The Gator Gazette
November, 2024
It's November, and we have some homework for you! The month of November is always a busy time, so today's issue of the Gator Gazette brings a few action items.
1. Sign up for parent conferences on Parent Vue starting today after 4 p.m.!
2. Pre-register for our Open House before 1 p.m. on Friday, November 8.
3. Send us information about a special veteran before Friday, November 8.
Details about all of these events and other November news can be found in this issue!
We also have exciting news! We will be partnering with Jackson Road Elementary School as sister schools! We will be sharing more information at the PTA meeting on Wednesday, October 6. Please join us on Zoom or in the media center at 7 p.m. to learn more!
We look forward to seeing you at Greenwood in November!
Warmly,
Mrs. Seidel and Mrs. Sinon
Parent Conference Days in November--Sign Ups Start Today
Conference sign ups will be available on Parent Vue starting at 4 p.m. today, Friday, November 1.
On Monday, November 25, and Tuesday, November 26, students will be dismissed at 12:55 p.m. to afford time on those days for parent conferences. Teachers will post their individual schedules. Please reach out to your child's teacher with any scheduling questions.
Information about preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences:
Parent Vue Support Guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ukuv45XQeE3h0LWv8I5rRee5Eo_e7dmlkifpwPZdvy0/view?tab=t.0#heading=h.gnd6cwbdhyzc
November Open House--Preregister before 1 p.m. on Friday, November 8
On Monday, November 11, parents and guardians are invited to visit their child's K-5 classroom to catch a glimpse of what learning at Greenwood looks like each day. We invite those whose last names begin with A-M to join us from 9:30 - 10:15 and those with last names from N-Z to join us from 10:15 - 11:00. Certainly we understand the need to be flexible to accommodate all, but if you are able to adhere to these guidelines, it will help us to reduce the number of visitors in the building at one time. Unfortunately, we do not have the space and the ability to maintain safety for students by having families join us for lunch or recess on this day, which is why we have planned this event prior to our first lunch and recess times.
Although we love your little ones, the open house will be happening during instructional time, and we respectfully request that you make other arrangements for them that morning.
The book fair will be open to families during this time, but students may NOT visit the book fair during this time and should remain in class during the open house. This is instructional time, and the PTA has requested that only adults visit the book fair during this window of time to afford the space for all of the visitors who wish to shop.
PRE-REGISTER TODAY TO ATTEND THE OPEN HOUSE!
Please complete the form below before 1 p.m. on Friday, November 8, if you intend to visit your child's classroom during our Open House on Monday, November 11. Completion of this form will allow us to have your badge preprinted so that you may walk in, show your ID, pick up your badge, and start your visit immediately! (Please remember your photo ID!) Each visitor must complete their own form.
Preregistration Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfT55_xQtlysAareEmD738KQnLbcM3GaFeXwzTOXddGvq1uNg/viewform?usp=sf_link
This form will close on Friday, November 8, at 1 p.m. After that time, you will need to check in through the VMS system on the morning of the event, but please be prepared for a line, as the use of the system does take time.
Please email Mrs. Ostrinsky if you have any questions about pre-registration. Susan_A_Ostrinsky@mcpsmd.org
We look forward to seeing you!
Please use the link below to preregister:
Veterans Day--Help Us to Honor Our Greenwood Veterans--Submit before Friday, November 8
Greenwood loves their veterans! This year we will once again honor the brave veterans who have served our country. If your Greenwood gator has a veteran they would like to honor and display their picture proudly during our open house, we would invite you to submit through the Google form below! If you have more than one veteran please submit a separate entry for each member. We will close the Google Form on Friday, November 8th so we have time to prepare our display for our open house on November 11th.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKU-TRBblJbZWhzfrPpjLiYJHPWAC2Na1MDunDgBB_J3xSBQ/viewform
Counseling Team Update
Upcoming dates:
- November 13: World Kindness Day- Wear something with a kind or encouraging message.
- November 15: December Holiday Giving Project Referral Deadline
Holiday Giving Project
December Holiday Referrals Due: Friday, November 15
If you have not yet submitted a request for The Holiday Giving Project, there is still time for the December baskets.
Si aún no ha enviado una solicitud para The Holiday Giving Project, todavía hay tiempo para las canastas de diciembre.
