Dear Greenwood Families,
Happy Monday! Did everyone enjoy their “extra hour” this weekend? For some reason, the end of Daylight Saving Time snuck up on me…even though I could feel it coming as my morning solar glare issues on the Pike eastbound slowly disappeared. November is going to be a busy month, so let’s go!
More Arrival (and Dismissal) Safety Reminders
Last week we talked cars…this week we’re talking people! Please, please, please do not walk or bike through the back parking lot at arrival or dismissal time. Adults and children should stay on the sidewalk until you reach the playground fence. There are staff members arriving and leaving at various times, and it is not safe to “cut through” the parking lot and walk behind cars.
Afterschool Playground Use UPDATE
We have received some questions about playground use after school, specifically in relation to the times when Wakefield Academy is utilizing the space. I am hoping to provide some clarity with this update.
Our expectation is that all students are respectful of themselves, of others, and of school property at all times.
Families who are not enrolled in Wakefield Academy are welcome to use the playground area as long as they are following this expectation. If a student is causing a disruption, they may be asked to leave the area by Wakefield Academy staff.
BIKES, SCOOTERS, & MOTORBIKES: First of all, bikes, etc. should not be on the playground at all. Additionally, due to safety concerns, cones have been placed around an area on the blacktop near the playground to create a “no wheels” space. Given the amount of additional blacktop space, this is a reasonable restriction in order to have an area where students can run around freely without having to worry about bikes whizzing by them.
Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any questions about this.
A Friendly Ask
Do you have more candy than you know what to do with? Are you trying to get it out of your house before it all ends up being eaten? If you don’t already have a donation plan in place, I would like to just mention that sweet treats are very much loved and appreciated by the Greenwood teachers and staff and we would be more than happy to help you solve your candy dilemma! Feel free to drop anything by the office, and we’ll keep the staff room stocked!
Annual Pumpkin Drop - Wednesday, November 5th
Wakefield’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Sustainability Committee are proud to partner with Black Earth Compost for their Annual Pumpkin Drop on Wednesday, November 5th. If your jack-o-lantern or doorstep pumpkin is ready for a new life, bring it to school so it can be composted. Last year, Black Earth and communities across the state diverted 22 tons of pumpkins from the waste stream.
On the morning of Wednesday, November 5th, a tarp will be out back at Greenwood, just waiting for your pumpkins! Collection by Black Earth Compost will occur between 12:00-1:30pm. Please remove glitter, stickers, plastic decorations, and candles/wax from your pumpkin prior to drop off. If you bring your pumpkin over in a plastic bag, please do not include the bag in the compost pile.
No School - Monday, November 10th
There will be no school for students on Monday, November 10th. All WPS Staff will be involved in professional development on that day.
No School - Tuesday, November 11th
Tuesday, November 11th is a no school day in observance of Veterans Day - all WPS schools and offices will be closed on that day.
Conferences - November 20th/21st & December 5th
We're still a little ways out from these dates, but they will sneak up on us quickly! Our first date for conferences is on Thursday, November 20th when we will have time available for evening conferences from 5:00-7:00pm. Friday, November 21st is an early release day, with time slots for afternoon conferences available. There will be another early release day on Friday, December 5th with conference time slots in the afternoon. Teachers will be reaching out directly to families with options to sign up. 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!
Conferences - Specialist Teachers
Are you looking for a change to speak with any of the specialist teachers your child gets to visit/see over the course of the week? Our Music, Art, Library/Media, PE, and Science teachers are also available for conference signup times! Because all of our specialist teachers are shared with other schools in the district, appointments are made based on family requests.
If you’d like to set up a conference time with one of our specialist teachers, you can either email the teacher directly or send me a note.
Art - Amy Drago
Music - Caitlin Brighenti
PE - Tyler Kelleher
Library/Media - Jen Bayer
Science (K-2) - Laurel Laroche
Science (3-4) - Jennifer Holder
From WPS Food Services - Finding Food in Wakefield & Boston
All WPS families should have received the following email from Dustin O’Brien, Director of WPS Food Services. I’m including it here in case you missed it.
“This communication is regarding the impending November 1st discontinuation of funding for SNAP benefits. Wakefield Public Schools has communicated with Wakefield and Boston Food Pantries as well as Project Bread for up to date resources and food assistance information. That information is linked at the top of the WPS Food Services page - Finding Food in Wakefield & Boston.”
Lunchroom Volunteers
THANK YOU SO MUCH for everyone who has stepped up over the past two weeks!! It has been so amazingly helpful while Karen has been out.
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