Greenlodge Weekly Update 4/27/2020
#ReachForYourBest
Dear Families,
Not surprising, the number one comment, suggestion, complaint was that we are not providing enough face to face interaction between students, teachers and classmates. We certainly miss the face to face interactions with students and understand how hard this has been for students both academically and socially. Many Greenlodge teachers have completed the Google Meet training and are now able to lead these meetings with students. Many others are making personal connections through phone calls, sending snail mail or creating videos with announcements and read alouds. There are varying reasons why a teacher may or may not choose to set up a Google Meeting at this time. Please respect the professional judgement of your child's teacher and work together with them. I have shared these results with staff and we will continue to look for ways in which we can improve your child's remote learning.
New guidance for Phase 3 came out from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) late last Friday night. Today we reviewed these documents in our District and Elementary Leadership meetings. Tomorrow in our district wide grade level curriculum meetings, we will be taking a close look at the commissioner's recommendations and prerequisite content standards as we continue to strengthen our remote learning experience. You may find these DESE family friendly guides useful as you navigate remote learning at home.
I echo the words of our state and local leadership that "our first priority throughout this crisis would always be the health and wellness of our students and staff." Thank you for your support and feedback.
Be well!
Ashley
Check-out the Greenlodge Homepage!
- New! Families Digital Support Page
- Morning video announcements with Mrs. Bodkins, and guest staff!
- Book Madness and Battle of the Books links, ballots and reading response forms
- Home learning link to grade level resources
- Information regarding meals for students
- Counseling resources
- Coronavirus Updates
Upcoming Events...
- April is POETRY month! If your child would like to send a video reading or reciting a favorite and/or original poem for the morning announcements, please send them to me! I'd love to see student participation. (abodkins@dedham.k12.ma.us)
- Thursday, April 30th is Poem In Your Pocket Day! Copy a favorite poem onto this template or draw your own. See how many people you can share your poem with on Thursday. Social distancing? No problem you can call someone, share virtually, email or snail mail!
- Term 2 report cards will be mailed home this week. You should receive your child's report card in the mail by Friday. Please note that the report cards will report progress up until March 13.
- We will be celebrating Cultural Diversity in our community throughout the month of May! We hope that you and your family will participate in sharing about your culture. More information to come.
- Class of 2020 Virtual Clap-out videos needed by Friday. See below for details.
Greenlodge Specialist Remote Learning Activities
Check out the Specialist Activity Log for weekly activities.
Let them know what your child has done by filling out this Google Form weekly
OR
Print or make a copy of this chart , complete the boxes at the bottom
and email/share it weekly to sbickel@dedham.k12.ma.us
Celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day... From Home! Thursday, April 30th
- Call or video chat a friend or relative and read a poem to them
- Carry a “Poem in Your Pocket”
- Mail a poem to a friend
- Chalk your walk with a favorite poem
- Post a video to Greenlodge FB or your class Instagram
Grab and Go
NEW INFORMATION
All residents 21 and under can get the meals for FREE. The child does not have to be with the adult to pick up the meals.
Acts of Kindness
Keeping busy by helping others
Pictures of the Week...
Check out this week's updated video below to see the many ways Greenlodge students are continuing to engage in learning while school is closed.
Need a Chromebook?
Everyone's Participation is Needed!
- Typically the seniors (Class of 2020) walk the halls of their elementary schools wearing their caps and gowns and the staff and students of the school line the halls to cheer for them !
- Let’s have our Greenlodge students join the other schools and still participate in a virtual way!
- Please send If you could send a short video of your child/children either just clapping excitedly, saying congratulations, cheering, dancing or holding a sign they made.
- Mary MacLean will put a video together for all the seniors to help them know how proud the whole town is of them. mmaclean@dedham.k12.ma.us
- Michaela McMillan will be putting a video together for our Greenlodge 5th graders. mmcmillan@dedham.k12.ma.us
- Please hold your smartphone in the horizontal position when taking your video if possible. As a teacher and a parent of a senior I know this will be appreciated!
- Please send your video to mmaclean@dedham.k12.ma.us and copy mmcmillan@dedham.k12.ma.us by Friday, May 1st.
Book Madness... Last Week's Results are In!
The Greenlodge Favorite this year is MOTHER BRUCE, by Ryan T. Higgins
If you haven't already, you can listen to Ms. Sweeney reading Mother Bruce aloud.
Much appreciated....but
Picture Books recordings that Promote Movement
What's New in the Library?
Internet safety is especially important during the school closure as students area accessing the internet more frequently. Talk with your kids to help them learn to be safe, confident explorers online. Click here some internet safety tips.
The Buzz from Ms. Blais ...
The following videos and activities are recommended to help students adjust at home during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Six Feet Apart by Amy Sandler (one of Dedham's psychologists!)
Alphabreaths - The ABCs of Mindful Breathing
Mindful Activity of the Day Series
Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus Facebook Twitter Flipboard Email
In need of additional social-emotional support at home? Please do not hesitate to email me at jblais@dedham.k12.ma.us.
Looking for a fun activity? Check out the 2020 Covid-19 Time Capsule
Notes from the Nurse...
Hello from the Nurse! I am wishing the Greenlodge community health and wellness during this time. Please let me know at kduckworth@dedham.k12.ma.us if you need any medications your student has stored at the school.
Helmet Safety
As the weather gets (a little) better and kids are able to play outside, it is important they wear helmets when biking, riding a scooter, skateboarding, and rollerblading. It’s a simple step that can prevent head injury. It’s also a law in Massachusetts that children 16 and under wear a helmet when biking. Click here for a CDC fact sheet on getting the proper fit when wearing a helmet.
Tick Season is Here Again
It is great we are able to get outside more these days! Just a reminder that tick season has started. Ticks hide in grassy and wooded areas and can hitch a ride on your clothing, backpacks, and pets. Now is a good time to start doing daily tick checks after spending time outdoors. Click here for some great 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, aches, and/or a circular, bullseye rash around the area of the bite, contact your primary care provider.
TREK: Technology, Recreation, Enrichment, Knowledge
Who? 5th Graders going to Dedham Middle School
When? Weekdays from June 24-July 10 (except July 3)
What time? 8:15am-12:30pm
How much? $375 per student, $50 for students on free/reduced lunch
What? Students will finish summer reading and math, take other hands-on, enrichment classes, and learn more about the middle school from teachers and former students.
Why? Students can finish their summer work with teachers and high school student volunteers to help them. Students will meet new friends from other elementary schools. It's great for students to get to know their big, new school before September! (Just to name a few reasons)
Recruitment for TREK 2020 begins now!
Click here to view the brochure.
TREK Link: https://sites.google.com/dedham.k12.ma.us/trek/home
Additionally, you will receive paper copies of the brochure via istudent backpacks.
Program Coordinator -Chris Nadeau
Assistant Coordinator- Sarah Ascenzo.
Newsletter Translations
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