Groton School District board honors students and staff, and pays tribute to two late educators

The Groton School District Board of Education held a recognition ceremony in which principals and district staff honored students, teachers, paraeducators, substitutes and volunteers across the district and read tributes for two educators who died during the year.

Vice Chair Adrien Johnson opened the meeting and noted members present in person and online. A district staff member running the program framed the evening as "a celebration of a year that has been supported by communities," saying "it takes a village" and explaining that principals would call winners forward school by school.

At the high-school portion of the program, Principal Matt Brown and assistant principal Amy announced individual awards including the district high-school poet laureate (Noah Metsy), a Young Playwrights Festival invitee (Vera Ross) and student leadership certificates (Lauren Bul and Nicholas Donaldson). Support and operations staff were also recognized: Chris Hugo received a Friend of Education certificate for field and grounds work; Ryan Miller was named honored support staff; Greg Lana was substitute of the year; Amber Cool was named paraeducator of the year; and Laurel Donovan was recognized as a teacher of the year for her work with English classes and extracurricular advising.

Middle- and elementary-school presentations followed. Schools honored theater and writing winners, student leaders, classroom aides, non‑certified staff and substitutes. Examples called out by presenters included Cat Gilmore and Piper for playwriting, Madison and Bodie for schoolwide character and leadership awards, and several long‑serving paraprofessionals and support staff singled out for reliability and student support.

The ceremony included two solemn moments of remembrance. Presenters named Chad Fleming posthumously as a middle-school teacher of the year, describing him as a language‑arts teacher and coach whose mentorship and quiet leadership were deeply missed. Later, a poem written by Vanessa Schulz was read aloud in memory of Carrie Nestrom, a first‑grade teacher who served the district for 40 years; the reader said the poem and a dedicated yearbook page would preserve her memory for students and colleagues.

District presenters repeatedly emphasized community and staff resilience: speakers said the past year had been challenging and praised employees who sustained students and families. The program closed with the presenter thanking staff and attendees and returning the meeting to Vice Chair Johnson for the board's regular agenda items.

The recognition ceremony was primarily ceremonial; no motions or formal board votes were recorded during the portion of the transcript covering awards and tributes. The board is expected to continue its regular business later in the meeting.