ANNOUNCEMENTS
News & Information for Greenwood Elementary


3/20/14
Music Program Schedule Correction
As a friendly F.Y.I, we are sending this with a correction to our music program schedule.  The May 9th concert is indeed a first grade program.
 FROM THE DESK OF MR. G
Spring Break
I hope everyone has a fun and safe spring break.  Make some memories, keep reading, and enjoy the extra family time!  School will be in session next Monday - Wednesday.  As a reminder, there will be no school for students beginning on Thursday, March 27-28, and spring break continues March 31-April 4.

MCA Testing
Student attendance is a vital part of the Wayzata Public Schools learning experience.  There are a couple times each year when high-stakes testing is administered, and attendance is also vital during these testing windows.  Please review the district assessment calendar and tests administered by grade-level in the months of April/May.  Families are strongly encouraged to plan all appointments and vacations outside these dates. The district testing calendar can be accessed here.
  • MCA Reading for Grades 3-5: April 22 and 23
  • MCA Math for Grades 3-5: April 29 and 30
  • MCA Science for Grade 5: May 5-16
  • MAP Spring Reading & Math for Grades 2-5: May 7 - June 4 (Each classroom's MAP test dates will be communicated this spring)  
Staff vs. Students Basketball Game
Our next Character Assembly will be March 26 at 9:00 a.m.  The assembly will feature an engaging staff vs. students basketball game along with a halftime awards ceremony.  Due to the space required to host the actual game (and large student audience in the other half of the gym) we are inviting parents to join us virtually via a live Ustream link.  Families that go to this link when the streaming begins will be able experience the fun from their home or office. UStream Link: click here. We've piloted this technology at a couple other events and had great feedback!

Class Placement Information for 2014-2015
Staff will begin the process of planning for student placements this spring.  Tremendous time and effort is given to designing well-balanced learning groups, or classrooms.  During the process a myriad of factors is considered including gender balance, consistent class sizes, behavior and academic needs, peer relationships, maturity, self-control, special needs, independence level, and more.  Student placements are made based upon the aforementioned factors, and staff work collaboratively with the building principal to create balanced learning groups.  Well-balanced learning groups are in the best interest of all students.  After staffing and enrollment is solidified the building principal assigns a teacher to each learning group.  We anticipate communicating class placement decisions approximately one week before school begins next fall, or around the time of Open House.

Parents have the option to share input into this process.  Please click here to access our school's handbook, and then go to page 13 to download a copy of the parent input form.  The deadline to return the form is May 9, 2014.  

Kind regards,
Mr. Brad Gustafson, Principal
KICKS Food Drive a Success
Greenwood KICKS students collected 795 pounds of food during its recent food drive for the IOCP Food Shelf.  As part of the food shelf's "Donation Creation: Donate. Create. Feed our community!" contest, The Mosaic Company will match each pound of food collected with a $1 donation for a total of $795!  

Donation Creation
If you were at school during the food drive, you probably saw the colorful shelves of food which simulated a rainbow. 

Student's entered their rainbow creation in the contest's People's Choice category. The winner of this category will be selected via Facebook.  To vote, go to the IOCP Facebook page, click here.   The photo with the highest number of "likes" by 04:59:59 p.m. on March 31st will be declared the winner. Results will be announced on IOCP's website, www.iocp.org, and Facebook page on April 7th.
A BIG Carnival Thank You
A BIG Thank You to everyone that attended this year's carnival and helped to make it a success!  A special thanks to the many volunteers, and to teachers and staff for donating their time and talents.  We could not have done it without each and every one of you!  Also, thank you to all the businesses and families that donated items for the silent auction and classroom baskets; the live and kid's raffles; water, junk food and everything else! 
Do You Have a Summer Reading and Writing Plan?
Summer reading ... NOW?  Yes, it's only March and we're still seeing snow, but it's time to plan for summer activities including... summer reading and writing! Every Greenwood student has worked hard for the progress they've made this year. To maintain that growth, every child deserves opportunities to read and write over the summer months.  For help planning your child's summer reading and writing activities, click here.
3rd Grade Program is Tomorrow
Greenwood's third grade "Dig It" program is tomorrow, March 21st.   Staff & students will gather in the morning to watch the program, and parents/families are invited to attend at 1:15 p.m. in the gym.  Please sign-in in the front hallway the afternoon of the show if you're able to join us.

