GHS-Green Wave Nation News
March, 2021
“Spring will come and so will happiness. Hold on. Life will get warmer.” — Anita Krizzan
Updates from the Administration:
A Message from Karin Patenaude, Principal:
As I walked around the town during the Winter Carnival to check out all of the Ice Sculptures, I am always fascinated by the artist's amazing talent. How do they do what they do with a block of ice and a chain saw? Simply amazing! This year, however, one sculpture stood out for me among all of the others and it was the one depicted above. Thank you to Autumn Bross, a senior at GHS, for capturing this image. We truly are all in this together!
So as we approach the one year anniversary, March 13th, of the time we have been apart, we can choose to reflect on the many things we might feel sad about having missed or lost. However, I would rather we continue to focus on what we have gained and that is the strength and courage the students and faculty of our school community continue to display as they navigate these difficult educational times. This strength and courage has not only helped us muddle through the daily grind of remote learning and teaching, but it is the foundation of renewed hope that we can and will overcome any challenge thrown our way if we work together. Some days we may feel as if we "just can't even" anymore, but those are the days that I have seen students call on their friends or peers for support and encouragement, or a staff or faculty member reach out to a colleague with a note of kindness. It is in these moments that I am most proud of the GHS community as what many may see as a loss in the educational environment, I see as a win for humanity. Together, we will endure!
Always here to help or support so please do not hesitate to contact me at karpat1@gpsk12.org!
A Message from Jonathan Cavallo, Associate Principal:
My appreciation goes out to the students, parents, caregivers, and staff at Greenfield High School who continue to give all their efforts to make our students’ educational experience the best it can be. We have much to be proud of as our students show resilience and determination to do well in school, understanding that the future is full of hope and promise. I remain optimistic that in a short time, we will be back together in a learning environment that brings us together. In the meantime, continue to stay safe and healthy. If you need anything, please reach out to me at joncav1@gpsk12.org.
A Message from Sarah Crawford, Assistant Director of Pupil Services:
Greetings from Ms. Crawford in the Special Education Department. I hope that you are all doing well in these continued difficult times. The weather is starting to feel like spring and I am looking forward to fresh air, spring flowers, and sunshine, as I am sure many of you are too! As you continue to juggle the remote world and all of your responsibilities, I encourage you to engage in mindfulness activities that can help you through this. My favorite mindfulness activity is to sit outside, close my eyes, and focus my energy on the sounds of nature and all that surrounds me. Missing all of you more and more each day and looking forward to the time that we are all back together in the building. If I can assist you in any way, please reach out to me at sarcra1@gpsk12.org.
Sending a big Thank You and Shout Out to the GHS Alumni Association!
TASTE OF WORLD CULTURES VIRTUAL CELEBRATION!
One of the most celebrated events of GHS will still take place this year, even though it will be virtual!
Students are encouraged to participate in the Class Cup activities for the month of March as follows:
March 1-5 : What is your culture? This can be a photo, short video, etc.... Send us a representation of What is your heritage? How do you identify yourself culturally?
***Additional contest this week - Where in the world is GHS? (Submit a photo of yourself anywhere you have been in the world to be used in our Virtual Taste of World Cultures)
March 8-12: What is your favorite food from another culture? Photos of a dish you prepared, video of yourself making the food, image of the food, recipe, etc.
March 15-19: Music/Dance- post a photo or a video of yourself performing to be used in the Virtual Taste of World Cultures video, submit a song by your favorite performer from another culture.
March 22-26: Art/Fashion- Photo of yourself dressed in clothing from any culture, a piece of art you created, image of your favorite artist's work, image of fashion from a culture you admire...
March 31 - The Virtual Taste of World Cultures
More details on the final event to follow!
GHS Key Club
Our second program is in cooperation with the Greenfield Kiwanis and United Way of Franklin County, where Key Club will bring reading books to over 200 preschoolers in Greenfield and Turners Falls to read, enjoy and take home in April.
Be well, be kind and take good care of each other!
Update from Guidance:
Scheduling for the 2021-22 school year for Grades 8-11 will occur during the month of March. Advisory lessons this month will focus on planning your student's schedule, addressing any questions or concerns students have, and scheduling courses for the next school year.
The Program of Studies for 2021-22 School Year is available at the following link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M47jIstcRe8HIY3IWaiy1sXARqJNeInB/view?usp=sharing
Be sure to talk with your student about courses and programming! There are some exciting new electives being offered at GHS in the 2021-22 school year! We try to offer rich and robust course offerings to all of our students and are proud to share this new program with all of our students and families!
GHS Parent/Caregiver Teacher Conferences
Administration is also available on this evening and would be happy to meet with any parent/caregiver as well!
Student Council Updates:
Virtual Best Buddies have been visiting the remote classes in the Rise and Life Skills Programs. They enjoy participating in the morning circles/dance parties and getting to know the students in these classes a little better. They have been making videos to share with when they can't attend in person and are working towards building authentic relationships with their best buddies.
The best buddies program is very excited to be leading the charge for the Polar Plunge that will take place March 19-21. We have invited all students and staff to join the GHS team. Families are welcome to participate as well. The link to sign up for the Plunge is Polar plunge registration Special Olympics is still asking that all participants sign a waiver. waiver form link Students will be encouraged to wear a costume and post pictures and videos of their plunge. More info to follow.
