From the Principal: 11/6/23

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday! After we “fall back” this weekend and gain an hour, we’re excited to start conferences this Wednesday afternoon/evening and welcome families into the building (or meet up via Zoom) to talk about our favorite topic - kids! The connection and communication between school and home is such an important part of the work we do, and we always appreciate your time and support. If you haven’t signed up for a time yet, please do!

Early Release - Wednesday, November 8th

Our next early release day for students is on Wednesday, November 8th. All students will be dismissed at 11:55am in order for scheduled conferences with families to take place. There will NOT be a lunch block during the school day. (See next blurb…)

Grab & Go Lunches - Wednesday, November 8th

As mentioned in my letter last week, this month we have three early release days in a row (11/8, 11/15, 11/22) and 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 or go to Wakefield Academy.

You must sign your child up if you want them to grab a lunch before they go - lunches will be prepared based on the number of sign-ups and teachers will have a list of who is signed up.

Lunch Signup for Wednesday, November 8th - only if a school lunch is needed

This signup will also be sent out via School Messenger and must be completed before the end of the school day on Tuesday. Because of shifting family needs, we will send a separate signup out for each week.

5th Annual Pumpkin Collection - Wednesday, November 8th

The Wakefield Environmental Sustainability Committee is once again providing an opportunity for post- Halloween pumpkin recycling! On Wednesday, November 8th, there will be a tarp out back where pumpkins can be dropped off as families arrive at school or at the early-release dismissal. Pickup by Black Earth Compost will begin shortly after 12:30pm. Please see the flyer for more information!

No School - Friday, November 10th

Friday, November 10th is a no school day in observance of Veterans Day - all WPS schools and offices will be closed on that day.

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 end of December. 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

Help Wanted - WPS Food Services

Looking for some part-time work? WPS Food Services is looking for part-time help at the high school starting immediately. Please see the linked flyer for more information.

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: 10/30/23

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday! As I said in my staff newsletter, “Halloween Month” is almost over! Tuesday will be a day full of energy and excitement at Greenwood, and we’re looking forward to balancing schoolwork with some other fun fall activities for all to enjoy. Fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate for the K-2 costume parade starting at 2:30 pm, as well as for those of you who might be venturing out on a candy-seeking mission Tuesday evening!! (FYI - our Greenwood staff loves candy, in case you’re looking for creative ways to dispose of excess goods. Personally, I’m a Kit Kat or Twix fan.)

DIBELS Family Reports

Families should have received a School Messenger on Friday afternoon regarding the WPS Early Literacy Screening and information about DIBELS reports. Please look for an envelope in your child’s folder on Monday afternoon with your child’s family report.

“Terrific Tuesday”

In case you missed it last week…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 2:30pm, 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.

Upcoming Early Release Days - Change in Lunch Routines

During the month of November, we have three early release days in a row (11/8, 11/15, 11/22) and 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 or go to Wakefield Academy. While still free to access, families will have to sign up in order for their child to take a lunch on any of these three days. I will be sending out a School Messenger with the sign-up link no later than the Monday before each of these days. Thank you for your cooperation and flexibility with this!

5th Annual Pumpkin Collection

The Wakefield Environmental Sustainability Committee is once again providing an opportunity for post-Halloween pumpkin recycling! On Wednesday, November 8th, there will be a tarp out back where pumpkins can be dropped off as families arrive at school or at the early-release dismissal. Pickup by Black Earth Compost will begin shortly after 12:30 p.m. Please see the flyer for more information!

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 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 December. 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