Save-the-Date
Greenwood's first grade "One Big Happy Family" program is scheduled for May 9th.  Times of the event are the same as for 3rd Grade.
Special Author Visit for 4th And 5th Grade Students
Children's author Gayle Rosengren will be at Greenwood Tuesday,  March 25th to talk about her work as an author and her newly released book "What the Moon Said." Visit her author website at http://www.gaylerosengren.com/ to learn more.

Students may preorder a copy of her book for $16.00.  Please return orders to the MEDIA CENTER by March 19th. A limited number of books may be available on March 25th.

To print an order form, click here.
Yearbook Reminder

A reminder to order your 2013-2014 Greenwood Elementary Yearbook.  Orders are due April 4th. To place your order, please visit  www.ybpay.lifetouch.com and enter Greenwood's school id code:  2180814. The cost is $15.00. 

Recess Participation
Just a reminder that students are expected to go outside during recess. The fresh air and exercise helps our students to stay alert, strong and healthy!  If your child is too ill to be outside please keep them at home until they are healthy enough to be at school. (One exception is if your child is having an occurrence of asthma and they need asthma medication during this time.) If your child has an injury/health issue and needs to sit out from recess or PE we do ask for a note from the doctor with the reason for any restrictions.  Please call the health office if you have any questions or concerns.
March Into Fitness Check-in
How does your March Into Fitness calendar look?  Hopefully it is filled with lots of fitness activities and healthy food choices.  There are just under two weeks left in March to complete your calendar.    For more information, click here.  To print a calendar, click here.
Lost and Found
We have extended the donation date for our lost and found. Please have your child(ren) check the lost and found.  Anything left at the end of day Wednesday, March 26th will be donated over Spring Break.  Thank you!
EMS to Host Charity 5K Fun Run/Walk
Wayzata East Elementary School will host its Trojan Pride Charity 5K Fun Run/Walk for Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners (IOCP) on Friday, May 16th at 4:30 pm.  Proceeds will support IOCP and send EMS students to Wolf Ridge.  For more information and to register, click here.
Wayzata Junior Cheer Clinic
Join Wayzata Varsity Cheerleaders on Saturday, April 12th from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm for a Junior Cheer Clinic at Wayzata High School. Participants will learn cheers, stunts, jumps and participate in a fun performance. Children age 3 and up are welcome. Please use the Athletic Department Entrance. For more information, click here. Questions? Contact Head Coach Michelle at [email protected].
Enrichment Opportunities This Spring!
Browse classes and register at: www.ceregistration.wayzata.k12.mn.us.
  • Young Scientist Roundtable - Thursday, April 10, 7-8 pm at Central Middle School - Green Chemistry:  Formulating Transformer Oil from Natural Esters - Mr. Kevin Rapp, Senior Chemist at Cargill  
  • Crazy About Clay - Learn to coil, pinch and create beautiful ceramic pieces in this fun, hands-on class.
  • Drama Kids! Storybook Idol - Perform in a crazy mash-up of American Idol meets your most-loved story book characters in this hilarious theater class.
  • LEGO WeDo Robotics - You'll love the amazing projects in the spring curriculum of LEGO WeDo Robotics.
  • Minecrafting in Real Life - Experience Minecrafting in Real Life.  Build landscapes out of LEGOs and create a mini stop-motion movie to immortalize your creation.
  • Wizard School - Investigate a wizard's laboratory.  Become an apprentice as you learn the science behind the magic.
  • Splat-tacular Art Class - Throw, splat and splatter paint on a real canvas to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. 
Proud to be part of
Excellence. For each and every student.
Upcoming Events
March 1-31st - March Into Fitness

March 21st - Third Grade "Dig It" program - 9:00 am - students & staff and 1:15 pm - parents & adults
 
March 19th - Author Visit pre-orders due

March 25th - Author Visit for 4th and 5th grade

March 26th - Lost and Found donated

March 27th to April 4th - Spring Break

April 4th - Yearbook orders due 
Quick Links
Sincerely,
Greenwood Elementary

Greenwood Elementary
18005 Medina Road, Plymouth, MN 55446-2919
Phone: 763-745-5500 Fax: 763-745-5591  


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