Glenwood News
What is happening at Glenwood, October 30, 2020
News from Dr. Cappucci
It is going to take a village to get through the next few months.
We are all going to have to work together in the next few months. You do not need to go through this alone. Please reach out to teachers or administrators if you need any support. Every teacher at Glenwood will go the extra mile to ensure every child not only reaches their academic potential, but also receives the social-emotional support they may need. I am so proud of Glenwood teachers , our special education support staff (occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, physical therapists and school psychologist), all of our dedicated paraprofessionals and ABAs, and all of you parents. What you have all done in the past month is unprecedented.
Collaboration will be key as we move to the next phase of hybrid learning. If we all work together we can move mountains and get through this. We may not always have the answers, but I do know that everyone at Glenwood will give it everything they've got to support our families.
Hybrid is coming! Let's do this!
Grades 3-5 Conferences
The District has determined that Parent/ Teacher Conferences will be held for the First Quarter in place of Report Cards. The communication shared in these conferences will offer greater insight than report cards at this time.
Conferences will primarily be scheduled on November 3rd. Please keep an eye out for more information from your child's classroom teacher with their specific schedule.
Glenwood's Reopening Plan
Box Tops
If you have any questions, please contact Robin Monahan at binmom@charter.net
Thank you to everyone that participated in the Magazine Drive! All prizes will be placed in a bag and handed out when we return to school on November 18th.
Save the Date-This is the Information we have for today, October 30th
November
2-PTO Meeting 6:30 pm
3- Election Day/No school
4- Full Day of School on a Wednesday. Tuesday's schedule will be followed on Wednesday.
7- SIMCO Meeting - We need two parent volunteers for SIMCO
11- No School/Veterans Day
18 -First fully remote day of our new quarter with all students remote.
19-Cohort B students will return to Glenwood in a hybrid model.
23-Cohort A students will return to Glenwood in a hybrid model.
25-27 No School Thanksgiving Recess
December
1- Silent Auction
Fundraisers
October 9- Online Magazine Drive begins. The funds from the magazine drive are used for field trips (fingers crossed for field trips this school year) and other activities.
December 1 -Silent Auction
Year Long- Mabels Labels
PTO News
1. Mabel's Labels is a Glenwood Fundraiser that is held all year long.
2. Glenwood PTO will be hosting an online silent auction starting December 1st. It will run for 2 weeks only. More information coming...
The next PTO meeting is Monday, November 2nd at 6:30pm.
Stacy Lacey is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Glenwood PTO Meeting
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 993 6226 5276
Passcode: 7303731
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Find your local number: https://winchendonk12.zoom.us/u/adI642w1eC
WRSD TECHNOLOGY HELP CENTER
To assist with some of the challenges of remote learning, we have developed a technology support website for families. It contains basic information on accessing the major learning platforms our students will use and also provides a means by which parents can contact the technology staff for support. Please follow the link below to visit the site.
What is Happening at Glenwood
Some of our Glenwood students have returned.
Mr. Jaffe was livestreaming the science lesson today.
Fire Safety from Firefighter Alex and Daughter Cassidy
Scared: Worry & Anxiety
Expect the Unexpected Emotional Editorial
Social and Emotional Resources and Support
Submitted by Melissa Pope, M.A. Candidate, Counseling Intern, Glenwood Elementary School
“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside of you that is greater than any obstacle.” ~Christian D. Larson
Childhood fears are very common. Approximately 70+ percent of children ages 6-12 will have at least one fear/anxiety. Examples include the dark, being alone, imaginary sights (monsters), bugs, animals, loud noises, fires, heights, media reports (bad things happening in the world), health/illness of a loved one, school performance, and peer rejection. It is also known that 8 percent of children ages 6-12 will be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder- a number that increases with age. Do Not PANIC thought, it is ok, because fears, anxieties, and worries are normal and can be responded to and dealt with, so they are not so scary any more and do not become worse.
The best way to Respond To Worry is to TALK about it.
Thoughts
Emotions
Body feelings (hot, cold, headache, stomach-ache)
Coping
Create a Scared scale (for multiple anxieties/fears)
on a piece of paper, together, draw a ladder.
Then talk about the different “things” or situations that the child is fearful/anxious about, and rate them 1-10.
Then starting with the smallest fear/anxiety at the bottom, and working your way to the top of your ladder; write each fear/anxiety on a separate step of the ladder.
You can now try to tackle the fears/anxieties by creating a plan to overcome them starting with the bottom of the ladder, and working your way to the top.
