From the Principal: 5/24/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Welcome back!  I hope that everyone was able to enjoy time together over the weekend.  Whether you were spending time at parades and observances for Memorial Day, gathering for cookouts with family and friends, or taking a quick trip somewhere, it’s always a treat to spend time with others when we can!  On another note, it hardly seems possible that we’re looking at 17 school days left in the school year…but it’s true!  Time flies!  

Reminder - Grade 3 Recorder Concert

Mrs. Brighenti sent out an email to 3rd grade families already, but just in case you didn’t get the date on your calendar!  Greenwood third graders have been working hard in music and chorus classes and are excited to invite families to their concert! The performance will take place on Monday, June 1st from 9:00-9:25am in the Greenwood gym.  Seating for families will be in the balcony.

Lost & Found

Is your child missing a coat?  A sweatshirt?  Or maybe even three of them?  Our Greenwood lost & found is once again overflowing with unclaimed clothing, and we really want to reunite as many items as possible with their rightful owners before the end of the school year.  If you’d like to come and take a peek, please contact Ms. Paiva to arrange a time.  Once school is out for the summer, all remaining items will be donated.

End of the Year Dates

Here are a few key dates for your late May & June calendars:

• Monday, 5/25 - No School (Memorial Day)

• Wednesday, 5/27 - Grade 3 Field Trip

• Friday, 5/29 - Greenwood Spring Dance

• Monday, 6/1 - Grade 3 Recorder Concert & Grade 1 “American Symbols” Family Event

• Friday, 6/5 - WMHS “Senior Walk” at Greenwood

• Saturday, 6/6 - WMHS Graduation

• Tuesday, 6/9 - Grade 4 Field Trip

• Thursday, 6/11 - Field Day

• Friday, 6/12 - Field Day Rain Date

• Monday, 6/15 - Grade 2 “Ancestry Day” Family Event

• Tuesday, 6/16 - Beebe Library visit to Greenwood

• Thursday, 6/18 - Grade 1 Field Trip & Grade 2 Field Trip

• Friday, 6/19 - No School (Juneteenth)

• Monday, 6/22 - Grade 4 Moving On Ceremony 

• Monday, 6/22 - Last day for Greenwood Kindergarten (11:55am dismissal for K only)

• Tuesday, 6/23 - Greenwood Incoming Kindergarten Screening 

• Wednesday, 6/24 - Last day for Greenwood 1st-4th Grades (11:55am dismissal)

I’ll continue to update the list as more special events get booked!

FYI - First Day of School 2026-2027

I am in no way glossing over the rest of this school year AND the summer, but I thought it would be worth highlighting that the first day of school for students next year will be September 2, 2026 which is BEFORE Labor Day.  This is different from previous years, so just take note!

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!  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: 5/10/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  Not that we don’t feel it at other parts of the year, but the Greenwood Staff is feeling EXTREMELY appreciated after all of the amazing treats and special theme days last week!  It was completely delightful to see what was in store for our taste buds each day.  We all feel lucky to be part of such an amazing school community - we are truly a team that works together to support children!

Reminder - MCAS Testing Grades 3 & 4

It’s time!  We will have MCAS testing for Math on Monday, May 11th and Tuesday, May 12th.  Students who are absent from school or tardy on those days will complete their testing during a makeup session once they return.

Optional Class Placement Survey - Due Monday!

This is the time of the school year when we start our process of looking ahead toward planning for the fall, and one of the most important projects we have ahead of us is class placement. On Thursday, April 30th families of students in grades K-3 received a brief optional online survey that gives you the opportunity to provide relevant input about your child if you so choose.  More details will be sent along with the survey form, but we are asking for any input to be provided no later than Monday, May 11th.  

For our Grade 4 families...Galvin Middle School has its own process for sharing information about students entering 5th grade in the fall, and they will communicate with you about that (if they haven’t already been in touch).

