Groton-Dunstable Education Foundation (GDEF)
...helping our students "Reach for the Stars!"

2024-'25 Mini Grants

DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America)
GD High School
Fisher
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.

3D Printer
GD High School
Glanville (GDRHS student)
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.

GD Elementary Science Fair
Swallow Union, Florence Roche
Vrouhas, Gerteisen
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.

Real Life Fair
GD Middle School
Weksner, Neff
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.)

HOSA - Future Health Professionals
GD High School
Emberley
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.

World of Difference Culture Fair, 2025
GD Middle School
Bennett
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.

GDRMS Science Fair
GD Middle School
Neff, Bellorado
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.

Tour of the World
GD High School
Keane
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.

Preschool Sensory Pathways
Boutwell Early Childhood Center
Stengrevics, Mansfield, Stiles
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.

National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Convention
GD High School
Cook, Wilkins
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.

Robotomies Sponsorship
GD High School
Rocheleau
GDEF sponsors the GDRHS’s Robotics team – The Robotomies. The team competes annually in the International FIRST Robotics Competition.

“Bridging the Generations” - Panel Discussion on Civic Life
GD Middle School
Mitchell
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.
2024-25 Major Grants

LEGO® Education BricQ Motion Essential Kits
Swallow Union
Jarvis
Through this grant, Swallow Union purchased LEGO® Education BricQ Motion Essential Kits to augment high-engagement STEM during Technology classes. Students in K-4 are able to explore key physical science concepts, including forces, motion and interactions through the use of sports-themed LEGO® kits. Included curriculum/lesson plans are aligned with NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards), ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), Common Core ELA and math standards. These kits are hands-on, non-technology-dependent and suitable for all students, regardless of background.

iPads and Explain Everything to Create Math Tutorial Videos
GD Middle School
Kieda
The 5th grade Math and Special Education teaching team was awarded a grant to purchase iPads and subscriptions to Explain Everything (an online whiteboard and tutorial/interactive lesson platform.) Teachers will be able to use the iPads and Explain Everything to create updated tutorial videos allowing students to review and preview math concepts as often as needed and at their own pace. Tutorials will be available for viewing on teachers' Google classroom pages.

Florence Roche Family Math/STEAM Night
Florence Roche
Dinneen
GDEF funded a grant to purchase math-themed activity mats to be used at the new FloRo Family Math Game Night. The goal of this annual event is for students and their families to start viewing math as a life skill by participating in fun group activities that promote teamwork and problem solving.

Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) Science-in-Residence Program
Swallow Union
Swallow Union PTO
This grant provides funding for the kindergarten classes at Swallow Union to participate in the NRWA’s Science-in-Residence (SIR) Program. The SIR program leads students in exploring science in nature with a three part seasonal program: "Discovering Fall," "Winter Animals," and "Spring Aquatic Insects.” Students will experience indoor and outdoor sessions that include the practice of scientific methods, data collection, hands-on experiential learning, and teamwork.

Calm Corner Pilot
District-wide
Durling
GDEF provided funding for material costs associated with continuing the Calm Corner Pilot throughout the GD school district. A Calm Corner is an inclusionary space to support students in regulating their emotions throughout the school day. New classroom spaces in the program will receive a starter kit including various items such as a bean bag chair, breathing visuals, as well as sensory and cognitive tools (fidgets, putty, puzzles, marble mazes, etc.)

Outdoor Learning Grade Level Kits
Florence Roche
Taylor
This grant provides materials for outdoor learning kits that will augment the new FloRo Outdoor Learning Area. Grade-level specific kits will give educators and students tools to use the space easily and for a variety of outdoor lessons and activities. Kits will contain items such as exercise dice, conversation cubes, dry erase lap boards, insect viewers, and binoculars.

Swallow Union Art Mural
Swallow Union
Swallow Union PTO
GDEF provided funding to bring the Massachusetts-based published author/illustrator Ralph Masiello to SU. Masiello collaborated with the SU art teacher and all students to create a mural for the front entry hallway of the school. The students worked with the artist on ideas and execution.

Character Education: Bullying & Cyberbullying Assembly
Swallow Union
Jarvis
GDEF funded SU’s school-wide assembly featuring world champion athlete and motivational speaker Chris Poulos. Poulos performed bicycle stunts and gave a dynamic presentation that focused on character education, anti-bullying, and the importance of core values.