The Gator Gazette

Hello Greenwood Families,

The very busy month of November has flown right by, and we find ourselves heading into December! With craft nights and concerts, we will surely have some fun, and at the same time, we will be busy working hard as we make our way into the middle of the second marking period. Interim grades will be available on Parent Vue on December 19. It proves to be a great month!

Warmly,

Mrs. Seidel and Mrs. Sinon

CogAT Testing for Grade 2 Students and Select Students in Grade 4

As part of the Universal Screening for Gifted and Talented (GT) Identification and to help inform your child’s teacher about how your student learns, students in grade 2 and a few students in grade 4 will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in early December. The CogAT is an abilities test and consists of three batteries: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. Each battery has 3 subtests. Students will become familiar with the test format and items through teacher-directed practice activities before testing. Practice questions will also be administered during the testing session to familiarize students with the online testing environment. It can be helpful for students to be well-rested and have a good breakfast on the day of testing. Greenwood will administer the test on December 2-4. Testing will take place during the school day.

Counseling Updates

We look forward to welcoming Mrs. Lee back on Monday, December 1.

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.

Maryland Report Card...We were SOOOOOO close to FIVE STARS! WOW!

Each year the Maryland State Department of Education releases the Maryland Report Card. The Report Card reflects school performance on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP), the WIDA ACCESS testing, school attendance records, and the Maryland Student and Staff Survey.

We are proud to report that we were ranked in the 90th percentile, with an overall score of 74.8%. Though this score reflects that we are a FOUR-STAR school, we were SO, SO close to the 75% cut off for a FIVE-STAR school. We are very proud of the work of our students and staff, and we are very grateful for your support, as we can't do this without you. We collectively have something to work towards this school year, as we want to cross that FIVE STAR threshold!

You can learn more about our 2025 report card and look back on previous years at:

https://reportcard.msde.maryland.gov/Graphs/#/ReportCards/ReportCardSchool/1/E/1/15/0512/0

PTA Updates

Thank you everyone for your support and for coming out to the Fall Fair and Glow Run. Together we raised over $11,000!!!! Thank you so much!! We use these funds to cover PTA programs such as movie night, 2-3 assemblies each year, teacher reimbursement, and the administration will let us know the whole school needs as well. Thank you to the Spring Fair team: Jessica Wieman, Erin Zeituni, Joanna Molina, Celina Gutierrez, Stephanie Junghans, Jennifer Muscato and Jennifer Peisach.
Thank you to the Glow Run team: Michelle DeHaas, Jessica Christopher, Mollie Bubar, Colleen Ciavolella, Sarah Burnsky, Megan Troidl and Hannah Hartman.
Without all of you this day would not have been possible.

There is no PTA meeting in December.

Hopefully we will see many of you at Craft Night on either Monday, December 1st or Tuesday, December 2nd.

Join us for Dining Night Out on December 10th at Chick-Fil-A!

Upcoming events in 2026:

-Bingo Night- January 30th

-Skate Night- February 13th

-Science Fair- March 11th (new this school year!)- this committee is looking for a few more people to help coordinate. Please email sciencefair@greenwood-pta.org.

Thanks!

Katie Phillips

President, Greenwood Elementary School PTA

Have You Taken the MCPS Survey? If not, please do so today.

We invite you to share your feedback about our school and MCPS by participating in the Family Survey. This short survey gives you the opportunity to share your experiences and opinions about our school and the broader school district. Your honest input will help us understand what’s working well and where we can improve.

The survey is easy to complete, takes only a few minutes, and your responses are completely confidential. The results will be used to guide our efforts in strengthening programs, services, and supports for students and families.

The survey is open from October 27, 2025 through December 5, 2025.

To participate, simply click the link below:
https://parentsurvey.mcpsmd.org/

We deeply appreciate your time and commitment to our school community. Your feedback makes a difference!

MCPS Volunteer Training Requirement

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 (fingerprinting)-dependent upon the type of volunteer service, per the Volunteers regulation. Fingerprinting is now required on trips where a volunteer takes on full responsibility for a group where the teacher is not present for any length of time. This falls under the “unsupervised field trip chaperones” in the last column of the chart below. Further information is available on the MCPS Volunteer Information Page on the MCPS website as well.

