Glenwood News
What is happening at Glenwood, September 15, 2024
NEWSLETTER
There are so many inspiring activities that occur daily at Glenwood. I include photos of students engaging in these activities and share them. Names of students are not posted in the newsletter. If you do not want your child's picture included in my newsletter, please send me an email at karen_cappucci@wrsd.net.
If I do not hear from you, it will count as permission to include students in the weekly newsletter.
News From Dr. Cappucci
Panorama Survey
Dear GlenwoodParent/Guardian,
In order to learn more about student experiences at school, we will be asking for your child’s feedback via an online survey they will be completing at school. The WRSD will administer a student Universal Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Survey to all students in grades 3 through 12 at two separate points across this school year. The survey windows will occur in the Fall between October 7-25, 2024 and in the Spring between March 3-21, 2025.
The Student SEL Survey was developed by Panorama Education and is utilized by your child’s school as a universal screener to help gather information about students’ perceptions of their competencies and perceptions of SEL supports and their environment. School staff will have the ability to explore the results with interactive reports and identify actionable strategies to build students’ SEL skills both individually and collectively. The survey is widely used in school districts nationwide to gather information about:
Self-efficacy
Self-management
SEL Competencies
Well-being
Supports and Environment
The information gathered through the survey will be used to review WRSD’s SEL programming and make improvements designed to increase student SEL skills which are critical to school, career, and life success.
You have the right to inspect the survey. The survey as well as additional information is available on the Office of Student Support website and can be accessed by clicking this LINK.
We are asking that all of our students participate in the surveys, as their feedback will provide invaluable insights into their experiences and how we can improve and adapt our district to their needs; however, you may elect that your child not participate in taking the Panorama Student Survey this academic year. To opt out you must complete the Opt Out Form by Friday, September 27, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. The Opt Out Form is available by clicking this LINK. If you elect to opt out of having your child complete the surveys he/she will be provided an academic activity during the 15 to 20 minute administration time other students are completing the survey.
If you have any questions about the survey administration, please don’t hesitate to contact me or Maria Letasz, Director of Student Support at maria_letasz@wrsd.net or (508) 829-1670 ext. 253.
Sincerely,
Karen Cappucci
Cameras Have Been Installed by the Town of Rutland this Summer.
The cameras are currently not operational, but they will be soon. These cameras are for safety purposes. The cameras have been placed in hallways, pods, the cafeteria, and the gym.
PTO Welcome back to school pizza night at the playground!
Back to School Pizza Night
When: Thursday, September 19th
Rain Date is the 26th.
Location: Glenwood Elementary School Playground
Time: 5:30-6:30pm
In order to make this event successful we are asking for donations of: Oreos, plates, napkins, bottles of water, and monetary donations. See sign up genius below. Venmo: @Glenwood-PTO
We do need help. Please see the Sign-Up Genius.
We have moved to a new reading program HMH Into Reading has been started this year. There is a parent component.
Buses 21, 19, 11
Buses 21, 19 and 11 are full. We cannot add one more child to those buses. Please plan accordingly for half days.
Thank you for understanding.
Phone Call After 3:15 pm.
We appreciate your help with this.
Alternate Transportation Needs
This is usually used for childcare.
This must be approved by the bus company and your child will need a signed note from the office for all first time trips on a new bus. Approval may take 1-2 weeks.
Cell Phones
Save The Date
September
19- Welcome Back Pizza Night
25th and 26th Vision and Hearing- Students should bring their glasses or hearing aids if they wear them. Please see the Opt Out Form in the newsletter.
October
2- PTO Meeting 6:30
7- Parent Conferences evening 5:00-7:30-Please be prompt for Conference. We will have to reschedule the conference if you do not arrive at the assigned time.Thank you so much for understanding.
October 10 and 11- 1/2 days Lunch will be served
October 10 1/2 day- Parent Conferences-Please be prompt for the assigned times. 12:45-3:45.
14- No School
16- 6:00 Gardner Movie Night- The Wild Robot
17-Picture Day
17 and 18 turn in emails for the Magazine Drive for Weepuls
21 Magazine Drive Turn in day
24-Magazine Drive Turn in day
28- Magazine Drive Turn in day
31-Magazine Drive Turn in day
November
4-PTO Meeting 6:30
4-15 Brilla Coffee Fundraiser for PTO
5-No School- Professional Development
7-Limo Lunch and Lucky Ducks Day
8-Veterans Day for Veterans and their families only
We will celebrate Veterans Day. Please fill out the form for all veterans that will be joining our celebration. There will be no Memorial Day Celebration this year.
