The Gator Gazette
February, 2024
In some ways the month of January seemed to go on and on, and in other ways, with all of the snow days, it seemed to go by in a blink. Here we are in February!
As a reminder, report cards from marking period two will be available in Synergy on Monday, February 5. Also, next week is National School Counseling Week, and we will be celebrating our counselors, Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Patterson, with a spirit week. Please help to show appreciation for our wonderful counseling team by joining in on the fun.
We enjoyed seeing so many of you at the PTA Bingo last week, and we hope to be able to catch up with you again at the PTA Cultural Night on Friday, February 9!!
Wishing you a great month ahead!
Warmly,
Mrs. Seidel and Mrs. Sinon
African American Heritage Month
Throughout the year, Greenwood will be celebrating different cultures. Over the next month, we will be celebrating African American History/Heritage Month. One way we will celebrate is by sharing information about the culture on GGTV. We will also be highlighting African American individuals and their accomplishments.
If you have a child that is interested in sharing anything about the African American culture on GGTV (an interesting fact, highlighting the contributions of an individual, artifact, tradition, etc.), please send us an email with a few sentences your child would like to share.
Random Acts of Kindness Week (February 14-20)
During the week of February 14-20, we will be celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week. We will be sharing Random Acts of Kindness Challenges and activities throughout the week at Greenwood, highlighting a group of individuals to show kindness to each day of the week. More information to come!
Spring 2024 Girls on the Run Opens in 2 Weeks
February 14th - GOTR Greenwood Registration @ 9 AM
https://www.girlsontherunofmoco.org/locations
This spring, Girls on the Run is launching a new version of our 3rd through 5th grade curriculum called Hello, Superstar! Throughout the season, team members will build the confidence to shine in their own way. The new curriculum still supports your whole girl: her social, emotional, and physical health and well-being during a critical time in her life. We are unveiling three new versions of our Girls on the Run curriculum for 3rd- to 5th-grade girls. Each version follows a different, important theme: confidence to be ourselves, confidence to do hard things, and confidence to use our voices and speak up for ourselves and others. Now, team members will have a unique experience every season and get to deeply understand the life lessons and skills taught in the program. So mark your calendars now for the beginning of this exciting new adventure with Girls on the Run. Please reach out to Mrs. Priscilla Sinon, assistant principal, with any questions.
Mobile Science Lab Coming Next Week!
Mobile Science Labs are presented by the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc. (MAEF) as part of the Maryland Ag in the Classroom program. Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery County Government are partners in this program, which provides a “field trip experience” to elementary school students without leaving the school’s property.
The Mobile Science Lab will be stationed at Greenwood Elementary February 5-9, 2024. During this week, each K-5 class will have the opportunity to visit the lab and engage in a science experience. Here is the schedule for the week.
The MAEF staff have requested an adult volunteer to help prepare materials and reset experiments each day. If you are able to commit to a morning or afternoon to help, use this link to sign up. Please only sign up if you are available for the full time slot indicated.
If you have any questions, please contact Chrissy Graham (staff development teacher) at Christine_F_Graham@mcpsmd.org.
Valentine's Day Parties
Valentine’s Day parties will be held on Wednesday, February 14. Grade 2 will host their party from 1:35-2:15. All other grades will hold their parties from 2:35-3:15. Parties will include crafts and games, but no food or drink. Students may exchange valentines (one for each student in the class, if so). As with our fall celebrations, the parties will be limited to the room parents.
If students bring wrapped candy or other items (pencils, tattoos, etc) attached to their Valentines, we do ask that they remain wrapped and not eaten in the classroom. (Please be mindful of allergies in the class.) These items will need to be placed in students’ backpacks at the end of the party. Please remind students that these items should only come out once home (not on the bus), and these items should be left at home the following day.
Donations for Valentine's Day Parties
Hi Everyone-
As a follow-up to the PTA meeting on January 30, going forward, the donations for this year's Valentine's Day parties will go through the PTA. To donate to your student's class, you can use one of the following methods:
- To Donate Without Fees:
- Send cash or checks with your child in a sealed envelope.
