The Gator Gazette

Hello Greenwood Families,

Though it seemed like spring would never get here after a long winter of snow, it's here! And although time seems to pick up speed at this time of year, with so many events on the calendar, we have a ways to go until the last day of school on June 18, and it's important that we continue to stay focused to finish strong.

April brings with it our spring testing, and with so many lost instructional days over the winter, our testing schedule has recently been adjusted to allow for more instruction time prior to the assessments.

April also brings Take Your Child to Work Day on Thursday, April 23. We know many students enjoy this day with their families, and as such, we have created an absence reporting form specific to this day (See below). This helps us to keep track of the high number of absences experienced on this day due to students going to work with their family members.

Finally, did you order your child's yearbook? If not, the deadline to order is April 14. Every year when the yearbooks arrive in June, we have many families who scramble to order a yearbook after the fact, which is too late to receive them prior to school's end.

April proves to be a full and exciting month!

Warmly,

Mrs. Seidel and Mrs. Sinon

As a system, MCPS has pushed back the spring testing schedule to afford more time for instruction due to lost instructional days over the winter months. When we return from spring break, third, fourth and fifth grade students will prepare for and take ELA and Math assessments as part of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP). Later in the spring, K-5 students will take the MAP assessment. Your child's classroom teacher will be adding these dates and times for testing in their weekly newsletter.

Please see the UPDATED Spring Testing Schedule:

LINK

You can help by supporting your child with a good night's sleep, a healthy breakfast and positive encouragement! Please consider scheduling any appointments for the afternoons, as most testing will occur first thing in the morning when our students are at their best. As always, thank you for being such a great partner in your child's school success! Should you have any questions about the assessments, please reach out to Mr. Bobby Hoffmaster, school test coordinator, Robert_W_Hoffmaster@mcpsmd.org.

If you intend to take your child to work with you on Thursday, April 23, please complete the form below for attendance reporting purposes. Please complete one form per student.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf39Vv4A6XiCBlPJLyWnGk-U7IUWLS8aBZkeJ6JKyfr237T-Q/viewform?usp=header

In accordance with Maryland State Law students in Montgomery County Public Schools are screened for possible vision and hearing problems. Trained hearing and vision screeners will be screening students new to MCPS, students in Kindergarten and Grade 1, and students referred by teachers because of possible signs of hearing or vision problems. The screeners will be at Greenwood Elementary on 4/24- 4/28/26.

Children who do not see clearly or are unable to hear what their teacher and classmates are saying have a harder time learning at school. You will receive a referral form, via US mail, to take to your child’s doctor if your child fails the screening. If your child is already under care for a hearing or vision problem, or you do not wish your child to be screened at school because of conflicts with your religious beliefs, please notify the school nurse in writing.

If your child wears glasses or contacts, they should wear them every day and bring them to the screening.

School based vision screenings may not detect every vision problem. To learn more about possible vision problems and symptoms or health conditions that may require additional evaluation go to Montgomery County Government’s website at this link:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/PHS/SchoolHealth/HearingVision.html

Please contact your school’s nurse if you have questions about your child’s screening:

Angela Niemiec, RN, BSN

School Community Health Nurse

Phone: (240) 740-3422

Angela_M_Niemiec@mcpsmd.org

De acuerdo con las Leyes del Estado de Maryland, los estudiantes de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Montgomery (MCPS), son examinados para identificar problemas de vista y de audición. Personas que han sido entrenadas estarán examinando la vista y la audición de los estudiantes que han sido matriculados por primera vez en MCPS, incluyendo la de los estudiantes en grados K y 1, y aquellos estudiantes cuyos nombres han sido remitidos por sus maestros porque han demostrado señales de que posiblemente tengan problemas con la vista o de audición. Los estudiantes de Greenwood Elementary serán examinados 4/24- 4/28/26.

Los estudiantes que no puedan ver claramente o no puedan escuchar lo que sus maestros o compañeros están diciendo tienen mucha dificultad para aprender en la escuela. Si el estudiante no pasa el examen de vista o de audición usted recibirá un formulario por correo con nuestra recomendación para que lleve al estudiante a su doctor. Si el estudiante ya ha sido examinado y está bajo tratamiento por problemas de visión o audición, o si usted no desea que el estudiante sea examinado en la escuela por conflictos con sus creencias religiosas, por favor escríbale una carta a la enfermera de la escuela y hágaselo saber.

Si el estudiante usa anteojos o lentes de contacto, ellos deben usarlos todos los días y llevarlos puestos el día del examen.