Early Release - Friday, May 15th

Our next early release day for students is on Friday, May 15th.  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 - Friday, May 15th

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, May 11th.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about this!

Save The Dates - Leah's Fairy Garden Installation and Opening

To honor the memory of Greenwood student Leah Ellis, a Fairy Garden will be installed on the school grounds this spring. Volunteers will install the garden on May 15th from 12-2pm (a half day for students). And on June 10th from 3-5pm, all are welcome to attend a community opening of the garden. There are a variety of ways to help. If you're interested in helping, please fill out this form which has specific ways to volunteer this spring and beyond. Questions? Contact Brie Reynolds, briewreynolds@gmail.com.

Warrior Clean Up Crew Event

On Saturday, May 16th, the Warrior Clean Up Crew is hosting a spring litter pick-up along the rail trail. If they have enough volunteers, it will expand to the Galvin as well. Volunteers will meet near the intersection of Main and Richardson Streets from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (rain date: Sunday, May 17th).

This is a kid-friendly event, and we encourage students and families to participate. Refreshments will be served, all supplies will be provided, and participants just need to bring a refillable water bottle. Registration is here: https://nipthenips.com/volunteer/

End of the Year Dates

I haven’t gotten any “What’s the date of the last day of school? emails yet, but I anticipate they’ll be coming soon!  Now that we’re safely past the threat of snow days (!!), here are a few key dates for your late May & June calendars:

• Monday, 5/25 - No School (Memorial Day)

• Wednesday, May 27th - Grade 3 Field Trip

• Friday, May 29th - Greenwood Spring Dance

• Monday, 6/1 - Grade 3 Recorder Concert

• Friday, 6/5 - WMHS “Senior Walk” at Greenwood

• Saturday, 6/6 - WMHS Graduation

• Tuesday, 6/9 - Grade 4 Field Trip

• Thursday, 6/11 - Field Day

• Friday, 6/12 - Field Day Rain Date

• Tuesday, 6/16 - Beebe Library visit to Greenwood

• Thursday, 6/18 - Grade 2 Field Trip

• Friday, 6/19 - No School (Juneteenth)

• Monday, 6/22 - Grade 4 Moving On Ceremony 

• Monday, 6/22 - Last day for Greenwood Kindergarten (11:55am dismissal for K only)

• Tuesday, 6/23 - Greenwood Incoming Kindergarten Screening 

• Wednesday, 6/24 - Last day for Greenwood 1st-4th Grades (11:55am dismissal)

I’ll continue to update the list as more special events get booked!

FYI - First Day of School 2026-2027

I am in no way glossing over the rest of this school year AND the summer, but I thought it would be worth highlighting that the first day of school for students next year will be September 2, 2026 which is BEFORE Labor Day.  This is different from previous years, so just take note!

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!  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: 5/03/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  Even though I usually write my letter on Fridays, I decided to wait until after the Gator Gallop so I could talk about the event.  The weather on Saturday morning was so odd, but I thought it was great that we managed to get the 1 Mile Kids’ Fun Run off and running (and finished!) before the rain picked up.  HUGE thanks to all of the Gator Gallop Committee members and additional volunteers who made it all possible!     

Lunchroom Volunteers REALLY Needed…

Our wonderful lunch monitor, Karen DeJoie, is going to be away on a well-deserved family vacation from Monday, May 4th through Friday, May 8th.  If you have a bit of free time and can help support in the cafeteria during any student lunch blocks, your help would be greatly appreciated!

Reminder - MCAS Testing Grades 3 & 4

One more week!  A reminder to families of students in Grades 3 & 4 that we will have MCAS testing for Math on Monday, May 11th and Tuesday, May 12th.  Students who are absent from school or tardy on those days will complete their testing during a makeup session once they return.

Optional Class Placement Survey

This is the time of the school year when we start our process of looking ahead toward planning for the fall, and one of the most important projects we have ahead of us is class placement. On Thursday, April 30th families of students in grades K-3 received a brief optional online survey that gives you the opportunity to provide relevant input about your child if you so choose.  More details will be sent along with the survey form, but we are asking for any input to be provided no later than Monday, May 11th.  

