Greenlodge Weekly Update 9/11/2020
#ReachForYourBest
Newsletter Translations
Dear Families,
For many of us Dedham’s decision to delay the in-person opening was met with a range of feelings. Many were frustrated, confused, worried and stressed, while others may have felt comforted, relieved and safe. Whatever your particular feeling, my hope is that we use this turn of events as a reminder that as a community we must stay vigilant against this virus so that we can protect each other and our children.
Rest assured that our teachers are working just as hard to be prepared for remote learning, as for hybrid learning. Teachers are still filled with all the joy and excitement of welcoming students into their classrooms, even if for now it is virtual only. Next Wednesday when school starts, it will be with the traditional focus on building relationships, creating community, learning routines and establishing expectations.
By Tuesday, teachers will send a detailed schedule with the link to join their Zoom Classroom. Students are expected to sign in between 8:35 am and 8:45 am. Attendance will be taken. Please be sure you are prepared in advance for the first day of school.
I am so excited to begin a new year of teaching and learning! Thank you for your ongoing support of your child's learning.
Kind regards,
~Ashley
Ashley Bodkins, Principal
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, 9/15 - Welcome Students Car Parade Click link to find your the schedule
Wednesday, 9/16 - First Full Day of Remote Learning, begins at 8:45am
Back to School Information Session - Monday 7PM
- Welcome back and meet the staff
- Preparing for remote learning
- Expectations for remote learning
Welcome Back Parade!
Whether your family has chosen the remote or hybrid option, we want a day to get together safely so you can get excited about the new school year!
Come by Greenlodge on September 15th, and wave hello to the principal, teachers and specialists!
Collect a remote learning tote made especially for you with love from your Greenlodge Teachers.
Be cheered on as you begin a new learning adventure for the 2020-2021 school year.
The school nurse will be available to receive medications for students who require them at school. Instructions will be available in the next Greenlodge newsletter and sent via email.
Please create a sign with your child’s name on it and place it in a prominent place so your new teacher can greet you by name!
Meet the Greenlodge staff
New Greenlodge Health and Safety Procedures
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1V8Bn3NgovL2pwNZnYsxpvwbj1WVyNPUWpmbwSl_lD3k/edit
Attendance
- All students will be expected to attend all scheduled remote and in-person sessions.
- Attendance will be taken daily. Teachers will monitor and track student attendance for all scheduled remote sessions.
- If your child is sick or will be out of school, please call the attendance line. 781-310-4799 to report the absence.
- 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.
Food Services Update
Week of 9/14- Meals will continue to be served curbside and three sites Avery, Riverdale, and Veterans Road on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11
Setting up your child's "REMOTE OFFICE"
- Choose a quiet place where distractions can be minimized.
- Make sure the learning space is accessible to caregivers in case your child needs support.
- Be sure your child has a comfortable chair and work surface that fits them appropriately. (See picture below)
- Provide supplies such as pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, glue sticks and paper. (The school will supply all other necessary supplies and materials).
- Hang a small bulletin board or dedicate wall space to post daily schedules, passwords and other important reminders and/or checklists from the teacher.
- Test out your technology. Is your internet connection strong in the space you have chosen? Do you know how to login to your chromebook? Have you tried your passwords? If you are experiencing a technical issue, please check out the DPS Family Educational Technology Site or email home tech service at hometechservice@dedham.k12.ma.us.
Chromebook Pick-Up
The Dedham Public Schools are providing Chromebooks (portable computer) for all students in grades 1-5 for the 2020-21 school year.
Chromebooks are now available for all NEWLY ENROLLED students! You may stop by the school Tuesday-Friday between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to pick-up your chromebook.
Some returning families still need to pick up your child's device. Please be sure to do that next week (Tuesday-Friday between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm) in order to be prepared for remote learning on September 16th.
Notes from the Nurse...
Hello, I am Kate Duckworth and I look forward to being your student’s nurse this year. With the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a challenging six months. Please know that the DPS nurses have been working hard all summer with the school teams to provide a safe environment for your children. We will be sending a lot of information over the next few weeks on health policies and procedures.
**Please note, due to the postponement of in-person learning, medication drop-off on September 15th is delayed until further notice.
Here are three key things you can do this week to get ready for school:
Contact me if your student has a new or existing chronic medical condition we may not be aware of. For our incoming first graders and new students, I have reviewed health records and met with Mrs. Laurino from ECEC, but please feel free to call 781-310-4245 or email me at kduckworth@dedham.k12.ma.us to discuss individual health issues.
Work with your child’s PCP or community clinic to schedule a flu shot. They will be mandatory this year by December 31st per state guidelines. You can send me a copy of their vaccination via email or upload it into the SNAP Health Portal.
Find some approved, comfortable masks and have your student practice wearing them. The mask should be snug enough that it is not slipping off the nose to avoid frequently touching and adjusting it. We suggest having enough so that your student has two clean masks available each day they are in school.
The Buzz from Ms. Blais ... Counselor's Corner
I encourage you, as parents and caregivers, to continue to model calmness and mindfulness as we prepare for the reopening of schools. Families and students may be feeling uncertain about returning to a new environment. Do your best to continue to embrace the unknown by: taking a deep breath when you feel overwhelmed or anxious, focusing on what you can do in the present moment, and saying out loud, “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but that’s okay.” We will persevere through together!
Here are a few social-emotional activity ideas:
Draw a picture of yourself and write down three (or more!) of your biggest strengths. Find somewhere special to keep it so you can look at it often and remind yourself that you are awesome and wonderful!
See how many items you can complete on the Family Kindness Bingo and Kindness Bingo in the next few weeks!
Finish each sentence by writing in a journal or sharing out loud at the dinner table:
Today, I felt proud of myself when…
One thing I learned today was...
One kind thing I did today was...
Something that made me happy today was…
Tomorrow I look forward to...
Library News from Ms. Bickel
Dots for Doors in Dedham
International Dot Day is this Tuesday, September 15th-ish. To celebrate, first read The Dot, or watch one of these videos.
Then get creative by decorating your door with dots! You could use materials around your house, create and decorate your own dots, or use dots to inspire a new creation! Find more ideas here and take a picture of your door to send to Ms. Bickel at sbickel@dedham.k12.ma.us. Then go on a scavenger hunt around your neighborhood to admire everyone’s creativity. Let’s make a mark on Dedham!
Summer Reading, Writing and Mathematics - It's Not Too Late!
We hope you have had a fun and relaxing summer. To kick off the school year and refresh your learning check out some of the links below that you may not have completed this summer.
Pictures of the Week...
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.
Check-out the Greenlodge Homepage!
- Links to current and past newsletters and headlines
- Food service information
- Bus application
- Quick links to Summer Learning
- Families Digital Support Page
- Counseling resources
- Coronavirus Updates
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