- Checks need to be made payable to the Greenwood PTA.
- Please include a note, indicating the teacher's name(s).
- To Donate At Your Convenience But With Fees:
- GiveBacks (you will pay a convenience fee): https://greenwoodevents.memberhub.gives/classdonation/Teams/Details
- Venmo (less of your contribution will go to the class): @GreenwoodESPTA. Please notate which teacher(s) the donation is for.
IMPORTANT: For all forms of payment, you must include a note indicating which teacher(s) the donation is meant for.
If any donations for the Valentine's Parties go unused, the PTA will coordinate with the teacher(s) to purchase classroom supplies.
Katie Phillips
President, Greenwood Elementary School PTA
2024-25 Kindergarten Registration Dates Announced
Kindergarten registration for the 2024-25 school year will be held from March 18 - April 12. More details will follow closer to the date. Please spread the word between your friends and neighbors. Please reach out to Mrs. Carroll with any questions.
Need a Chromebook in the event of virtual instruction?
Our school is using a classroom cart model for Chromebooks. This means students use an assigned Chromebook while in school, but do not bring their Chromebook home each night. As we plan for potential emergency closures, your child may need access to a device at home to engage in potential virtual instruction. If your child does not have access to a personal or home computer, a parent or guardian should complete a form to request an MCPS Chromebook. The device will be checked out to your student and will be kept at home for the school year. The device will need to be returned at the end of the school year or sooner if your student is leaving MCPS for any reason.
To request a MCPS Chromebook for home use, please complete this form: Chromebook Form to Distribute to Families
Links:
At Home Request for Chromebook Flyer (English)
Bowie Baysox "Read and Hit a Home Run!" Program
Greenwood is participating in the Bowie Baysox “Read & Hit a Home Run” Program! The Bowie Baysox are the class double-A minor league baseball affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles. The Baysox provide family friendly entertainment at each game.
The program provides an incentive, both inside and outside the classroom, for students to read! Students that complete the program by reading a minimum of four books from early January through early March will receive two free tickets to a Bowie Baysox Game in April! Each student will receive a student ticket and one adult ticket for the game. Additional tickets will be available for purchase at a discounted price. This year our school is invited to attend the game on Saturday, April 20, 2024. A parent or guardian should complete this form once the student has read at least four books. This will let us know that you have “Read & Hit a Home Run!” The tickets will be distributed closer to the game date.
MCPS Resources for Instructional Support for Students
There are many amazing things happening during the school day to support the learning of our students! At times, some students need some extra support to master new learning. MCPS has gathered resources that are free or low cost to families. These resources directly align with our curriculum used to teach our students each day. Let us know if you have any questions about your student’s academic progress.
PTA Update
Culture Night: Friday, February 9th from 6:30- 8:30pm at Rosa Parks Middle School
We are still looking for a few more volunteers to do performances and help speak a few words in the language lab. Please use the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4AACA922A3F49-46946292-culture#/
We are so excited to bring this event back to the Greenwood community. We hope to see you there!!
This is a free event for the Greenwood Community! The kids will get passports to take around to the tables filled with different cultures.
In School Assembly (for the students, sponsored by the PTA)- Luis Garay Percussion World- Friday, February 16th
Yearbooks for Sale- Soft and hard cover available for sale. Last day to order is April 24th.
https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/greenwoodelementarybrookeville
Parents Night Out- Saturday, February 17th from 5 to 8pm at Greenwood in the APR.
This event is $25 per child and is open to any Greenwood elementary school kid.
Pizza, fruit, water, and a bag of chips is included in the price as well as so much fun for your kids while you take a few hours to yourself.
https://greenwoodevents.memberhub.gives/parentsnightout/Campaign/Details
This event is a fundraiser for the 5th grade class! Help them have a wonderful end of the year!
We need adult and SSL volunteers (SSL volunteers must be 13 or older). Please use this link to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4AACA922A3F49-47483681-parents
After School Programs: Creative Adventures Art on Wednesdays beginning January 31st.
https://www.artinyou.com/schoolyearclasses
Thank you!