Only volunteers who have met these requirements will be able to volunteer. MCPS will notify the school via list of the completion and submission of these items. The system takes 24 hours after completion to update, so please complete all steps at least 24 hours prior to volunteering. We will not be able to have you volunteer in the building or on field trips until the items are completed and submitted, and the verification shows in the system 24 hours after completion.

MCPS Updates

Join Us for Operating Budget Listening Sessions in December
MCPS is hosting three community listening sessions to discuss the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Operating Budget. Join Superintendent Thomas Taylor and MCPS leadership to share your insights on what should be prioritized for next year. Parents, staff, students and community members are encouraged to ask questions and engage in the conversation. Read more about when and where.

Engagement Sessions Set for Dec. 1-4 for Additional Boundary Options
MCPS is hosting a new round of engagement sessions on the Woodward/Northwood and Crown/Damascus boundary studies during the first week of December. Four will be virtual; two will be in person. Additional boundary options will be shared for each of the current boundary studies. These additional boundary options do not replace the current boundary options (A–D) that have already been released. Read more.

Board of Education Elects New Officers

Grace Rivera-Oven was elected president and Brenda Wolff was elected vice president of the Montgomery County Board of Education during a business meeting on Nov. 20.
Rivera-Oven will begin her first term as president of the Board on Dec. 1. Ms. Rivera-Oven was elected to the Board of Education in 2022 and represents District 1. Her passion for equity and family engagement stems from her experience as a graduate of Gaithersburg High School, where she remembers the challenges of growing up as a Latina student in MCPS.
Ms. Wolff, representing District 5, has served on the Board since 2018 and was re-elected to a second term in 2022. She previously served two terms as president and one term as vice president.
Board leaders serve one-year terms. Watch the election and read more.

Now You Know: Climate Survey

The 2025–2026 Districtwide Culture and Climate Survey is now available — and we need to hear from you! Your feedback helps to ensure that every student and family in every school feels included, supported and ready to thrive. The survey is confidential and takes just a few minutes. Read more.
Watch in English | Spanish | French | Chinese | Vietnamese | Amharic | Korean | Portuguese
Take the survey.

Parent-Teacher Conferences Coming Next Week
Parent-teacher conferences will be held Nov. 24-25 and are a great opportunity to talk with your child’s teacher about how your child is doing — academically and socially. For questions you can ask and tips to help you prepare, read more.

Save the Date: Used Car, Computer Sale Coming Dec. 6
Students in the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) and Information Technology Foundation (ITF) will sell used cars and computers they have refurbished from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Gaithersburg High School. The school is located at 101 Education Blvd. in Gaithersburg. Inventory will be posted in December. Read more.

Student Opportunities

● Women Making History Award: High school seniors are eligible for the 2026 “Women Making History Award,” an honor that recognizes outstanding women in Montgomery County who make significant contributions to the community. Deadline: 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5.

● Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is seeking high school students for this project-based learning program that teaches leadership skills, the importance of roadway design, law enforcement, outreach and engagement techniques to address traffic safety needs in their community. Up to 46 Student Service Learning hours are available. Deadline: Friday, Dec. 5.

● Speak Up; Save a Life: Create an original video to promote awareness of the dangers of opioid/fentanyl abuse and overdose among teens. Deadline: Sunday, Dec. 7.

● C-SPAN StudentCam Competition: Students in 6th through 12th grades are invited to create a video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, “Exploring the American Story through the Declaration of Independence.” Top prize is $5,000. Deadline: Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

● Choose Respect Video Contest: Open to secondary students, this contest challenges teens to create an original video promoting awareness of dating violence/abuse among teens. Videos can be in English or Spanish. Top prize is $1,000. Deadline: Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.

● America’s Field Trip: This contest invites students in grades 3-12 to submit writing or artwork in sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — and earn the opportunity to travel for field trip experiences at historic and cultural landmarks. Deadline: March 30, 2026.

● Seeking High School Election Workers: This Montgomery County Board of Elections program provides students with an opportunity to serve voters during the 2026 Gubernatorial Elections in June 2026. Students registered to vote can submit an application. Students not registered to vote should download, complete and mail these three forms: Maryland Voter Registration, Election Worker Application and Permission Slip (for workers under 18 years old).