For our Grade 4 families...Galvin Middle School has its own process for sharing information about students entering 5th grade in the fall, and they will communicate with you about that (if they haven’t already been in touch).

From the Science Teachers

Check out the spring newsletter from our elementary science teachers!

April Science Newsletter 2026

Spanish Copy of April Science Newsletter 2026

Portuguese Copy of April Science Newsletter 2026

MA Safe Routes to School Event

Massachusetts Walk, Bike, and Roll to school day is Wednesday, May 6th!  Many of our Greenwood families already travel to school via safe, active commutes, and this is a day when everyone in the Commonwealth is encouraged to do so as well.  Wakefield police officers will be on site at each of the schools to welcome all our walkers, bikers, and rollers that morning, and we’ll have stickers, bookmarks, and (hopefully) music to greet everyone at arrival.  Looking forward to another fun arrival activity!

Save The Dates - Leah's Fairy Garden Installation and Opening

To honor the memory of Greenwood student Leah Ellis, a Fairy Garden will be installed on the school grounds this spring. Volunteers will install the garden on May 15th from 12-2pm (a half day for students). And on June 10th from 3-5pm, all are welcome to attend a community opening of the garden. There are a variety of ways to help. If you're interested in helping, please fill out this form which has specific ways to volunteer this spring and beyond. Questions? Contact Brie Reynolds, briewreynolds@gmail.com.

End of the Year Dates

I haven’t gotten any “What’s the date of the last day of school? emails yet, but I anticipate they’ll be coming soon!  Now that we’re safely past the threat of snow days (!!), here are a few key dates for your late May & June calendars:

• Monday, 5/25 - No School (Memorial Day)

• Wednesday, May 27th - Grade 3 Field Trip

• Friday, May 29th - Greenwood Spring Dance

• Monday, 6/1 - Grade 3 Recorder Concert

• Friday, 6/5 - WMHS “Senior Walk” at Greenwood

• Saturday, 6/6 - WMHS Graduation

• Tuesday, 6/9 - Grade 4 Field Trip

• Thursday, 6/11 - Field Day

• Friday, 6/12 - Field Day Rain Date

• Friday, 6/19 - No School (Juneteenth)

• Monday, 6/22 - Grade 4 Moving On Ceremony 

• Monday, 6/22 - Last day for Greenwood Kindergarten (11:55am dismissal for K only)

• Tuesday, 6/23 - Greenwood Incoming Kindergarten Screening 

• Wednesday, 6/24 - Last day for Greenwood 1st-4th Grades (11:55am dismissal)

I’ll continue to update the list as more special events get booked!

FYI - First Day of School 2026-2027

I am in no way glossing over the rest of this school year AND the summer, but I thought it would be worth highlighting that the first day of school for students next year will be September 2, 2026 which is BEFORE Labor Day.  This is different from previous years, so just take note!

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!  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: 4/26/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday and Welcome Back!   I hope everyone was able to enjoy some (if not all!) of the April vacation week.  Even though there’s still a good chunk of  time left in the 2025-2026 school year, coming back from April break definitely has that “home stretch” feeling to it.  You’ll start seeing newsletter items regarding both THIS year and NEXT year from here on out. Lots to think about between now and June 24th.

Grade 4 Visit to Galvin

All Grade 4 families should have received an email from Greg Hurley, Galvin Assistant Principal for Grades 5 & 6 in early March with a “Welcome to Galvin” subject line.  This email contained a few different informational items and dates of note (if you did NOT receive this email, please let me know).  One of those items was about the 4th-grade visit to Galvin.  Greenwood is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29th - buses will pick up at Greenwood at 9:15 am and return by 10:40 am. 

