From the Principal: 9/19/22

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  If there was any doubt before, we now know that Greenwood School is fully back in business now that we’ve cycled through our first FULL week of learning.  (You can also tell from the number of informational items I have in this week’s letter!)  I hope your family took time over the weekend to rest, relax, and recharge for another busy week ahead!!

PowerSchool Update - IMPORTANT!

As you know, Wakefield Public Schools has been in the process of switching to the PowerSchool student information system.  By now, all families should have received information to register for their parent portal accounts.  In order to communicate effectively with our community, we need everyone to complete the parent portal registration and to complete all forms in the portal. 

Starting Monday September 19, 2022, the district will be uploading parent information to our School Messenger System from Power School.  PLEASE NOTE: If you have not created your parent account by then you will not receive any communication from Greenwood or from the district until you create your account. 

If you did not receive your child’s information to create an account, please email  the technology department at TechDept@wpsk12.org.  Please include your name, your child/children’s names,  and your child’s school.  We will get back to you with the information necessary to create your account and receive important school notifications.

The WPS IT Department has created PowerSchool resource videos for your convenience.  Click here to access the videos.


Beginning of School Paperwork - 2nd Reminder

Just a reminder about the letter that was emailed home to families with WPS paperwork and policies to review.  I have linked another copy of this letter in case the email has gone astray.  Please complete any necessary forms as soon as possible.  EVERYONE must complete Item #8, the Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Student Handbook Verification Form for each child who attends Greenwood.  As of Friday, we have about half of the responses needed.  If you need a hard copy of a form, please let Ms. Paiva know and one will be sent home with your child.

 

Early Release - Wednesday, September 21st

Our first early release day for students is on Wednesday, September 21st.  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.

Fire Drill

While teachers had been practicing safely exiting the school building with their classes already, our first official Greenwood fire drill took place on Thursday morning.  Everyone did a great job moving quickly and safely out of the building, as well as waiting quietly and patiently for directions from both the Greenwood staff and Wakefield Fire Department.  We will continue to practice throughout the year!

Greenwood Back-to-School/Curriculum Night

Greenwood Back-to-School Night is this Thursday, September 22nd!  It’s been a while since we’ve been able to do this event in-person (2019!), and we do have a shift in format for this year.

If your child is in Kindergarten, 1st grade, or 2nd grade:

When you arrive at Greenwood, you will go directly to your child’s classroom on the 1st floor.  We will have staff members helping to send families in the right direction.  Classroom presentations will begin promptly at 6:30pm.  The classroom portion of the evening will be followed by a whole-school presentation in the gym from 7:05-7:25pm.  Specialist teachers, as well as representatives from the Greenwood PTO and the Wakefield Educational Foundation (WEF), will be available to meet in the gym from 7:25-7:40pm.

If your child is in 3rd or 4th grade:

Your evening at Greenwood will begin in the gym.  If you would like to meet with any of our specialist teachers or representatives from the Greenwood PTO and the Wakefield Educational Foundation (WEF), they will be available in the gym to meet from 6:50-7:05pm.  There will be a whole-school presentation in the gym from 7:05-7:25pm.  You will then go to your child’s classroom on the 2nd floor for the classroom presentation from 7:25-8:00pm.  

To sum it up…

6:30-7:05pm   Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade classroom presentations

7:05-7:25pm   Whole-school meeting in the gym

7:25-8:05pm   3rd & 4th grade presentations

Just a reminder - this is an event for adult family members only.  We look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday night!


Smartwatches/Cell Phones in School

Technology is amazing and wonderful!  However, it can also be a huge distraction in our learning spaces during the school day.  At the elementary level, personal tech devices (cell phones, smartwatches, etc.) are not allowed to be in use during the school day.  We understand that some students need access to these devices for family communication once school is out for the day, so we ask that all cell phones and smartwatches remain off and in backpacks during the school day.  We appreciate your support in this!


Wakefield Academy Update - 9/14/22

Please see the linked message from Estelle Burdick, Director of Wakefield Academy, for information about Academy registration, a note about upcoming enrichment program opportunities, and logistical details.  (This was sent out via School Messenger on 9/14/22)

Hispanic Heritage Month Observance - Wakefield Human Rights Commission

On Thursday, September 22, 2022, the Wakefield Human Rights Commission (WHRC) will present a commemoration of Hispanic Heritage with an evening program of music and dance on the Beebe Library plaza. Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to party with Consentidos from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  Please see the linked flyer for more information!

 

WPS Biweekly Community Zoom Meeting

WPS district administration will continue to host weekly community Zoom meetings as an opportunity to provide updates, highlight the good work that is happening in the district, and also hear questions and feedback from families. The next Zoom call will be on Thursday, September 22nd from 4:00-5:00pm.. Here is the Zoom link to join: 

Meeting ID: 853 3883 6385

Passcode: 986074

 

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