Sunday Greetings 

We are getting closer and closer to having our hallways filled with our Gators! Thank you for continuing to stay connected through our weekly communication, and as always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. This year, we will continue to lean into The Power of Us—students, families, teachers, staff, and our entire community working together, supporting one another, and making Greenwood the very best it can be. 

This Week's Big 3

• Cell Phone & Device Expectations. 

• 5th Grade GatorFest & Head of House/Spirit Captain Student Leadership Summit on Friday, August 14. 

• Open House on Thursday, August 20, from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. 

Thursday, August 6 — Spilling the Tea with Mr. Stein - CLICK HERE for Recording
Missed our Spilling the Tea conversation? No problem! We had a great conversation about the 2025 Henrico County Public Schools Parent Survey results and what they mean for Greenwood. 

Cell Phone and Device Reminders
As we prepare for the new school year, please take a few minutes to review our expectations for cell phones and personal electronic devices. During the school day—including transportation to and from school—all personal electronic devices must be silenced or set to airplane mode and kept completely out of sight. This expectation also applies during recess. In addition, wireless headphones, such as AirPods and Beats, should not be visible or used at school. 

Key Details:

• Covered Devices:

  This includes cell phones, smartwatches, smart glasses (such as Meta glasses), and any other personal device with cellular service or Wi-Fi connectivity.

• Exceptions:

  Exceptions are permitted only for students with documented health needs or specific accommodations outlined in an IEP, 504, or English Learner plan.

If a staff member sees a student's cell phone or smart device, it will be confiscated, and the following steps will be taken in accordance with the 2026-27 Code of Student Conduct.

• First Offense: Device confiscated until the end of the school day, verbal warning, and parent/guardian contacted. Student receives an infraction in the RCA app.

• Second Offense: Device confiscated, parent/guardian contacted, and parent/guardian must retrieve the device. Student receives an infraction in the RCA app.

• Third Offense: Device confiscated, parent/guardian must retrieve the device, and school-level consequences will apply. Student receives an infraction in the RCA app.

• Fourth Offense: Device confiscated, parent/guardian must retrieve the device, school-level consequences will apply, and the student will be banned from bringing a cell phone/smart device to school for the remainder of the school year. Student receives an infraction in the RCA app.

Our goal is not to take phones away—it is to help students be present, connected, and ready to learn.

Friday, August 14 - Student Leadership Summit
Our Head of House Leaders and Spirit Captains will participate in our Student Leadership Summit from 11:15 AM–12:15 PM in the Greenwood Library with parents joining at 12:15 PM for a brief meeting to review leadership expectations. 

Important - Wednesday, August 19 - Virtual PTA Meeting: PK, Kindergarten & New Family Orientation @ 6 PM
We're excited to welcome our newest Gator families during our Virtual PTA Meeting on Thursday, August 19, at 6:00 PM.

CLICK HERE to Submit Questions
Virtual PTA Meeting: PK, Kindergarten & New Family Orientation | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

Spirit Rock Reservations - CLICK HERE

Homework 
As shared during Spilling the Tea, Greenwood students will be expected to complete meaningful homework throughout the school year. Homework should reinforce current or previously taught learning, align with what students are being assessed on, and provide opportunities for students to practice important skills. Homework will be tracked in PowerSchool for participation and accountability, with the grade beginning at 100% and being updated throughout each nine weeks so families can monitor their child’s progress. Students will lose 5 points for each missed assignment, with no more than 5 points deducted from the homework grade in any given week. Homework will not be completed on devices, as student devices will not be sent home until further notice. Teachers will check homework or provide feedback, and departmentalized teams will coordinate assignments and projects to ensure students are not overwhelmed with work from multiple teachers. Our goal is always balance and meaningful practice rather than excessive homework. As a general guideline, students should spend approximately 15 minutes per evening in kindergarten, 30 minutes in grades 1–2, 40 minutes in grade 3, and 60 minutes in grades 4–5. Finally, missed homework assignments will no longer count as an X in the RCA app. 

Dress Code
Please CLICK HERE to review the dress code. We ask that families take a few minutes to review these expectations with their child before the first day of school so everyone comes to Greenwood ready to learn and have a great day. 

Digital Wellness
At Greenwood, we are committed to helping students develop healthy and balanced relationships with technology. Students will not use devices during morning choice from 7:20–8:00 AM, unless the device is needed for a morning club. Devices will also not be used for homework, as student devices will not be sent home due to a new county mandate. Additionally, devices will not be used during special lunch incentives, indoor recess, or as part of PBIS incentives. 

Save the Date — Open House - Thursday, August 20
We can't wait to welcome everyone back for Open House on Thursday, August 20, from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. Families will have the opportunity to meet teachers, visit classrooms, drop off school supplies, explore the building, and help students feel comfortable and excited for the first day of school.

New Student & Kindergarten Registration
Please click the link above to review our registration information and staggered start schedule so you know exactly when your child begins school. 

Join Our PTA - https://greenwoodpta.com/join/

New Principal Advisory
Our Principal Advisory meetings will take place at 8:00 AM on October 29, 2026, January 26, 2027, and April 6, 2027. These meetings provide an opportunity for parents to share ideas, concerns, questions, and solutions directly with Mr. Stein. There is no set agenda for these meetings—the conversation is driven by the feedback, ideas, and topics that our parents bring to the table. 

Lunch - Cafeteria Reminders
During lunch, the first two classes will line up while the remaining classes wait at their designated tables until it is their turn, and all students must be wearing their lanyard. Students may not use the bathroom during lunch unless it is an emergency, and parents will not be permitted to join students in the cafeteria during the first week of school, as teachers will be eating with their classes and teaching lunchroom expectations. We anticipate longer wait times in the lunch line as our cafeteria manager will now need to select each item on every student’s tray, so we appreciate everyone’s patience as we adjust to this process. Each student may purchase one meal and one snack; snacks may not be shared, and students purchasing only a snack must go to the end of the line. Breakfast and lunch are free for all students at Greenwood! 

Final Thought
The most important thing we bring back to Greenwood isn't a new program, a new initiative, or even a new school year.

It's us.

Our students.

See you soon, Gators.