Grade 4 Ukulele Concert - Monday, May 4th

4thgrade families should have already received information from Mrs. Brighenti about the upcoming ukulele concert on Monday, May 4th at 9:00am.  We invite 4th grade families to join us for this much-anticipated performance…your balcony seating awaits!

Reminder - MCAS Testing Grades 3 & 4

We have a little bit of time, but just a reminder to families of students in Grades 3 & 4 that we will have MCAS testing for Math on Monday, May 11th and Tuesday, May 12th.  Students who are absent from school or tardy on those days will complete their testing during a makeup session once they return.

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!  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: 4/12/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  We are delighted to report that 3rd and 4th graders are halfway through their MCAS journey - we’re logged out of the MCAS Portal until math testing in mid-May!  Five busy days ahead of us - the lead up to any school break is always jam-packed with the wrapping up of curriculum units and fun classroom/school events.  We’re looking forward to a great week before some well-deserved time with a more relaxed schedule!   

April Break - No School

No reminder needed, I’m sure!  However, just so we’re all on the same page…there is no school Monday, April 20th through Friday, April 24th for April break.

Wakefield Visual & Performing Arts Day (VPAD) - Tuesday, April 14th

On Tuesday, April 14th, Greenwood will have an opportunity for our yearly “school field trip” for a WPS student art show at the Americal Civic Center and a musical performance by WMHS students at the Galvin auditorium.  All Greenwood students and staff will be taking buses to the Galvin together for this fun event.  Buses are scheduled to leave Greenwood around 9:20am and return shortly after 11:30am.

Lost and Found

Please help reunite some of the MANY items in our Greenwood Lost & Found with their owners!  Located across from the library – stop by and check it out!

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!  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: 4/05/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  Can it be possible that there are only two weeks before April break begins?  The thing that makes it even more unbelievable is how jam-packed with events our calendars are between now and then!  But we do like to stay busy!   

MCAS Testing - 3rd & 4th Grades

It’s here!  All students in Grades 3 & 4 will complete computer-based testing in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math as part of MCAS testing on Monday, April 6th and Tuesday, April 7th.  We are proud of all the hard work our students do each and every day, and this is an opportunity for them to “show what they know.”  Please be sure they come to school with a good snack (and lunch, if they don’t get a school lunch) so that their brains stay fueled!  

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!  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: 3/29/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  It was so much fun to check out the projects on display at the Greenwood Science Fair on Saturday morning!  There are always a lot of creative ideas from our inquisitive Gators!  Now it’s time to get ready for our first regular five-day week in quite a while…    

Authorfest

We will welcome three authors to Greenwood for this year’s Authorfest visits!  On Thursday, April 2nd, artist and storyteller Larry Daley will present to our Kindergarten classes.  Then on Friday, April 3rd, author-illustrator and cartoonist Jannie Ho will present to our 1st and 2nd grade students.  Finally, on that same day, Anna Staniszewski will host workshops for our 3rd and 4th grade students.  We’re looking forward to some interesting visits!

MCAS Testing - 3rd & 4th Grades

It’s right around the corner now!  All students in Grades 3 & 4 will complete computer-based testing in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math as part of MCAS testing.  There are two sessions for each subject area, and tests must be scheduled within the window provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  We are sharing these dates now in the effort to avoid scheduling appointments that would remove your child from school on the MCAS testing days.

ELA - Monday, 4/6 & Tuesday, 4/7 

Math - Monday, 5/11 & Tuesday, 5/12

WEF Celebration of Learning

Congratulations to our 4th grade students, parent volunteers, and staff members who will be honored at the WEF Celebration of Learning on Wednesday, April 15th at the Galvin!  This wonderful celebration highlighting excellence in education is sponsored by the Wakefield Education Foundation.  The following students were nominated by their peers as students that best represent our school’s core values: Kazim Atoui, Grace Kitowicz, Everlyn Kressirer, Reina Miloszewski, and Trent O’Neil.  Parent volunteers to be recognized as having made significant contributions to the Greenwood School Community are Leigh Kelter and Krista Kitowicz.  The staff members to be honored this year are MSN Teachers Lisa Connell and Whitney Collins.  What an amazing group!

