Greenlodge Weekly Update 10/9/2020
#ReachForYourBest
Dear Families,
This week we were so happy to FINALLY welcome children into the school. It was wonderful to see them again in person after months of remote learning. Next week approximately 70 students will return to in person learning. We anticipate a smooth transition after months of planning and preparation.
During Wednesday's professional development teachers had time to set-up and practice using multiple screens and cameras, practicing how to engage students both in the classroom and through Zoom. They also spent hours planning in collaboration with grade level teams for co-teaching and small groups. That said, please be patient with us as we navigate a new way of teaching!
The parent/guardian information session on Thursday evening was very well attended. I have included the presentation below for your reference. Please be sure to go through it at your convenience if you were unable to make it. At the end of the presentation, you will find a link to ask any questions you may have. Special thanks to the Greenlodge Task Force, Director of Health Services, Gail Kelly, and Greenlodge Nurse, Kate Duckworth, for the countless hours spent preparing these protocols and procedures for in person learning.
Have a wonderful LONG weekend!
~Ashley
Ashley Bodkins, Principal
Privacy and Communication Preferences
If you have not done so already, please take a moment to complete this form about your Privacy and Communication Preferences for this school year as soon as possible. If you have more than one Greenlodge student, please fill out a seperate form for each child.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Donna Gardner at dgardner@dedham.k12.ma.us or by phone at 781-310-4000.
Breakfast and Lunch... An update from Food Services
Click here for a comprehensive packet of information from Food Service Director, Jeanne Johnson. The following forms are included in the packet:
- Free and Reduced meals application (needed after Jan 1, 2021)
- Student allergy and special dietary needs
***Remote Tote Materials Exchange***
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGES IN TIMES:
- Wednesday 12:00-1:15 PM
- Wednesday 2:30-3:30 PM
- Thursday 8:00-8:30 AM
Once your child returns to in person learning, you will NO LONGER need to pick-up materials. The exchange WILL CONTINUE for all remote learning families. 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.
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
What will the PTO be doing this year?
- Welcome First Grade Parade and Remote Pizza Party - Thursday, October 29th 5PM
- Boosterthon Virtual and In Person Dance Fit Program - Kick-Off November 10th
- Virtual all school and/or grade level enrichment programs - monthly
- $300 teacher reimbursements for classroom materials
- Enhancing the selection of diverse literature in EVERY classroom library
- Teacher Appreciation Week of May 3rd
- 5th Grade Yearbooks and Promotion Activities
- School grounds beautification
- School wide Cultural Festival
Just to name a few things, but WE'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS too!
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
- 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.
- 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 required to stay home due to illness, they may attend school remotely. You must call the attendance line to report this, as well as notifying your child's teacher.
- 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.
DYC Holiday Meals and Gift Program
The Dedham Youth Commission will be providing holiday gift cards and St. Vincent de Paul (in collaboration with the Dedham Food Pantry) will be providing Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to families in need. Please contact Greenlodge's School Psychologist, Jessica Blais, at 781-310-4244 (private, direct line) or jblais@dedham.k12.ma.us with requests and/or questions.
The deadline for DYC's Holiday Gift Program is October 30th and the deadline for holiday meals is November 13th.
Notes from the Nurse...
Greetings from the nurse! With fall here, some students are experiencing symptoms of seasonal allergies. If your child does, please let me know what their symptoms are. It is important this year to also send in a letter from their doctor stating that the student has seasonal allergies.
**Before your student returns to school:
Please make sure I have any updated medical/medication orders, asthma action plans, and allergy action plans. You can upload in SNAP (preferred), email them to kduckworth@dedham.k12.ma.us, or fax to 781-461-0034.
Please bring in your student’s medication/EpiPen. I am available Tuesday 10/13/20 at drop-off time and Thursday 10/15 from 7:45-8:30AM during material exchange (or by appointment) to accept medications. Please bring unexpired medications in the original container/packaging, no more than a 30-day supply. You can give me paperwork then, too.
Influenza Vaccine: The flu shot will be mandatory this year for all students 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. The Dedham Board of Health will be holding a community flu clinic in late October for families, we will provide the details as soon as we have them.
Feel free to call 781-310-4248 or email me anytime to discuss your child’s individual health needs as we return to the building.
Here is a flowchart to help you determine if you should keep your child home or send them to school.
Library News from Ms. Bickel
Welcome! I’m Ms. Bickel, and I’m so excited for students to be able to borrow books from the library! Click here to learn more about book checkout this year. Students can borrow 2 books from the library at a time in two ways:
Search DestinyDiscover, our library catalog, to find books you want and put them on hold.
Students should click “Sign In with Google” from their Chromebook to log in without needing a password.
If you don’t know exactly what books you want, fill out the Book Request GoogleForm and I’ll pull some recommendations for you.
If students are learning remotely, I will send an email when the books are ready to pick up in the main office. If students are learning in school, books will be delivered to their classrooms to take home.
There is a bin in the main office lobby and in the library to return all library books. Please return plastic bags to quarantine and reuse as well. Thank you!
I suggest bookmarking the Greenlodge Library Website to give students easy access on their Chromebooks to DestinyDiscover and the Book Request GoogleForm. Reach out to me directly at sbickel@dedham.k12.ma.us with any questions anytime. Happy Reading!
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 MonthDedham 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:
Picture of the Week
You can cook safely by following these tips...
Keep kids and pets at least 3 feet from hot things in the kitchen.
Make sure the area around the stovetop is clear of anything that could catch fire.
Use a timer to remind you to check on your food.
Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so no one can bump them or pull them over.
Test your smoke alarms regularly.
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