Community Corner

Daily Five: School Attendance And Technology In The Classroom

Five Things To Know, Friday, Sept. 14

1.  Today is Friday, Sept. 14.  The National Weather Service predicts sunny skies with a high temperature of 77 degrees. Tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 60 degrees and a chance of showers after midnight.

2.  A new statewide school attendance policy went into effect in June that may require changes to Groton's policy. The main change is this: Students who are absent must have written documentation within ten days to be excused. The note must be signed by a parent or a school official who has spoken to a parent, said Sean McKenna, Groton's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

Vacations also do not count as excused absences, although a principal can make exceptions. This may be relevant in Groton due to the military population, school officials said. For instance, a parent about to be deployed overseas might have to take a vacation during school time to have extra time with the children.

Find out what's happening in Grotonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

3.  Groton Public Schools and Discovery Education will host a community night from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sept. 21 at Fitch High School, to demonstrate technology in the public schools. Teachers and employees will lead sessions to show families and others the technology works and what’s available to students in the classroom.

On Sept. 22, the Groton schools will host a professional development day for teachers, staff and principals in the New England area to share ideas about using technology in education.

Find out what's happening in Grotonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

4.  from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday at the center on Poquonnock Road in Groton. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (860) 446-3146.

5.  The Emerson Theater Collaborative will present a production of Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Mystic. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for children ages 12 and younger. For more information, call (860) 705-9711.


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