Welcome to the Greenwood School community!
The Greenwood PTO is an enthusiastic non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that enhances the education and experience of our students. We know how tough it can be to navigate a new school setting, so we’ve compiled a few important pieces of information we hope will get you on the fast track to becoming an active member of the Greenwood community.
The Greenwood School is one of the smallest elementary schools in Wakefield and the building, built in 1897, is one of the oldest. This creates a family atmosphere and an unmatched charm that really sets us apart. We know you and your child will have a great experience here.
What should I do first?
Sign up for Gator Tales! While you will hear from our principal via email when necessary, the PTO communicates notices and events through our Gator Tales newsletter on a weekly basis. The newsletter is sent via an opt-in subscription, so please sign up today.
Bookmark www.GreenwoodPTO.org. Take a minute to browse the site, paying particular attention to the calendar and news sections. These are updated frequently, so you can always stay up-to-date.
Follow the PTO on social media! Twitter - Instagram - Facebook page
Join the Greenwood Gators Facebook community. Though not an officially sanctioned school group, parents here are always available for questions and conversation.
Many of the grades at the Greenwood School also have their own Facebook groups where parents connect, plan meet-ups, and generally get to know one another. You can find this year's kindergarten parent group by searching and requesting to join "Greenwood Kindergarten 2019-2020" on Facebook. (Looking for another grade? Email us at ptoboard@greenwoodpto.org and we'll see if we can connect you.)
What’s all this about Gators?
Each Wakefield elementary school has a mascot. Greenwood’s is GUSS the Gator. Named through a student contest, GUSS stands for Greenwood's United School Spirit.
I need full-day childcare. Do you have any suggestions?
Wakefield Academy provides before- and after-school care at the Greenwood, from 7 AM to 6 PM. The kids have a blast playing outdoors (weather permitting) reading, and doing crafts. There are also enrichment programs throughout the year which bring in science, sports, and even cooking. You can turn your calendars in each month to Greenwood’s secretary, Marie Paiva, and pay online. Morning drop off is in the library and after-school pickup is in the basement via the door on the right side of the building.
How does school lunch work? Do I send my child in with cash?
You can set up a My School Bucks account and manage your child’s food services fund as well as monitor purchases. Each child is assigned a student number as a password, and he or she uses it at the register. No more forgotten lunch money! If you are packing a lunch or snack, please refrain from sending nut products to school.
Is it possible to spend time helping out in my child's classroom or in the school?
Absolutely! There are so many ways to get involved, from helping out at lunchtime or in the library, to leading crafts in the class, chaperoning field trips, and doing the dunk tank at Field Day. Watch Gator Tales and emails from your room parent for opportunities. And be sure to stop by the school office to drop off a completed CORI form so you're eligible to jump in whenever you see fit.
Are there specialty subjects at the Greenwood? On which days?
Yes, Greenwood students benefit from classes like gym, music, art, and library/media studies, and health/SEL. The Wakefield Public School (WPS) system operates on six-day schedule. Specialty subjects are not determined by the traditional day of the week (Monday - Friday), but by which day it is on the six-day schedule. Your teacher should supply you the mapping for your class. You can find out where you are in the six-day schedule by reviewing the WPS District calendar, which has six-day value superscripted to the right of each date.
The Wakefield Educational Foundation’s (WEF) wall calendar is a life saver. It not only has the six-day schedule, it also lists all early release and vacation days, and some school-specific events. As an added benefit, the proceeds support WEF. Calendars for the new year will be available in the fall and are typically sold at Back to School Night in September.
What is the PTO?
Our PTO is passionate about providing programming, enrichment, and fun to our children’s time here at Greenwood. Our members juggle work, coaching, volunteering, and taxi driving, and encourage you to attend a meeting. We meet one evening a month (schedule TBD). There is absolutely no commitment expected from your attendance. Though we’d love to have your opinions when selecting cultural enrichment partners or your time setting up for a school event, we would be thrilled just to have you listen and learn. We organize in-school programming, fund initiatives like Google Expeditions and AuthorFest, host fall and spring dances, and so much more. Join us!
Is my child going to be selling popcorn or cookie dough this year to raise money for you?
No! We know how hard it is to find the time to sell fundraising items. Instead, we host the Gator Gallop, a 5K run/walk around Lake Quannapowitt, that raises a majority of our funds. It’s well-received in both the Wakefield and running communities, and a blast to be a part of each spring. In addition, we ask each family to pay $35 in dues at the start of each year. Dues money covers children’s classroom shirts (color-coded by grade and worn during school events and on field trips) and contributes to our larger programming initiatives.
What do I do if I have an idea for Greenwood School?
Most PTO activities have started as the idea of a parent with a vision—from the school’s community garden, to an Amazon wish list that lets community members make name-plated donations to the Greenwood library, to a new initiative collecting excess wholesome foods from the school-lunch program to donate to local groups serving families in need.
Have an idea? Please reach out to ptoboard@greenwoodpto.org or come to any PTO meeting.
What are some of the biggest school events of the year?
You'll want to save the date for the following annual events. Watch our calendar and Facebook page for details.
October: The whole family—including preschoolers and other little ones—is welcome to attend our giant Halloween dance and pizza party for one ticket price.
October 31: The K-2 students usually participate in a Halloween parade around the outside of the school around 2:15pm, and families are welcome to line up outside to watch.
November: Cross some names off your shopping list and help support the fourth-grade "moving on" activities at our (new this year) Holiday Pop-Up Market featuring local vendors. (Interested in being a vendor at the event? Drop us a note at ptoboard@greenwoodpto.org.)
January: This year, Greenwood School will hold its first Science Fair. (Reach out to ptoboard@greenwoodpto.org if you'd like to help plan it.)
April: The Gator Gallop is a community favorite, featuring a 1-mile kids' run and a timed 5K run/walk around beautiful Lake Quannapowitt, with all proceeds benefiting the Greenwood School and the Wakefield Educational Foundation.
Additionally, each class presents at least one All-School Meeting a year, singing songs and otherwise performing for the entire school and any families who wish to attend. To attend, sign in at the school office after drop-off and then watch from the auditorium balcony on the second floor. The meetings usually start at 9 a.m. and wrap up in about 30 minutes. These dates will also be posted on our calendar and Facebook page as they become available.