Do’s & Dont’s
Do normalize the fear/anxiety (they are not alone)
Do validate the fear/anxiety (“that must be really scary”, “I understand__”)
Do desensitize the fear/anxiety (“what can we do?”, coping strategies or an action plan)
Do build confidence and control of fear/anxiety (praise all “trying efforts” and conversations)
Don’t force your child to be brave in the moment (“be a big girl/boy- be brave”: instead say (“I understand its difficult, but I believe that you can do it”- after he/she tries its ok to say “you were so brave/big for trying or doing___”)
Don’t belittle fears/anxiety (“that was not scary”, “this is ridiculous”, “there is nothing to be anxious/afraid of”)
Family Activity
Make “worry” stones - when making discuss what this stone symbolizes for your child. (a reminder to breathe, a positive thought, or favorite mantra like, “I can get through this”)- you can also paint a rock found in nature.
Make a “calm” bottle- in a plastic bottle or glass jar with lid put in some warm water, glitter glue and glitter. Seal shut and have your children shake it up to watch the glitter slowly float to the bottom.- they can do breathing as the glitter floats to bottom.
Weekly family discussion question(s):
Describe situation/something that made you laugh this past week.
If you find that your child is becoming obsessive, avoidant (withdrawal), displaying consistent disruptive behavior, having sleep disturbance, difficulty concentrating (more than what is typical for your child), as a result of anxieties/fears it is a good idea to talk to a professional.
Support @ Glenwood:
Outside support:
Primary care Doctor/ outpatient mental health resources
Mrs. Sinclair shared this wonderful resource for parents
Update from Mrs. Lawton, School Nurse.
October/ November 2020 Update
I am looking forward to seeing all of our Students soon! It has been a while since we have seen each other so I wanted to send a few reminders to help keep our return to school a smooth, healthy and safe transition.
Influenza Vaccine:
Beginning in the Fall of 2020, the Influenza vaccine will be required for all children attending
Childcare and school. Influenza vaccine is always important to receive to reduce the risk of getting sick with Influenza, reduce the severity of the disease if you do get sick( including the risk of hospitalization) due to Influenza, as well as preventing the spread of Influenza to others.
During the Covid -19 Pandemic, Influenza vaccine will be especially critical to reduce the overall impact of respiratory illness on the population, protect vulnerable populations from severe illness, and decrease the burden on the healthcare system.
*****The Influenza vaccine is a new Massachusetts State requirement for all children attending school and childcare. This vaccine is required to be given by December 31st,2020.
***** Students will not be able to attend school starting in January 2021 if we do not receive Medical documentation that they have received the Influenza Vaccine.
Going forward, The Influenza vaccine has become a yearly requirement for Students to be able to attend school.
Thank you to those Parents/ Guardians that have sent in a copy of the required Flu shot.
If you could either email/scan or mail it, that would be great!
*** If you have a Medical exemption, written documentation of that is required yearly by their MD and a Religious exemption- documentation is required yearly.
Updated Physicals and Immunizations:
All Grade 4 students are required by Law to have an updated MD Physical and Immunizations.
Any documentation of recent updated MD physicals and Immunizations can be sent in/or you can email the updated MD physical to me also.
*** If they have a Medical or Religious exemption, documentation of that is required yearly.
Please keep the Nurse updated with any changes in your child’s health or conditions.
Masks:
As we begin this new year, we are all returning to school with masks- see District guidelines re: masks. Sending along an extra mask in your child’s backpack in a labeled ziploc bag is a great way to ensure they have a replacement, should the original mask become soiled or misplaced.
I look forward to seeing all of you soon!
Mrs. Lawton BSN,RN.NCSN.
COVID Checklist for Parents
Dear Glenwood Parents & Guardians,
To help families prepare for the eventual return to in-person learning, it is important that the following information pertaining to student illness is reviewed before students start school. As the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the medical community learn more about COVID-19, it is possible that this guidance will change. The information below is based on the most recent, reliable medical guidance.
Parents whose child has one or more of the following signs/symptoms of illness, that are also associated with COVID-19, should keep their child home from school. It is also recommended that parents contact their primary care physician for further evaluation:
Fever of 100.0° F or higher accompanied by chills
Persistent cough that is not due to another known cause such as chronic cough
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Headache in combination with other symptoms listed here
Muscle aches or body aches
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Fatigue in combination with other symptoms listed here
Nasal congestion or runny nose that is not due to other known causes such as allergies and is in combination with other symptoms listed here
Click here for the CDC’s COVID-19 Information Page
The following information, related to when child(ren) may return to school, is based on the WRSD School Reopening Plan and Department of Health guidance:
If a student is referred for further medical evaluation for symptoms of illness, they may only return to school with a note from their doctor or following a 10-day quarantine IF symptoms have improved AND they are fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
Close contact is defined by the CDC as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic clients, 2 days prior to positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.
