Mrs. Cheryl A. Bunyan, Principal-Greenwood Elementary School

Mrs. Cheryl A. Bunyan, Principal-Greenwood Elementary School Where we are Respectful, Responsible and Ready to Learn! FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK [email protected] # 3: SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

MCPS Welcome Message: It is my pleasure to welcome you to our brand new school year! I am pleased to share the official welcome message from the MCPS Superintendent of schools, Dr. Jack Smith, our board of education members and many voices from across MCPS expressing their excitement, insights and priorities for the 2017-2018 school year. Their uplifting message can be found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSNAfppswSA#action=share

Today’s Open House: It was a pleasure to see everyone today. Meet the new families and reconnect with those who are returning! If you were unable to attend either of these events, all class assignments are posted on the front door and will remain there through the following Friday, September 8.

SAFETY FIRST: In order to ensure the safety of our children and a process that works for everyone, you are requested to read and follow all of the arrival and dismissal routines and expectations. These may be reviewed on the Greenwood website.

MCPS PARENT PORTAL MCPS is in the process of developing an elementary myMCPS Portal that is similar to the new myMCPS Portal for secondary schools that is being implemented to replace Edline. For elementary schools, the myMCPS Portal will be a central location for families to view information about their students, including information about prior year grades, attendance data, school lunch accounts, contact information, and a link to the online library catalog. In addition, families will be able to update their student emergency information forms online through the myMCPS Portal. These features of the new myMCPS Portal will be implemented on October 1, 2017. In addition to these basic features, the myMCPS Portal will have additional school specific components, including the myMCPS Classroom feature. This feature will include the capability to post classroom announcements, share documents, access the elementary curriculum, and post assignment grades. This approach is intended to broaden our use of technology at the school and classroom level, increase our touch points with families, and provide real time information across all our schools. These additional school specific and classroom specific components of the myMCPS Portal will be phased in over the course the school year. Our school has elected our preferred implementation timeline which is at the start of marking period More information will be forthcoming.

KINDLY MARK YOUR CALENDARS: September, October and November Dates. (Please note: Updates are continuously added as information becomes available) SEPTEMBER Sep. 4: Labor Day – Schools and Offices Closed Sep. 5- First day of school for students. New Parents Meet and Greet. Optional New Parents Meet and Greet on the first day of school, Tuesday September 5 from 9:00 to 9:30 in the APR. Sep. 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM – Back-to-school Night for parents of students in kindergarten, grades one and two and on: Sep. 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM – Back-to-school Night for parents of students in grades three, four and five. For your convenience, there will be two sessions at each event. The first one will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 PM and the second will occur from 7:30 to 8:30 PM. Both nights will begin in the All-Purpose Room with a video greeting from the principal and selected staff as well as our PTA president. There will also be a chance to join the PTA and sign-up for various membership, volunteer and fundraising programs. Please note also that these meetings are for PARENTS ONLY and that no child care will be provided. In addition, the Greenwood computer lab will be open on both BTSNs for family members who would like to complete the MCPS required paperwork for volunteering in schools. Staff will be on hand to assist with the process, if necessary. Sep. 21: No School for teachers and students OCTOBER Oct. 1:MCPS Parent Portal Launch Oct. 3: PTA Meeting in Media Center 7:30 to 9:00 PM Oct. 4: Walk to School Day Oct. 6: Early Release day for all students. Teacher planning/grades/interims Oct. 9: Columbus Day – School is in session. All parents are invited to attend our Open House to watch your children and their teachers at work. You may also remain to have lunch with your children and go out to recess. Oct.31: Halloween Parade and Party 2:00 to 3:00 PM