Stay Connected to MCPS

● VISIT the MCPS homepage.

● CALL 240-740-3000. Staff take calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish (240-740-2845). Visit the AskMCPS website.

● READ news and information sent via email and text message and on the MCPS News page.

● FOLLOW the MCPS social media pages:
x.com/mcps / facebook.com/mcpsmd / instagram.com/mcps_md facebook.com/mcpsespanol / x.com/MCPSEspanol / instagram.com/mcpsenespanol

● SIGN UP for emails and text alerts and make sure your ParentVue information is up to date.

● WATCH the MCPS cable channels Comcast 34 (1071 HD), Verizon 36 or RCN 89

More MCPS Resources

● School calendar

● Parent resource page

● News and Information page / Noticias en Español

● Latest photo galleries

● MCPS TV videos

● MCPS TV español

School Hours

Instruction starts promptly at 9 a.m. Please be sure to have your students at school prior to 9:00 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. 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.

Students who arrive after 9:00 a.m. must be accompanied by an adult to sign them in, as they 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 9:00 a.m. start time!

School hours: 9:00 a.m. - 3:25 p.m. (Doors open at 8:40 a.m.)

Two-hour delay: 11:00 a.m. - 3:25 p.m. (Doors open at 10:40 a.m.)

* *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.

Reporting an Absence, Late Arrival and Early Dismissals

Please use the link below to report your child's absence from school.

absence-form | Greenwood ES

Additionally, this link can be found under the Quick Links on the left side of the HOME PAGE of our Greenwood Elementary School website by clicking "Report an Absence."

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/greenwoodes/

MCPS requires a written note for absences, and completing the form will take care of that requirement and save you the phone call!

This link is also the place for you to report all planned late arrivals and early dismissals. Just click the appropriate box and add the reason and any other details in the comment section at the bottom entitled “Anything else”. If the late arrival or early dismissal is due to a doctor’s appointment, please remember to provide a (required) doctor’s note upon your student’s return to school.

Please bookmark the page for future use, and reach out to our attendance secretary, Mrs. Susan Ostrinsky (Susan_A_Ostrinsky@mcpsmd.org) with any questions.

Please Share 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.

Car Rider Information

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 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:

Breakfast: $1.30

Lunch: $2.55

Funds can 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 2025-2026 school year.

Meal Payment Procedures:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/departments/food-and-nutrition/meal-payments/mealpaymentprocedures.july2025.pdf

Further information: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/meal-prices--payment-procedures/

Menus and Special Dietary Needs Menus, including nutrition and allergen information, can be viewed at:

DFNS website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/menus/

MealViewer: https://schools.mealviewer.com/district/MontgomeryCountyPublicSchools

MealViewer can be accessed on a computer browser, through the MealViewer app on Android and iPhone, or using any browser on a smartphone. No sign-in or passwords are required to view menus. It is also possible (but not required) to rate food items, star favorite items, utilize a nutrition calculator, and create a profile. Check out your schools' menu today!

MCPS Form 240-23, Special Dietary Needs Form https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/forms/detail.aspx?formID=3699&formNumber=240-23&catID=2&subCatId=0)

This form may be used to request meal accommodations for students eating in the cafeteria.

Breakfast

Breakfast is served from 8:40-8:55 a.m. in the cafeteria.

Lunch Room Seating

Our cafeteria includes an allergy-free table to ensure the safety of all students. 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.

Greenwood ES MealViewer: https://schools.mealviewer.com/school/GreenwoodElemSchool

Introductory Video: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/menus/

How to Print a Menu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNLhHfLijQM

Free and Reduced Meals Applications are NOW OPEN! Apply today!

Apply online NOW so students receive free meals. All meals are free for students who qualify for Free And Reduced-price Meals; students who are approved for reduced-price meals eat for free!

The Department of Food and Nutrition Services (DFNS) encourages families with students enrolled at non-CEP schools to complete a FARM application online. Applications for the 2025–2026 school year will be available July 30, 2025.

