From the Principal: 3/4/24

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday! They say March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, but I feel like the “lion” was tricked by the Leap Day and showed up early with that crazy wind! We’ll see what still lies ahead, but spring is certainly on everyone’s minds. It’s a little hard to believe that we’ve only been back from February break for one week - everyone is working hard, staying busy, and having fun - let’s keep it up!

No School - Tuesday, March 5th

Due to the use of Galvin Middle School for townwide voting, there will be no school for students on Tuesday, March 5th. This will be a professional development day for all WPS staff.

Upcoming Early Release Days - Change in Lunch Routines

This should sound familiar from the fall! During the month of March, we have two early release days for conferences (3/13 & 3/20) along with some additional adjustments to our instructional schedules on those particular days. Due to this, we will NOT have a scheduled lunch block during the morning on those days. However, we WILL be offering the opportunity for children to pick up a “Grab & Go” lunch before they leave the building. While still free to access, families will have to sign up in order for their child to take a lunch on either of these days. I will be sending out a School Messenger with the sign-up link no later than the Monday before each early release day. Thank you for your cooperation and flexibility with this!

Wakefield Parent University

Wakefield’s 2024 Parent University will take place on Saturday, March 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Galvin Middle School. All parents and caregivers are invited to attend this free event featuring more than a dozen in-person workshops, a keynote session, and meet-and-greet opportunities with local organizations. Wakefield Academy will provide free on-site childcare.

The event will kick off with keynote speaker Mel Peirce. Peirce, a Certified Professional Coach and Parenting Mentor, has combined research with the most effective coaching tools to develop a parenting toolbox you can start using right away. If your child is easily frustrated, their emotions are all consuming, or if you’re often on edge because your child's emotions are unpredictable, her session will be especially insightful.

Following the keynote will be casual, interactive workshops facilitated by Wakefield Public Schools staff and community partners, that cover a variety of topics spanning all grade levels. From “Early Childhood Milestones” to “College Planning,” there’s something for everyone! Register for your sessions and sign up for on-site childcare at bit.ly/WakefieldParentU.

WEF is 35 Years Old!

Celebrate by Supporting WEF through its Online Auction! WEF’s annual auction to raise money for its annual grant process will run from March 1st (12 am) through March 15th (11:59 pm). Auction items are better than ever, including Bruins, Celtics and Patriots tickets, family fun activities in and around Boston, tickets to theater and live music, art and jewelry, gift cards to Wakefield restaurants and small businesses, and more. And new this year is lunch for your child and a friend with their elementary school principal--look in the unique experiences category! Please click this link and support WEF as it supports our school in providing additional enrichment activities for all students in Wakefield. Thank you from WEF!

Wakefield Human Rights Commission - International Women’s Day

On Thursday, March 7th, the Wakefield Human Rights Commission (WHRC) will commemorate International Women’s Day with a program that illuminates the UN Women’s 2024 theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.” This will feature a panel of accomplished women who will share their experiences transforming challenges and barriers into opportunities. This special program will be presented from 7- 8:30 p.m. in the Wakefield Memorial HS theater. A reception will follow.

Lunchroom Volunteers

Thank you to all of the fantastically-dedicated volunteers who have been making lunchtime a little brighter! You are so greatly appreciated!!

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:10 pm on school days? Or 10:30-11:50 am on regular early release days? Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood? Then join us for our 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 through the end of April. Single days, multiple days, one time slot, the whole lunch block…we welcome any and all helpers!

Lunchroom volunteers will help students with those tricky thermoses, hand out napkins and utensils, support students while they sort items into composting/food rescue/trash, and help clean tables at the end of each lunch. Oh, and the most important thing - bring smiles and laughter!

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, and one of my personal goals this year is to show off the fun we’re having throughout Greenwood! 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

From the Principal: 10/23/23

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday! It seems hard to believe that we still have another full week before trick or treating will be in full swing, but that’s how October always plays out in any elementary school. I know a lot of kids are really looking forward to the Greenwood Halloween Party on Friday night - check out the information in Gator Tales if you haven’t bought your ticket yet!

“Terrific Tuesday”

Let’s have some Greenwood fun to wrap up the month of October! On Tuesday, October 31st, students can celebrate a fun day together here at Greenwood by dressing up in some wacky way, which could involve wearing their costume, or simply just sporting some seasonal fall gear, crazy hair, mismatched clothes, or a fun hat.

Dress-up guidelines for the day:

● Must be school-appropriate (both for costume theme and ability to do schoolwork in it)

● No props or accessories

● No full-face masks

And we will once again bring our day to a close with the K-2 costume parade! The parade will begin at 2:30 pm, and students will follow a route out the back door, around one big loop of the blacktop, walk around the Kindergarten side of the building, and go back in the front door to pick up backpacks, etc. before being dismissed. Families are welcome to come and spectate - please arrange yourself outside the cones. Our 3rd and 4th graders will join everyone outside to help cheer on our younger students. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather - we will not hold the parade if it is raining.

Conferences - November 8th & 15th

I’m sure everyone is looking forward to connecting with teachers and talking about how the school year is going so far! Our first date for conferences is on Wednesday, November 8th, which is an early release day for students. There will be time slots for both afternoon and evening conferences on that day. Our second conference day is Wednesday, November 15th, another early release day, and time slots for afternoon conferences will be available. The format of conferences is up to family preference. Both in-person and Zoom conferences are options for any given time - please let your child’s teacher know which you would like to have. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about this!