4-8 Food Pantry Collection
11th- No School
27-29 Thanksgiving Break
December
13-Concert
10:00
1:30
20-Last Day before break
January
2- Return to School
20-MLK Day No School
29- Half Day- Lunch will be served
February
17-21-Winter break
28- Community Reading Day
March
10-14 Book Fair
13 Book Fair evening shopping and family STEAM Night
19-1/2 day lunch will be served
April
21-25 Spring break
May
14-1/2 day Lunch will be served
June
6-Concert
10:00
1:30
9-Field Day-Subject to Snow Days
10- Fifth Grade Celebration- Subject to Snow Days
11- Rain date for either Field Day or fifth grade celebration
12-1/2 day and last day
Fundraisers- these are not official dates
Meadowbrook Farms-September
Magazine Drive Oct. 12
Brilla Coffee Nov. 4-15
Fact-thon January/February
Penny Wars
Square 1 Art Holiday Extravaganza November 1-15
Book Fair March 11-18
Monthly Movies
Spirit Wear
We have moved to Trimesters for Report Cards.
Grading Criteria Explanations and Examples
1, 2, 3 Grading Criteria, option of +, if needed
3–Consistently and independently meets or exceeds grade level standards
2–Needs some teacher support to access grade level standards
1–Needs substantial teacher support to access grade level standards
+ The optional “+” added to the indicator denotes
N/A: Not Assessed
When will a “+” be used?
Student remains in the “2” range but has made significant progress
Student has yet to reach a “3”
“+” will only be used second or third trimester
A student who receives a 2+ in the second trimester may remain a 2+ for the third trimester if warranted.
Examples for utilizing “2+”:
Student received a “2” in the first trimester. They made significant gains but has yet to reach a “3” consistently and independently. They may receive “2+” for the second trimester.
Student received a “2” in the second trimester. They made significant gains over the trimester but has yet to reach a “3”. They may receive a 2+ for the third trimester.
Student received a “2” in the first and second trimester. They made significant gains over the trimester but has yet to reach a “3” consistently and independently. They may receive a 2+ for the third trimester.
Opt Out Form for Wellness Screening
2024-2025 School Calendar
HOMEWORK AT GLENWOOD- STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO READ NIGHTLY AND PRACTICE THEIR FACTS.
In an effort to allow children to be children and give them time to explore their interests and spend time with their families, we will continue with our unstructured homework. It is expected that students read (20 -40 minutes a night depending on their grade levels) and practice math facts nightly. It’s just expected that both will be done. Students will be held accountable for knowing their math facts as well as reading for enjoyment each night. The only time homework will be formally assigned is when students need to study for a test/quiz or complete a project. Here is a list of things you can do with your child at home in the absence of formal homework. I know it is tempting for children to use a device or watch TV in the absence of formalized homework, but the following list will provide a more fun and enriching experience for your child.
What is Happening At Glenwood
The Makerspace
A true makerspace is defined not by what's in it, but rather by what comes out of it: projects, experiences, artifacts, and learning. At Glenwood we are looking to have a makerspace that opens opportunities for children to design, create and explore. We are looking for donations of materials we can use in our makerspace. We are in desperate need of materials for our makerspace. Some things that we can not get enough of are:
small pieces of wood and nails for building
Cereal and cardboard boxes
masking and duct tape,
toilet paper and paper towel rolls,
craft supplies,
cereal boxes,
cardboard,
fabric, yarn,
streamers
plastic containers,
or anything that may end up in the recycling bin
We appreciate these and other materials that are in a clean and usable condition.
Officer Deschamps joined students at lunch.
Meet the Teachers
Mr. Comeau
Mrs. Arsenault and Mrs. Hughes
Ms. Levins
Mr. Lague
Mrs. Dumas
Ms. Paulson
Mr. Vickstrom
Mrs. Butterfield
Mr. Otteman
Mrs. Ross
Mrs. Raymond
Mr. Jaffe, Mrs. Panagakis, Mrs. Porter
Mrs. Sanford, Mrs. Grillo, Mrs. Gendron
The Third Grade Team with Dr. Liubovich and Mrs. Pasquino
Mrs. Gendron, Ms. Amend, Mrs. Johanson, Mrs. Boucher, Ms. Chenoweth, Ms. McCarthy, Ms. Zenaro.
