The Greendale Pride

We are pleased to announce that the 2025-26 Teacher of the Year is fifth grade language arts teacher, Mrs. Davenport. Fostering a positive environment that encourages collaboration and critical thinking is central to her teaching philosophy. She strives to create a space where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to take intellectual risks. This begins with building strong relationships and establishing norms rooted in respect, curiosity, and open dialogue. Mrs. Davenport designs learning experiences that require students to work together, analyze multiple perspectives, and solve real-world problems. Through structured group activities, Socratic discussions, and project-based learning, students learn to communicate effectively, challenge ideas constructively, and think deeply about the subject matter. She also makes it clear that mistakes are opportunities for growth, which helps students feel comfortable sharing their ideas and experimenting with new strategies.

At the December 8 school board meeting, our wonderful custodian, Janie King and one of our amazing bus drivers, Carey Yarber were recognized with Washington Way Awards. Janie received the Above and Beyond Award for the custodian who keeps things shining and spirits high. Carey received the Wheels on the Bus Award for drivers who go the extra mile to get students where they need to be.

On December 2, fourth and fifth graders took part in the 4-H program's Share-the-Fun project. 4-H Share-the-Fun is a talent showcase where youth develop confidence and creativity through performing arts like music, dance, drama, and novelty acts, emphasizing skill development, teamwork and self-expression in a supportive, judged environment often leading from local to state-level competitions. Participants present short acts in categories such as Vocal, Instrumental, Dance, Drama, Variety (magic, gymnastics, comedy) or Combination, learning poise and presentation skills while sharing their talents. GES students presented a variety of acts ranging from vocal and instrumental to comedy. Students receiving a blue ribbon get to move on to the county competition in March at Abingdon High School.

Blue ribbon winners in 5th grade include:

Vocal: Harper B, Maggie M, and Harper S

Instrumental - Will C.

Variety - Finley S and Grayson F

Drama - Lily K and James C

We do not yet have the results for fourth grade.

Greendale third graders took a trip to neighboring Emory and Henry University. Students were able to take part in the university's Education Day by watching a women's basketball game. Third grade students enjoyed meeting the players and watching the basketball skills they have been learning put on display.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our Library Christmas Tree Ornament Contest! The creativity, effort, and holiday spirit you brought to the library was amazing—and our tree has never looked better. Congratulations to our winners! 1st Place, JT R.; 2nd place, Madi W.; 3rd place, Emma W.; Honorable Mention, Cierra T. and Jack J.

Pictured is the first place ornament by JT R.

The theme of our annual door decorating contest was "A Christmas Movie." Classes were tasked with decorating their doors to represent a favorite Christmas movie. The winning classrooms are as follows:

Best Overall - Griffin and Selvaggi (tie)

Most Creative - Tucker

Best Movie Representation - Snead

People's Choice: Meade and Tucker

During the month of December, students have collected puzzle books, socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, shampoo, deoderant, and hard candy for the residents of Greendale Home. Students delivered the gifts to residents and sang Christmas carols while there.

Students in kinderagrten and first grade presented a holiday themed program on December 16. Dressed as reindeer, elves, and angels, the students sang songs for the season and demonstrated their beat and rhythm skills on various instruments such as drums, jingle bells, and rhtyhm sticks. A highlight of the night was when the teachers played "Mele Kalikimaka" on ukeleles while also playing kazoos.

Students finished the semester celebrating Polar Express Day. To begin the day, the entire school gathered in the gym for a sing-along to Christmas classics such as "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." Students wore their pajamas and, after the sing-along, enjoyed hot cocoa and mints while watching the movie The Polar Express. We would like to thank our PTO for providing hot cocoa with marshmallows and mints.

Congratulations to Kelly Hash, who has been named the new librarian at Wautaga Elementary. Mrs. Hash will begin her new position on January 5. We are appreciative of the great work she had done here at GES and wish her much success with her very own library!

January 5 - Teacher Professional Development Day

January 6 - School reopens

January 19 - Schools Closed - MLK Day

13092 McGuffie Road

Abingdon, VA 24210

276-739-3500