Welcome Greenwich Elementary

Dream It, Believe It, Do It

February News for Elementary Families

Dear Families,

This has been a very unusual winter with very little snow, yet we’ve certainly felt the frigid temperatures! Whenever possible, we try to get students outside for fresh air and movement. To do so safely, the temperature—including the wind chill—must be at least 22 degrees, and students must be dressed appropriately. Please make sure your child leaves home with a winter coat, hat, mittens, and boots each day.

February will fly by with only 28 days and winter break the week of February 17th. With the second trimester winding down, it’s important to keep up with good study habits. Report cards will be sent home in March, so this is a great time to check in on progress and set goals for the rest of the school year.

To help your child persevere in their studies at home, consider:
Setting a consistent homework routine – A designated time and quiet space for studying can help build good habits.
Encouraging a growth mindset – Praise effort, not just results, and remind your child that mistakes help them learn.
Breaking tasks into smaller steps – If a subject feels overwhelming, tackle one part at a time.
Reading together daily – Reading strengthens comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills.

We also encourage you to check out the Parent Resources section found after the lunch menu in our newsletter. This month, we’re excited to feature a new Reading Buddies Program sponsored by the Greenwich Free Library. This is a great opportunity for students to develop their reading skills with the support of older peers or community volunteers.

As always, thank you for your support! Together, we can help our students stay motivated and finish the trimester strong.

Reminders....

Scholastic Book Fair

We are excited to announce that the Scholastic Book Fair will be at the MG Library from February 7-13!

The Book Fair is a fantastic opportunity to foster a love of reading while supporting our school. Students will have the chance to explore a wide selection of books and find something that sparks their interest.

Students will visit the Book Fair during their scheduled library time.

Thank you for helping to nurture a passion for reading!

PTSA News

The PTSA meets virtually on the second Tuesday of every month, and all are welcome to join! To learn more or get involved, simply click the photo to visit the PTSA website. Next meeting is Tuesday, February 11 via Teams Link.

Get Ready for the Glow Party on March 7!

Dear MG Families,

A MG Glow Party is scheduled for March 7 in the primary gym! This exciting event will feature music, dancing, and fun.

Event Details:

Grades 3 & 4: 4-5:30 PM
Grades 5 & 6: 6-7:30 PM

Admission to the Glow Party is a donation of one or more perishable food items, which will be donated to our local food pantry. This is a wonderful way for students to have fun while giving back to the community.

We look forward to seeing our students light up the night! Thank you for your support.

Sweetheart Luncheon

Dear Second Grade Families,

We are excited to remind you about the annual Second Grade Sweetheart Luncheon, happening on Thursday, February 13, 2025!

Each second-grade student may invite “one special loved one” to join them during their scheduled lunch.

Lunch Options:

Order School Lunch
- Complete and return the order form that went home with students.
- Submit payment in advance. A lunch ticket will be provided upon arrival.
Bring Your Own Lunch
- You are welcome to bring lunch from home or purchase it from a local venue.
- Please allow extra time if purchasing from a local venue, as lines may be longer on this day.

We look forward to celebrating this special tradition with you and your child!

February's Character Trait: Honesty

“When we are honest, we are truthful. We tell the truth, even when it’s hard to do. Honest people do not cheat, steal, or lie—even when they think they can get away with it.”

By practicing honesty, we build trust with others. People know they can rely on honest individuals to do the right thing. This month, we encourage you to talk with your child about what honesty means and how they can demonstrate it in their daily lives—at home, at school, and in the community.

Here are some suggestions for how families can discuss and reinforce honesty at home:

Have Conversations About Honesty

Share stories about times when you or a family member chose to be honest, even when it was difficult.
Discuss the importance of being truthful and how it builds trust in relationships.

Use Real-Life Examples

Talk about everyday situations where honesty matters, like returning a lost item, admitting a mistake, or following rules even when no one is watching.