Doyle Preschool at Greenwood

Just to keep folks in the loop! With demand for preschool slots continuing to be on the rise, planning is underway to have an additional Doyle preschool classroom housed at Greenwood in the fall.  There are currently two preschool classes at Woodville as well.  We’re excited about the opportunity to welcome a new age group into the Gator family!  More details will continue to be shared as logistics are worked out.

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!  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: 3/22/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  And here we are at the last full week of March!  One more early release Friday before we have a nice long stretch of “normal” Fridays - thank goodness!  It’s been great to see everyone coming to Greenwood for conferences - thank you for making time for these important conversations!  

Pedestrian Safety - Crosswalks

We are hearing from our crossing guards that there has been a recent increase in people at arrival and dismissal not using the crosswalks on Main Street or Greenwood Avenue.  We want to make sure everyone is getting to school safely in the morning and heading home safely in the afternoon…not to mention that we are all role models for the kids!  Please follow the crossing guards’ directions, use the crosswalks, and help us keep traffic moving along smoothly.

WPS Incoming Kindergarten Virtual Information Night

Do you have a Kindergarten student beginning in the fall of 2026?  If so, please join us for our WPS Kindergarten Information Session via Zoom on Thursday, March 26th at 7:00 PM. Elementary Principals and other members of the WPS administrative team will lead an important information session on everything you need to know about your student's transition to kindergarten. Please join if you can and spread the word! Zoom link is below: 

Time: Mar 26, 2026 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/91698565301?pwd=sLkajvCRUMaFdmwmbPHLr0ObpMmXCw.1

Meeting ID: 916 9856 5301

Passcode: 139330

Early Release - Friday, March 27th

Our next early release day for students is on Friday, March 27th.  All students will be dismissed at 11:55am in order for elementary conferences to take place during 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.  

No Afternoon Wakefield Academy - Friday, March 27th

The subject line says it all - there is no Wakefield Academy option after school on Friday, March 27th.  All students must be picked up at dismissal (11:55am) on Friday.

Grab & Go Lunches - Friday, March 27th

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.  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, March 23rd.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about this!

Greenwood Spring Book Fair

The Spring Book Fair is coming! Shop for books on Friday, March 27th, from 12:30-4:00pm and Saturday, March 28th, from 9:00-11:00am in the Greenwood School Gym. Teacher wish lists will be available for you to purchase a book for your student's classroom.  A percentage of all proceeds goes to the Greenwood PTO.

Greenwood Science Fair - Saturday, March 28th

This year's Greenwood School Science Fair will be held on Saturday, March 28th! We can’t wait to see what kinds of interesting projects are on display - lots of opportunity for learning!  Please join us at the Science Fair from 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM in the Greenwood gym.

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 APRIL 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: 3/15/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  We are looking forward to welcoming families in for our spring conferences on Thursday evening, Friday afternoon, and NEXT Friday afternoon.  These are important opportunities to connect with your child’s teacher(s) and hear updates about how things are going here at Greenwood!

Note About Electric Bicycles (e-bikes)

Recently, Galvin Middle School sent out a notice to families regarding protocols for students who are using e-bikes to travel to and from school.  While we do not have this happening at the elementary level, as the weather is improving we know we will likely see an increase in these on and around Greenwood property after the school day is over.  And we do know that we have a lot of kids riding regular bikes!  Here are a couple of relevant points from the Galvin letter that apply across schools:

• Helmet Law: Massachusetts state law requires that all bicycle and e-bike riders under the age of 16 wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet.

• Age Restrictions (Class 3 E-Bikes): Under MA law, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to operate a Class 3 e-bike (e-bikes that can reach speeds up to 28 mph). Therefore, Class 3 e-bikes are not permitted at the middle school.

