THURSDAY FOLDER
News & Information for Greenwood Elementary


2/18/16
From the Desk of Dr. G
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)
The district's MCA testing window for 3rd - 5th graders is March 7 - May 6th in reading and math, and March 7 - May 13th for science. (Only 5th graders will take the MCA science test.) The majority of testing is done online, so individual homeroom classes will rotate through our computer labs during the testing window. Individual classroom teachers will be sharing their specific testing dates as soon as we've finalized that calendar. Stay tuned for your 3rd - 5th grader's precise testing dates.

We are asking parents to do everything possible to ensure students are at school, healthy, well-rested, and ready to put forth a great effort on their MCA tests (and the other important work they do throughout the year).

The MCA tests and alternate assessments (MCA-Modified and MTAS) are state tests that measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The Title I section of ESEA requires that all public school students be assessed in grades 3-8 and once in high school in reading and mathematics for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and Multiple Measurement Ratings (MMR). Testing of science is also required for ESEA but is not included in AYP or MMR calculations. Students take one test in each subject. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria may take the MCA-Modified or the MTAS.

More information from the district website about assessments and directions on how to access your child's scores is available HERE.

Character Education & Building Community
Part of our school's effort to cultivate positive character and integrity involves teaching students about bullying and modeling positive relationships. Next Friday our students will experience an incredible "Staff vs. Students" basketball game led by our 5th graders. There will be a halftime show featuring a powerful message about anti-bullying, music, and other student talents.

We wish we could accommodate families in the gym for the basketball game, but we need to prioritize our students and space is limited due to the basketball court dimensions. We are excited to offer a couple different ways for families to experience the strong character message and learning experience. We will plan to record the basketball game for parents who may wish to view it at a later date. We also plan to live-stream the game using the Periscope app. (A link will be shared out via our school's #GWgreats hashtag on Twitter on Friday, February 26th around 1:00pm.)

Lastly, you may choose to check our school's website, Facebook page, and hashtag on Twitter for additional photos. We try to use a few different tools to connect with families, and recognize that everyone has different communication preferences. The Staff vs. Students basketball game is one of many highlights our kids enjoy during the school year. I'm thankful our staff plans such an incredible experience for kids.

Kind regards,
Brad Gustafson, Principal
Childcare Considerations
We understand that the district boundary and start time changes for the 2016-2017 school year may also impact your childcare planning. The information below is intended to assist you as you consider Home Base, center-based care, or other options. Please consider these guidelines enforced by Hennepin County Child Protection:

Birth to age 7: Children cannot be left unattended or in the care of an individual under the age of 11 for any length of time.

Age 8-10: Children may be home alone up to three hours. They may not babysit siblings.

Age 11-13: Children may be home alone up to 12 hours

** Children under the age of 11 may not babysit

Home Alone Workshops and Babysitting Classes are available through your city's park and recreation departments, Wayzata's WISHES, and the American Red Cross.
Choir @ Greenwood Performance
Choir@Greenwood will hold its final performance at 7:00pm on February 25 in the gymnasium. The choir will be presenting a program with a theme of "The Great Outdoors." Choir members are asked to wear their favorite Greenwood shirt or camping apparel to fit the theme. Family members and friends are welcome to attend!
Recreational Resource Fair for Parents
The Wayzata Special Education Advisory Council will host a Recreational Resource Fair for Parents from 5:00-7:00pm April 21st at the CMS cafeteria. Representatives from select area organizations will present their year round leisure and recreational activities for students that may demonstrate a need for specialized programming. For more information, click here.
I Love to Read Month Book Swap
Tomorrow is the last day to donate gently used books (ages 0-14) for our I Love to Read Month book swap. Donations may be dropped in the Media Center or office. Next week, February 22-26, students that donated books can take new ones (for example: donate 3, take 3). Remaining books will be donated to Read Indeed and distributed to needy children around the world. To arrange for large donations, contact Kayleen ([email protected]).
KICKS Update
Our next KICKS service project will be a food drive for IOCP. It will take place February 29-March 4. Paper bags will be sent home for collection. Please send donations to school during the drive. For a list of what is needed, visit IOCP's web page.
PTA Update
Carnival is Coming!
Mark your calendar for Friday, March 18, 5:30-8:30pm!

