Dear Greenwood Families,
Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone had a great extra-long weekend and got to do something fun. It was a funny schedule for staff members because we spent Monday together here at Greenwood with just the adults for a professional development day. Greenwood is a different place without the children! We’re happy to have them back with us for a quick three-day week!
Cultural Arts Classroom Presentations - Wee the People
Last week, Greenwood PTO’s Cultural Arts Committee arranged for each classroom at Greenwood to have a workshop titled “What is Racism?” facilitated by Francie Latour of Wee the People. Classroom teachers met with Francie during staff meeting time ahead of these presentations in order to help guide conversations. These workshops talked to students about skin color, about fairness, about noticing and wondering, and about kids being able to make choices that help make the world a better place for everyone. More information is available on Wee the People’s website!
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day - Friday, November 14th
Thanks to the efforts of a group of California elementary school students in 2018, Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day was created to honor the bravery of Ruby Bridges in integrating her elementary school in New Orleans. Last year we participated in the celebration for the first time, and we are excited to be part of it again this year! We will have an assembly on Friday morning to learn more about Ruby Bridges and why she is recognized and celebrated, and we will also have our own Greenwood School walk in honor of Ruby’s walk after the assembly. Wear purple on Friday to join in the celebration!
Fanny Packs/Shoulder Sling Bags
We have recently noticed a trend where students are wearing fanny packs or small shoulder sling bags during the school day. While handy to carry items one might need, the contents of these bags have become a distraction to students in class and have created some issues at lunch and recess. Students will be asked to keep these items in their backpacks until after the end of the school day. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there are special circumstances that we need to know about.
School Picture Retakes - Monday, November 17th
School pictures are in and any orders should have come home with your child last week. O’Connor Studios will be at Greenwood on Monday, November 17th to do individual picture retakes for students who were absent or would like a new photo taken. Please have your child bring their original photos with them to school on that day.
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 well away from the building and also 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 Science Teachers
Please take a moment to check out all the great things that happened during science classes in October!
Science Newsletter October 2025
Spanish copy of Science Newsletter October 2025
Portuguese copy of Science Newsletter October 2025
Conferences - November 20th/21st & December 5th
Getting closer! 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
WEF Annual Auction - Save the Date!
The annual online WEF Auction runs November 12-21st! https://go.rallyup.com/wefauction2025/
Shop for the holidays and support the Wakefield Educational Foundation at the same time! Bidding opens on Wednesday, 11/12/25 at 12 am. Auction ends at 9:00 pm on Friday 11/21/25. Preview, register and bookmark the site now and return often because new items may be added. Thank you for your support!!
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? 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