Green Meadow Weekly Update
December 12, 2024
Contact Us
Principal, Karen Lindquist - klindquist@maynard.k12.ma.us
Assistant Principal, Kate Murray - kmurray@maynard.k12.ma.us
Administrative Assistant- Kathy Sullivan - ksullivan@maynard.k12.ma.us
Administrative Assistant- Nancy Dangelo - ndangelo@maynard.k12.ma.us
School Nurse, Maria Bourgeois - mbourgeois@maynard.k12.ma.us
Main Office Line - (978) 897-8246
Absentee Phone Line - (978)897-0310
School Hours
Regular School Hours
Grades K- 3: 8:30 AM – 2:50 PM
Preschool: 8:40 AM - 2:40 PM (full day)
8:40 AM - 11:10 AM (morning program)
12:10 - 2:40 PM (afternoon program)
Early Release Hours
Grades K- 3: 8:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Preschool: No school on Early Release days
Important Dates
12/13 - Report Cards Published in Aspen
12/16 - 12/20 - Grade 2 Hour of Code Week
12/23 - 1/3 - Winter Break, No School
1/13 - 1/31 - Mid-Year Assessments, K-3
1/6 - 2/7 - ACCESS Testing
1/31 -Early Release Day, 11:45 dismissal, no Preschool
4/8 - 4/9 - Grade 3 ELA MCAS testing
5/6 - 5/7 - Grade 3 Math MCAS testing
Accessing Report Cards
Term 1 Report Cards will be available on Friday, December 13, 2024. Families can view the reports by logging into ASPEN. If you have forgotten how to access ASPEN the directions are below. If you would like a printed copy of your child's report card, please email Kathy Sullivan at ksullivan@maynard.k12.ma.us or call the main office at 978-897-8246. Please keep in mind that report cards are one indicator of your child's success in school. Families will receive MAP Growth assessment reports via student backpacks on February 13, 2025. Green Meadow will have conferences the week of March 24, 2025. If you have questions or concerns about your child's progress, please reach out to your child's classroom teacher or specialist teachers.
Winter Concert - Thank You!
Many thanks to everyone who was able to attend our Winter Concert this week. The children worked very hard to learn their parts and prepare the decorations. Special thanks to our Music teacher, Natalie Wong, and our Art teacher, Taylor Vanaria, for all of their planning and work with students.
Grade 2 Hour of Code Parent/Caregiver Visits
The “Hour of Code” event takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week. It is held annually, typically in December, in recognition of the birthday (December 9, 1906) of Computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper. This year it will take place at GMS on December 16-20th. The program was designed to celebrate coding and raise awareness. It was intended to be a quick way to show that anybody can learn the basics of coding and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. Today it’s become a global movement, participating in 180 countries and 45 languages.
Green Meadow Grade 2 Parents and Caregivers are invited to attend a Computer Science class with their student. A Google form sign-up will be available to families through email.
The following is a schedule for Grade 2 classes:
Monday, Dec 16th Mrs. Jones (9:15-10:00)
Tuesday, Dec 17th Ms. LeBlanc (9:15-10:00)
Wednesday, Dec 18th Sra. Taveras (9:15-10:00)
Thursday, Dec 19th Mrs. Holly (9:15-10:00)
Friday, Dec 20th Ms. Norcross (9:15-10:00)
ACCESS Testing
Students who participate in our English as a Second Language programming with participate in ACCESS testing between January 6, 2025 and February 7, 2025. Our ESL teachers will communicate with parents and caregivers about specific dates for students.
Counselor's Corner
Winter is Here - Send the Snow Gear!
We are committed to getting students outside for recess throughout the winter with the exception of extreme cold temperatures. The change of scenery, fresh air, and physical play all support a successful day of learning. Please send your child to school with the following items:
- winter coat
- gloves or mittens
- a hat
- snow boots
- snow pants
Items should be labeled with your child's name. If you have items your child has grown out of that you would like to donate to the school or your child needs any of these items, please reach out to Ann Rutherford at arutherford@maynard.k12.ma.us or Maria Bourgeois at mbourgeois@maynard.k12.ma.us.
Green Meadow Building Project Update
Superintendent Haas sent home an updated message regarding the recent radon testing completed at Green Meadow and the follow-up plan. Here is a link: https://secure.smore.com/n/0bmr4g
We continue to follow the recommended protocols for increasing ventilation throughout the entire wing. Further testing will be done in all classrooms, the cafeteria, gym, library, and administrative spaces, over the next several weeks. We will continue to communicate to you through updates.
For more information about our new school building project, please visit:
https://www.maynard.k12.ma.us/o/green-meadow-school/page/gm-building-project-information
We continue to meet and work through the MSBA design development process.
Green Meadow Food Services Menu
Click on the link to read the lastest school lunch menu options: https://www.fdmealplanner.com/
PTO Updates
Calling All New Families - Check out our PTO website and join our email list to stay on top of news and events. We can't wait for you to get involved!
https://greenmeadowpto.membershiptoolkit.com/
The next PTO meeting will be virtual on Tuesday, October 8, at 7:00. Please see the PTO website for the meeting link.
Holiday Shoppe 2024
As a holiday tradition, the GM PTO is again sponsoring the Holiday Shoppe, a gift-purchasing event for the children. The event gives children the opportunity to purchase a special gift for their family/friends. This event is for Green Meadow students in grades K-3 only. Gifts range from $.25 to $10 with most being in the $5 range.
