The Gator Gazette

Hello Greenwood Families,

Happy New Year! We hope you had a restful winter break.

During the month of January, we will focus on finishing marking period 2 in a strong way. We will also focus on service through two different projects. Further details can be found below.

We look forward to seeing all of our Gators tomorrow, Monday, January 5. Our doors open at 8:40 a.m., and instruction begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Happy 2026!!

Warmly,

Mrs. Seidel and Mrs. Sinon

Building Community and Belonging at Greenwood and Beyond

We are committed to promoting a strong sense of community both within our school and beyond its walls. Throughout the year, students participate in a variety of activities designed to foster connection, kindness, and a sense of belonging.

As part of this initiative, Greenwood ES will be participating in two service projects in the coming weeks. First, our ambassadors will be sponsoring a food drive to support the greater community.

Next, we will participate in Valentine’s by Kids, a volunteer organization created and run by Patrick Kauffman, a high school student from Washington, D.C. Patrick started the program six years ago, and it has continued to grow each year. Last year alone, more than 45,000 Valentine’s cards made by kids were distributed to individuals who may not otherwise feel connected on Valentine’s Day.

These cards are sent to patients in hospitals and hospice care, as well as residents of assisted living facilities. In January, Greenwood students will create Valentine’s cards to help brighten someone’s day and remind them that they are loved and connected this Valentine’s Day.

Please look for further details about both of these service projects in the weekly updates. At Greenwood, we are grateful for the opportunity to serve.

MAP Testing and DIBELS Testing

Students in grades K-5 will take the MAP testing this month. Students in grades K-2 will also take the DIBELS assessments. Classroom teachers will include information about testing dates in their weekly newsletters. Please be sure your student is well-rested, comes to school on time, and has had good breakfast at home or at school to ensure all are set up to do their best.

ACCESS for Emergent Multilingual Learner Testing Update

The Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners (ACCESS for ELLs) is the annual English language proficiency test that is aligned to the World Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) English language development standards. The testing window for our emergent multilingual learners is January 8-February 18. Please reach out to ELD teacher, Mrs. Eugenia Chang, with any questions.

Safety Drills and the Home-School Partnership

This school year MCPS is working to keep safety and security at the forefront of the community. This year we are asked to participate in fall and spring drills so that students and staff have the opportunity to practice these important drills and be able ask questions, reflect, and improve.

Parents/guardians are integral to this safety process in terms of keeping things running smoothly if we find ourselves in a real emergency. We invite you to take a look at the “what can parents do to keep students safe?” resource the county has produced to help keep you informed and knowledgeable about the emergency procedures from your lens. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to administration.

Dress for Outdoor Recess

As much as we are able, we do go outside for recess, even in the winter. Please be sure that your child is dressed in layers with outwear appropriate for winter weather. Fresh air and daily exercise are very important, and we try to provide that opportunity as much as Mother Nature safely affords throughout the winter.

Please label all coats, hats, water bottles...our lost and found is starting to grow again!

We can return items labeled with names, so if you have not already, please take a moment to add your child's first and last night to all personal items coming to school. This includes coats, mittens, hats, water bottles, and sweatshirts.

PTA Updates

We hope everyone had a wonderful break!! We look forward to seeing many of you at our PTA meeting, next week, online or on zoom and then again at the end of the month at our annual Bingo Night (at Rosa Parks Middle School)!

1/6: PTA Meeting- in the media center and on zoom at 7 p.m.
Dining Night Out: Ledo's in Olney- Date coming soon!
1/30: Bingo Night- "Greenwood Bingo Night is back! Save the date for Friday, January 30th, 2026 at Rosa Parks Middle School. Online registration will begin after the holiday break. We can't wait to see you for one of the biggest events of the year!"

****Science Fair Update: This year we are hosting a Science Fair at Greenwood. It will be the same week as the Spring book fair. On Wednesday, March 11th you can do late night book shopping and your student can present a Science Fair project. It will be a great night for everyone to walk around the building and see some amazing projects. Please sign up: Science Fair Google Form

****If you would like to help coordinate the science fair please reach out to sciencefair@greenwood-pta.org.

To learn more about the science fair and science fair projects, click here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nzefRuvsHPzpqq8h5j041eExlqJoE6Ni/view?usp=sharing

Thanks!

Katie Phillips

President, Greenwood Elementary School PTA

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.

Carnival STEAM Night at Rosa Parks MS on January 8

Step right up for Carnival STEAM Night at Rosa Parks Middle School, where curiosity and creativity take center stage! This event will happen on January 8th from 6:30-8:00pm at Rosa Parks Middle School! This free event offers engaging STEAM activities for all ages, perfect for families to explore together. Come enjoy the fun!

