Hello Greenwood Families,

It is hard to believe, but when we return from the Thanksgiving break, it will be December!

While we had an unseasonably warm fall, colder temperatures remind us that winter is just around the corner. We do go outside for recess over the winter months. While below freezing temperatures sometimes keep us inside, we do try to take advantage of opportunities for fresh air most days. In addition to sending items for warmth, please remember to label all items, so they stay with your child and out of the lost and found.

We have enjoyed the opportunity to meet with families for conferences, and our room parents put together wonderful fall celebrations. Students continue to work hard, and as we head further into the second marking period, interim reports will be available on ParentVue on December 20.

We are wishing you and your family a wonderful month ahead!

Warmly,

Mrs. Seidel and Mrs. Sinon

We're sending a big shout out to all of our Gators who completed the Girls on the Run 5K held this past Sunday, November 24. We are so very proud of each of you! We would also like to extend a big thank you to our coaches for their dedication to helping our students thrive! Congratulations, Greenwood Girls on the Run!

Grade 2 and 3 families recently received letters regarding the upcoming CogAT testing. As a reminder, as part of the Universal Screening of second and third graders for Gifted and Talented (GT) Identification and to help inform your child’s teacher about how your student learns, your child will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). The CogAT has three batteries: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. Each battery has 3 subtests. Greenwood ES will administer the test over the course of three days. Testing will take place during the school day. Students will complete one battery with three subtests on each testing day. The tests are untimed for Grade 2 students, but each subtest typically lasts approximately 10-15 minutes. The test is timed for Grade 3 students and each subtest lasts 10 minutes. If a student is absent on the day of testing, make-up testing is available during the testing window of December 2-20, 2024.

Grade 3 testing dates: December 2-4. Grade 2 testing dates: December 9-11.

The CogAT is an abilities test, so children do not need to study or prepare for the test. Instead, they will be able to become familiar with the test format and items through teacher-directed practice activities before testing. Additionally, practice questions will be administered during the testing session to familiarize students with the online testing environment. It can be helpful for students to be well-rested and have a good breakfast on the day of testing.

The Girls on the Run is a wonderful experience to support girls’ confidence, endurance and growth to become enriched leaders in our community.

In addition to an enriching curriculum and exercise, the Greenwood team works to collaborate, develop and support a local community organization in a community service project. This season the girls have decided to support the Montgomery General Hospital’s Thrift Shop. The girls will be collecting gently used toys and books that will be donated to the thrift shop to support families in need in addition to children who are in the hospital and need toys and games to keep them entertained during their stay.

We will be collecting these toys and books through the beginning of December in an effort to support the Thrift Shop’s inventory as we approach the holiday season. Plastic bins have been decorated by the Girls on the Run and are located in the front hallway at Greenwood ready to accept donations today!! We thank you for your generosity during this holiday season and your support of our Community Service Project.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is taking an active role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect through early prevention and intervention education.

During the months of November through January, our school counselors and classroom teachers will be presenting lessons on the topic of child abuse and neglect. The lessons are known as Personal Body Safety Lessons and their purpose is to help students to:

• Develop knowledge, decision making skills, and behaviors which promote safe living in the home, school, and community;
• Learn skills for self-protection and identifying child abuse and neglect;
• Learn skills for asking for help for self and others and practice reporting to a trusted adult; and
• Engage in positive and appropriate interactions with peers and adults.

If you have any questions or concerns about the topics that will be covered, please contact Mrs. Seidel, Mrs. Sinon, Mrs. Lee or Mrs. Patterson.

The Greenwood community is invited to join the Sherwood Elementary School community for an insightful talk designed for parents on “Raising Children in a Tech-Driven World,” presented by Montgomery County Police Detective Sergeant Jeremy Wojdan on Wednesday, December 4 from 6:30pm-7:30pm at Sherwood Elementary School.

Sgt. Wojdan is a 23-year veteran where he has spent the majority of his career serving families in various roles with MCPD. With a vast understanding and expertise in social media, open-source intelligence, digital forensics and investigations, Jeremy will explore the unique challenges technology presents for today’s youth, from screen time management to online safety and social media influence. Learn practical strategies to foster healthy digital habits, encourage open communication, and guide your children through the ever-evolving tech landscape. Equip yourself with the tools needed to navigate this digital age and help your children thrive both online and offline.

3 - PTA Meeting, 7 p.m., Media Center and Zoom

5 - Dining Night Out, Brew Belly, 5-9 p.m.

9 - PTA Craft Night, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., APR (A-L)

10 - PTA Craft Night, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., APR (M-Z)

Winter is near and MCPS has you covered! Visit our Stay Connected website for tools to stay in touch and how to get real-time information on weather delays and closures. Stay safe this winter!

Don’t Miss the Superintendent’s Video!

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/ugfu7nIDpuk

Instruction starts promptly at 9 a.m.

Please be sure to have your students at school prior to 9 a.m., so they can unpack, eat breakfast, and prepare their materials. 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. Staff are not outside to provide supervision until 8:40 a.m.

In case you missed it, we have a new way to report absences that will be faster and more efficient--no more phone calls!! Please use the link below to report your child's absence from school.

absence-form | Greenwood ES

Additionally, this link can be found under the Quick Links on the left side of the HOME PAGE of our Greenwood Elementary School website by clicking "Report an Absence."

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/greenwoodes/

As MCPS now requires a written note for absences, this will take care of that requirement and save you the phone call!

This link is also the place for you to report all planned late arrivals and early dismissals. Just click the appropriate box and add the reason and any other details in the comment section at the bottom entitled “Anything else”. If the late arrival or early dismissal is due to a doctor’s appointment, please remember to provide a doctor’s note upon your student’s return to school.

