Greenlodge Weekly Update 4/9/2021
#ReachForYourBest
Please complete the Student Health Attestation on Sunday, April 11th.
A few friendly reminders...
- Masks must be worn by all on school property. Remember to practice social distancing on before and after school.
- Traffic will increase significantly on Monday at drop off and pick-up. Please review traffic reminders. Consider walking or biking whenever possible!
- Be sure your child brings their chromebook to school on Monday.
- Remember to pack a fresh, full water bottle for your child every day!
- Children MUST wear a helmet at all times when riding a bike, scooter or skateboard. It is the law and a very important safety measure.
April Vacation Travel - If you travel, please test before returning to school.
You do not need to quarantine if you took a test for COVID-19 and have received a negative result. The specimen for the test must have been collected not more than 72 hours before your arrival in Massachusetts, and the testing must be by a method approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
If you took a test prior to your arrival but have not received your negative result, you should quarantine until you receive the negative result. You may obtain a test after your arrival in Massachusetts, but aside from visiting the testing center, you should quarantine until you obtain a negative result.
Service Dogs Only at Greenlodge
April is Autism Acceptance Month
Today is World Autism Day and April is Autism Acceptance Month!
The Autism community calls on media to move from using “awareness” to “acceptance” this April to foster change and inclusivity for those affected by autism. April has widely been known as “Autism Awareness Month” in the United States as a way to empower autistic individuals and their families. The shift in the use of terminology aims to foster acceptance to ignite change through improved support and opportunities in education, employment, accessible housing, affordable health care and comprehensive long-term services.
Since the 1960's the puzzle piece has been used as the symbol for autism awareness. This has become somewhat controversial in recent years and many are now adopting the rainbow-colored infinity symbol. It represents the diversity of the autism spectrum as well as the greater neurodiversity movement.
Return to full time in person learning...
Haiku Poetry written by Greenlodge Students
Spring MCAS
A Note from Ms. Blais
Resources for Families
Dedham’s COVID-19 Relief Fund helps families and individuals who have been financially impacted by the pandemic. The Dedham COVID-19 Relief Task Force has created a Resource Guide, which provides instruction on how to access various types of support for financial assistance, housing, food, utilities, childcare, and healthcare, as well as specific information for our senior community and for veterans. Residents who need help can call 781-751-9126 to connect to be connected to resources.For more information, please visit: https://unitedwaymassbay.org/covid-19/local-funds/dedham/
Quincy Family Resource Center
The QFRC, a program of Bay State Community Services, provides support, information, clinical assessments, and referral resources for all families. Our goal is to help youth and families needing access to mental health supports and services, including youth who struggle with anxiety, depression, and school refusal. We can refer families to services in their communities to assist in areas they are seeking support.
We run many groups virtually, both therapeutic and social, for children and parents. We also work in conjunction with the Juvenile Courts in Norfolk and Plymouth County to support youth and their families who have a CRA (Child Requiring Assistance) or are at risk for having a CRA filed. All services are free and do not require insurance.
Below are some upcoming events the QFRC is running:
A.T.T.E.N.D.S.
To address chronic student absenteeism, school refusal and truancy, the QFRC is excited to be able to offer A.T.T.E.N.D.S. (Absenteeism & Truancy Training to Engage, Nurture & Develop Success) for caregivers. This program will begin in April, session 1 will meet April 1,8 & 15th and session 2 will meet April 29, May 6th &13th.
We are still accepting applications so if you would like to refer someone to this program, simply fill out the referral form and write “ATTENDS” in the “reason for referral” section. Return the completed form to me, Cassie Lynch at clynch@baystatecs.org or Rebecca Halloran at rhalloran@baystatecs.org. Examples of referrals.
This Spring, the QFRC will be giving away FREE bags of cleaning supplies for individuals and families in the communities we serve (Norfolk and Plymouth County). Attached application for your convenience.
With any questions, please reach out to Rebecca Halloran at 617-653-0794 or rhalloran@baystatecs.org.
School Meals Program Updates
Please take a close look at this flyer with detailed information on school breakfast and lunches.
- Breakfast and lunch will remain FREE for all through June 30th.
- Summer meal pick-up will continue - see flyer for locations and times
Pooled Covid-19 Testing - PLEASE SIGN-UP
Pool Testing: Pool testing is off to a great start here at Greenlodge. All of the pools to date have been negative. Remember, "No news is good news!"
Click here to watch Mrs. Bodkins demonstrate self-testing.
If you haven’t already, please send in signed consent forms if you would like your child to participate. You can download and print this form. Please refer to the DPS Pool Testing Website for details and FAQ’s.
Please note, individual testing results will not be provided regularly. We will notify families if any pool comes back positive and re-testing is needed.
Notes From The Nurse...
Welcome back to all students in person! A key point for this week is that each of our decisions can affect many other members of the school community. How will we succeed in preventing transmission and excessive quarantines in school?
Keep students home and test immediately when they have symptoms
Encourage proper mask wearing
Continue to reinforce physical distancing
Frequent hand washing and sanitizing
Mask Vigilance: Dr Anthony Fauci recently recommended that unvaccinated children should continue to wear masks when they're playing/interacting with groups from multiple households to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Seasonal Allergies are here! If your student has seasonal allergies, please consult with their pediatrician for the best preventive treatment and send in a letter from the provider. Check out Harvard Medical’s Must Do List.