MCPS Updates

BOE Approves 2026–2027 School Calendar
The Montgomery County Board of Education approved the traditional and innovative school year calendars for the 2026-2027 school year at yesterday’s (Dec. 11) meeting.
Traditional Calendar Overview:

● Includes a total of 181 instructional days, including four contingency days.

● Student Transition Day, a non-instructional day: Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.

● First day of school: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026.

● Last day of school: Wednesday, June 16, 2027.

● Winter break is Dec. 23, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Spring break is March 26, 2027–April 4, 2027.

● Key holidays and breaks align with state requirements, including Labor Day, Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks, and other observances.

Middle and High School Student Grading: An Update for Families
All first marking period report cards are now available in ParentVue. Please check ParentVue to review grades and check for updates to your child’s current second marking period progress. The second marking period ends Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. Interim grades for the second marking period will be available on ParentVue on Friday, Dec. 19. Read more.

Debunking Myths about the Regional Programs
MCPS remains committed to ensuring that every student in every community has access to high-quality academic programs that match their interests and ambitions, without barriers of distance or opportunity. The work the district is doing is an important step toward a more equitable system.
We know that families may still have questions about this work. Here are three myths we have been hearing, and the truth. Read more.

Check Out Additional Boundary Study Options and Share Your Feedback
A reminder that families should check out the additional options on the Woodward/Northwood and Crown/Damascus boundary studies. These options (added on Dec. 1, 2025) are in addition to the current options A–D available on the boundary study webpages, so please take a look and share your feedback on a survey by Friday, Jan. 9.

● Options on Woodward/Northwood

● Woodward/Northwood Boundary Study Survey

● Options on Crown/Damascus

● Crown/Damascus Boundary Study Survey

Boundary Study Webpage

Turn In SSL Hours by Jan. 9
Students who have completed Student Service Learning (SSL) hours since June 1, 2025, should submit the required SSL Activity Verification Form to their school’s SSL coordinator by the recommended due date of Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.
All MCPS students must earn 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school; earning at least five SSL hours outside of class every year will help students stay on track to meeting this requirement. Winter break is a great time to participate in SSL opportunities outside of school! Learn more. Translated information can be found here. In-person and virtual opportunities, reminders and updates are available on the SSL Hub.

Annual HBCU Fair Scheduled for Feb. 13

Registration for the 18th annual HBCU Fair opens on Friday, Dec. 12. This free in-person event will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13 at The Universities at Shady Grove, 9630 Gudelsky Drive in Rockville. The fair will provide students in Grades 8–12 an opportunity to meet representatives from more than 30 historically Black colleges and universities. This year’s event will include on-the-spot admissions, workshops on financial aid and FAFSA; and a separate workshop and activities for middle school students.

Parent Academy Workshops Jan. 6 and Jan. 14
Parents are encouraged to check out two virtual Parent Academy To Go workshops coming in January. Parent Academy TO GO informs and empowers families as advocates and partners in their children's education. Upcoming sessions are:

● Tuesday, Jan. 6, 6-7 p.m., Saturday School Spotlight: Boosting Skills, Building Confidence

● Wednesday, Jan. 14, 6-7 p.m., Nature as Classroom: Inside the Smith Environmental Experience

If you are unable to join a Parent Academy workshop, visit the MCPS YouTube channel for recorded sessions. Learn more.

A Reminder of the New Safety Protocols
Safety is a priority in MCPS, and we all share responsibility for knowing and communicating what to do during a serious incident. Since the start of this school year, MCPS has been using a new Standard Response Protocol (SRP) for emergency situations. You’ve probably seen the new posters in classrooms, offices and throughout all MCPS buildings. The new posters clearly communicate the five SRP actions: HOLD, SECURE, LOCKDOWN, EVACUATE and SHELTER. Read more about these actions.

Save the Date: FY27 Operating Budget Presentation Dec. 17
Superintendent Thomas Taylor will deliver his Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget presentation at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17. Join us virtually by watching online and on MCPS TV on cable (Comcast 34, Verizon 36 and RCN 88). The superintendent has heard from staff, parents and community members during listening sessions. Attendees have raised important questions and shared honest feedback. Read more.

Student Opportunities

● What Does the SMOB Do?: Virtual meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Come learn about the election process for the Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) and what the SMOB does.

● Montgomery County Science Fair: offers middle and high school scientists and engineers an opportunity to showcase their work and compete for cash prizes. Learn more.

● 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, Jan. 4, 2026.

● 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.

● Black History Oratory Contest: This essay content is open to 9th–12th grade students. Twenty finalists will be invited to read their essays in front of a live audience for prize money. Deadline: Sunday Jan. 25, 2025.

● 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.

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