Katie Phillips
President, Greenwood Elementary School PTA
PTA Website: https://sites.google.com/greenwood-pta.org/greenwood-pta/home
Yearbook Update
Hello Greenwood Families,
Assist our Yearbook Club in creating a memorable 2023-2024 yearbook. Here are quick and easy steps:
1) Click on the link below OR copy and paste it into your browser.
https://yearbooks.classic-photo.com/Greenwood/home3/PhotoPost.jsp?ID=D0MD58GY8RYR
2) Select the folder that matches your photo.
3) Once uploaded, please edit "Notes" if you wish to clarify the picture's content. This is particularly helpful for folders such as School Spirit Days.
An example of the "Notes" section is attached to this email and below:
For privacy reasons, your photo(s) cannot be seen by other families. Please do not upload duplicates of each photo.
Contact Andrea Hesse at yearbook@greenwood-pta.org if you have any questions. We will send reminders toward the end of the school year when the link closes for uploads.
Thank you,
Andrea Hesse
Yearbook Parent Coordinator
MCPS Parent Academy TO GO
Families and students can stay engaged throughout the school year with Parent Academy TO GO. Parent Academy TO GO is a series of virtual webinars for families to watch at home.
The January, February and March webinars are listed below and are also available on the Parent Academy website. Registration is available here.
February
Positive Discipline
Thursday, Feb. 1, 6-7 p.m.
Parenting Strategies for Managing Behaviors
Thursday, Feb. 8, 6-7 p.m.
Sharpening Phonics Skills at Home
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 6-7 p.m.
March
Actively Parenting Teens. This is a four-part series. Attendance at all four workshops is encouraged.
Part 1: Thursday, Feb. 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Part 2: Thursday, March 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Part 3: Thursday, March 14, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Part 4: Thursday, March 21, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Roadmap to College: What Students Should Do to Stand Out During High School
Wednesday, March 20, 6-7 p.m.
School Hours
Please be sure to have your students here prior to that, so they can unpack, eat breakfast, and prepare their materials for the 9 a.m. start time. Student drop off begins at 8:40 a.m., and all students will enter through the front doors of the school. Students who arrive after 9 a.m. will be marked tardy and will miss the start of instruction. Please help us to ensure that every Gator is here and ready for a great day before that 9 a.m. start time!
One final note, please do not leave students unattended on school grounds prior to 8:40 a.m. to ensure the highest level of safety and security for each student.
Student Absences
Please call the front office prior to 9:00 a.m. when a child is absent for any reason. If you call prior to office hours, you may leave a message with your child's name, teacher, and the reason for the absence. You can also send an email to your child's classroom teacher and Mrs. Carroll, our attendance secretary at Sandra_L_Carroll@mcpsmd.org. Upon return, please send a note from home about the absence.
Please help us to maintain health and safety for all by keeping children at home when illness is suspected, when a communicable disease has been diagnosed, or when lice nits have been found. A physician's note is required after five consecutive days of absence.
Absence Policy
- AM absent, if student arrives more than 2 hours late
- PM absent, if student leaves more than 2 hours early
- 1/2 day absence, if students are absent for more 2 hours during the school day
absence
- Full-day absence, if students are present for less than 2 hours of the entire school day
absence
Our school day begins promptly at 9 a.m., and students must be unpacked and ready for instruction. If your child arrives after 9 a.m., please escort your child/children into the building to sign them in.
Arrival and Dismissal
School hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.
Two-hour delay: 11:00 a.m. - 3:25 p.m. (no recess)
* *Bus routes would shift by two hours* *
On a two-hour delay, doors open at 10:40 a.m.
Early release days: Dismissal is at 12:55 p.m. (no recess)
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
- The school doors open at 8:40 a.m. to welcome our students. Instruction begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.
- Students who arrive after 9:00 a.m. will be marked tardy and will need to be signed in by a parent or guardian in the main office. Please do not drop off students at the front door at any time.
- Students may eat breakfast in the All-Purpose Room, then head to their classroom to begin instruction at 9 a.m.