Please bookmark the page for future use, and reach out to our attendance secretary, Mrs. Susan Ostrinsky (Susan_A_Ostrinsky@mcpsmd.org) with any questions.

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.

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 any changes with your child's classroom teacher and our attendance secretary, Mrs. Ostrinsky. 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.

Walkers will be dismissed first daily.

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.

Car Loop

Please enter the car loop by turning RIGHT into the loop from Gold Mine Road. Please DO NOT turn left into the lot. Please go around the block so you can turn RIGHT into the loop. This helps us to ensure the safety of our walkers who have to cross at the car loop!

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 into a parking space to do so, to avoid holding up drivers behind you in the loop.

Bus Information

Bus routes for the 2024-25 school year are posted on the MCPS website at the link below. We will continue to use colors to identify the route numbers, and we will communicate those colors matched with bus routes with all families prior to the first day of school. Please contact the Randolph transportation office at 240-740-2608 with questions about bus transportation, routes, and times.

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. We look forward to a safe and successful

school year.

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.

Meal prices:

There are no changes in meal prices this school year and students who qualify for reduced-price meals will continue to receive meals at no cost. Funds can continue to be added to student meal accounts at no charge by bringing cash or checks directly to the Greenwood cafeteria manager, Mrs. Frias.

Prepayments on student meal accounts can be

made through www.MySchoolBucks.com; note the increase from $1.95 to $2.49 per transaction for the 2024-2025 school year.

• Breakfast: Regular price: $1.30 (All levels)

• Lunch: Regular price: $2.55 (Elementary), $2.80 (Middle and High School)

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.

Apply online NOW so students receive free meals.

Households meeting identified federal income standards are eligible for free school

meals. MCPS encourages all families who may be eligible, to apply.

To receive this benefit, a new FARMS application must be completed every school year.

Please submit the online FARMS application through www.MySchoolApps.com.

Students who qualify for reduced-price meals will receive meals at no charge!

Students use their MCPS ID number when receiving a meal, so confidentiality is maintained and no child is overtly identified as receiving free or reduced-price meals.

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.

Required Childhood Vaccinations for Preschool Programs and Schools

The Annotated Code of Maryland (10.06.04.03) requires all Maryland students new to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and those entering Grade 7 provide documentation of required, age-appropriate vaccinations or a medical or religious exemption. This documentation is required within 20 calendar days from their date of admission.

Hard copies of the vaccination records are to be submitted to the Greenwood ES School Health Services health room staff.

More information:

https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/OIDEOR/IMMUN/Pages/back-to-school-immunization-requirements.aspx

Every student will have a chromebook at Greenwood ES for use during the school day.

MCPS will loan a chromebook for home use for those families whose students do not have access to a personal or home device. Families may make this request through this form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDNdqO31soXKLffjcEzgVQ9C2Z2koPm6ifKm7-K77e44ZhAg/viewform

Staff at central office will monitor the requests through the form submissions, will prepare a device, assign it to the student, and will deliver it to the school. The school will distribute it to the student. The home use device is to be kept at home. Requesting the device implies consent of use in accordance with MCPS policy (IGT-RA) and acknowledgement that the Chromebook, software, and issued peripherals are owned by MCPS.

User Responsibilities for Computer Systems, Electronic Information, and Network Security can be found online. Montgomery County Public Schools retains the sole right of possession of the Chromebooks. The Chromebooks are loaned to students for educational purposes for the academic year. MCPS administrative staff retain the right to collect and/or inspect Chromebook hardware or software at any time including via electronic remote access.

More information:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-nfeYkPGdgXdetCwTu2_eM_3XkUZgGCf/view?usp=sharing

MCPS regulation COG-RA prohibits elementary school students from using personal devices (phones, smart watches, etc.) during the school day. Personal devices(phones, smart watches, etc.) may only be used before or after the student day. Students will be asked to keep these devices in their backpacks during the school day. It is advised that students keep such devices at home, if possible.

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.

Please find the policy in its entirety on the MCPS Website.

We love birthdays at Greenwood, and each day on our GGTV morning program, we announce those who are celebrating, and students are invited to come to the office for a birthday pencil. While we do not do any formal in-school birthday celebrations with food or other items, we do make sure that each student feels special on their special day. We do ask that birthday party invitations be sent outside of school, and unfortunately, due to federal privacy issues, we can not provide class lists or contact information.

As we maintain our focus on individual student needs and growth, we will continue to focus on restorative practices. Restorative practices focus on building and maintaining relationships, collaboration, and community between students, staff, and families, affording the opportunity to prevent harm and resolve conflict peacefully, as well as the opportunity to change behaviors and grow.

Volunteers

To afford students the opportunity to settle into the new school year and develop classroom communities, we will begin welcoming volunteers in October. Further details will be shared closer to October.

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

Only volunteers who have met these requirements will be able to volunteer. MCPS will notify the school via list of the completion and submission of these items. The system takes 24 hours after completion to update, so please complete all steps at least 24 hours prior to volunteering. We will not be able to have you volunteer in the building or on field trips until the items are completed and submitted, and the verification shows in the system 24 hours after completion.

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.

How You Can Report

December

2-4 CoGAT testing, grade 3, 9 a.m.

3 - PTA Meeting, 7 p.m., Media Center and Zoom

5 - Dining Night Out, Brew Belly, 5-9 p.m.

9-11 CoGAT testing, grade 2, 9 a.m.

9 - PTA Craft Night, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (A-L)

10 - PTA Craft Night, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (M-Z)

12 - No School for PEP students

19 - Instrumental Music Concerts for students, 9:15 a.m. and 2 p.m.

19 - Instrumental Music Concert for Families, 6:45 p.m., (Call time: 6:15 p.m.) Greenwood APR

23 - January 1 - Winter Break, No School

January, 2025

2 - Return from winter break

https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/calendar/

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