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Groton Educator's Hall of Fame Induction with several West Side greats!

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Groton Educator's Hall of Fame Induction with several West Side greats!

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West Side Singers singing the National Anthem at the New England Blackwolves game in 2018.

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West Side Singers singing the National Anthem at the New England Blackwolves game in 2018.

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My third year of teaching, 2008-2009, I became really sick. It took over a month for doctors to get it right and for me to get back to school. During that time,  the West Side staff stepped up and became the family I didn't have in state. My team would call to check on me during lunch (once, they didn't like how I sounded on the call and Warrine was deployed for a run to the ER), Rob B. brought groceries to my house. Kathleen, Warrine, Julie, Lillian and others (pre. WS Cares) brought food-regularly. Marian kept my sub in lesson plans and helped with my grading. And, when I returned to the classroom, Klaud. and Ms. Murray kept an eagle eye on me until I had my strength back fully. To this day, I tear up when I think about the loving compassion and care that was shown to me. West Side is a very special place.  ~Laura Q

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My third year of teaching, 2008-2009, I became really sick. It took over a month for doctors to get it right and for me to get back to school. During that time,  the West Side staff stepped up and became the family I didn't have in state. My team would call to check on me during lunch (once, they didn't like how I sounded on the call and Warrine was deployed for a run to the ER), Rob B. brought groceries to my house. Kathleen, Warrine, Julie, Lillian and others (pre. WS Cares) brought food-regularly. Marian kept my sub in lesson plans and helped with my grading. And, when I returned to the classroom, Klaud. and Ms. Murray kept an eagle eye on me until I had my strength back fully. To this day, I tear up when I think about the loving compassion and care that was shown to me. West Side is a very special place.  ~Laura Q

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The 2018-2019 8th grade students worked so hard on these murals.

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The 2018-2019 8th grade students worked so hard on these murals.

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The 2018-2019 8th grade students worked so hard on these murals.

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The 2018-2019 8th grade students worked so hard on these murals.

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When I was a kid, West Side was known as “wild and bad,” so that’s where I made some friends. :) We are still friends to this day, because these were some of the kindest, most down-to-Earth people I’d met.

Not much changed.

When I started at West Side years ago, I was filled with guilt for having left my New London babies. Mokrzewski, Colette, Quashnie, Strouse, Herrick, Ross, Irace, Mrs. Ljubicic, Ilvento, Halligan, The Queen, and several others welcomed me and made me feel like I was a part of some big, funny, energetic new family. Even on days when I really just wanted to eat my lunch alone in peace with no kids, no sounds, there were my ever-loving coworkers, right there in my room eating and talking and and discussing the world and laughing!!! EVERY DAY, even when I just wanted a nap~🤣🤣🤣

I feel blessed to be a part of West Side.

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The 8th graders when the were 6th graders. I'm not crying, you are!

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The 8th graders when the were 6th graders. I'm not crying, you are!

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Fridays in 6th grade wing - Always a theme :)

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Fridays in 6th grade wing - Always a theme :)

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I have worked at West Side for 14 years in 6 different rooms and the most fun was always out of class. I will miss the kids, families, & everyone I have been honored to work with all those years!

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Always supported by my WS Family - missing everyone

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Missing these people!