- Dismissal begins at 3:25 p.m.
Walkers
Walkers will be dismissed first, followed by car riders.
Car Riders
Students who will be routine car riders will be given a family number card that will need to be displayed in the car window nearest the car loop line. Students will exit to the car loop when their number is called to be reunited with their family vehicle at that time. Please pull up to the end of the walk to maximize the number of cars we can load safely with adult supervision and keep the line moving quickly.
Please remain in your car, as our staff will assist those students who need assistance. Additionally, please know that staff can not buckle children into car seats. Please teach your children how to do so, or please pull forward to do so, to avoid holding up drivers behind you in the loop.
Bus Riders
Bus riders will be dismissed as the buses arrive.
Changes to Dismissal Plans
Please note that changes to dismissal should happen prior to 3:00 pm to ensure there is
enough time for the messages to be relayed to the teachers and dismissal teams. Please
communicate with your child's classroom teacher as well as Ms. Sandra Carroll any changes, however, please be aware that teachers may be not be checking email during instruction. As a result, it is very important for the front office (240-740-3420) to be made aware of any change in dismissal routine by 3 p.m.
Bus Information and Bus Rider Safety
Bus Information
Please contact the Randolph transportation office at 240-740-2608 with questions about bus transportation, routes, and times.
https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/transportation/busroutes/
Bus Rider Safety
Please meet students at the bus stop at the end of the day to ensure your child's safe return from school on the bus. If you are not able to meet your child at the stop, please make other arrangements for your child to get from the stop to the home safely.
In the event you or your designee are running late or are otherwise unable to get to the bus
stop, please call the school as soon as possible to have your child held at the school for pick-up. Please call the front office 240-740-3420 before 3 p.m.
We encourage you to review the school bus rules with your child if they are a bus rider so they
are aware of the expectations. Those rules can be found at https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/transportation/rules/a_parents_role.pdf
Please understand that safe student transportation is a joint responsibility. Please remind
your child to look for you before leaving the bus.
Guest Bus Riders
Students may ride only their own bus to and from school. Students are not permitted to
ride to school or to home from school with friends on any other bus.
Breakfast and Lunch
Meal prices:
Breakfast—$1.30
Lunch—$2.55 (Elementary), $2.80 (Middle and High)
Breakfast
Breakfast is served from 8:40-8:55 a.m. in the cafeteria.
Lunch Room Seating
All students have assigned seats for lunch where seating includes an allergy-free
table. Please be sensitive to student allergies in your child's classroom
and work with the classroom teacher to support any event or activity that
includes food.
Menus and Food Services information:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/menus/
Health and Safety
Greenwood Elementary School's health room is staffed by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services with a full-time health technician, Ms. Teresa Edwards, and an assigned nurse, Ms. Angela Niemiec. MCPS schools follow guidance from the CDC, state & local health departments. We strongly recommend, if your child has a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or other symptoms of illness, that you keep your child home from school.
School Cash Online User Guides (English and Spanish)
Register for School Cash Online today
It’s fast, easy & free
School Cash Online is an account for field trip funds and other events with fees. This is NOT an account for cafeteria funds, but rather for field trips and other events with fees.
School Cash Online User Guide:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13EbViIFj5nhAujblLdBFL82x4clBt-EC/view?usp=sharing
School Cash Online User Guide (Spanish):
Guía del usuario de School Cash Online (español):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15g_0VlHseNK1SvzLTE07Bi1KaG9K6Ceh/view?usp=sharing
Cell Phones, Smart Watches and Other Personal Mobile Devices
Please be aware that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) COG-RA regulation around personal mobile devices was updated on May 2, 2022. This is relevant to any of our elementary students who own and carry a personal mobile device, which includes phones and smart watches.
A personal mobile device (PMD) refers to any non-MCPS-issued device used to send or receive data via voice, video, or text. Mobile phones, e-readers, tablets, personal computers, smart watches, or other devices equipped with microphones, headphones, speakers, and/or cameras are all considered PMDs.
