Greenlodge Weekly Update 9/25/2020
#ReachForYourBest
Dear Families,
Thank you for feedback in last week's newsletter. Many of our families expressed gratitude for the meaningful connections teachers are making with students. Overall families are very pleased with remote learning under the circumstances. We all recognize that remote learning is not ideal or developmentally appropriate for young children. Most families were eager to know when in person learning will begin and were frustrated with technology. Please know that we hear your concerns and are working everyday to make this a more meaningful experience.
Thank you for supporting your children through our first full week of remote learning. Our staff recognizes the efforts you are making. As you are likely aware we will begin transition to hybrid learning beginning with our HIGHEST NEEDS students, followed by our HIGH NEEDS students (Cohort B).
Superintendent Welch will be sending an email today with the start dates for Cohort B. Start dates for all other students will be shared next week. Letters to families with students in Cohort B are being mailed this afternoon and will indicate your child's exact start date.
As a reminder, the District has specified dates on which you can request to change cohorts. At this time, all cohorts are locked in place for the initial in person phase of reopening. The first date to notify me of your request to change cohorts will be on October 30th. Again, changes will not be made at this time.
As we continue in the fully remote model, it is very important to incorporate non-screen activities and independent work to help fight Zoom fatigue. You will receive communication from your child's teacher indicating how they plan to incorporate asynchronous learning into the daily routines. You should still expect multiple synchronous opportunities throughout the day and we will still expect students to be engaged in school related activities throughout the day from 8:30-3PM.
Hopefully your child will have plenty of screen-free time this week to unwind, play outside and have personal interactions with friends and family. Have a wonderful weekend!
~Ashley
Ashley Bodkins, Principal
***Remote Tote Materials Exchange***
- Wednesday 11:30-1:15 PM
- Wednesday 2:00-3:30 PM
- Thursday 7:45-8:30 AM
If you are unable to pick-up these materials at one of these times, please call the main office 781-310-4000 to arrange an alternate pick-up.
Students will be required to have the new materials for class on Thursday.
Meet 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.
Want to get involved in the Greenlodge PTO as a Grade Level Rep?
What do the reps do?
- Serve as a communication liaison between the PTO Board and the parents at each grade level.
- Attend one PTO Zoom meeting per month - Thursday 7:30PM
- Assist the PTO board in planning at least one school wide event and/or fundraiser
If you are interested, please click here to let us know!
Trouble Joining a Zoom Meeting or Need Help During a Meeting??
Call Donna Gardner in the main office 781-310-4000
- Please DO NOT EMAIL teachers, paraprofessionals or Principal Bodkins.
- Please DO NOT use the Zoom chat
Mrs. Gardner will help you trouble shoot and/or direct you to someone who can assist.
DPS Remote Learning Resources for Families
The Remote Learning Resources Site provides access to skill-based video tutorials for the tools that students will encounter most frequently. Each of the videos provide an overview of the learning platforms as well as tutorials designed to help students and their caregivers access the technologies.
In addition to these "asynchronous" video based resources, Dedham faculty members will also hold a series of virtual office hours beginning on September 14th. You will find a schedule for these opportunities as well as registration information on the site.
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 for any reason during REMOTE learning 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.
School Lunch Update!
Click here for more information.
Did you know Sept 15-Oct 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Here are a few resources you and your child might enjoy!
Click Here - For musical playlists from NPR
Oprah Magazine - Latinx Heritage info and articles
PBS and NPR - lessons and content for teaching/celebrating Hispanic Heritage MonthNotes from the Nurse...
Hi, Greenlodge! I am so excited to see students soon. We have lots to do to get ready for in-person learning.
Masks: The district policy is that all students will wear masks as much as possible throughout the day. Masks are REQUIRED when in hallways or bathrooms or in proximity to students from other classes and in circumstances when physical distancing cannot be maintained. The only exceptions are for those students or staff for whom it is not safe to do so due to age, medical conditions, or other considerations. A doctor’s note documenting a medical condition or disability reason will be required. Please send these to me before your student’s first day of school.
Please send in updated medical orders related to your child’s chronic health condition to the SNAP Health Portal (preferred), email to kduckworth@dedham.k12.ma.us, or fax to 781-461-0034. Call me anytime if you have questions 781-310-4248.
If your student needs to take any medication (or have an EpiPen available) during the school day, I will also need:
An updated pediatrician’s order for the nurse to give the medication at school
For students with asthma, an updated Asthma Action Plan
For students with allergies, and updated Allergy Action Plan
I am available Thursday 10/8 from 7:45-8:30 AM and Thursday 10/15 from 7:45-8:30AM (or by appointment) to accept medications. Please bring unexpired medications in the original container/packaging, no more than a 30-day supply.
Library News from Ms. Bickel
If you have library books at home from the spring, there is a bin in the school lobby to return them. If you are not sure of the titles checked out, please email me at sbickel@dedham.k12.ma.us.
Thank you to those who have returned their books over the summer!
National Book Festival Favorite Children's Authors
This weekend - Sept 25-27
https://www.loc.gov/events/2020-national-book-festival
Some Favorite Children's Authors:
Kelly Yang (Front Desk and Three Keys just released)
Jerry Craft (New Kid and Class Act coming soon)
Mo Willems (Pigeon and Elephant & Piggie)
Pam Munoz Ryan (Esperanza Rising and many more)
Megan McDonald (Judy Moody and Stink)
Chelsea Clinton (She Persisted)
Jessica and Parker Curry (Parker Looks Up)
Peter Reynolds (The Dot and many more you probably know)
Dedham Covid Relief Resources
information with you all regarding the Dedham Covid relief fund. The Dedham Covid Relief Task force continues to meet regularly and has had a number of successful fundraisers over the spring and summer to raise money for this important fund. Please see the link below for more information. In general, residents can call 781-751-9126 and be connected to someone at town hall who can direct them to resources. Families have been impacted in a number of ways as a result of the pandemic and may be struggling with rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, food insecurity, childcare, medication costs and other difficulties. If you hear of families that may be struggling, please pass on the above phone number to them. Maria Antonuccio (the High School Nurse) and myself are part of the Dedham Covid Relief Task Force and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have. The link to the resource is here:
Chromebook Troubleshooting
- Watch a brief video on how students should login - including how to get into Zoom
- Here's a self-help reference guide for non-mechanical support for DPS students Chromebooks.
- The Families Digital Support Page is also a great resource tool.
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