Dear Greenwood Families,
Happy Monday! We are definitely hoping for better weather this week. However, while it was a little(!) dreary outside, things were delightful inside classrooms at Greenwood! Teachers spent some time reviewing and refreshing all those routines that may have been forgotten over the time off - this ensures that everyone is once again ready to do their best learning as we approach the midyear point. Time is flying by!
Early Release - Wednesday, January 11th
Our next early release day for students is on Wednesday, January 11th. All students will be dismissed at 11:55am in order for WPS staff to have professional development sessions in the afternoon. Please note: there will be a scheduled lunch block for students prior to dismissal.
2023 MCAS Dates - Grades 3 & 4
While we’re still a couple of months away from the testing windows, planning and scheduling for this year’s MCAS tests is underway! Students in Grades 3 & 4 will complete computer-based testing in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. There are two sessions for each subject area, and tests must be scheduled within the window provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. We are sharing these dates now in the effort to avoid scheduling appointments that would remove your child from school on the MCAS testing days.
ELA - Tuesday, April 4th and Wednesday, April 5th
Math - Monday, May 22nd and Tuesday, May 23rd
If you already have a known conflict with these dates, please let me know ASAP.
Food Rescue & Composting - 2nd Call
If you’ve spent any time in the cafeteria during student lunches, you’ve seen the amount of food that goes uneaten each day. The Wakefield Environmental Sustainability Committee is looking to restart both the composting and “food rescue” programs that we had kicked off here at Greenwood pre-COVID. It’s going to take a collective effort, so if you’re someone who is interested in learning more and/or volunteering some time, please reach out to me!
Fall 2023 Kindergarten Registration
Do you have a child who will be entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2023? Do you know someone else who does? It’s just about time for us to start looking ahead and thinking about welcoming next year’s crew! Here is the general plan - more information to come!
In early January, WPS will send a mailing to all families of kindergarten-age children in Wakefield. Information will also be posted on WPS social media and in the Wakefield Daily Item. Families will be asked to complete the online registration between January 13 and February 3rd. (The WPS website will be updated once it’s ready to go!) A WPS District Kindergarten Information Meeting for families will be virtual and is scheduled for Thursday, March 30th at 7:00pm. Kindergarten screening dates will be in June - exact dates will be finalized and shared once we know the date for the last day of school.
Health Updates
As you are likely aware, Massachusetts has experienced an uptick in reported cases of COVID, Flu, and RSV. This may result in some families and staff members choosing to wear masks during the school day. We want to reaffirm that each individual’s choice in this matter is respected and encourage everyone to do what makes sense for their family.
Wakefield Human Rights Commission - MLK Event
The Wakefield HRC is hosting an event on Monday, January 16th at Galvin Middle School for Martin Luther King & Coretta Scott King Day. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and WHRC is looking for student art and poetry submissions (all ages), along with hosting a coloring contest for Grades 1-4. We will have copies of the coloring page in the main office, or you can print it here. More information about the event can also be found at this link.
TSF Wakefield Trivia Night
After a temporary shift to a virtual event, the Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield is hosting their 31st annual Trivia Team Challenge on Saturday, February 4th in-person at the Americal Civic Center. They are looking for teams of up to four players to enjoy a fun evening while raising money for TSF’s general scholarship fund. For more information and to register, visit the TSF website!
Lunchroom Volunteers
Thank you to everyone who has given us some of your valuable time over the past few weeks! Updated time slots are being added at the current link and now go through the end of February.
Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days? Or 10:30-11:50am on early release days? Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood? We are finally bringing back lunchroom volunteer opportunities! If you’d like to come in and help support students while they’re eating lunch, please see the linked Sign-Up Genius to select time slots over the next two weeks. Single days, multiple days, one time slot, the whole lunch block…we welcome any and all helpers!
As an FYI, as we begin to implement the food rescue/composting program, we will be incorporating our lunchroom volunteers into this work. Don’t worry…it’s easy!
NOTE: You will need to have a CORI form completed before coming in for any lunch shifts - please contact Ms. Paiva about the process or to check if you have a current one on file
Greenwood School Social Media
We are on Facebook and Instagram! Check us out - @wpsgreenwood on both Instagram and Facebook!
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions.
Thank you for everything you do to support your children and their learning! Let’s have a great week!
Tiffany Back