The student council continues to participate on the state and regional level. Just before February break the E-board submitted the MASC Spell book (this year's version of the Excellence Award, recapping our last year). The board worked collectively to document our recent achievements as well as reflect on areas of improvement. The spell book can be viewed here MASC Spell book. In April we look forward to attending the virtual state conference.
UPDATE: Class Cup Competition!
Some of the latest competitions made good use of the snowfall! Check out 8th grader, Warren James', "Snowman playing Guitar" featured photo right!
Update on the Green Wave Athletics
Hello Green Wave Nation!
Winter sports have wrapped up and we are so glad our students got to compete! The smiles on their faces were great to see!
The girls basketball team went undefeated, 8-0 in the Franklin County Bubble. Good luck to the departing seniors, Eva Pruitt-Dahl and Katie Haselton.
The boys basketball team ended with a 3-5 record. We wish our seniors, Brody Baird, Henry Zwart, Luis Sanes, and Jake Sak the best of luck in their future endeavors!
The ice hockey team is undefeated as of this writing with 2 games to play. One Greenfield senior, Derek Lenois, will complete his last season in the co-op. Good luck!
Now, on to Fall 2 Sports: Starting March 1, students will be able to participate in boys and girls soccer, volleyball, cheer, and football. Family ID is now open! Please have an updated physical and sign up as soon as possible!
As always, if you have any questions please email Mike Kuchieski at mickuc1@gpsk12.org
Upcoming Events:
March 3 Remote Learning 911 for Grades 8-11; All School Google Classroom. Join Ms.
Demeo, Guidance Counselor & Ms. Pollock, Librarian for some tips if you are
struggling with remote learning
March 17 - Catching Zs to Get Degrees! for Grades 8-12; All School Google Classroom. Join School Adjustment Counselors, Nicholas Fouche and Stacy Page, to find out more information on the teen brain, sleep and how they impact learning.
March 24 - Cope, Don't Mope! for Grades 8-12; All School Google Classroom. Join School Adjustment Counselors, Nicholas Fouche and Stacy Page, to learn techniques on how to develop coping skills for remote learning
March 26 - 1/2 Day for Students. Dismissal at 11:00 am
How to Access E-Books and EAudio-Books via SORA:
GHS and District DESE Report Cards
As a public school in Massachusetts, we are required to share access to our schools' and district's annual academic performance report cards.
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) states, "Just as a student's report card shows how they are doing in different classes, school and district report cards are designed to show [families] and community members how a school or district is doing in different areas. Report cards highlight a school or district's strengths as well as any challenges that need to be addressed in order to make sure the needs of all students are being met."
The report card includes multiple measures of a school’s performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more.
As a school-wide Title I district, you also have the right to request the following information about the qualifications of your child’s classroom teachers:
· Whether your child’s teacher is licensed in the grade levels and subject areas
they teach
· Whether your child’s teacher is teaching under an emergency license or waiver
· The college degree and major of your child’s teacher, and
· Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.
- To access your child or children's school's report card, please click on this link or visit the school's webpage: report cards.doe.mass.edu
- Once you are on the site, type in the name of your child's school in the search bar.
- Once in your child's school or the district's link, click on the topics listed to access performance information and school demographic information.
- To understand how to interpret the information, there is a link on the right of the website in a variety of languages that will help: report cards.doe.mass.edu
- To understand more about the state's report card system, please click on: Frequently Asked Questions about School and District Report Cards
Updates from Ms. Pollock, GHS Librarian:
Library Club Book Discussion
The March book discussion will be held on 3/24 at 2 p.m. for Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, which is a nonfiction book about a lawyer and social justice advocate who offers a glimpse into the lives of the wrongfully imprisoned and his efforts to fight for their freedom. There are both adult and young reader editions of the book; students can request a print copy of one of those to pick up at the Greenfield Public Library or can access the ebook at soraapp.com Students who are interested in participating in the book discussion should email librarian, Jessica Pollock, at ghslibrarian@gpsk12.org
Poetry Slam Entry Videos
Students, teachers, and staff are encouraged to submit videos of themselves reading a favorite poem or a poem they wrote for the third annual GHS Poetry Slam. The video can be of the individual reading or of something scenic. For example, if you are camera shy, you could take a video of a nature scene while you read your poem in the background. All entries are due in the GHS Students & Staff Google Classroom Poetry Slam assignment by Friday, March 19th.
A Note from Nurse Kelly Savitri:
A Note from the Nurse
Hello GHS families, I’m finding a lot of reasons to be optimistic lately. The days are getting longer, the snow is starting to thaw, the number of COVID cases continues to decrease locally, statewide, and nationally, and the number of available vaccine doses increases each week. For information about COVID testing, case prevalence, and vaccination specific to western mass, please visit https://www.publichealthwm.org/.
The GPS nurses have been working together on some exciting projects that we believe will help keep our students & staff safe. More details will be shared as all the pieces come together.
In the meantime, feel free to reach out with any health-related questions or concerns to me at kelsav1@gpsk12.org or 413-772-1350 ext. 1137.
Green Room Updates:
About us:
Email: karpat1@gpsk12.org
Website: gpsk12.org
Location: 21 Barr Avenue, Greenfield, MA, USA
Phone: 413-772-1350
Twitter: @patenaude_karin