From the Principal: 10/13/25

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Tuesday!  I hope everyone was able to enjoy the long weekend and do something fun at some point (or at all points!).  Everyone at Greenwood is working hard, kids and adults alike, and it’s always great to take a little break and reset!  

Mr. Larry’s Retirement

As I shared a couple of weeks ago, after many years as the custodian at Greenwood School "Mr. Larry" Mathewson will be heading off into retirement.  His last day at Greenwood is Friday, October 17th, which seems hard to believe!  Mr. Larry does not seek out attention (to put it mildly), so we are finding some ways in school to balance honoring this while also giving him our thanks and the sendoff he deserves.  Classes are preparing different tokens/gestures of appreciation, but if your child wants to do another separate card, letter, or drawing, we can make sure that gets to him!

From the Greenwood Library

Mrs. Bayer has a reminder for everyone about Library Book Checkout Expectations!  Families should have received a paper flyer via their child’s backpack, and we wanted you all to have a digital copy as well.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Bayer with any questions!

WEF Open House for Volunteers

Looking for a way to get involved with providing enrichment activities for students in the Wakefield Public Schools?  Please see the linked flyer for information about the WEF Open House on Wednesday, October 15th from 6:00-7:15pm at the Beebe Library.

Lunchroom Volunteers

It’s a new year, and we are once again looking for adults to support students during lunchtime!

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  We are finally bringing back 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 up until the Thanksgiving break!.  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

Principal, Greenwood School

From the Principal: 10/05/25

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  Every time I think the weather has tipped over into full-fledged fall, we slide back into summery temperatures for a bit!  Hopefully families were able to take advantage of that over the weekend to do some fun outdoor activities together!  

Arrival & Dismissal Safety Reminder - Front Driveway

We’ve heard from the Main Street crossing guard that there has seemed to be an increase in people trying to enter the front driveway of the school during arrival and dismissal times.  As a reminder, access to the front driveway is limited to school vehicles for increased pedestrian safety during the following times:

• 8:15-8:45am for arrival

• 2:35-3:05pm for dismissal

Please always be mindful of any direction or instructions from a crossing guard.  Everyone’s safety is the priority!

School Picture Day

O’Connor Studios will be at Greenwood on Monday, October 6th to take individual student photos, class photos, and the 4th grade group photo. The 4th grade photo will start organizing around 8:45am, so please make extra-sure your child is on time to school!

iWalk (International Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day)

Safe Routes to School Massachusetts is once again encouraging schools to participate in this event on Wednesday, October 8th.  Students and families across Massachusetts will walk, bike, and roll to school to enjoy a safe, healthy, and active lifestyle.  Luckily, here at Greenwood almost every day is walk, bike, and roll to school day!  We will have a table outside at arrival with stickers and bookmarks to distribute.  It will be festive!

From the Elementary Handbook Regarding Smartwatches

A reminder for families specifically about smartwatches in school - the language in the Elementary Handbook states that students should *not* be using smartwatches during the school day.  This is regardless of whether or not the device is in school mode, as that is challenging for staff members to check and monitor.  All devices must be turned off and placed in backpacks during the day.  We appreciate your support in this!  

“Personal electronic communication devices” are understood to mean any device that can send, receive, or play messages, audio, photos, videos, and/or record audio/video.  This includes cell phones and smart watches, as well as earbuds and headphones not provided by WPS or requested as part of student supply lists.

• Students bring devices to school at their own risk.

• Personal electronic communication devices are not permitted to be used during school hours.

• Once students enter the building for the school day, devices must be turned off and kept in backpacks.

• School staff will confiscate any device if a student is using it during the school day. 

MCAS Family Portal - Update

The launch of the MCAS Family Portal has been delayed by DESE - we’ll update everyone when we have more information!

4th Grade Families - MCAS Student Reports

We are getting them ready to send out!  4th grade families will be receiving their child’s 3rd grade MCAS report via mail shortly.  While the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education does a great job providing a lot of helpful information in these reports, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have.

From the Elementary Science Teachers

Please take a moment to read about all the exciting things going on in science!