If a student is considered to be a close contact, they may only return to school following a 14-day quarantine period, even if a negative COVID-19 test result is received.
It is recommended that anyone who is considered close contact gets tested for COVID-19 four to five days following exposure.If a student has tested positive for COVID-19, they may return to school 10 days following documentation of the start of symptoms if they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication AND if their symptoms have improved.
Important: All documentation must be faxed or emailed to the health office prior to returning to school.
As the District refines and finalizes school reopening plans, it is understood that there may be situations unique for families that require further discussion. Your child’s school nurse is available to discuss these situations, as well as to provide further explanation for the protocols outlined in this message. Please be aware that the WRSD school nurses have been integral in shaping the District’s protocols and procedures related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are a valuable resource for parents and guardians.
I appreciate the questions and concerns that have arisen in our outreach to the families of students. Our ability to work together and collaborate during this difficult period of time is integral to our success.
Just a Reminder that school lunches are free for all students through June 2021 and we return to school. I know students are all missing our delicious school lunches and it could be a treat after working hard all morning!
News from Margaret Barton
The USDA waiver of Universal Free Breakfast and Lunch for all district enrolled students has been extended through June 2021!
During remote learning, breakfast and lunch pickups will be offered throughout the district.
These meals will be available for pick up on BOTH Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 pm. Please note that a commitment to participate means picking up meals that you've ordered on BOTH days to avoid wasting food that is being prepared for your children.
Sign up is first come first serve.
Holden - Mountview Middle School
Holden - Wachusett Regional High School (closed to any new families joining at this time)
Paxton - Paxton Center School
Princeton -Thomas Prince School (front entrance to the building facing the road)
Rutland - Glenwood Elementary (closed to any new families joining at this time)
Rutland - Central Tree (closed to any new families joining at this time)
Sterling - Chocksett/Houghton (enter through the Chocksett driveway; located in between the two buildings)
Children do not need to be in the car with you.
The following is how many meals will be served to each student.
Tuesday: 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches
Thursday: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ORDER MEALS FOR PICK UP?
PLEASE EMAIL MARGARET BARTON TO CONFIRM PARTICIPATION FOR YOUR CHILDREN. margaret_barton@wrsd.net
~ Child's name(s)
~ Location of pick up
Thank you all for your continued patience as we navigate this unique school y
The Amazing Cafeteria Crew that puts together the delicious lunches! They are out there rain or shine with a smile!
Lunch Menus are always posted on the Glenwood Website.
Notes from Mrs. Lawton, School Nurse
Welcome to the Health Update-
To The Parents of 4th and 5th graders:
Thank You to those who have sent in recent copies of their children’s MD physicals and updated immunizations- I appreciate it! For those of you who haven’t been able to yet- if you could send them along as soon as possible, that would be great!
- The new Health Office website is up and running. Please visit this site: https://sites.google.com/wrsd.net/wrsdhealthservices/home
Reminders from Mrs. Johnstone, School Secretary
- It is important that we have the most up to date contact information for your child. Updates of contact information can be completed by contacting our school secretary Mrs. Johnstone at 508-886-0399 or by email at jeanine_johnstone@wrsd.net
- If your child will be absent, please notify us by either sending a note with your child, or notifying the school at 508-886-0399.
- If your child has a change in dismissal, please send in a note with your child's full name and teacher's name.
- Please ensure your CORI has not expired. Contact Mrs. Johnstone if you are unsure of your expiration date. Mrs. Johnstone has current information regarding the CORI. We cannot rush CORI checks at the end of the year as systems are overloaded.
- Unless otherwise noted: Dismissal on Early Release Days will begin at 12:30 with lunch being served.
News from the Cafeteria
- Please email jennifer_jones@wrsd.net if you do not want your child to purchase a snack from their Schoolbucks account. An alert will be placed on your child's account.
- Breakfast will not be served daily when we return to school on November 18th.
- If a child qualifies for free or reduced lunch, then they will also qualify for a free or reduced breakfast. Please contact Mrs. Jones if you have any questions.
- Lunch Menus are available on the Glenwood website: http://www.wrsd.net/glenwood/