Mr. Gauvin
Custodians
Mr. Herve
Mr. Smola, Mr. O'Hearn
Mrs. Lawton
Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jensen, Mrs. Leino- Cafeteria Crew
My Perfectly Perfect Wish
On the first day of school, we held an assembly. We read the book My Perfectly Perfect Wish by Lisa Mantchev. Students wrote their perfectly perfect wishes for the year on stars. These stars are placed all over the lobby. Students proudly shared their perfectly perfect wishes with their parents.
Thank you Mrs. Hughes for creating our bulletin board.
Curriculum Night
Thank you to all the families who joined us on Curriculum Night
4th Grade
4th Grade Recess
Science Lab with Mrs. Dumas
Speech Group
Speech Group
During speech & language group in Mrs. Ross’s room, your child participated in a collaborative game called, This or That. Before the game, our wonderful counselor, Mrs. Pasquino, ran a short mindfulness lesson to help kids transition, lengthen their attention and feel calmer. As students made choices about what they enjoy more, their confidence grew quickly and they were motivated to play. Depending on their more preferred choice, they were encouraged to join either the peace or thumbs up group. Once joined, the students asked followup questions, made comments and connections with each other. At the end, they recalled and shared at least 1 thing they learned about what one of their peers liked. We were very impressed with them using their communication skills to gain more information about their peers when they joined groups with similar likes as them!
Warmly,
Mrs. Raymond, Mrs. Lague, Mrs. Ross & Mrs. Pasquino
School Psychologist, Dr. Liubovich
School Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Pasquino
MPY ANNOUNCES NEW PARENTING SOLUTIONS LIBRARY
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce its new MPY Parenting Solutions Library. The MPY Parenting Solutions Library is offered at no charge, in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive.
Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. The trainings are presented by experts with advanced degrees and the trainings focus on child and adolescent development, including difficulties in school, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ identity formation, racism, and grief. These trainings present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change.
FREE 24 HOME PARENTING VIDEO PRESENTATIONS
- Inspire School Success for Elementary, Middle and High School Students
- Parenting Principles for Progress Not Perfection
- Mental Health Knowledge and Skills
- Support Your Anxious Child Library
- ADHD and Autism: How to Help Your Child Thrive
The Home Parenting Solutions Library may easily be accessed using the link on MPY’s home page (mpyinc.org) or by clicking the button below. No log in or passcode is needed. We request your assistance sharing this valuable and free resource with parents in your district.
PTO NEWS
PTO Meetings for the year.
All meetings begin at 6:30.
9/9
10/2
11/4
No meeting in December
1/6
2/3
3/3
4/7
5/5
6/2
Teacher Appreciation Week Sign Up.
PTO Movie at Gardner Cinemas
10/16 The WIld Robot
Meadowbrooks Farm
Meadowbrook farms
PTO Fundraisers
Brilla Coffee- November 4-15
Penny Wars- April 1-5
Glenwood Tie-Dye MCAS shirts Needed
Do you have a Glenwood graduate?
Cleaning out drawers to make room for Winter and finding some of those cool blue Tie-Dye MCAS shirts..??
DO NOT THROW AWAY!!
Recycle and REUSE
The MCAS Rally is Coming March 2024!!
Glenwood is looking for extra MCAS shirts to have on hand for those hard working students that forget or may have financial challenges
Please consider donating your gently used MCAS shirts by dropping them off with Dr Cappucci or contacting
glenwoodpto1@gmail.com for pick up
Thank you
Community Events
Wachusett District Music Lessons!
Mason Egdall and is the new Director of the AIR Program at Wachusett Regional High School. He is reaching out to let families know that registration for private lessons is currently live on our website.
https://sites.google.com/wrsd.net/music/music-lessons/about
Those who have taken lessons with us before have already been sent an email about this. Mason Egdall
Lessons will start on September 30th and will be held at the high school, Monday through Thursday, starting at 2:30pm and they are 30 minute slots. I am in the process of scheduling students who have registered online.