SEPT K-4 Science Newsletter

Spanish copy of SEPT K-4 Science Newsletter

Portuguese copy of SEPT K-4 Science Newsletter

No School - Monday, October 13th

Just a reminder that all WPS schools and offices will be closed on Monday, October 13th in observance of Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day.  Enjoy the upcoming three-day weekend!

WEF Open House for Volunteers

Looking for a way to get involved with providing enrichment activities for students in the Wakefield Public Schools?  Please see the linked flyer for information about the WEF Open House on Wednesday, October 15th from 6:00-7:15pm at the Beebe Library.

Lunchroom Volunteers

It’s a new year, and we are once again looking for adults to support students during lunchtime!

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  We are finally bringing back 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 up until the Thanksgiving break!.  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

Principal, Greenwood School

From the Principal: 09/28/2025

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  While September isn’t *technically* over, I’m still going to go ahead and say that the month of September flew by!  We had our first Greenwood All-School Meeting of the year last Monday, and it was so fun to see the entire school gathered together for the first of many whole-school celebrations.  If you listened to my Back-to-School Night slideshow, you know that I put a lot of emphasis on having a strong sense of community.  I’ll keep families updated on when the student-hosted meetings will begin so that you can join us!

District Assessments

If your child happens to come home one day this week and say, “I did a reading activity with a different teacher today!” or “I logged into iReady to do math today,” that’s just a sign that we have entered the elementary assessment window for the beginning of the year!  You may have heard about some of this from your child’s classroom teacher on Back to School Night - there are three times over the course of the school year where we collect benchmark information about students in reading and math to better refine our general classroom instructional needs, identify and form intervention/enrichment groups, and monitor overall student growth.  This assessment information is shared with families as well - more to come about that soon!

Science Letter Regarding Allergies

I heard that some folks may have missed this the first time!  In order to keep families informed about organic materials being used in science classes, please check out  the linked letter from our WPS science teachers.  Any questions can be directed to me or your child’s Greenwood science teacher (Laurel Laroche - Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd; Jennifer Holder - 3rd, 4th).

School Picture Day

O’Connor Studios will be at Greenwood on Monday, October 6th to take individual student photos, class photos, and the 4th grade group photo.  If you haven’t yet, you will be receiving an email from O’Connor about photo ordering options.  We will also be sending home paper copies with photo ordering information.  On Monday, October 6th, the 4th grade photo will start organizing around 8:45am, so please make extra-sure your child is on time to school that morning!

MCAS Family Portal

Around October 1st, DESE is launching an “MCAS Family Portal” so families have the ability to access their child’s individual MCAS data and track assessment results over time. More information will be sent out via School Messenger about how to create an account. Families will still receive a paper copy of their child’s MCAS results - these are scheduled to be sent to schools next week and will go out in the mail after that.

“Mental Health Essentials” Webinar - SEEM Collaborative

Please see the linked flyer for more information and a registration link for a “Mental Health Essentials for Parents and Caregivers” webinar sponsored by SEEM Collaborative on Tuesday, September 30th.

WEF Open House for Volunteers

Looking for a way to get involved with providing enrichment activities for students in the Wakefield Public Schools?  Please see the linked flyer for information about the WEF Open House on Wednesday, October 15th from 6:00-7:15pm at the Beebe Library.

Lunchroom Volunteers

It’s a new year, and we are once again looking for adults to support students during lunchtime!

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  We are finally bringing back 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 up until the Thanksgiving break!.  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

Principal, Greenwood School

From the Principal: 09/21/2025

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Sunday!  It was wonderful to see so many families here with us last Thursday for Back to School Night!  While our goal is to have ongoing conversations with families throughout the school year, Back to School Night is always an important opportunity for you to literally sit in your child’s seat, meet your child’s teachers, and hear in the teachers’ own words the learning and social-emotional goals for the upcoming months.  We appreciate your presence! 

