The Woodland Weekly

This month we celebrated Unity Day (twice!) as part of our commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive school community. To continue this conversation, we encourage families to talk with their children about the many differences that make each person unique. Some people may use wheelchairs or other mobility supports, some may communicate using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices, and others may have different cultural backgrounds, races, languages, abilities, or life experiences.

When children learn about and understand these differences, they are more likely to show kindness, empathy, and respect. Encouraging questions, promoting acceptance, and celebrating what makes each person special helps create a community where everyone feels valued, included, and empowered to participate. Together, we can help our students learn that differences are not barriers, but strengths that enrich our school and the world around us.

Warmly,

Emma Rood, Principal

Kayla Brady, Assistant Principal

erood@stgrsd.org

kbrady@stgrsd.org

413-569-6598

https://www.stgrsd.org/community/calendars/s_t_g_r_s_d_calendar_of_events

October

Oct 30 1/2 Day Collab. Day (12:00 PM dismissal, no PM PreK)

Reminder: No props, weapons, blood, gore, or masks covering the face for Character Day please.

November

Nov 3 - School Council

Nov 10 - First Grade Field Trip

Nov 11 - Veterans Day No School

Nov 12 - Picture Retakes

Nov 12 - PTO at Woodland @5:30

Nov 19 - Turkey Trot (Rain Date 11/23)

Nov 25 - 1/2 Day Thanksgiving Break (12:00 PM dismissal, no PM PreK)

Nov 26-27 Thanksgiving Break No School

During the month of October, pre-K through second grade students at Woodland participated in a frisbee unit. Students learned how to throw (backhand throw) and catch (Alligator Chomp and Crab Catch) a frisbee.

They learned the rules to frisbee games in class and played Can Slam, Disc Golf, Frisbee Bowling and Cone Ball.

Our next unit in PE class will be Bowling. Students will learn the rules to the game and practice playing different bowling activities including the game Team Bowling.

If you have any questions, please contact me at marchambeault@stgrsd.org

Stay active!

Mr. A.

Happy October Woodland families! This month has been filled with so many fall themed projects and I have to admit, they are my favorite!

Students in Preschool listened to the story Go Away Big Green Monster and put together their own monster faces buy gluing all the parts on. My favorite part of preschool is watching them explore. It's more important (and fun) to watch the process of them creating versus what their finished product, which makes for some pretty unique pieces of art! This week they listened to the story Leaf Thief and made their own leaf crowns. Stay tuned for what next!

Kindergarten students just finished learning about the primary and secondary colors. We traced our primary color handprints and then we mixed them together and painted our hands to make the secondary hand prints! It was so much fun watching them explore colors and become color experts. This week we read the story Creepy Crayon and made our own crayons, in lots of different colors!

First graders made beautiful patterned pumpkins, following the steps that the second graders used for their own pumpkin projects. They filled in each section using different patterns and colored them in. This week we listened to the story Creepy Carrots, and they made their own silly (and goofy) carrots!

Second graders worked on my FAVORITE project of the school year, pastel pumpkins! We drew pumpkins in a patch using basic shapes, and used a variety of pastels to create highlights and shading. They blow my mind every single year with their talent, and this may be the best group of pumpkins yet! I cannot wait for you to see them!

As always, please email me at sbeebe@stgrsd.org with any questions, concerns or things to share!

Keep creating!

Ms. Beebe

Hello Woodland families,

Here in STEM we've finished up learning about the solar system and have come back down to Earth! We're now taking a look at all of the changes that happen in fall, starting with the changing leaves. Students in kindergarten used pipettes (a super cool science tool) to create fall leaves on coffee filters, 1st grade learned about leaf litter, and 2nd grade learned the science behind why leaves change colors. Now we're taking a look at what animals do in fall, with all grades learning about migration, hibernation, and adaptation. Don't be surprised if your kindergartener comes home singing a very catchy hibernation song! This week we've also been learning about bats and the reasons they're not as scary as people think! In preschool we've spent some time exploring different STEM materials. We used pipettes to create colorful flowers and also talked about and painted bats. I'm looking forward to more seasonal learning and activities in the next couple of months!

--Miss Brown

In digital literacy we have been learning new programs and working towards even more fun activities. In preschool we are doing puzzles online and trying out games on different websites like Starfall. Preschoolers and kindergartners are getting really good at using their mice! Kindergartners have even started typing and using many different art programs and even taking a visit to the San Diego zoo online!

In first grade we have started typing, reading books online and learning how to be safe on the internet.

Second, graders finish decorating their Internet Superhero badges with all sorts of fun supplies. We have also started coding and helping each other code, typing, and will be learning how to search things safely on the internet. We even tried nearpod where the whole class can interact in a lesson at once.

All grades I've been doing a great job and I can't wait for the rest of the year!

Mrs. Murray

Hello and Happy Fall!

Your students may have come home recently and told you about their new music teacher. No worries - I'm still here! I am very fortunate to have a student teacher from Westfield State University - Cynthia Butler. She started on October 19 and will be with us until the winter holidays.

Pre-K students are doing a lot of movement and vocal exploration in music class. We've enjoyed playing with scarves and finger puppets.

