Green Wave Nation

Parent Update #19- Thursday, December 5, 2024

"What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?"

--John Steinbeck

December Dates to Remember

Dec. 5 - GMS Cookies and Cocoa 5:30-7:00 pm GMS Cafeteria
Dec. 5 - GHS Coffeehouse 6:00-8:00 pm GHS Auditorium
Dec. 6 - Book to Movie Night at GHS Auditorium 5:30 pm (movie is rated PG-13)
Dec. 20 - Early Dismissal - Winter break begins
Dec. 21-Jan. 1 - Winter Break

Greenfield Public Schools - Where Everyone Matters!

At Greenfield, we believe that every student, every staff member, and every family member, brings a valuable perspective to our schools. This richness in diversity strengthens our community, offering all of us a chance to learn from one another, to grow together, and to build bonds that will last well beyond the school years. Each of us contributes to the dynamic, welcoming spirit that makes Greenfield Public Schools such an inspiring place to learn and grow. Together, we can ensure that every student feels proud, supported, and welcomed in the Green Wave Nation.

With gratitude,

Karin Patenaude, Superintendent

December is Relationship Skills Month

Bee Kind! Bee Generous! Bee Respectful! Bee Amazing! Bee Thoughtful! Bee Humble!

To highlight the importance of good relationships and developing the skills to navigate those relationships at any age, the district launched a Green Wave Nation Unity campaign on Monday, December 2, 2024. Each morning, the daily announcements remind all staff, faculty, and students that as members of the Green Wave Nation, we believe that every student, every staff member, and every family member brings value to our school community. We will continue to support one another, and cheer each other on, because we are better together!

We have challenged students and staff to go out of their comfort zones each day and build those relationship skills by participating in the following daily challenges:

Monday: Meet Someone New Monday - Say hi to someone new! Join a different lunch table! Just get to know more people in your school community!

Tuesday: Compliment a Friend Day - Tell one of your friends something you like about them. Say something kind and positive! And if you are feeling adventurous, compliment someone in your community you might not otherwise engage with daily.

Wednesday: Help Each Other Out Day - Are you working on a group project? Does your friend have trouble with playground structures at recess? Is your friend's lunch tray needing to be cleared and you are going up with yours already? Let's lend a helping hand today!

Thursday: Thankful Thursday - Let someone know today how truly thankful you are to have them in your life, whether at home, school or in the community! Thank someone today!

Friday: Feel Good Friday - One of the strongest relationships we need to cultivate is the relationship we have with ourselves. What do you do to take care of you? What healthy food choices will you make today? Are you getting enough exercise to take care of your body? Try one small thing today to make yourself feel better.

Faculty, staff, and administration will be recognizing our students each and every day with prizes when they are "caught" bee-ing amazing!

Helping Hands!

Friend in need; Friend indeed!

Weather Information

As this morning's weather graced the region, we want to remind parents/caregivers to keep your contact information updated with the schools so you receive all messages. A robocall, an email, and a text were sent this morning to all students, families, and staff regarding the two-hour delay. If you did not receive any of those, then your contact information is incorrect in our PowerSchool database. Please contact your child's school to update your information immediately. Thank you!

Where's the Superintendent Going to be Next?

AEL: Cookies and Cocoa

I will be joining the pre-school students and families Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 4:30-5:30 pm for Cookies and Cocoa. Thank you to the AEL PTO for their support in this family engagement activity!

GHS Band - Winter Concert

A member from our School Committee joined in on all the fun at the high school band's winter concert on Wednesday, December 4th as the band's guest conductor!

Thanks for capturing this special moment, Matthew Cavanaugh Photography!

Band Concert

Jazz Band

Student Spotlight

Congratulations — once again — to the Wavebreakers, the GHS Esports team! They came out on top on Wednesday, Dec. 4, putting them in the final four of the Splatoon 3 playoffs in the PlayVS Interscholastic Esports League tournament! GHS, ranked 14, beat the 11th-seed team Bethel High School of Virginia. Best of luck to the Wavebreakers as the playoffs continue! Go Green Wave!

Stick to Reading Program

Dear Green Wave Nation,

We’re excited to announce the Greenfield Public Schools (GPS) Reading Challenge, in partnership with the Springfield Thunderbirds! This initiative runs from Thanksgiving through Monday, January 6, 2025, and is designed to inspire our students to discover the joy of reading. This reading challenge also provides all GPS students the opportunity to earn a free ticket to a Thunderbirds hockey game on Saturday, January 25, 2025!

How It Works

All students need to do is read for 20 minutes a day, 20 times between Thanksgiving and January 6, 2025. Those who complete the challenge and submit their reading form to school on January 7, 2025 will earn a free ticket to the game. There will be opportunities for families and caregivers to join the fun at the game as well. We will share more information on this soon.

Kick-Off Event: Turkey Trots with Boomer

On Wednesday, November 27 the Thunderbirds mascot, Boomer, will visit each school to help kick-off this challenge.

Why This Matters

Encouraging a love of reading is a key priority for GPS. Improving literacy skills is at the heart of our district goals, and this partnership offers a fun and meaningful way to incentivize our students to build healthy reading habits.

Additional Details

Family Tickets: We are working with the Thunderbirds to finalize ticket purchase options for families and caregivers, and some tickets will be purchased through Title I funding.
Transportation Support: As the game approaches, we’ll reach out to families to determine transportation needs and provide assistance as necessary.

This is an incredible opportunity for our students to improve their literacy skills while enjoying the excitement of a live hockey game for free. Thank you for supporting this initiative and encouraging your students to participate. Let’s get reading, Green Wave Nation!

PTO lights up the Fairgrounds!

Franklin County Fairgrounds is coming alive with holiday lights. Joining Light up the Fairgrounds this year is Festival of the Trees to create an amazing joint event! Drive through the lights then park over at the Roundhouse and check out the trees, visit Santa, and get a maple fried dough!

All dates 5-8pm, weather dependent:

Friday, December 6, Saturday, December 7, Sunday, December 8

Friday, December 13, Saturday, December 14