Schools
Back to School Special: What's New at the Greenwood School
What changed over the summer, and a special welcome message from Principal Collura.
As we head into the start of another school year, Wakefield Patch caught up with the principals of each school in town to ask about any changes implemented over the summer.
Principal Deb Collura of the Greenwood School shared what to expect when students walk in the door for the 2011-2012 school year.
Besides , there aren't too many changes to expect when your students walk in the doors at the Greenwood School next week.
Professional Development
Teachers and adminstrators at the Greenwood - and at the other elementary schools in town - spent time this summer learning how to develop professional learning communities for students, which will be a "big focus" for the Greenwood, according to Principal Deb Collura.
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The school staff also dug more deeply into a new antibullying program and curriculum that will be implemented next year.
New Staff
The Greenwood School welcomes a new kindergarten teacher, Ashley Saunders. Saunders earned her degrees from Salem State College and Leslie University, and most recently worked as a paraprofessional in the North Reading School System.
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In the second year of technology education, all the elementary schools will be sharing two technology instructors - James Moriaty and Lynette Ogier. Moriarty comes with years of experience as a technology instructor, most recently in Waltham, MA. He earned a doctorate in education media and technology from Boston University. Ogier is a Salem State College graduate, and most recently taught kindergarten in Needham, MA.
The school also welcomes Jennifer Shea as a new kindergarten paraprofessional, and Maria Kopanas, who comes to Greenwood from the Galvin Middle School as a special education paraprofessional.
Reminders
Principal Collura mentioned that students should arrive on the playground no earlier than 8:30 a.m.
"All our staff members will be out there at 8:30 a.m. to help the children find their classroom lines," she said, noting that the playground isn't supervised until then.
"I'm excited to welcome all our our new and returning families," she said.
Click on the video to hear a welcome message from Principal Collura.
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