I hope everyone enjoyed their winter break and there was plenty of time spent relaxing with family and friends.

For many of us, the new year brings new goals, challenges, and ideas we set for ourselves. We at Green Woods are no different. Prior to winter break, the administrative team met to address our growing concern for student lateness. As educators, we want to provide a consistent, structured, and positive learning environment for all students. After reviewing the number of students arriving at school late each morning, we decided to update our arrival policies and procedures. Our plan is to dramatically cut down on the number of students who are late each day and sent a good example of the importance of being on time.

We are asking everyone to understand that these changes are being made in the best interest of our students to provide a more consistent learning environment.

The changes in our arrival routine will not take effect until Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019. Families should use the next two weeks to adjust schedules to avoid student lateness.

Beginning Monday, January 14, arrival will be from 7:50 a.m. to 8:13 a.m. Staff members will be outside during arrival to help the flow of traffic and direct students into the building quickly. The driveway will be open for students to start walking down the hill at 7:50. ​At 8:13,​ a large sign will be displayed informing families they must park their car and walk their child down to the front door. Mr. Ferrante will be at the top of the hill to help during this time.

New procedures once the late sign is displayed:

• ●  Students arriving at school at 8:13 will need to be signed in at the front desk (by a parent

  or guardian) prior to being admitted to homeroom. If you drive your child to school, you will need to find parking (on street or in the Target lot), then walk your child to the front door. ​If your child is late, you will be required to walk your child into the building and sign him or her in at the reception desk.

• ●  Students arriving late as walkers after the driveway closes will need to be signed in at the front desk (by a parent or guardian) prior to being admitted to homeroom. If your child walks to school alone and arrives late, you will be called to come to school to sign your child in at the reception desk.

  Please understand that if a child is late in both instances, they will not be admitted to homeroom until he or she has been signed in at the reception desk by a parent or guardian.

  State law requires Green Woods to track student absences and lateness. As per state mandate, three late arrivals will equal one unexcused absence. In addition, Green Woods’ new policy states that, for grades 6 through 8, five latenesses will result in an after school detention. For grades K-5, five lateness will result in a parent conference with Mr. Ferrante during school hours.

We appreciate your understanding during this time as we implement our new arrival procedure. We also understand that this is a big change in regards to how arrival has gone in the past. Our goal is to hold our entire community more accountable for getting our students to school on time.

If you have any concerns, questions, or need clarification at any point, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you very much,