Es posible que las evaluaciones escolares de vista y audición no detecten todos los problemas de la vista. Para averiguar más sobre los posibles problemas de vista y síntomas, o condiciones de salud que pueden requerir de exámenes adicionales visite el sitio de web del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos del Condado de Montgomery, en el siguiente enlace:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/PHS/SchoolHealth/HearingVision.html

Si usted tiene alguna pregunta acerca de la evaluación de su hijo(a) por favor póngase en contacto con la enfermera escolar:

Angela Niemiec, RN, BSN

School Community Health Nurse

Phone: (240) 740-3422

Angela_M_Niemiec@mcpsmd.org

All year long, Greenwood has been practicing helping everyone feel included and feel like they belong at our school and in our community! This Earth Week we are going to recognize that no matter where we are from, we all belong to the same planet, and it’s our responsibility to take care of it together.

For the 2026-2027 school year, Kindergarten registration is open through the ParentVUE portal and in-person. Please contact Mrs. Susan Ostrinsky for more information at Susan_A_Ostrinsky@mcpsmd.org.

Please be aware that you do not need to provide medical information at this time. As long as you provide birth verification, Parent ID, and Proof of Residence, your registration can be accepted. Medical information may be provided prior to the start of the school year.

Staff allocations and the ability to attend our kindergarten orientation in the spring are based on registered students. Please do not hesitate to register your kindergartener today. Once registered, Mrs. Ostrinsky will follow up with an invitation to our kindergarten orientation on May 29.

Further information:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/enroll/kindergarten/

PEP (Preschool Education Program) is looking for typically developing 3 and 4-year-olds to join as peers in our Pilot program! The PEP Pilot program provides special education services to students ages 3-4 alongside typically developing peers. Peers attend half day, from 1-3:25 pm, 5 days per week. Tuition for Pilot peers is $300/ year or $150/semester. If you are interested in your child being a peer please use the QR code to complete the interest form.

April 15 is now a half day for students.

Quarter 3 Grading and Reporting Timeline:

• Report Cards Available in Synergy: April 24, 2026

• Report Cards Distributed to Families: April 30, 2026

Last Day of School: The last day of school for students will now be Thursday, June 18, 2026.

The Maryland State Board of Education approved a resolution to approve our request to waive three days of student attendance. This waiver, combined with April 15 as an early-release instructional day, allows MCPS to end the school year earlier than announced while meeting all state-required instructional time expectations.

• Monday, June 15 (full day)

• Tuesday, June 16 (full day)

• Wednesday, June 17 (full day)

• Last Day of School - Thursday, June 18 (early release day)

Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth) remains a systemwide closure for the federal and state holiday (schools and offices are closed).

As we move forward, MCPS is also preparing for future weather-related disruptions. Following a presentation to the Board of Education on March 26, MCPS will submit an Inclement Weather Virtual Learning Plan to the Maryland State Department of Education. Once approved, this plan will allow us to continue instruction through virtual learning during multi-day closures. We will also be reviewing next year’s school calendar to mitigate future interruptions. You can see the proposed Virtual Learning Plan here.

IGNITE SUMMER SCHOOL ACADEMY 2026 🔥
Registration is NOW OPEN!

Ignite Summer School offers a valuable opportunity for students to strengthen their academic skills, build confidence, and stay engaged in learning over the summer.

✨ What Students Will Experience:

• Project-based learning in Math, Literacy, and Science
• Hands-on Virtual Reality experiences
• College and career exploration to connect learning to future goals

🕘 Program Details:

• Dates: July 7 – August 6, 2026 (Monday–Thursday) (No School July 22)
• Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

📍 Locations:

• Argyle Middle School
• Eastern Middle School
• Forest Oak Middle School
• Francis Scott Key Middle School
• Rocky Hill Middle School
• Julius West Middle School

🚌 Transportation:
Bus routes available from nearby elementary schools

🍎 Meals:
Breakfast and lunch are provided daily

💻 Registration:
Register through ParentVUE

💲 Program Fees:

• Full Tuition: $104.25
• Tier 1: $41.75
• Tier 2: $29.25
  (Fees include processing fee)

💳 Payment Information:
Tuition payments can be made through School Cash Online beginning the week of April 7

⏰ Aftercare:
Low-cost aftercare options are available for families needing extended-day support
(Additional information will be shared in mid-April)

April PTA Updates

• Yearbook orders are due April 14th!!!!!! Please order your yearbook asap. https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/greenwoodelementarybrookeville If you do not order by the cut off date, your student will not receive a yearbook at the end of the school year. Late orders arrive in the Summer. To check if you have already placed an order: https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/greenwoodelementarybrookeville/order-lookup
• PTA Elections are in May. We have 3 board members "retiring". We cannot operate as a PTA without these positions filled. Please consider running.
• President- 2 year term
• Vice President- 1 year term
• Secretary- 2 year term
• Please email president@greenwood-pta.org with questions or nominations and it will be forwarded to the nominations committee.
• Family Spring Dance- Saturday, April 18th from 6 to 8pm at Greenwood. Please join us for our first family dance! The theme is Rainbow Bash and Mrs. Schneider will be our DJ!! This is a free event.
• Science Fair- Thank you to all the students and families for participating in our first Science Fair. We appreciate everyone for putting in so much hard work and braving the storm to make our event so successful. Special thank you to the Science Fair committee: Jessica Schwartz, Elyse Kitt, and Joanna Chacon!!
• Book Fair- Thank you to Kim Taccini and all of our amazing volunteers for making sure our book fair ran so smoothly!! We appreciate all of you!! The Spring book fair supports the Media Center. Mr. C uses the Scholastic dollars earned to buy new books and replenish popular and well loved books.
• Coming up in May: 5/5 PTA Meeting, 7 p.m. and 5/19 Art Show & Culture Night