The Holiday Giving Project has provided Thanksgiving and December holiday assistance to low-income households for over 30 years. A network of social workers, school counselors, and human service professionals refer families in need of assistance. Local non-profits, faith-based organizations, and public agencies serve Holiday Giving recipients, as donations are available. If you and your family are in need and would like to be referred for possible assistance for the holiday season, please complete this google form or consent form that was sent home to families. While a referral is not a guarantee of assistance, the Project helps as many families in need as donations allow.
El Holiday Giving Project ha brindado asistencia durante las fiestas de Acción de Gracias y diciembre a hogares de bajos ingresos durante más de 30 años. Una red de trabajadores sociales, consejeros escolares y profesionales de servicios humanos derivan a familias que necesitan ayuda. Las organizaciones locales sin fines de lucro, las organizaciones religiosas y las agencias públicas prestan servicios a los destinatarios de Holiday Giving, ya que hay donaciones disponibles. Si usted y su familia lo necesitan y desean que los recomienden para una posible asistencia durante la temporada navideña, complete este formulario de Google o formulario de consentimiento que se envió a las familias. Si bien una remisión no es garantía de asistencia, el Proyecto ayuda a tantas familias necesitadas como lo permitan las donaciones.
Personal Body Safety Lessons (PBSL)
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.
Picture Retakes and Make-up Pictures
If your student was absent on picture day, or if you would like to have your student's school photo retaken, our school retakes will be done on Tuesday, November 19.
PTA Scholastic Book Fair is Coming!
Here's what you need to know.
*************************************
1️⃣ Shopping Days
The Book Fair will be held on Monday, November 11 - Friday, November 15 — with online shopping extended through Sunday, November 24.
You and your students can shop a few different ways. Be sure to note the different days for each shopping opportunity.
- In-Person Student Shopping: Your students can shop the Book Fair with their classes on Monday, November 11 - Friday, November 15.
- In-Person Parent Shopping: Parents can shop the Book Fair in-person as well. On Monday, November 11 - Thursday, November 14 – from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. – parents will be allowed into the Media Center to shop. (See the Special Event information for an extra special shopping opportunity!)
- Shop Online: You can shop online at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/greenwoodelementaryschool13. The Virtual Book Fair will run Monday, November 11 - Sunday, November 24.
2️⃣ SPECIAL EVENT: Parent Shopping During Open House
As you read in the Greenwood ES Weekly Update:
On Monday, November 11, parents and guardians are invited to visit their child's K-5 classroom to catch a glimpse of what learning at Greenwood looks like each day. The school invites those whose last names begin with A-M to attend from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. and those with last names from N-Z to attend from 10:15 - 11 a.m.
The Book Fair will be open for Parent Shopping during the Open House, from 9:30 - 11 a.m.! Please note that students must remain in their classrooms during this time.
3️⃣ Payment Methods
For Student Shopping, we encourage you to set up a Scholastic eWallet. This will give your child a safe, cashless way to shop at the Book Fair. This digital payment option can be used at the in-school Book Fair or online at the Virtual Book Fair.
To set this up, go to https://www.scholastic.com/bf/greenwoodelementaryschool13 and look for the eWallet section on the page. Upon completion, you can print out your eWallet information with your student’s name and account balance – and send it with your student to aid in the checkout process. This is super helpful for the younger students.
If you have eWallet funds remaining from previous book fairs, those funds converted into a Scholastic eGift card balance. You can apply that eGift card balance for a new eWallet for the Fall 2024 Book Fair. Log in to your Scholastic online account to check for an available balance.
Cash, credit cards, and checks made payable to Greenwood PTA also will be accepted but the Scholastic eWallet is our preferred method of payment.
4️⃣ We Need Your help!
We have a few volunteer slots remaining to staff the cash registers. Your time and participation are very much appreciated. You can sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948A4AA2EA4F4C52-52411878-scholastic.
IMPORTANT: All volunteers MUST complete the following MCPS requirement BEFORE they can volunteer: Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training. If you are volunteering, please complete this requirement as soon as possible.
5️⃣ Teacher Wish Lists
If you would like to purchase a book for your student’s classroom, that can be done during the In-Person Parent Shopping times. There will be a display inside the Media Center, with the teachers’ names and wish lists. As parents / guardians come in to shop, they can choose to buy something off the list and then send those books with their student the next day to give to their teacher.