APPLY ONLINE (TRANSLATIONS AVAILABLE)

Click here for an English video tutorial on how to complete the FARM application.
Vea aquí un vídeo paso a paso en español sobre cómo completar la solicitud de FARM.

Click here for additional "How To" PowerPoint (in English & Español) made by MCPS Family Engagement Specialist, Alejandra Jarquin.

Households must apply for FARMS every school year. Student meal benefit eligibility from the prior school year carries over for the first 30 operating days OR until a new eligibility is determined. If a new eligibility is not determined by the 30th school day, students default to a paid status and will be charged for meals.
Households may apply for meal benefits at any time during the school year.
Students qualify for free meals when total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the Income Chart below.
Use ONE application for ALL students in the household—including Pre-K, kindergarten, and foster—even if they attend different schools. **If one student in household attends a CEP school, a FARM application must still be submitted for students enrolled in non-CEP schools. Include ALL student names on the application (see list of CEP schools above).
Paper applications are available in each school's front office. Households who apply online should not submit a paper application.
If applying for a child who is homeless, a migrant, or a runaway, please complete and submit MCPS Form 335-77 Homeless Status, call the child's school, or contact the MCPS Homeless liaison at 240-740-4511.
Each student will be notified of meal benefit status (including both those approved, and those who do not qualify) by mail. Please keep this important document for your records and use throughout the school year.
Meal Eligibility is confidential information. Federal regulations governing school meal programs require that a student's eligibility for FARMS are used only to provide meal benefits.
Verification of FARM applications is conducted annually each October. A random selection of households approved for FARMS will be required to verify the information listed on the application. Households selected will be notified, including details for how to comply with the verification process.
Households that are unable to apply online should contact their school or the Department of Food and Nutrition Services at 240-740-7400.

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.

2025-2026 Health Room Updates and 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 and Grade 9 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. Principals will receive a list of students who have not provided documentation by the deadline from School Health Services (SHS) staff. Students on this list must be excluded from school until such documentation is provided.

Hard copies of the vaccination records are to be submitted to the Greenwood ES School Health Services health room staff.

All medication/treatment authorization form(s) must be renewed at the beginning of each school year. Please ensure that the appropriate authorization form is completed by your healthcare provider. Per MCPS and School Health Services regulations, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to deliver medication/treatment authorization form(s) and medications directly to health room staff.

Please do not send your child to school with medication of any kind.

Important Dates:

Tuesday, August 26, 2025: Students must provide documentation of required vaccinations or a permitted exemption as explained above by the first day of school or their date of admission. Students who have not received their vaccinations may enter school if they provide evidence of an appointment to be vaccinated by Monday, September 15, 2025, (or 20 calendar days from their day of admission).

Monday, September 15, 2025: Students who have not provided documentation of the required vaccinations by this date (or 20 calendar days from their day of admission) must be excluded from school until such documentation is provided.

More information:

https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/OIDEOR/IMMUN/Shared%20Documents/2025-2026_Preschools_and_Schools_Vax_Requirements_Final.pdf

Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact the health room staff at 240-740-3422.

Food Allergies and Food in the Classroom for Parties and Events

We have several students in the building with identified food and other allergies, some of which can be life-threatening. As a result, we are very careful about any food brought into the building, and we ask for your cooperation to ensure the safety of all. Some of our students also have health plans, which require us to notify families ahead of time when food will be served in the classroom. As a result, we are very cautious about which foods may be served at events, including class parties. We work closely with our health room team to ensure that all items coming in are store-bought with clear labels that can be shared with the appropriate families as needed. Thank you for helping us to maintain safety for all students in this area.

Cell Phones, Smart Watches and Other Personal Mobile Devices May NOT be used during the school day

MCPS regulation COG-RA prohibits elementary school students from using personal devices (phones, smart watches, etc.) during the school day. Personal devices(phones, smart watches, etc.) may only be used before or after the student day. Students will be asked to keep these devices in their backpacks during the school day. It is advised that students keep such devices at home, if possible.

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.

As always, our priority is ensuring that every student at Greenwood ES is challenged academically and supported socially and emotionally. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the MCPS personal mobile device policy, please review Regulation COG-RA Personal Mobile Devices.

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.

Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation

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.

How You Can Report