Safety Drill Practice

Like all school districts across the nation, WPS has been having conversations at the district and school levels about school safety. We continue to examine our current practices, procedures, and current needs for areas of improvement. During the month of September, each classroom teacher shared information and held a discussion with their class about safety practices and procedures that are currently in place, including the following:

● Drills help us practice how to stay safe in case of an emergency. A fire drill is an example.

● The outside doors of our school are locked at all times.

● During the school day visitors can only enter through the main office entrance. Before they come in, they must identify themselves to Ms. Paiva and tell us why they are visiting the school.

● If we see someone outside a school door, we should never let them in.

● If we hear an announcement, it is important to listen to the teacher and follow directions.

We have done three fire drills already, so this week we will be doing a schoolwide drill on Thursday to practice staying safe within the school building. This will include a drill for shelter-in-place and for lockdown. Again, our priority is always to make sure students feel safe and supported in school. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Wakefield Parent University Session - Dr. Nadine Gaab

While I haven’t watched the recording yet, this session by Dr. Nadine Gaab offered through WPS Parent University got rave reviews. The recording is available for 30 days and can be accessed here (Passcode: ##JF90hM) Below is the description for the session.

Dr. Nadine Gaab, an associate professor of Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, will review typical and atypical reading development and the brain’s role in creating these outcomes. She will explore the screening process, the response to screening, and the need for evidence-based reading curricula.

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, October 26th from 4:00-5:00 pm. Here is

the Zoom link to join: Meeting ID: 898 1730 7278 Passcode: 976262

Lunchroom Volunteers

Thank you to all of the fantastically dedicated volunteers who have been making lunchtime a little brighter! You are so greatly appreciated!!

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:10 pm on school days? Or 10:30-11:50am on early release days? Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood? Then join us for our 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 through the beginning of November. Single days, multiple days, one time slot, the whole lunch block…we welcome any and all helpers!

Lunchroom volunteers will help students with those tricky thermoses, hand out napkins and utensils, support students while they sort items into composting/food rescue/trash, and help clean tables at the end of each lunch. Oh, and the most important thing - bring smiles and laughter!

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.

Race for All Ages 5K

Lace up for the 5K Run for All Ages on Nov 4, 2023, to benefit the Wakefield Educational Foundation! Sponsored by the New England 65 Plus Runners Club, pre-registration is open now or you can register at the event. Race starts at 10 am. Click on this link to register: https://raceroster.com/events/2023/73577/21st-jerrys-run-for-all-ages-5k

Greenwood School Social Media

We are on Facebook and Instagram, and one of my personal goals this year is to show off the fun we’re having throughout Greenwood! 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

From the Principal 10/16/23

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday! I got a bit of a chuckle when I sat down to write my opening blurb this week. I was trying to avoid the same old topics…yes, time is flying by. Yes, yes, it’s been very rainy on the weekends for so long. Yes, yes, yes, fall is great. So I thought, “Maybe if I see what I was writing about last year at this time, I’ll get some inspiration!” Only to discover that I was writing about…how I couldn’t think of anything to write about. Go figure!

Early Release - Wednesday, October 18th Our next early release day for students is on Wednesday, October 18th. All students will be dismissed at 11:55 a.m. 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.

Talking with Children About Current Events - Resource for Families Our Greenwood community encompasses staff, students, and families from a wide variety of backgrounds, and that means that the horrific events that have taken place in Israel/Gaza over the past week will land differently for different people. That being said, social media is everywhere and it can be extremely challenging to completely control what all children are seeing and hearing. Jenny Beardslee, our School Psychologist, shared this article with staff and I thought it might be of use for families to help children process any confusing or upsetting thoughts and feelings. If you think your child needs additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Soccer Night in Wakefield On Friday, October 20th, the WMHS Soccer Teams are hosting a community event to celebrate soccer for all ages. Please see the linked flyer for more details.

WPS Parent University Wakefield Public Schools is kicking off the fall semester of Parent University with three keynote sessions for parents and caregivers. Topics will include dyslexia, childhood health and wellness, and underage drinking. Registration is now open for these three fall sessions. For more information, visit the website!

Lunchroom Volunteers Thank you to all of the fantastically-dedicated volunteers who have been making lunchtime a little brighter! You are so greatly appreciated!

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:10pm on school days? Or 10:30-11:50am on early release days? Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood? Then join us for our 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 through the beginning of November. Single days, multiple days, one time slot, the whole lunch block…we welcome any and all helpers!

Lunchroom volunteers will help students with those tricky thermoses, hand out napkins and utensils, support students while they sort items into composting/food rescue/trash, and help clean tables at the end of each lunch. Oh, and the most important thing - bring smiles and laughter!

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, and one of my personal goals this year is to show off the fun we’re having throughout Greenwood! 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

From the Principal

A good attitude is contagious. Pass it on!

Dear Parents,

Please mark your calendars to attend Parent University next Saturday March 10th from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM.  Benefit from the knowledge and advice of community experts through a variety of free workshops focusing on your child’s educational experience and well being.  Free child care available but you must register by Monday March 5th. Check out the brochure! I encourage anyone that has not attended to try and come. It will be well worth your while. I hope to see may of you there!

Please consider coming to the PTO on meeting on Tuesday March 13th. Deb Duggan, our library media specialist will share with parents the work our elementary library-media specialists are doing to revitalize our learning commons! I hope you can join us.  

Have a great week.
Regards,
Deb Collura