This year, the Holiday Shoppe will run on Saturday, December 14th at the Boys and Girls Club from 9am-12pm. All children wanting to participate will need to sign up for a time slot. Parents will bring their child(ren) to the club at their designated time slot and then wait outside while their child(ren) shop. Volunteers will be there to shop with your child(ren) and bring them back to you when completed. If you have a child that may be anxious or need extra support we are happy to allow one parent to shop with them – please email kim@gmpto.org if needed.
Time slots are on a first come, first serve basis. Make sure to sign-up each of your children for a timeslot, not yourself!
Register at this link: Holiday Shoppe Student Sign-Up
We Need Volunteers!
This event would not be possible without the help of our volunteers. Please help keep this tradition going by signing up for a time slot. We need parents to shop with kids as well as do simple wrapping (put items in bags)!
Go to Holiday Shoppe Volunteer Sign-Up to sign up! You will need a CORI form on file prior to volunteering!
Questions? Contact Kim Pratt, Holiday Shoppe Coordinator, at kim@gmpto.org.
Bows and Scotch Tape!
We are in need of bows and scotch tape for the holiday shoppe! You can drop them off in the box in the front lobby of the school or feel free to use the below Amazon wish list and have them shipped directly to the Holiday Shoppe coordinator. Thank you in advance for your help!
Save the Date!
Mark your calendars for our Green Meadow and Fowler Parent/Caregiver Social with local band, Diet Disco Lemonade, on January 4, 2025! The event will take place at the Maynard Rod and Gun Club, from 7:00 - 11:00 PM. Stay tuned for more details.
District Resources
Join Maynard's ELPAC!
An ELPAC is an English Learner Parent Advisory Council. ELPACS are made up of parents and guardians of current and former EL ( English Learners). This council can provide advice and insight on topics that are important to English Learners in their school or district community.
Multilingual Learner Resources
SEPAC
New IEP Format
Click on the photo to access the presentation provided by Heather Newman, Director of Student Services, for parents and caregives. The presentation shares information about how the IEP has changed. Individualized Education Plans are developed for students who are not able to access the general education curriculum and need specialized curriculum and instruction.
WAVM Telethon
Mike Basile, the new WAVM Director at Maynard High School, has worked with his student team to get ready for the annual Beacon Santa telethon December 13th-15th. You can watch on our public access channel 28 Verizon 8 Comcast or our youtube page WAVMProductions. The WAVM team is very excited. You can donat to the telethon directly using the link below. Any donation is greatly appreciated.
Maynard High School DECA Club Fundraiser
Community Resources
Maynard Education Foundation - Giving Tuesday
Celebrate Maynard Education Foundation's 25th anniversary this Giving Tuesday. Join the fun by making a $25 donation, donating on the 25th of every month, or asking your employer if they offer charitable matches.
Every dollar donated allows us to provide grants to educators and students who are bringing innovation to our schools. Your contribution makes an immediate difference and is greatly appreciated. Simply visit www.maynardeducation.org to make a donation and learn more about MEF.
Green Maynard Gift Wrap Swap
Bring in unwanted, good condition wrapping supplies and get new-to-you wrapping paper, gift bags, & more!
Donations are not required to participate. Find items like wrapping paper, gift bags, boxes, and gift tags.
Please note: Donations will be accepted Monday, December 2 - Thursday, December 5 during normal library hours only. NO donations will be accepted during the Wrapping Swap. We ask that everyone be respectful and plan to leave with what they can carry, and recommend bringing a reusable tote to take your new-to-you items home!
Remaining supplies will be used by the library for programs, donated, or recycled.
Read more at https://www.maynardpubliclibrary.org/wrapping-swap
Maynard Police Department Toy Drive
Parents and Caregivers who would like assistance with holiday gifts for children can make a request to the Maynard Police Department. The request form can be completed ahead of your visit or at the station. Click on the link to access the form.
Maynard Holiday Parade
Fuel Assistance Program
You and your family may be eligible for Fuel Assistance! Massachusetts has a home energy assistance program (HEAP) to help eligible households pay a portion of winter heating bills. If you are found eligible, not only will part of your heating bills be paid, but you will get lower rates from your energy suppliers. This program is entirely free and there are no application costs.
On January 12, 12:00-4:0, Maynard resident, Jennifer Rifkin Tyler, will be at the High School to assist families with the application process. While drop-ins are welcome, it may be beneficial to set up an appointment. If you are interested in making an appointment or even just learning more about the program, please feel free to contact Jennifer at jennifer.rifkin@gmail.com. All appointments and email inquiries will be entirely confidential.
You can also learn more about HEAP at:
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-home-heating-and-energy-assistance
Community Food Pantries
The Open Table Food Pantry (www.opentable.org; 33 Main St, Maynard) is open on Tuesdays, 3:30 - 6:30 PM and Thursdays, 1 - 4:30 PM and offers free bags of groceries 1x/week. Open Table also allows families to pick up frozen meals for family members weekly.
The Maynard Food Pantry (www.maynardfoodpantry.com; 82 Main St., Maynard) is open on Mondays from 10 AM - 12 noon 1-2x/month
Maynard Food Pantry Backpack Program
The Maynard Food Pantry offers a weekly Backpack Program for all students in PreK-Grade 5 that aims to offer food assistance to families. Each backpack is filled with nutritious, non-perishable food at no cost. Forms were sent home to families in backpacks last week. If you need a form, they are available in the Green Meadow main office. You can also request one by emailing Kate Murray at kmurray@maynard.k12.ma.us.
Maynard Advantage
Interested in learning more about the Maynard community and the many wonderful things happening around town? Check out the monthly Maynard Advantage Newsletters by subscribing at maynardadvantage.org