Practice Role-Playing

Create scenarios with your child where they might be tempted to be dishonest, and discuss how they could handle the situation honestly instead.

Praise Honesty

When your child tells the truth, especially in a challenging situation, acknowledge and praise their honesty.

Read Stories About Honesty

Find books or watch videos together that highlight honesty as a theme. Afterward, discuss what the characters did and how honesty played a role in the story.

These simple activities can help children understand and embrace the value of honesty. Thank you for partnering with us to build strong character in our students and for all that you do to support our school community!

Important Dates

February 7-13:

Scholastic Book Fair

February 10:

BOE Meeting @ 6PM JHSH Media Center

February 13:

6th Grade Bowling Field Trip

2nd Grade Sweetheart Luncheon

Kindness Club @ 2:25 Middle Grade Cafeteria

February 17-21:

NO SCHOOL- Mid Winter Break

February 24:

BOE/Budget Meeting @ 6PM JHSH Media Center

February 28:

Morning Program @ 8:45 am Primary Cafeteria

2024-2025 District Calendar

February Menu

Resources for Families

Quick and Easy Absence Notes

PTSA notepads are now for sale for $5 per pad- cash, check, or card (through the CheddarUp website) accepted.

If you are interested in a notepad please order using this link:
https://absent-notepads-by-the-ptsa.cheddarup.com

Note pads can be sent home with your child, or picked up in the main office.

Cash/Check orders and/or Questions can be directed to Eliane Keyes (ekeyes@greenwichcsd.org) or Alanna Powers (apowers@greenwichcsd.org)

Good Morning Greenwich

Did you know you can watch our amazing elementary students share the morning announcements? It's a great way to see their hard work and enthusiasm in action!

Here’s how to watch:

Visit our District Website.
Click on the Elementary tab.
Select Educational Resources for Families.
Scroll over to Good Morning Greenwich and enjoy!

We are so proud of our students and their efforts to make each morning special. Be sure to check it out and cheer them on!

🌟 Exciting News for Our Youngest Learners! 🌟

We are thrilled to announce that enrollment for our 2025-2026 Pre-K Program is now open! Our Pre-K program offers a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can grow, learn, and build a strong foundation for future success.

Below, you'll find all the details to help guide you through the enrollment process. We can't wait to welcome your little one to our school family!

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

Eligible children must be 4 years old by December 1, 2024.

Step 2: Contact the Primary Office

Call Tracy Dennis in the Primary Office at 518-692-9542 ext. 6100 to notify us of your interest and ask any initial questions.

Step 3: Complete Pre-Registration

Visit the district website's 'Pre-registration' page to enroll your child.

Step 4: Await Confirmation and Additional Information

Once pre-registration is complete, additional information will be sent to you.

Step 5: Program Details

Full Day Session: 8:08 am - 2:20 pm
Meals and Transportation: Breakfast, lunch, and transportation are provided.
Class Size: Maximum of 20 students per class, with two classes available.

Step 6: Lottery Process (If Necessary)

If more than 40 in-district students are registered by May 22, 2024, a lottery will be held to determine placement.

Step 7: Follow Up with Questions

For any further inquiries, please contact the Primary Office at 518-692-9542 ext. 6100.

We look forward to welcoming your child to our Pre-K program!

Open Enrollment for YMCA B.A.S.E Program

We are excited to announce that open enrollment for the YMCA B.A.S.E (Before and After School Enrichment) Program is now available! This program offers a wonderful opportunity for your children to engage in enriching activities outside of school hours.

To learn more, click on the photo below to view the flyer with additional details.

Greenwich Youth Center

Interested in opportunities for your child at the Greenwich Youth Center? Click on the photo to learn more about the programs and services they offer!

Preparing for Winter Weather

During this season, we are enlisting families' help to ensure children are dressed appropriately for the weather. Hats, gloves or mittens, and boots are essential to keeping them safe and warm during the winter months. This is especially important for MG students who may not always want to dress for the elements. Thank you for your support!