want your child to participate in this program please fill out our opt-out form. If you have already filled out the opt-out form to start the year, you do not need to submit it again.

Sincerely,

GMS Counseling Department

December 6th: Operation Friendship Dance (NOT a GMS event)

December 17th: 7/8 BAND Concert

December 18th: 7/8 Grade CHORUS Concert

December 19th: Grade 7 trip to Hanover Theater for "A Christmas Carol"

December 20 to January 1 - No School (Vacation)

Grafton Middle School is a 7th and 8th Grade middle school located at 20 Providence Road, Grafton MA.