November PTA Update
November PTA Update (Long Update with Exciting Events)
- PTA Meeting: Wednesday, November 6th at 7pm at GES in the media center and on Zoom!
- Scholastic Book Fair is Coming: November 11th-15th in the media center. On Monday, November 11th, during open house, parents are invited to shop (please leave your student in their class).
- Scholastic Book Fair Volunteer and E-Wallet: please visit our PTA website for more details: https://sites.google.com/greenwood-pta.org/greenwood-pta/home
- DNO- November 20th at California Tortilla. This Dining Night Out will benefit the 5th grade class.
- We need your support!! One way to support the PTA is to purchase Regal Movie Tickets Bundle: https://www.groupraise.com/oc/49923?utm_campaign=ocmp_copy_url&utm_medium=social&utm_source=offers_promo
- Sprititwear Sale:
https://spirithero.com/collections/greenwood
Ordering is now open. The Flash Sale will close on 11/17 and all orders will ship directly to Greenwood. Orders will be packaged by student/class and delivered before winter break.
- Fundraisers help the PTA bring in school assemblies (First one was Thursday, October 31st!) and provide the community with events like our wonderful Trunk or Treat and Movie Night!
- Fall Party Update: Thank you Greenwood Community, all of our snack items for the whole school have been purchased!! If you would still like to contribute to the class funds to help the room parents provide your student with a wonderful party, please visit: https://greenwoodpta.givebacks.com/store/items/1113975
- Thank you to our coordinators and community for a wonderful night of Trunk or Treat and Movie Night! It was great to see so many people!
Katie Phillips
President, Greenwood Elementary School PTA
School Hours
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.
Student Absences
Please call the front office prior to 9:00 a.m. when a child is absent for any reason. If you call prior to office hours, you may leave a message with your child's name, teacher, and the reason for the absence. You can also send an email to your child's classroom teacher and Mrs. Ostrinsky, our attendance secretary, at Susan_A_Ostrinsky@mcpsmd.org. Upon return, please send a note from home about the absence.
Please help us to maintain health and safety for all by keeping children at home when illness is suspected, when a communicable disease has been diagnosed, or when lice nits have been found. A physician's note is required after five consecutive days of absence.
Absence Policy
- AM absent, if student arrives more than 2 hours late
- PM absent, if student leaves more than 2 hours early
- 1/2 day absence, if students are absent for more 2 hours during the school day
absence
- Full-day absence, if students are present for less than 2 hours of the entire school day
absence
Our school day begins promptly at 9 a.m., and students must be unpacked and ready for instruction. If your child arrives after 9 a.m., please escort your child/children into the building to sign them in.
Arrival and Dismissal
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
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 and Bus Rider Safety
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.
Breakfast and Lunch
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.
Free and Reduced Meals Applications are NOW OPEN! Apply today!
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.
Health Room Staff and Health Information
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
Chromebook Information
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.
More information:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-nfeYkPGdgXdetCwTu2_eM_3XkUZgGCf/view?usp=sharing
Cell Phones, Smart Watches and Other Personal Mobile Devices May NOT be used during the school day
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.
Birthdays! We love birthdays!
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.
Restorative Practices
Volunteers
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
Bullying and Harassment
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.
Dates to Remember
November
1 - Sign up for parent conference times on Parent Vue, starting at 4 p.m. today
4 - No school for students, Grading and Reporting Day
5 - No School, Election Day
6 - PTA Meeting, 7 p.m., Media Center and Zoom
11 - Open House 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
11 - 15 PTA Scholastic Book Fair
13- World Kindness Day- Wear something with a kind or encouraging message.
13 - Report Cards available on Parent Vue
14 - Report cards go home
19 - School Photo Retakes
20 - PTA Dining Night Out, California Tortilla, 11:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
21 - Gr 2 to Strathmore field trip
22 - Fall Parties
24 - Girls on the Run 5K
25 - Early Release Day, Dismissal at 12:55 p.m.; Parent Conferences
26 - Early Release Day, Dismissal at 12:55 p.m.; Parent Conferences
27 - 29 No School, Thanksgiving Holiday
MCPS 2024-25 School Calendar
Contact us
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