As you know, many symptoms of seasonal allergies align with COVID-19 symptoms. If the school nurse does not have documentation of seasonal allergies and a student presents with a combination of symptoms, we will have to dismiss and ask for a COVID-19 test.
Food Allergy Safety: several students at Greenlodge have life threatening allergies. Please ask your students to wash hands with soap and water before coming to school. We also have a “no outside food” policy to keep them and anyone who may have an undiagnosed allergy safe. Please do not send in any food/treats for the classroom.
Watch for symptoms - please do not explain them away as something else!
If your student has any of these, stay home and call their pediatrician. We require either a negative test or doctor’s note with alternative diagnosis to return to school.
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Muscle or body aches
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Fatigue, when combined with another symptom
Headache, when combined with another symptom
Congestion or runny nose, when combined with another symptom
Physical Forms: please send in updated physical forms from your student’s pediatrician. We are required by state regulation to ensure 4th grade students receive a physical exam.
Insect Bite Awareness: Now is a good time to consider insect repellent and start doing daily tick checks after spending time outdoors. Click here for information from the CDC on avoiding ticks this season. If you do find a tick on someone, click here and follow the steps to remove it quickly. If someone has been bitten by a tick and within a few weeks develops fever, muscle/joint aches, and/or a circular, bullseye rash around the area of the bite, contact your primary care provider.
Close Contact Quarantine Rules: Guidelines are located here on the DPS website.
Testing Sites: The Massachusetts Sites and City of Boston sites are operating smoothly and provide quick results. Many pediatricians offer same day testing.
Return to Sports After COVID-19: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should not exercise until they are cleared by a physician. Read more here.
Call or email if you have any health-related questions: (781) 310-4248, kduckworth@dedham.k12.ma.us
School Zone Signage Plans for Greenlodge
Click here to view maps with the plans.
DPS Educational Technology
Attendance
- If your child is sick or will be out of school for any reason, please call the attendance line. 781-310-4799 to report the absence.
- If your child is required to stay home due to illness or quarantine , they are no longer able to attend school remotely.
- The school will excuse up to 7 absences in a six month period. Students who are chronically absent will receive notification from the school.
- Please see the student handbook for full details regarding attendance.
Reach out to the PTO Board...
- Co-Presidents Stephanie Hansbury, Stephanie Toledano and Julisa Burgos
- Secretary Julie Titler
- Treasurer Stacy Kelly
Please reach out to any member of the Board with questions or interest in volunteering.
Grade Level Representative Volunteers...
Great news! At this time we have the following reps:
1st grade: Katie McClorey
2nd grade: Kelley Downey and Jen Parnell
3rd grade: Isa Howley, Cheryl Pratt, Erica Huff
4th grade: Carrie Yandresevits and Kara McDermott
5th grade: Isa Howley and MaryEllen McDonough
Directory Spot
The PTO has launched DirectorySpot and you should have received an automated email with download and password setting instructions. It seems many people have had problems with the automated email invite. Here is some info that may help.
Log into DirectorySpot on the web version. Go to https://www.directoryspot.net and click Login in the upper right.
- Enter your email as the username and your DirectorySpot password.
- You should be directed to your family record. If not, go to Directory/Family Search. Find your own record and double click to get the edit screens. You can review the data, make and edits or deletions and click "save." Once finished, click "save." Then to make your record available for others in your directory to see, click the green "Share Data" button. All data is either hidden or shared.
5th Grade Yearbook
The 5th Grade committee has started the process of creating the yearbook for our class. We need your help more so than ever in providing pictures for layouts.
Please click on this flyer for information on how you can submit pictures to us.
The flyer includes a link for the Google Drive so that you can upload pictures.
Please do not hesitate to email us at greenlodgeyearbook@gmail.com if you need help or have any questions!
We would love to see every 5th grader included in our yearbook. Thank you!
Box Tops and Amazon Smile
Here are two easy ways to make a contribution to Greenlodge...
- No more cutting Box Tops. Click here to learn more about scanning your store receipt to get credits for Box Tops.
- Go to https://smile.amazon.com/ and choose to support Greenlodge! Amazon Smile app now available.
Free Classes at Blue Hills Regional Technical School
Check-out the Greenlodge Homepage!
- Links to current and past newsletters and headlines
- Food service information
- Bus application
- Families Digital Support Page
- Counseling resources
- Coronavirus Updates
Other District Information...
Dedham Public Schools has translated resource pages:
Please click here for translated curriculum and resources.
Haga clic aquí para ver el currículo y los recursos traducidos.
Clique aqui para obter o currículo e os recursos traduzidos.
Пожалуйста, нажмите здесь для перевода учебной программы и ресурсов.
Ju lutemi klikoni këtu për kurrikulën dhe burimet e përkthyera.
الرجاء الضغط هنا للحصول على المناهج والمواد المترجمة.
There is also a Parent Support Group for Spanish speaking families.
Learn more here:Parent Support Group Flyer (Spanish)
Video Overview of Parent Support Group (Spanish)
Substance Abuse Support Group for Children: Please see this flyer for information about a virtual group to support children dealing with the impacts of a loved ones substance abuse.
About Us
Email: abodkins@dedham.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.dedham.k12.ma.us/greenlodge
Location: 191 Greenlodge Street, Dedham, MA, USA
Phone: 781-310-4000
Facebook: facebook.com/GreenlodgeDedham
Twitter: @GLDGESchool