Back to School!

The first days here at Woodland have been a great success! Change can be hard, but our students have done an outstanding job getting to know their new routines, teachers, and classmates. Students in first and second grades are able to sit with any friend they choose at lunch (not at assigned tables) and their kindness to include others has been wonderful to see. Also, teachers would like to thank all the families that sent in much needed classroom materials! We are looking forward to meeting the preschoolers and kindergarteners next week!

Dear Woodland School Families,

I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new principal of Woodland School! My name is Emma Rood, and I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to join this vibrant school community.

Before stepping into this role, I had the pleasure of teaching at Powder Mill School for over 20 years. I moved into the assistant principal position two years ago, and loved getting to know ALL the students as well as the new challenges each day would bring. These experiences have not only honed my skills in fostering a dynamic and engaging learning environment, but have also fueled my passion for nurturing students’ growth and development.

I am also a proud graduate of Southwick Tolland Granville Regional Schools, and it feels particularly special to return to the building where I began my learning. This community has shaped so much of who I am; the values of hard work, dedication, and community support that I experienced growing up in Southwick continue to inspire me every day.

As I embark on this new journey at Woodland School, I am filled with excitement and enthusiasm. My goal is to build upon the strong foundation already in place and work collaboratively with teachers, students, and families to create an enriching and supportive environment for all. I look forward to meeting each of you, hearing your ideas, and working together to make this school year the best one yet.

Thank you for welcoming me into the Woodland School family. I am eager to get started and to make a positive impact on our students’ educational experience.

Warm regards,

Emma

Principal, Woodland School

the following is a summary of information from our

District Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan; there is a link to it in its entirety below

Bullying is a serious issue that can have lasting effects on students, impacting their emotional well-being and academic success. According to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 71, Section 37O, bullying is defined as the repeated use by one or more students, or by a member of the school staff, of written, verbal, or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at a target that causes physical or emotional harm, places the target in reasonable fear of harm, creates a hostile environment at school, infringes on the target’s rights at school, or disrupts the educational process. This includes behaviors that occur on school grounds, at school-sponsored events, or through electronic communication—commonly referred to as cyberbullying.

If you believe your child is being bullied, it is crucial to report the incident immediately. Families can report bullying by contacting the classroom teacher or school administration directly through phone, email, or in person. Families can also choose to complete an Appendix E Incident Reporting Form and submit it to the classroom teacher or administration. Additionally, we will have an anonymous reporting option available online. Every report is taken seriously and investigated promptly to ensure the safety and well-being of the student involved.

When a report of bullying is received, the school administration follows a structured process to investigate the incident. This includes interviewing the target, the aggressor, and any witnesses, reviewing any relevant documentation or electronic communications, and assessing the situation to determine whether bullying has occurred. Throughout this process, the safety of the alleged victim is the top priority. The school will implement safety plans, provide counseling services, or take other immediate actions to protect the target. Conversely, until we investigate steps can not be taken against the alleged aggressor but we will create a plan to prevent the student from taking any other actions.

If the investigation concludes that bullying has occurred, the school will take appropriate disciplinary actions against the aggressor in line with school policy and Massachusetts General Law Chapter 71 section 37h 3/4. The school will also work with the target to provide ongoing support and ensure that retaliation does not occur. Families will be kept informed throughout the investigation and resolution process.

Woodland is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all students. By understanding what bullying is, how to report it, and the steps involved in addressing it, we can work together to protect our children and foster a community of respect and kindness.

The Woodland staff have always been and will continue to be committed to the following approaches which are integral to establishing a safe and supportive school environment. These underscore the importance of our bullying intervention and prevention initiatives:

• setting clear expectations for students and establishing school and classroom routines
• creating safe school and classroom environments for all students, including all races, religions, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, or family status.
• using appropriate and positive responses and reinforcement, even when students require discipline;
• using positive behavioral supports;
• encouraging adults to develop positive relationships with students;
• modeling, teaching, and rewarding pro-social, healthy, and respectful behaviors;
• using positive approaches to behavioral health, including collaborative problem-solving, conflict resolution training, teamwork, and positive behavioral supports that aid in social and emotional development;
• using the Internet safely;
• supporting student’ interest and participation in non-academic extracurricular activities, particularly in their areas of strength.

Talking to children at home about the care and treatment of others is the first step in preventing and stopping bullying. Language you can use at home includes:

1. Be kind to each other.

2. Do not use words that would cause a classmate to feel sad, upset, or ashamed.

3. Keep your hands to yourself. Do not hit, kick, punch, pinch, or touch another student. Never touch another student in a way that might hurt them.

4. Do not to say things that would hurt others’ feelings, or make them feel scared.

5. If someone is saying or doing anything to you or any other student that makes you feel upset or scared, tell your teacher, principal, parents, or another adult right away.

6. If you say or do things to other students that make them feel upset or scared, there will be consequences.

stopbullying.gov
Massachusetts DESE Bullying Prevention and Intervention
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Your Child is the Bully or the Target
Understanding Cyberbullying and Social Networking
What To Do If Your Child is Being Bullied

Morning Drop off

If you are dropping off your child, it is expected that you are in line no later than 8:45am. To help the line move along, your child should have their backpack in their lap and be ready to exit the vehicle once you pull in front of the building. If you are the first car, pull as close to the stop sign as possible.

Afternoon Pickup

If you are picking up your child at the end of the day, it is expected that you are in line no later than 3:15pm. Again, if you are the first car, pull as close to the stop sign as possible. Please make sure you are getting your child into the car as quickly and safely as possible to keep the line moving.

As a reminder, ALL VEHICLES MUST STOP FOR A SCHOOL BUS WITH FLASHING RED LIGHTS and not proceed until flashing lights are deactivated.

According to MGL 90 S14 the penalty for violating this statute is as follows:

• 1st Offense:
• CMVI Fine for $255.00
• 2nd Offense (within two years):
• CMVI Fine for $1,005.00 and SIX MONTH RMV license suspension
• 3rd Offense (within four years):

• CMVI Fine for $2,005.00 and ONE YEAR RMV license suspension

We appreciate your help in making sure that all of our students get to and from school safely and effectively.

Come meet the AMAZING Woodland teachers, see our classrooms, and check out all the hard work our students have been doing! There may even be a scavenger hunt with prizes! AND, the PTO will host the Book Fair during that time so be sure to bring some money.

Open House will be held on Thursday, September 12, from 6:00-7:00 pm. More details to follow!

September 3, 2024 at 9am

September 4, 2024 at 9 am

Woodland School will be distributing report cards by trimesters rather than quarterly this year. This allows parents and caregivers to see growth toward grade level standards, and allows teachers to closely monitor progress toward grade level goals. Conferences will take place as usual so teachers can update families on this progress. Report cards will be distributed on November 22, March 12, and June 13 with conferences occurring on October 24 and March 13.​