• Traffic Rules: E-bike riders are subject to the same traffic laws as traditional bicycles and motor vehicles, including stopping at stop signs and yielding to pedestrians.

• Walking on Campus: For the safety of all pedestrians, students must dismount and walk their e-bikes as soon as they reach school property and sidewalks.

Even after the regular school day has ended, Wakefield Academy is still in operation and utilizing the playground and blacktop area for outdoor play.  While we love to see kids outside and active, it is very important that students on bikes or e-bikes are not creating unsafe situations for the students being supervised by Wakefield Academy.  We appreciate your support in reviewing this with your child!  

Grade 4 All-Town Concert

Besides being the official event that brings all of Wakefield’s 4th graders together on stage for the first time, the Grade 4 All-Town Concert is also a great evening of music!  There will be individual performances by the Grade 4 Chorus from each school, along with a combined group performance that also features the singers from Voices of Steel.  The show is at 7:00pm on Wednesday, March 18th at the Galvin, in case you’re able to make it!  

Early Release - Friday, March 20th

Our next early release day for students is on Friday, March 20th.  All students will be dismissed at 11:55am in order for elementary conferences to take place during 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.  

No Afternoon Wakefield Academy - Friday, March 20th

The subject line says it all - there is no Wakefield Academy option after school on Friday, March 20th (or Friday, March 27th).  All students must be picked up at dismissal (11:55am) on Friday.

Grab & Go Lunches - Friday, March 20th

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.  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, March 16th.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about this!

Upcoming Conferences

Many of you have already signed up for a conference with your child’s classroom teacher!  However, I want to remind you that all of our specialists and service providers are also available via sign-up for a conference to discuss your child’s progress in that area.  In order to try and simplify things, we have created a Greenwood Conference Information document that contains ALL Greenwood staff members and their conference sign-up links.  Please note: since many specialists work in multiple buildings (that all have the same conference blocks!) conferences with those staff members will be held via Zoom unless otherwise specified.  Conference signups will be closed at the end of the school day on Wednesday, March 18th. 

From the Science Teachers

Check out the latest newsletters from our Elementary Science Teachers to see what kinds of interesting things have been going on during science classes!

Winter Science Newsletter 2026

Spanish copy of Winter Science Newsletter 2026

Portuguese copy of Winter Science Newsletter 2026

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 APRIL 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: 3/08/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  We’ll find out who remembered to “spring forward” this weekend for the start of Daylight Saving Time at arrival on Monday!  While I’m more of a “give me all the early morning light” type of person, you can’t deny that nearly everyone becomes a little happier when we have light into the later afternoon/early evening.  And happy people are happy learners!  

Early Release - Friday, March 13th

Our next early release day for students is on Friday, March 13th.  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 - Friday, March 13th

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, March 9th.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about this!

Upcoming Conferences

Many of you have already signed up for a conference with your child’s classroom teacher!  However, I want to remind you that all of our specialists and service providers are also available via sign-up for a conference to discuss your child’s progress in that area.  In order to try and simplify things, we have created a Greenwood Conference Information document that contains ALL Greenwood staff members and their conference sign-up links.  Please note: since many specialists work in multiple buildings (that all have the same conference blocks!) conferences with those staff members will be held via Zoom unless otherwise specified.  

Greenwood Science Fair - Saturday, March 28th

This year's Greenwood School Science Fair will be held on Saturday, March 28th! All students and families (K-4) are invited to participate in this non-competitive event. Start planning your experiment, investigation, or engineering design project. Projects will be done at home and presented at the Science Fair on Saturday, March 28th from 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM in the Greenwood gym.

We ask that everyone who plans to participate please sign up using this form by March 15th in order to be guaranteed a participation shirt. Click here for all of the details, guidelines, and resources to help you get started.

Grades 3 & 4 - MCAS Dates

Only a month until students in Grades 3 & 4 will complete computer-based testing in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.  There are two sessions for each subject area, and tests must be scheduled within the window provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  We are sharing these dates now in the effort to avoid scheduling appointments that would remove your child from school on the MCAS testing days.