Greenwood PTO Meeting - Thursday, September 25th

If you watched my slideshow overview about Greenwood, you heard me talk about how important the Greenwood PTO is and how the dedicated volunteers who have already stepped into leadership and coordinator roles could use much more help!  A great place to begin is by attending the first Greenwood PTO meeting of the year on Thursday, September 25th at 7:00pm.  This will be an in-person meeting at the Main Street Grille & Taphouse, and we’d love to see you there!

Early Release - Friday, September 26th

Our first early release day for students is on Friday, September 26th.  All students will be dismissed at 11:55am in order for WPS staff to have professional development sessions in the afternoon.  While there will not be a scheduled lunch block during the morning, families will have the option to sign up for a “Grab & Go” lunch.  See next blurb for details!

Grab & Go Lunches

Due to the necessary adjustments to our instructional schedules on shortened school days, we will NOT have a scheduled lunch block during the morning on early release days (kids will still have snack!).  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 early release day.  I will be sending out a separate School Messenger with the sign-up link on Monday, September 22nd.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about this!

From the Greenwood Library

In case you missed the hard copies that were sent home with students last week, here is a link to Mrs. Bayer’s Library Welcome Letter to families.  You can find all of the following information in it:

• Library book checkout / class schedule

• Library Media and Technology curriculum

• What to do if a book is lost or damaged

• Reading and digital literacy resources that families can access from home

• Mrs. Bayer's (Library Media Specialist) contact information

“Mental Health Essentials” Webinar - SEEM Collaborative

Please see the linked flyer for more information and a registration link for a “Mental Health Essentials for Parents and Caregivers” webinar sponsored by SEEM Collaborative on Tuesday, September 30th.

Lunchroom Volunteers

It’s a new year, and we are once again looking for adults to support students during lunchtime!

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  We are finally bringing back 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 September.  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

Principal, Greenwood School

From the Principal: 09/14/2025

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  We have had a busy week for our first full week of the school year!  Everyone is settling into their routines and starting to learn about new topics, and it is fantastic to see (and hear) students excited about what they’re learning.  We’re ready for the new week!    

Greenwood Back-to-School Night Details

Greenwood’s Back-to-School Night is on Thursday, September 18th.   Classroom presentations will be staggered so that families with students in both lower (K, 1, 2) and upper (3, 4) grades can attend both.  (I know it’s trickier if you have multiple students in grade levels near each other - sorry about that!)  

Greenwood Back-to-School Night Format

• 6:00-6:40pm   3rd & 4th grade classroom presentations

• 6:15-6:55pm   Specialist teachers, related service providers, the Greenwood PTO, and the Wakefield Educational Foundation (WEF) available to meet/chat (location will be sent out)

• 6:45-7:25pm   Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade classroom presentations

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

When you arrive at Greenwood, you will go directly to your child’s classroom on the 2nd floor.  We will have staff members helping to send families in the right direction.  Classroom presentations will begin promptly at 6:00pm and end by 6:40pm. After the classroom portion of the evening, families can visit specialist teachers and related service providers (location will be sent out prior to the event).  Representatives from the Greenwood PTO and a representative from the Wakefield Educational Foundation (WEF) will have information tables set up in the 1st floor hallway.

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

Before the classroom portion of the evening, families can visit specialist teachers and related service providers (location will be sent out prior to the event).  Representatives from the Greenwood PTO and a representative from the Wakefield Educational Foundation (WEF) will have information tables set up in the 1st floor hallway.  Classroom presentations will take place in your child’s classroom on the 1st floor from 6:45-7:25pm. 

**Just a reminder - this is an event for adult family members only.  A reminder with additional information will be sent out via School Messenger midweek.  We look forward to seeing everyone on Thursday night!

Absences - Student Safety Line

If your child is going to be absent from school or tardy due to an appointment, it is important to leave a message on the Greenwood Child Safety Line so that we can reconcile our daily attendance appropriately.  Sending a message to the teacher is always appreciated, but the office must be notified as well.  The phone number is 781-245-6646.  Thank you so much for your help with this!

School Pictures - Save the Date

A couple of folks have asked - O’Connor Studios will be at Greenwood to take individual student photos and class photos on Monday, October 6th.  Information about photo packages available for purchase will be emailed to families directly by O’Connor prior to that date.  

