2022-2023

Gator Gallop 2024

Are you ready to run?

Our 2024 Gator Gallop is this Saturday, April 6th! Here's everything you need to know to have a great time.


Registration and materials.
If you’ve registered, great! You can avoid the lines and pick up your bibs during early check-in on Friday 4/5 from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. in the back lot of the Greenwood School (inside the school if it's raining). Otherwise, you can grab your bibs on Saturday morning at the Lake.

Online registration for all runners closes Tuesday 4/2at 7 p.m. If you haven't registered yourself or your child by then, you’ll need to register in person the morning of the event. Registration the day of the event is $35 for the 5K and $10 for the 1-mile Kids Run.

Do we need anything other than our sneakers?
>Greenwood students are encouraged to wear their Greenwood class t-shirts for easy identification during the 1-mile Kids Run (teachers will send them home this week). Kids will get a stick-on bib number that should be visible on their front. This may mean sticking the bib to a jacket if it’s chilly. Both shirts and bibs will help us identify the 1-mile race winners.

>We will have the Town of Wakefield Water Buggy again this year, so bring your refillable water bottles to fill up!

>You’ll also want to bring some cash or a credit card because our Gator Gallop Raffle is better than ever this year, thanks to our generous sponsors!

Tell me about the Logistics.
Check-in, the start and finish lines, music, raffles, and refreshments — all happen on the Lower Common (by the bandstand). Check out the schedule of events to view all the fun your family will experience.

Race Day Check-in starts at 8:15 a.m. The Kids Warmup is at 8:30 and the 1-Mile Run begins at 9:00. Students will run the 1-Mile race without parents. We will have parent volunteers on the course keeping a close eye on the kids and ensuring everyone finishes safely. Please refrain from running on the course! View the 1-Mile course map and volunteer needs here.

In order to correctly identify the student winners, we will have volunteers stationed at the finish line. Greenwood teachers will be a few feet behind these “judges,” awarding medals to the kids upon completion of the race. There will be photo opportunities elsewhere, so please do not enter the roped area and crowd the finish line. Instead, meet your children after they have received their medals.

The 5K begins at 9:30, and winners of both races will be announced, and prizes awarded, beginning around 10 a.m.

Raffle winners will be drawn starting at 10:45 - watch in person or on Facebook Live!

What about the Student Pledge Drive Prizes?
We know the kids are eager to get their incentives and find out if they won one of the top prizes. Winners of Principal for the Day, P.E. Teacher for the Day, and the class participation prize will be announced with in the week after the Gallop. Those who raised enough money for the incentives will receive their prizes in a few weeks once we have everything ready to distribute. Remember, online pledges are open through April 6th and every dollar raised counts towards incentives!

Do you still need help?
Yes! Race day volunteers are needed, especially for early morning setup, parent volunteers for the 1-mile run and setting up the refreshment station. Please email us with questions.

Support our Gallop sponsors.
We strongly encourage you to frequent our Gator Gallop sponsors--the companies that have made our fundraising event possible. Many of them have connections to Greenwood School families. Get to know our sponsors here.

From the Principal: 6/20/23

From the Principal: 6/20/23

Principal Back reminds families of this week’s important events, including the last days of school, incoming Kindergarten screening, and the 4th Grade Walk of Fame on Thursday; encourages families to check the Lost & Found before the end of the year; shares information about report cards and class assignments; links Mrs. Bayer’s final Library Media newsletter along with information about summer reading from WPS and the Beebe Library; and includes the final Lunch Volunteer signup.

From the Principal: 6/12/23

From the Principal: 6/12/23

Principal Back reminds families of this week’s specials events, including Tuesday’s 4th Grade Moving On Ceremony; shares important reminders about the last day of school for Kindergarten; shares a WPS Science Curriculum Review family survey; reminds families to check the Lost & Found; reiterates end of year dates and the adjusted Greenwood June lunch menu; and includes the Food Rescue Program and Lunch Volunteer signups.

From the Principal: 6/5/23

From the Principal: 6/5/23

Principal Back reminds families of this Tuesday’s Field Day (rain date Friday) and Wednesday’s early release day; shares information about report cards and “Jiji’s Summer of Math”; invites families to the WMHS Black Student Union’s Juneteenth Celebration; reiterates end of year dates and the adjusted Greenwood June lunch menu; and includes the Food Rescue Program and Lunch Volunteer signups.

From the Principal: 5/30/23

From the Principal: 5/30/23

Principal Back reminds Grade 1 families of next Monday’s All-School Meeting; shares information about “Jiji’s Summer of Math”; reiterates end of year dates and shares the adjusted Greenwood June lunch menu; and includes the Food Rescue Program and Lunch Volunteer signups.

From the Principal: 5/22/23

From the Principal: 5/22/23

Principal Back reminds families of this week’s MCAS testing for grades 3 and 4, and next Monday’s no school day in observance of Memorial Day; reiterates end of year dates and shares the adjusted Greenwood June lunch menu; and includes the Food Rescue Program and Lunch Volunteer signups.

From the Principal: 5/15/23

From the Principal: 5/15/23

Principal Back shares information about Wakefield Academy’s summer programming; reminds grade 3 & 4 families of next week’s MCAS testing dates; and includes the Food Rescue Program and Lunch Volunteer signups.

From the Principal: 5/8/23

From the Principal: 5/8/23

Principal Back reminds families of this Monday’s Pajama Day, declared by Eloise, our Principal for the Day, as well as All-School Meeting hosted by Kindergarten, and this Wednesday’s early release day; encourages families to attend the WPS STEAM Night this Thursday; reminds families about the optional class placement survey; shares information from the Wakefield Human Rights Commission about the annual celebration of AAPI culture on 5/27; and includes the Food Rescue Program and Lunch Volunteer signups.

From the Principal: 5/1/23

From the Principal: 5/1/23

Principal Back shares plans for this Wednesday’s Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day; provides some information about the class placement process for next year and some MCAS reminders for grades 3 &4; clarifies end-of-year early release days; invites families to the WPS STEAM Night on May 11; and includes the Food Rescue Program and Lunch Volunteer signups.

From the Principal: 4/24/23

From the Principal: 4/24/23

Principal Back reminds families about this Tuesday’s no school day and MCAS makeups this week; shares a date change for the May All-School Meeting, hosted by Kindergarten, as well as several important end-of-year dates; invites families to the WPS STEAM Night on May 11; highlights some data from the Food Rescue Program; and includes the Food Rescue Program and Lunch Volunteer signups.

From the Principal: 4/10/23

From the Principal: 4/10/23

Principal Back reminds families about this Monday’s 4th grade ukulele concert and MCAS testing this week, as well as next week’s April Break and the No School day on April 25; congratulates Greenwood students, staff, and parent volunteers who will be honored at WEF’s Celebration of Learning this week; shares a Speech and Language staffing update; and includes the Food Rescue Program and Lunch Volunteer signups.

From the Principal: 4/3/23

From the Principal: 4/3/23

Principal Back reminds families about district events this week - Monday’s Family Math Night, Tuesday’s Visual and Performing Arts Night, and Wednesday’s school trip to the Galvin for Visual and Performing Arts Day; invites fourth grade families to next Monday’s ukulele concert; and shares the Food Rescue Program volunteer signup and the lunch volunteer signup.

From the Principal: 3/27/23

From the Principal: 3/27/23

Principal Back reminds families about this Wednesday’s early release for conferences; hopes to see many families at Saturday’s Gator Gallop; shares the Food Rescue Program volunteer signup and the lunch volunteer signup; and shares district info about this week’s Kindergarten Virtual Information Night and next week’s Virtual and Performing Arts Day and Night.