DECA is a business club at GDRHS that prepares students for leadership roles in finance, accounting, marketing, management and hospitality. This year GDEF helped fund the participation of GDRHS students who advanced in role play at the international level and were invited to compete in Orlando, FL.

A GDRHS robotics student and Robotomies team member wrote a grant for the acquisition of a Bambu Lab P1s 3D printer to be located in Mr. Rocheleau's robotics classroom. Some of the many advantages of this new 3D printer include: printing stronger materials without being a safety risk to students; faster print speeds; increased reliability; and less wasted filament.

GDEF is once again a proud sponsor of the 2025 Groton-Dunstable Elementary Science Fair. Children in grades K-4 at both Swallow Union and Florence Roche explore science and showcase their projects at this popular event that brings the district students and families together.

The GDMS PTO hosted the first Real Life Fair for middle school students this spring. GDEF was proud to sponsor this event where students in grades 5-8 were exposed to interactive financial concepts. Participants were given a job, a family situation, and a monthly salary amount and then visited tables set up for real-life experiences and expenses (such as buying/renting a home or apartment, paying for daycare and groceries, etc.)

GDRHS has a brand-new chapter of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), a student-led organization with a mission to empower future health professionals to become leaders in the global health community. GDEF assisted in funding student member participation in the 2025 HOSA State Leadership Conference at Worcester State University.

GDEF is a proud sponsor of the GDRMS World of Difference 2nd Annual Culture Fair. This event is held to build cultural awareness within the student community while honoring all holidays and cultures.

GDEF is a proud sponsor of the 2025 Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle School Science Fair. Children in grades 5-8 have fun with science and showcase their knowledge at this recently revived event that brings the school community together.

The GDRHS Breakfast Club is a student-led group focused on improving the school community. GDEF sponsored The Breakfast Club’s Tour of the World, a 3-day event in March 2025 that celebrated different cultures and customs with food, dancing, music and cultural activities.

This grant funds three portable sensory pathways to be used in a new sensory space accessible to all students at Boutwell. Sensory pathways are interactive floor mats that encourage kinesthetic learning and encourage safe areas for movement. Students can skip, balance, and hop while learning simple math, literacy, and concentration skills.

GDEF sponsored two GDRHS English teachers to attend the fall 2024 NCTE Annual Convention held in Boston. The goal is for these teachers to experience innovative approaches in teaching English from teachers, educators, and authors from all over the world. This experience brings fresh inspiration to the classroom while improving teaching knowledge and bolstering the English curriculum.

GDEF sponsors the GDRHS’s Robotics team – The Robotomies. The team competes annually in the International FIRST Robotics Competition.

This grant sponsored a breakfast and panel discussion for 8th grade students with local senior citizens. Panelists answered student questions covering topics related to civic life such as paying taxes, technology use, and volunteering in the community.