While students may possess PMDs on MCPS property and at MCPS-sponsored activities, they may not turn them on until the end of the school day for independent use; with the following exceptions:
■ Students with an IEP or 504 Plan, special needs, learning differences, or disabilities may use the PMD to support or provide an accommodation service for the student’s special need. Principals may authorize the use of the PMD to provide an accommodation to students without an IEP.
■ Elementary Schools: Allowed before or after the student day; prohibited for instructional use, during lunch and recess periods, and between classes/transitional time.
Students riding to or from school or school-sponsored activities on MCPS or commercially chartered buses may use PMDs, as long as such use does not impact the safe operation of the bus and is compliant with this and other related MCPS regulations.
RESPONSIBLE USE GUIDELINES COG-RA
By using the MCPS network with a PMD or MCPS-owned device, students agree to adhere to the following Student Responsible Use Guidelines:
A. Students will use the MCPS network productively, appropriately, and for school-related purposes and will avoid using any technology resource supplied by either the district, the student, or the student’s family in such a way that would disrupt the activities of other students and staff members.
B. Students will use email and other means of communication (e.g., Twitter, blogs, wikis, podcasting, chat, instant-messaging, discussion boards, virtual learning environments) responsibly.
C. Students will give acknowledgment to others for their ideas and work.
D. Students will keep personal information (including home/mobile phone number, mailing address, and user passwords) and that of others private.
E. Students will report inappropriate use of technology immediately.
F. Students understand that MCPS administrators will use regulations and policies (e.g., MCPS Regulation IGT-RA, User Responsibilities for Computer Systems, Electronic Information, and Network Security) to deem what conduct is inappropriate use, if such conduct is not specified in this regulation.
G. Students understand that all MCPS equipment, the MCPS network, and the student’s MCPS network account are the property of MCPS that must be used for educational purposes only and can be monitored, logged, and archived.
H. Should students violate Board policies or MCPS regulations or rules, students understand that the consequences of their actions could include suspension of computer privileges, disciplinary action (as set forth in the Student Code of Conduct and related regulations), and/or referral to law enforcement.
RESPONSIBILITY/LIABILITY
MCPS will assume no responsibility or liability for loss, theft, or damage to a device or for the unauthorized use of any such PMD.
COG-RA At-a-glance:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eowlLog5Wly9828YtyFwRXF_wySghvAF/view
Please find the policy in its entirety on the MCPS Website:
Volunteers
Volunteers
Montgomery County Public Schools requires school volunteers and partnership agencies to complete certain compliance measures in order to volunteer within our school district.
Online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training via their myMCPS Classroom/Canvas account
Background check(dependent upon the type of volunteer service, per the Volunteers regulation )
More information: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/student-leadership/volunteer
Bullying and Harassment
Bullying, harassment (including sexual misconduct and sexual harassment), intimidation, hazing, incidents of hate-bias, and concerning issues involving student gender identity are not tolerated in MCPS. We are committed to ensuring our students feel safe, valued, and respected in our schools. Please see the multiple ways you can file a report below.
Dates to Remember
February, 2024
*Every Wednesday is College Colors Day, and every Friday is Greenwood spirit day!*
Monday, February 5 - Friday, February 9
National School Counseling Week
Monday, February 5
Report Cards Available in ParentVue
Friday, February 9
PTA Culture Night, Rosa Parks MS, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 14 - Tuesday, February 20
Random Acts of Kindness Week
Wednesday, February 14
Valentine's Day Parties, 1:35 p.m. Grade 2, 2:35 p.m. Grades K, 1, 3, 4, 5
Friday, February 16
PTA Cultural Arts Programs, 9:15 – 10:00: PEP, K-2; 10:20 – 11:05: PEP, 3-5
Saturday, February 17
PTA Parents Night Out (Grade 5 Committee Fundraiser)
Monday, February 19
No School for students and staff
Wednesday, February 21
PTA Dining Night Out, California Tortilla, 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
MCPS 2023-24 School Calendar
Contact us
Email: Jennifer_A_Seidel@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/greenwoodes/
Location: 3336 Gold Mine Road, Brookeville, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-3420
Twitter: @GES_Principal