ELA - Monday, 4/6 & Tuesday, 4/7 

Math - Monday, 5/11 & Tuesday, 5/12

If you have a known conflict with these dates, please let me know ASAP.  We do have some leeway for makeup dates as long as we stay within the mandated testing window.

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 APRIL 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: 3/01/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  I’m certain I’m not alone in hoping that March both comes in and goes out like a lamb, regardless of the actual saying.  Let’s get some of this snow melted and keep moving toward spring!  

Upcoming March Early Release Days

While I’m sure folks have noticed that March has a few early release Fridays, it really sticks out when you realize that after this Friday, we won’t have another full day Friday with students until the month of April!  It can also be confusing to distinguish between days that have Wakefield Academy running and those that don’t.  Hopefully, this reference table will help! 

Spring Conferences - March 19th, 20th, 27th

If they haven’t done it yet, teachers will be reaching out directly to families with options to sign up for a spring conference.  Our first conference date is on March 19th when we will have time available from 5:00-7:00pm.  Friday, March 20th is an early release day with time slots for afternoon conferences available.  There will be another early release day on Friday, March 27th with conference time slots again in the afternoon.  Please note: 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!

Greenwood Science Fair - Saturday, March 28th

This year's Greenwood School Science Fair will be held on Saturday, March 28th! All students and families (K-4) are invited to participate in this non-competitive event. Start planning your experiment, investigation, or engineering design project. Projects will be done at home and presented at the Science Fair on Saturday, March 28th from 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM in the Greenwood gym.

We ask that everyone who plans to participate please sign up using this form by March 15th in order to be guaranteed a participation shirt. Click here for all of the details, guidelines, and resources to help you get started.

Grades 3 & 4 - MCAS Dates

We’re not there yet, but it’ll be here before we know it!  Students in Grades 3 & 4 will complete computer-based testing in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.  There are two sessions for each subject area, and tests must be scheduled within the window provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  We are sharing these dates now in the effort to avoid scheduling appointments that would remove your child from school on the MCAS testing days.

ELA - Monday, 4/6 & Tuesday, 4/7 

Math - Monday, 5/11 & Tuesday, 5/12

If you have a known conflict with these dates, please let me know ASAP.  We do have some leeway for makeup dates as long as we stay within the mandated testing window.

WEF Annual Adult Spelling Bee:  March 13th! 

It's time again to brush up on your spelling and trivia!  And you can create clever costumes to compete for extra points!  WEF is hosting its annual Adult Spelling Bee on Friday, March 13th.  See linked flyer for more details and sign up early--tables max out at 12 at the West Side Social Club.

Wakefield Police Department’s RAD Program 

The Wakefield Police Department is running their annual RAD Program during the week of April break. This program is for children ages 8-12 years old. Please see the RAD Program flyer for more information.

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 APRIL 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: 2/23/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Welcome back! I hope everyone’s February break gave them exactly what they were hoping for and has us all coming back to school ready to dive back into learning!    

Family Resources for Interpreting DIBELS & i-Ready

Whenever data reports are sent home, families often have questions about what the scores mean. As a reminder, the WPS website includes family-friendly resources to help explain and interpret this information.  Here is a direct link to these resources on the family website. Additionally, here is a handout about how to access this information: Understanding Your Child’s Assessment Results

Budget Forum for Families

Superintendent Doug Lyons and the Administrative Team are hosting a Zoom meeting on February 25, 2026 at 3:30 PM to discuss the FY27 WPS Budget Proposal. WPS families are encouraged to attend this meeting to learn more about our WPS budget and to provide feedback. There will be a question-and-answer session following a brief presentation. 

Please use this Zoom link to join. 

