From the Principal: 9/21/20

Dear Greenwood Families,

And here I am, back in sync with Gator Tales as promised!  As I said previously, there is a lot of information that needs to be shared right now.  We’re doing our best to balance making sure people have what they need while not overwhelming everyone. (Easier said than done, I’m well aware.)

Staff Appreciation Treats
The Greenwood staff is once again so grateful to our wonderful families and the Greenwood PTO for coordinating the lovely treats in the staff room for the first days of school.  We feel the love!

Full Remote Cohort Update
Last week, remote teaching positions were posted internally for current WPS staff members.  Interviews and hiring will take place this week and students will be connected with the full remote teacher once we are certain we are moving into Phase 3 Hybrid.  If we were to remain in Phase 2, this would keep all students remote with everyone remaining in their current classroom cohorts and there would not be a need for additional remote teachers.  We will continue to keep you updated on this process.

Technology Support
As you know, classroom teachers are working with different cohorts of students in the morning and afternoon. In order to assist with providing timely information, our WPS Tech Department has asked families to email them at technology@wpsk12.org if your child is in need of technology support while at home. 

Family Support Guides - Google & Clever
You may have seen these shared by classroom teachers already, but in case you haven’t, a group of WPS teachers have developed short Family Support Guides for some of the technology platforms being used this year.

A Note from Mrs. Doherty: Medication Drop-Off
If you have medications for your child that need to be kept at school, Mrs. Doherty has shared a letter that provides more information about what you need to do.  Please feel free to reach out to her with any questions at mary.doherty@wpsk12.org.

A Note from WPS Food Services - Grab & Go Breakfast/Lunch
The Wakefield School Nutrition department will be providing free meals for any child 21 or younger each week through December 31, 2020.  Please see the linked flyer for more details, including pick-up times and location.

Playground Notes
We love our new Greenwood playground!  Playgrounds are meant to be used, and we are so happy to see (and hear!) children enjoying all the new features.  Please be mindful of social distancing and appropriate mask behavior while visiting.

This next item will be more relevant once we start Phase 3 Hybrid, however, I thought it worth sharing now.  I have had families ask if it is okay for them to use the playground after their children are dismissed from school.  This is fine to do, with the reminder that after the AM cohort, there is another cohort of students coming to the building for in-person instruction in the afternoon.  In order to maintain social distancing and reduce large groups, everyone from the AM cohort should leave Greenwood (including the playground) by 11:30am unless otherwise specified.

Safety Updates
The Wakefield Public Schools has created a WPS Safety Training Presentation which was presented to our faculty and staff earlier this week. We are making this presentation available to our wider school community as a way to provide information about Covid as well as procedures taken by the school department to keep students and staff safe.

I am also sharing here a more Greenwood-specific document for safety procedures.  This is a live document that will continue to be updated as necessary.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions.  Thank you for everything you do to support your children and their learning!

Tiffany Back