Lessons are open to any and all members of the community.
AIR Director
wrhs.air.director@gmail.com
Cornerstone Bank offers bank accounts for students.
Cori
If you have been CORI'd at one of the three Rutland schools, then your CORI will carry over to the next school, however, they are only active for three years. There are times when we can get the results of a CORI check back quickly, but there are also times when we wait weeks for the results.
Avoid the rush by checking in with Mrs. Johnstone prior to any school activity.
Glenwood School Information
School Hours: Doors open at Glenwood at 8:55am. Please do not drop off students unattended prior to 8:55am as we do not have staff in place to monitor students until the doors are open. Our dismissal begins around 3:30 (a bit earlier even in the beginning of the year).
Dismissal: If you need to dismiss your child early for any reason, please send in a note to their homeroom teacher the morning of the dismissal or send an email to their teacher and Mrs. Johnstone that morning. Please include your child’s first and last name as well as their homeroom teacher on all notes. Please refrain from dismissals after 3:15pm as the office gets busy with dismissal preparation.Absent: If your child will be absent, please call the school in the morning to notify us. If you know in advance that your child will not be in school, please send an email to their homeroom teacher and our school secretary, Mrs. Johnstone (jeanine_johnstone@wrsd.net) in advance notifying us. Please include their first and last name, homeroom teacher, reason for absence and duration of absence.
PLEASE NOTE: Do not email staff/ teachers regarding dismissal changes during the school day. We can not guarantee that staff will read the email and/or there is always a chance that our technology has a disruption. Please call the office with any dismissal changes during the day. Thank you!
Tardy: If your child will be tardy to school, please walk them to the front office upon arrival to check in. Your child is tardy if they arrive after 9:08.
PowerSchool: The Parent Portal in PowerSchool is the key tool for accessing important information (Student Handbook/ Report Cards). Please let us know in the office if you are having trouble accessing the Parent Portal.
Volunteering: You will need to complete a Cori Form that can be found online in order to volunteer at school. Approvals generally take 4 weeks. At times, opportunities to volunteer may be available. The link to the CORI FORM is also located below. Please don't wait until spring (i.e. Field Day) to get your CORI. Please take the time to get this done early in the school year. Thank you!
Breakfast Menu
Breakfast choices will change daily except for Tuesday, which will always be a bagel day-either French toast or plain. On the other days we will offer the following:
Chocolate chip muffin, glazed mini bites ( donut holes), blueberry, banana or lemon bread, large powdered donut, cinnamon buns, or a breakfast bar (donut stick)
Students will get a juice or a piece of fruit along with the breakfast item.
Cereal will be the alternate everyday.
Lunch Menu
Notes from Mrs. Lawton, School Nurse
Welcome to the Health Update-
To The Parents of 4th and 5th graders:
Thank You to those who have sent in recent copies of their children’s MD physicals and updated immunizations- I appreciate it! For those of you who haven’t been able to yet- if you could send them along as soon as possible, that would be great!
- The new Health Office website is up and running. Please visit this site: https://sites.google.com/wrsd.net/wrsdhealthservices/home
Reminders from Mrs. Johnstone, School Secretary
- It is important that we have the most up to date contact information for your child. Updates of contact information can be completed by contacting our school secretary Mrs. Johnstone at 508-886-0399 or by email at jeanine_johnstone@wrsd.net
- If your child will be absent, please notify us by either sending a note with your child, or notifying the school at 508-886-0399.
- If your child has a change in dismissal, please send in a note with your child's full name and teacher's name.
- Please ensure your CORI has not expired. Contact Mrs. Johnstone if you are unsure of your expiration date. Mrs. Johnstone has current information regarding the CORI. We cannot rush CORI checks at the end of the year as systems are overloaded.
- Unless otherwise noted: Dismissal on Early Release Days will begin at 12:30 with lunch being served.
News from the Cafeteria
- Please email jennifer_jones@wrsd.net if you do not want your child to purchase a snack from their Schoolbucks account. An alert will be placed on your child's account.
- Breakfast will continue to be offered daily for the 2024-2025 school year.
- All lunches will continue to be free for the 2024-2025 school year.
- Lunch Menus are available on the Glenwood website: http://www.wrsd.net/glenwood/