Check out the PTA: https://sites.google.com/greenwood-pta.org/greenwood-pta/home

We hope everyone had a wonderful Spring Break!

Katie Phillips

President, Greenwood Elementary School PTA

Unity Christian Fellowship, Inc. (UCF), also known as the UCF Aim High Youth Organization, will host the Spring 2026 Game Changer Conference for Young Males and Parents on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 8:00 a.m.­ noon at the Montgomery College Germantown Campus, Bioscience Education and Conference Center.

This year marks 20 years of service to the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) community. The conference is open to all Montgomery County residents and focuses on supporting Black and African American male students in Grades 4-12 in achieving academic and personal success. Students will participate in grade-level sessions, and parents/guardians may attend workshops. A continental breakfast will be provided.

Although registration is free, advance registration is encouraged here. Essay Theme: Future Ready - Inspire Change and Leveling Up is a Game Changer! Students are invited to submit a 300-word essay responding to the prompt: What are your goals for improving your skills to achieve success in your future?

Important Dates: • Monday, April 13, 2026- Student registration deadline • Sunday, April 19, 2026 - Essay submission deadline • Monday, April 20, 2026 - Schools confirm student attendance with families

Parent Letter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O1pTmfGtldnSNc3q7bjva9D73LK8CE4i/view

Registration: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TA4G9-O8HFD2_Nnb9lssv0OlXfTI0VmA/view

Conference Website: https://www.thegameconference.org/

Unity Christian Fellowship Website: https://www.ucfinc.org/

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.

Get Caught Reading This Spring Break!
Whether you’re relaxing at home or stuck in a long airport security line, spring break is the perfect time to get lost in a great book. Why not scroll through a good book? We are encouraging MCPS students and families to show us how you read this spring break – whether at home, outside or on the go! Read, read everywhere. In a chair? With a bear? In a bed? On your head? Then tag us on social media with #MCPSCaughtYouReading. We can’t wait to see where your stories take you! And, save the date for the Gaithersburg Book Festival on Saturday, May 16.

We Need to Hear from You; Time Is Running Out
Yes, it’s a survey but we need to hear from you! Earlier this year, MCPS implemented significant operational changes and shifts — affecting topics including grading, safety (including police in schools), the Student Code of Conduct, open lunch and cell phones in schools. MCPS is distributing surveys on several of these issues important to families, students and school-based staff; we want to know how they are working for you in practice. The survey is available here. Read more.
Also, watch this video explaining why your feedback matters:
English | Spanish | French | Chinese | Vietnamese | Amharic | Korean | Portuguese

Preparing for Spring Assessments: What Families Need to Know
End-of-year assessments are important because they showcase what our students know, understand and are able to do. The Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program, or MCAP test, is the main component measuring student academic performance in Maryland’s accountability system. MCAP performance is a key component of the Maryland School Report Card, including star ratings for each school. This is how the outside world assesses and views our students’ performance, our schools’ performance and our performance as a district.
In case you missed it, we shared information with families on changes to the testing schedule and how you can help your student prepare for upcoming assessments.

Join Us to Learn the Latest on Special Ed Services, Staffing and Support
The Division of Specialized Support Services will hold a webinar for families from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, focused on what’s new in special education services, staffing and supports — and why. MCPS special education leaders will provide context for what this means for schools and classrooms. The session will be held virtually, featuring a brief presentation followed by questions and answers. More details, including the Zoom link for the meeting, will be shared in the coming weeks.

Spots Are Going Fast; Sign Up Soon!
The Superintendent’s Shuffle is fast approaching! Join us on April 11 at Bohrer Park for a day of community and movement to help eliminate student meal debt. Learn more and sign up!
After the run, stay for more family fun! Manna Food Center and UnitedHealthcare — joined by A Wider Circle, EveryMind, GOCO Health and WorkSource Montgomery — are hosting the Nourish & Flourish Community Resource Fair. This free, family-friendly event will offer food, health screenings, lifestyle workshops, nutrition resources, employment services, and more, all focused on strengthening the connection between good nutrition and overall health.