In Kindergarten, we are playing Follow-the-Leader and learning about the steady heartbeat of the music. We also read a wonderful story called Jake the Philharmonic Dog by Karen LeFrak and will be exploring the instruments of the orchestra.

First Grade students have learned two music notes called "ta" and "ti-ti" (you may know them as quarter note and eighth note). We are learning how to read and write patterns with these notes and playing a wonderful rhythm game called Silly Words.

Second Graders have learned about the lines and spaces of the Music Staff and learned about "sol" and "mi". We will be learning how to sing, write, and even play these notes on classroom instruments.

All grades are finishing up with October's Musician of the Month - Gloria Estefan. Check out this newsletter to hear her music at home.

Keep Singing!

Mrs. Peirce

kpeirce@stgrsd.org

The Blue Zone (low energy) includes emotions such as tired, sad, sick, or bored; the Green Zone (calm, neutral energy) includes feeling calm, happy, focused, or ready to learn; the Yellow Zone (medium energy, losing some self-control) includes feeling frustrated, nervous, excited, silly, or overwhelmed; and the Red Zone (very high energy, out of control) means experiencing intense feelings such as anger, panic, or rage. Each zone gives us clues about what our bodies and brains need. All zones are normal, and we experience them at different times.

How to use the Zones at home: Talk about the Zones in everyday situations and model how you recognize and manage your own feelings. Help your child identify their emotions and notice physical signs of how they are feeling. Encourage them to communicate which Zone they are in and validate their feelings without judgment. Then, work together to find strategies that help them calm down.

From Your School Adjustment Counselors,

Mrs. Murray and Mrs. Crawford

To help keep all of our students safe, any treats sent to school must be in their original packaging and have a complete ingredient label. Unfortunately, we cannot accept homemade/baked goods or items from bakeries and donut shops that do not include an ingredient label, such as Dunkin', Murphy's Donuts, and similar establishments. Thank you for helping us ensure we can verify ingredients and accommodate student allergies and dietary needs.

Woodland will be holding a Used Glasses Drive through November 10, 2026! We are collecting used eyeglasses, sunglasses, and glasses cases to support the Lions Club and its mission of service.

Through the kindness of eyeglass donors, the Lions Club helps bring the gift of sight to those in need. Please ensure all donated glasses are in good used condition and not broken.

The PTO is looking for both volunteers and donations for our annual Turkey Trot! This is one of our most exciting school events and the PTO's biggest fundraiser of the year, directly supporting our students and school programs.

If you'd like to volunteer, please complete a CORI form in the main office and contact the PTO at pawsptoswk@gmail.com.

Whether you can give your time, make a donation, or both, your support helps make this event a success for our students. Thank you!

Supporting Southwick Regional School Families This Holiday Season

The holiday season is a time for kindness, generosity, and community. Once again, our National Honor Society chapter at Southwick Regional School will be coordinating our Holiday Giving Tree to support families in our school community who may appreciate some extra help during the holiday season. We are reaching out to all district families and community members who may wish to participate—either by requesting assistance for their family or by helping provide gifts for another family.

❤️ For Families Who Would Like Assistance ❤️

If your family could use some additional support this holiday season, please know that there is no judgment in asking for help. Our goal is simply to make the holidays a little brighter for children in our school community.

*****NEW THIS YEAR***** Please note the process and deadline carefully.

Families who would like to participate must request a Family Assistance Request Form from Maryanne Margiotta by contacting her at mmargiotta@stgrsd.org.

Once you receive the form, please complete it and return the completed form to Maryanne no later than Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

Requesting a form by November 10 is not sufficient. The completed form must be returned by November 10.

We strongly encourage families to request and return their forms as early as possible so there is plenty of time to coordinate donations.

The form allows you to provide:

• Clothing or winter needs, including sizes

• One pair of shoes per child, if needed

• Up to three age-appropriate gift suggestions per child, ranked in order of preference

• Optional information about your child's interests that may help us choose appropriate gifts

Requests are suggestions and cannot be guaranteed, as items depend upon donations and availability.

To help us share community generosity fairly among participating families, we are unable to provide gift cards, computers, tablets, cell phones, gaming systems/video games, or other high-cost items.

All family information will be kept strictly confidential.

🎁 For Families & Community Members Who Would Like to Help🎁

We are grateful to the families, staff, community members, and organizations who help make the Holiday Giving Tree possible each year.

If you would like to help provide gifts for a participating family, please contact Maryanne Margiotta at mmargiotta@stgrsd.org. Information about available gift opportunities will be shared after family requests have been received and reviewed.

Every contribution—large or small—helps make the holiday season a little brighter for a child in our school community.

❤️ Thank You ❤️

Thank you for helping us continue this tradition of kindness and generosity within our Southwick Regional School community.

Questions or want to participate?
Maryanne Margiotta
National Honor Society Adviser/Career Facilitator/ DLE Coordinator / ICP Coordinator
mmargiotta@stgrsd.org

All participation is confidential.

Woodland School needs substitutes and paraprofessionals for the 26-27school year. Being a substitute offers great flexibility, because you can choose the days you want to work! Being a paraprofessional allows you to be a part of a classroom community each day. Either way, you get to work with our amazing teachers and students here at Woodland. Interested? Have questions? Give us a call at 413-569-6598.