Science Letter Regarding Allergies

In order to keep families informed about organic materials being used in science classes, the linked letter was sent out via School Messenger on Friday morning.  Any questions can be directed to me or your child’s science teacher (Laurel Laroche - Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd; Jennifer Holder - 3rd, 4th).

Dogs on School Grounds

Since Greenwood is a community where many families walk to and from school regularly, we do have a number of folks who naturally take that opportunity to bring their dogs along for the walk.  However, I’d like to remind folks that if you have a dog with you, you should keep them away from the building and monitor them closely while you drop off or wait for pickup.  We want everyone to be safe and feel comfortable while arriving and leaving!

From the Wakefield Educational Foundation (WEF) - Calendar Sales

Dear Wakefield Families, 

WEF welcomes everyone back for another great school year!  Start the year off right with your handy WEF Calendar, celebrating more than 80 WPS student artists and reminding you of important dates throughout the school year!  You may purchase here! 

Lunchroom Volunteers

It’s a new year, and we are once again looking for adults to support students during lunchtime!

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  We are finally bringing back 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 September.  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

Principal, Greenwood School

From the Principal: 09/07/2025

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Sunday!  We had a busy first (almost full) week at Greenwood, and everyone is excited about all of the adventures that lie ahead of us this school year.  While we’re still learning and practicing school and classroom routines, we definitely feel like we’re getting into the swing of things!      

Beginning of the Year Paperwork

Families will receive an email from Ms. Paiva on Monday with a letter linking to the “paperwork” that is required at the start of the school year.  Please be sure to complete the required items in a timely manner, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

First Fire Drill

Greenwood had our first fire drill of the year on Thursday, and everything went very smoothly!  Kids moved with their classes quickly and quietly to exit the building and waited patiently until we got the “all clear” signal from the Wakefield Fire Department to reenter the building and continue on with our learning.  Practicing safety routines is important!  

PE Classes - Appropriate Footwear

In order to ensure that students are able to participate safely and fully during PE classes, we are asking that students either wear or bring sneakers on the day that their class has gym.  We’ve seen a lot of twisted ankles and tripping/falling when kids are wearing Crocs or slides, and we’d like to avoid this moving forward.  Nurse Alicia and Mr. Kelleher thank you in advance for your help with this!

In case you’re wondering which days your child has PE…

Tuesday

Doherty, Swift, Braham, McCann

Wednesday

Morse, Ricupero, Wallace, Campbell

Thursday

Frazier, Doherty, Ricupero, Braham, Wallace, Campbell

Friday

DiVasta, Morse, Swift, McCann

Save the Date Reminder - Back to School Night

Next week’s issue of Gator Tales will have more details, but please be sure that Thursday, September 18th from 6:00-7:30pm is blocked off on your calendar for Greenwood’s Back to School Night!  

WPS Student Support Services Website

Looking for information and/or resources to help support your child’s social-emotional health?  Want to find out more about ways to look into counseling and family support?  Please check out the Student Support Services website for the Wakefield Public Schools.  There is a lot of helpful information to be found there. 

Afterschool Playground Use

Once the school day is over, many students enjoy spending outdoor time at the Greenwood playground and blacktop areas.  And we love to see it!  However, just a gentle reminder that Wakefield Academy often uses the same areas for the afterschool program and our “school rules” are still in effect.  The expectation is that all students are respectful of themselves, of others, and of school property.  This includes following any directives from the adults who are supervising students at Wakefield Academy, regardless of whether your child is enrolled.  We want everyone to be safe and have fun after school!

From the Wakefield Educational Foundation (WEF) - Calendar Sales

Dear Wakefield Families, 

WEF welcomes everyone back for another great school year!

WEF Calendar:  Start the year off right with your handy WEF Calendar, celebrating more than 80 WPS student artists and reminding you of important dates throughout the school year!  You may purchase here! 

Lunchroom Volunteers

It’s a new year, and we are once again looking for adults to support students during lunchtime!

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  We are finally bringing back 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 September.  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 start to the school year!

Tiffany Back

Principal, Greenwood School