Board Takes Action on Proposed Scope of Elementary, Middle School Boundary Study
At its meeting today (March 26), the Board received a comprehensive report on declining enrollment and uneven school utilization and approved the next phase of work, launching a countywide elementary and middle school boundary study with the potential for school consolidations and closures.
This action responds to shifting enrollment patterns, available capacity in some schools, and operational inefficiencies. While this work may generate strong reactions in the community, it reflects the importance of engaging in a deliberate, data-driven and community-informed process to better align facilities, resources and student needs for the future — without predetermining any specific school closures.
Read the resolution.

Board of Education Approves Virtual Learning Plan
During today’s meeting (March 26), the Montgomery County Board of Education approved MCPS’ 2026–2027 Inclement Weather Virtual Instruction Plan, which meets Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements and will be submitted for final approval.
The plan ensures continuity of learning during multi-day disruptions, while recognizing that students learn best in person. It includes at least four hours of live instruction, continued student services, and access to devices and internet. Importantly, this is not a replacement for snow days — virtual learning would only be used after closure days are exhausted and during predictable, multi-day weather events.

Join Us April 18 to Support Our Youth and Build a Safer Community
The MCPS Family Forum on Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention will be held from 1–4 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 at Montgomery Blair High School, 51 University Blvd. East in Silver Spring. This event is free and open to students, families, staff and community members. Students can earn 3 Student Service Learning hours for participating. Workshops will be held in English and Spanish. Learn more.

For Students

Students: Share Your Vision for a Better Montgomery County
Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando is looking for middle and high schoolers to share their vision for a better community. Submit a short video essay on a public policy issue that matters to you for a chance to win a $100 gift card and serve as honorary Councilmember for a Day on Tuesday, April 14. Deadline: Wednesday, April 8. Apply.

Meet the SMOB Candidates: Leul Dawit and Reemey Ghermay
Watch this video to learn more about the two candidates running for the next Student Member of the Board (SMOB): Mr. Leul Dawit, a 10th grader at Northwood High School, and Ms. Reemey Ghermay, an 11th grader at Walter Johnson High School. All secondary students are eligible to vote in the election on Wednesday, April 22.

MCPS to Celebrate America’s 250th with Student Artistic Submissions
To commemorate America’s 250th anniversary this year, MCPS is creating a districtwide eBook — Many Voices, One Nation — featuring one selected student submission from each school. Students may submit an original poem, essay, musical or literary piece, performance or artwork. See the submission guidelines and learn more.

Scholarship Opportunity: MCABSE Awards Available to Graduating Seniors
The Montgomery County Alliance of Black School Educators (MCABSE) is accepting submissions for the annual Distinguished African American Scholars Award. The awards are open to MCPS graduating seniors who plan to pursue post-secondary studies. One student is selected from each high school. Applications are due Friday, April 10. Apply. For questions, email Charles S. Feamster or Aseelah S. Reddick.

Other Student Opportunities

● Girl Power Contest: Open to Montgomery County girls aged 5 and up, tell us who inspires you and how did she use her powers to make a difference? Deadline: Tuesday, March 31.

● Keeping It Safe Video Contest: Open to middle and high school students, the contest invites students to create a 30-second video on the risks and dangers of under 21 alcohol use. Deadline: Tuesday, March 31.

● Sober Vibes Essay Contest: Write an essay persuading peers not to drink before, during or after prom. Deadline: Tuesday, March 31.

● AAPI Art Competition: Open to K–12 students. Deadline: Sunday, April 5.

● Social Justice Fair: Interact with speakers and organizations on criminal justice reform, women’s rights, environmental justice and racial justice. Earn SSL hours. From 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, at Walt Whitman High School. Feria de Justicia Social LASJ

● Pedestrian Safety Art Contest: K–5 students are encouraged to create artwork demonstrating pedestrian safety. Deadline: Friday, April 17.

● NAACP Youth Summit: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at Richard Montgomery High School. Lunch, transportation and SSL hours will be provided.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 (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

April, 2026

30 - April 6 - Spring Break

6-10 National Assistant Principals Week

10 - Gr 3 to MD Science Center

15 - Early release day, Dismissal 12:55 p.m.

18 - PTA Spring Dance, 6-8pm at Greenwood ES with DJ Mrs. Schneider!!! Rainbow Bash theme!

20-24 Earth Week Spirit Week

21 - Town Hall Meetings

• 9:10 am: K, 2, 5
• 2:15 p.m.: 1, 3, 4

22 - Administrative Professionals Day

23 - Take Your Child to Work Day

24 - Gr K to Sharpe’s Farm

24, 27, and 28 - Hearing and Vision Screening

Email: Jennifer_A_Seidel@mcpsmd.org
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/greenwoodes/
Location: 3336 Gold Mine Road, Brookeville, MD, USA
Phone: (240) 740-3420
Twitter: @GES_Principal