Carnival is the single largest fundraiser and community event at Greenwood Elementary!

Theme Baskets
It's classroom theme basket time! If you have a basket from last year, or if you own one you can donate, please drop them off in the main office. Watch this space for the announcement of classroom themes-coming soon!

Tickets
The pre-sale for tickets for Carnival will be February 22-March 14. We would like as many people as possible to take advantage of the pre-sale. Watch for a form to come home or download it here, and send it in to school anytime between now and Monday, March 14. Everyone who orders tickets through pre-sale will be entered into a drawing for a front row parking spot and 25 free tickets. Questions? Email Margaret ([email protected]), Kim ([email protected]), or Nikki ([email protected]).

Time & Talent
The Time & Talent section of the Carnival is where staff and parents donate their time & talent to be either auctioned off (bidding for limited spaces) or a sign-up for students to spend some time with you. Did you know last year's Time & Talent raised over $1,500? The sky is the limit on what can be shared. Some creative ideas include: manicures, yoga class, cake decorating or cooking lessons, arts & crafts (i.e., pottery, drawing, scrapbooking) and sports training (batting practice, triathlon coaching). This is a great way to showcase your hobbies and passions. Contact either Ann ([email protected]) or Jennifer ([email protected]) with your time & talent donation idea. The deadline for your submission is March 2.

Junk Food Walk/Pop Toss
Our most popular game is BACK! However, to make this happen, we need your help please. Our Goal: 250 of salty treats (like Doritos & Pringles), 250 sweet treats (like Oreos & M&M's), and 250 2-Liters of pop. Your kids (our future contestants) will love to help pick these out! Bring items to the Greenwood office by March 11. 

Adopt-a-Pet
If you have stuffed animals that are ready for new homes, please drop them off in the bin in the front hallway at school or at 4625 Foxberry Drive, Medina. They will be laundered and made available in our popular Adopt-a-Pet room.

Mexican Fiesta for Greenwood Staff
Here's an easy way to help show the incredible Greenwood teachers and staff how much they're valued: Just contribute your time or a food item to the staff appreciation luncheon on Friday, March 4. This is the second of three luncheons that the PTA hosts for staff members throughout the school year. Mark your calendar and please visit this SignUpGenius.
There are numerous "just buy and drop off" items on the the list, so please take a look! Questions? Contact Heidi ([email protected]). 

PTA Opportunities for 2016-17
There are a number of upcoming opportunities to get involved in the Greenwood PTA. Please email Becky Petersen ([email protected]), PTA President, for more information.
  • Nominating committee members, to nominate incoming board members
  • Executive Board Positions: Vice President, CFO, Treasurer, Secretary
  • Chair Person Positions: Fun Run, KICKS, Parents Night Out, New Family Connection, Spiritwear, Bingo, Membership
Awesome Community Ed Classes!

Grab a friend and join us as we experiment with all things paint!
 
Awaken your creative force in this amazing program filled with Star Wars art projects and Lego� creations.
 
Learn about child development, handling emergencies, first aid and more. Must be 11 years or older.
 
Learn how to code through playing games and having fun!
 
Investigate the periodic table and learn about its families with fun and exciting experiments.
 
Design and build amazing creations. Create and test hypothesis while learning to collaborate in small groups.
 
Create and program Minecraft robots to do your mining for you! Learn how to code using Minecraft ComputerCraft Mod.
Proud to be part of
Excellence. For each and every student.

Highlights
February 18
Choir@Greenwood
2:30-3:15pm

February 19
Hat Day

Book Drive Final Day
Media Center

February 22-26
Book Exchange
Media Center 

February 23
Joke, Riddle, & Comic Book Day 

KICKS Meeting
12:45-1:45pm
Atrium Tables

Meadow Ridge Parent Organization Meeting
6:30-8:00pm
WHS Forum

February 24
World Read-Aloud Day

Coding League
2:30-3:15pm
Media Center

February 25
Choir@Greenwood Final Performance
7:00pm
Gym

February 26
Staff vs Student Basketball Game - Reading Celebration

February 29
Pajama Day - Read Around Greenwood 

March 18
Carnival
Save the date!

April 21
Recreational Resource Fair
5:00-7:00pm
CMS cafeteria 
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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