Welcome Greenwich Elementary

Despite the chilly temperatures, spring is in the air—I can feel it. And the kids can feel it too! They’re ready to run, jump, skip, hop, and wiggle. I’m hopeful that evening temperatures will soon stay consistently above freezing so we can open our playgrounds once again. Thankfully, our campus has plenty of wide open spaces for students to enjoy in the meantime.

Don’t blink—April and May always seem to fly by!

This month, our students in grades 3–6 will take the New York State ELA and Math Assessments. Additionally, our 5th grade students will participate in the State Science Assessment. These assessments are important tools that help us better understand how to support our students. The results guide curriculum decisions, identify needed supports, and help us strengthen our academic programs.

Please help us by encouraging your child to:

- Understand that these assessments are meant to help us help them. They are not a grade, but they are important.

- Take their time and do their best.

- Get a good night’s sleep before each assessment day.

- Eat a healthy breakfast.

- Feel proud of their efforts after each session—because giving it your best always deserves celebration.

We are incredibly proud of the growth and hard work we’ve seen in our students this year.

Looking ahead, May is shaping up to be a busy and exciting month! Highlights include:

- The Grades 4–6 Spelling Bee

- Recorder concerts for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades

- The MG Spring Band and Chorus Concert

- Field trips and more!

Thank you for your continued support as we make the most of these final, fast-moving months of the school year!

Regards,

Mrs. Record

In honor of World Autism Awareness Day, we invite our school community to show support for our Communications Classroom and the broader autism community. On Wednesday, April 2nd, please encourage your child to wear red, blue, or yellow as a way to help us spread awareness, acceptance, and support for individuals with autism.

Each color holds a special meaning:

🔴 Red symbolizes love, support, and passion for individuals with autism.

🟡 Yellow represents optimism, hope, and the potential of people on the autism spectrum.

🔵 Blue stands for calmness, understanding, and acceptance.

This simple act of kindness goes a long way in helping all of our students feel seen, celebrated, and included. Thank you for helping us build a school community rooted in empathy, respect, and understanding.

We are excited to welcome all incoming kindergarten families to our Ready, Set, Kindergarten! event on Thursday, April 24th from 5:00–6:30 PM in the Primary Cafeteria.

Whether your child is currently enrolled in our PreK program or new to our school community, this event is a great opportunity to enjoy a pizza dinner, meet members of our kindergarten team, and learn more about what to expect in kindergarten.

We look forward to seeing you and your soon-to-be kindergartner there!

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 on or before December 1, 2025.

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 - 1:08 pm
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch 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, 2025, 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!

At Greenwich Elementary, we believe that strong partnerships between school and home lead to greater student success. Parent University is our new initiative to support families with helpful resources, workshops, and tips designed to empower you as a partner in your child’s education.

In each newsletter, this section will feature topics ranging from literacy and math strategies to social-emotional development, digital safety, and more. Whether you're looking to understand the curriculum, support homework routines, or navigate behavioral challenges, Parent University is here to help.

Coming soon:

🧠 Helping Your Child with Big Emotions

Have a topic you’d like us to cover? Let us know—we want this space to reflect your interests and needs!

In today’s digital world, screens are a regular part of our children’s lives—both in and out of school. While technology can be a great tool for learning and connection, research shows that too much screen time—especially when unstructured—can impact a child’s brain development, attention span, emotional regulation, and sleep.

This month’s Parent Universityspotlight shares a few helpful resources to better understand how devices affect children and how to create healthier screen habits at home.

Resources to Explore:

📘 The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

A deep dive into how smartphones and social media are impacting the mental health and development of children and teens.

🔗 [theanxiousgeneration.com](https://www.theanxiousgeneration.com/)

"What Do We Really Know About Kids and Screens?"

This article from the American Psychological Association delves into current research on the risks and potential benefits of children's and teens' use of digital devices.

🔗 [Read the article](https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/cover-kids-screens)

"Why Young Brains Are Especially Vulnerable to Social Media"

Exploring how children's brains undergo fundamental shifts around age 10, this piece discusses their increased sensitivity to social rewards and the implications of social media use.

🔗 [Read the article](https://www.apa.org/news/apa/2022/social-media-children-teens)

This month, we’re focusing on Cooperation—working together to do what’s best for the whole group. Whether it’s completing a class project, playing a game at recess, or helping out at home, cooperation means listening to others, supporting each other, and working as a team to reach a shared goal.

We’re encouraging students to be “thinking-of-others” kids rather than “all-about-me” kids. When we cooperate, we make our school a kinder, more connected place for everyone.

Let’s keep working together—at school and at home—to build strong, respectful, and cooperative learners!

Here are a few ways to foster cooperation at home:

- Play board games or complete a puzzle as a family. These activities naturally encourage turn-taking, listening, and working together.

- Give your child a "teamwork task" like setting the table or helping with a sibling’s bedtime routine—something they can do with someone else.

- Model cooperative language like “Let’s figure this out together” or “How can we help each other?” to show that solving problems is a team effort.

Together, we can help our children grow into thoughtful and cooperative members of our community!

To help you juggle events both in and out of school, here are a few important dates to add to your calendar now. Additional details will be provided in May’s newsletter and in communications from Mr. Califano.

April 7: BOE Meeting

6:00 PM JHSH Media Center

April 9 & 10

Grade 3-6 NYS ELA Assessments

April 14-18

Spring Break NO SCHOOL

April: 23 & 24

Grade 3-6 NYS Math Assessments

April 25

Morning Program @ 8:45 am Primary Cafeteria

April 30

NYS 5th Grade Science Assessment

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!