Time: Feb 25, 2026 03:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/96100401742?pwd=5yxVaSkurFoguVoS1ytXvVSafoQy1M.1

Meeting ID: 961 0040 1742

Passcode: 818392

Grades 3 & 4 - MCAS Dates

We’re not there yet, but it’ll be here before we know it!  Students in Grades 3 & 4 will complete computer-based testing in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.  There are two sessions for each subject area, and tests must be scheduled within the window provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  We are sharing these dates now in the effort to avoid scheduling appointments that would remove your child from school on the MCAS testing days.

ELA - Monday, 4/6 & Tuesday, 4/7 

Math - Monday, 5/11 & Tuesday, 5/12

If you have a known conflict with these dates, please let me know ASAP.  We do have some leeway for makeup dates as long as we stay within the mandated testing window.

WEF Annual Adult Spelling Bee:  March 13th! 

It's time again to brush up on your spelling and trivia!  And you can create clever costumes to compete for extra points!  WEF is hosting its annual Adult Spelling Bee on Friday, March 13th.  See linked flyer for more details and sign up early--tables max out at 12 at the West Side Social Club.

Wakefield Police Department’s RAD Program 

The Wakefield Police Department is running their annual RAD Program during the week of April break. This program is for children ages 8-12 years old. Please see the RAD Program flyer for more information.

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 APRIL 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: 2/8/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  Believe it or not, we are five school days away from February break - time flies!  We’re looking forward to a busy week as we (finally) hit the 100th day of school on Thursday.  Thank goodness we didn’t have enough snow days to push that to after the break!  

February Break - No School

I’m sure this is a reminder that probably doesn’t need stating, but just in case…there will be no school from Monday, February 16th through Friday, February 20th for February break.  I will be working limited hours during this week but will respond to messages when I’m in!

100th Day of School

Thanks to the two snow days, the 100th day of school falls on Thursday, February 12th.  We are up and over the halfway point of the school year! 

Report Cards

Report cards will be emailed out to families on the afternoon of Thursday, February 12th.  In order to open the document, you will need your child’s student ID number.  A School Messenger email with more information about the report card indicators and a reminder of your child’s ID number will be sent home on Thursday morning.  

Midyear DIBELS & i-Ready Reports

We have wrapped up our midyear assessment window, and we will be sending home paper copies of your child’s DIBELS report on Thursday afternoon, along with instructions on how to digitally access iReady reports.  Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!

WEF Annual Adult Spelling Bee:  March 13th! 

It's time again to brush up on your spelling and trivia!  And you can create clever costumes to compete for extra points!  WEF is hosting its annual Adult Spelling Bee on Friday, March 13th.  See linked flyer for more details and sign up early--tables max out at 12 at the West Side Social Club.

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 APRIL 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: 2/1/26

Dear Greenwood Families,

Happy Monday!  Since I’m out of places to put additional snow, I’m choosing to side-eye any further speculation about storm systems.  I’m sure that will be effective!  

School Messenger Reminder

Gator Tales goes out through a different email list service, but any messages sent out by Greenwood or WPS are sent using School Messenger.  We have occasionally run into situations where those messages end up in people’s spam folders and then end up getting “blocked” from being delivered altogether.  If you are NOT receiving school/district messages and would like to be getting those, please email Ms. Paiva and me so that we can check the system and “unblock” if needed.

Global School Play Day & World Read Aloud Day

The first Wednesday in February brings a couple of special events that I like to encourage classrooms to take part in.  Global School Play Day asks everyone to remember “the power of play” and spend some time in playful learning activities. (My suggestion…no screens!)  World Read Aloud Day was founded by LitWorld in 2010 as “an opportunity for people all around the globe to celebrate the joy of reading aloud and advocate for literacy as a fundamental human right that belongs to everyone.” There are a number of live-streamed author events that classrooms can participate in, as well as just spending quality time with a book.  You may be hearing more from teachers about one or both of these!

Lunchroom Volunteers

Do you have any free time between 12:00-1:15pm on school days?  Looking for a way to help out at Greenwood?  Come join us as a lunchroom volunteer!  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 APRIL 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