Grafton Schools Set June 18 Half-Day Close; Library Seeks Planning Volunteers
Grafton's public schools enter their last four days of the year this week, with Pre-K programs closing Tuesday and all students heading home on a half-day June 18 — even as a Grafton Patch report puts student transportation oversight in an uncomfortable spotlight.
TOWN HALL
The town is promoting its annual 4th of July Parade, billing it as a family event with food, music, and floats. A new wrinkle this year: a Doggy Mayor competition for the pet who clearly runs the household. Participants can also decorate bikes at the starting line at North Street Elementary School, where free red, white, and blue decorations will be available. Full logistics have not yet been posted, but the town says more details are coming.
SCHOOLS
Pre-K programs at multiple Grafton schools wrap up Tuesday, June 16, and the full district follows with a half-day dismissal on Thursday, June 18. No school Friday, June 19 — Juneteenth is a district holiday. Tuesday is especially packed at North Street Elementary: the sixth-grade Moving On Ceremony runs 8:30–10 a.m. in the gymnasium, followed by a talent show rehearsal in the afternoon and a Grade 6 DJ Party from 6–8 p.m. Over at Grafton Middle School, the Student Council Talent Show is set for Monday, June 16, from 12:30–1:50 p.m.
Looking further ahead, the district has opened kindergarten registration for 2026–2027 and announced a Summer Enrichment 2026 program built around hands-on learning, artistic expression, and STEAM exploration. Details are posted at graftonps.org. The district's ongoing capital planning work — including roofing assessments at Grafton Middle School — remains an open item, with reports posted on the district site under Superintendent Dr. James Cummings.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Grafton Public Library is forming a Strategic Planning Committee and is actively recruiting community members to help set the library's future direction. Interested residents should visit graftonlibrary.org for information on how to participate. The library also has a standing reminder: it will be closed Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth (Freedom Day).
For those looking for a low-key weekly outing, drop-in Cribbage continues every Friday at 35 Grafton Common — no registration required, just show up and play. The Massachusetts Center for the Book's 2026 Reading Challenge is also running throughout June for readers of all ages.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"🌱 Patch AM: Why a Grafton student's 40-minute van ride sparked a neglect finding" — A Grafton Patch report examines how a prolonged student transportation ride led to a neglect determination, raising questions about local oversight of school van routes. Grafton Patch reports (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton).
"MA Sales Tax Holiday Back For Summer 2026: Find Out When You Can Save" — Massachusetts will again lift its 6.25 percent sales tax for a single weekend in August, giving shoppers a brief window to save on larger purchases, per statewide Patch coverage. Patch Massachusetts reports (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton).
COMING UP
- **Mon., June 15:** Board of Library Trustees meeting; North Street Grade 6 Tournament Day (9:15 a.m.–noon); North Grafton Field Day (rain date) - **Tue., June 16:** Last Day of Pre-K at multiple schools; Select Board meeting; Planning Board special meeting; WRTA presentation on Routes A & B; GMS Student Council Talent Show (12:30–1:50 p.m.); North Street 6th Grade Moving On Ceremony (8:30 a.m.); Grade 6 DJ Party (6–8 p.m.) - **Wed., June 17:** Grafton Farmers Market; GMS School Council (4–5:05 p.m.) - **Thu., June 18:** Last Day of School — half-day dismissal for all schools - **Fri., June 19:** Grafton Public Library CLOSED for Juneteenth/Freedom Day; No School district-wide