Grafton Issues DPH Advisory and FIFA Safety Tips as School Year Ends Thursday
The Grafton Public Schools wraps its 2025–2026 school year with a half-day this Thursday, June 18, while the town separately posted a Massachusetts Department of Public Health advisory Tuesday afternoon and reminded residents to celebrate the ongoing FIFA World Cup safely.
TOWN HALL
Two public-health notices landed on the town's News Flash page within 24 hours. Tuesday afternoon, the town published a Massachusetts Department of Public Health Advisory; full details are available at grafton-ma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=713. The evening before, the town posted guidance under the heading "Celebrate the FIFA World Cup Safely!" — a timely reminder as the 2026 tournament continues in North American host cities this summer (grafton-ma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=712).
Looking further ahead, the town has announced its Annual 4th of July Parade, promising food, music, and floats. Residents who want to participate can decorate bikes, with free red, white, and blue decorations available at the starting point at North Street Elementary School. Dog owners get their own spotlight: the town's Doggy Mayor competition returns for four-legged parade hopefuls.
SCHOOLS
Thursday, June 18 is the last day of school for all Grafton Public Schools students — a half-day across the district. There is no school the following day, Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. The Grafton Middle School School Council meets Wednesday, June 17, from 4 to 5:05 p.m.
Looking to the fall and summer: the district's 2026 Summer Enrichment Program is now open, offering hands-on learning, artistic expression, and STEAM exploration. Kindergarten registration for the 2026–2027 school year is also open at graftonps.org. The district continues to update the community on its capital needs, with GPS Capital Plan details, roofing reports, and a GMS Roof Timeline posted on the district website.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Grafton Public Library will be closed this Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth (Freedom Day). Through the month, the library is running the Massachusetts Center for the Book 2026 Reading Challenge. The library's Strategic Planning Committee is forming — those interested in helping shape the institution's direction can find information at graftonlibrary.org. Drop-in Cribbage also continues every Friday for a casual game; the library cautions players not to get skunked.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
Tuesday's Grafton Patch morning digest ran the headline "🌱 Patch AM: Saturday Situation and 12 more events." The roundup highlights more than a dozen items on the Grafton calendar this weekend, with the Love for Lifesavers gathering among the featured events, per Grafton Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton).
Monday's Grafton Patch digest carried the headline "🌱 Patch AM: Grafton community remembers longtime resident and Scout leader Morrie Lewin." The item centers on a tribute to a longtime Grafton resident who was active as a Scout leader in the community, according to Grafton Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton).
COMING UP
- **Tonight (Tue., June 16) / Wed., June 17** — Trails Committee meeting continues - **Wed., June 17** — Planning Board Special Meeting; Economic Development Commission Meeting; Grafton Farmers Market on the Common; GMS School Council, 4–5:05 p.m.; Chemical Creations after-school program at North Street Elementary, 2:15–3:30 p.m.; Preschool Screening at South Grafton Elementary - **Thu., June 18** — Last half-day of school, all Grafton Public Schools; Love for Lifesavers event; Community Preservation Committee Monthly Meeting; IT Committee Meeting - **Fri., June 19** — No school, Juneteenth; Grafton Public Library closed, Juneteenth/Freedom Day