Blue Jay News

Greenwood Students and Families:

Our school has forever emphasized the importance of presentation skills and speaking to others in a variety of settings. This of course culminates the senior year with the senior exhibition. This week, our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders have all been involved in activities promoting presentation skills. The Night of Notables (3rd grade), the 2nd grade Reader’s Theatre, and the 1st grade Inspiring Americans were performed beautifully and we thank our teachers for facilitating these events. Well done!

Attendance contracts for 2024-25 are in the mail. Once received, each family has 10 days to return the contract with the minimum payment noted on the contract. Please be diligent in this process as we have many interested families wanting their child to attend Greenwood.

At Greenwood, we are extremely grateful for our volunteers in all areas and would like to recognize that our school is better because of volunteer involvement. This week, the Matt Henry Volunteer Award was given by the booster club to acknowledge someone that goes beyond caring and giving back to the school. Natalie Clark received this honor, and we congratulate Natalie and appreciate her global efforts for Greenwood.

Congratulations to our Scholar Bowl Team placing 2nd at District competition. Kai Schaffer and Mary Gabriel tied for 3rd place in the all-District event.

We recognized our athletic teams and speech and debate participants at the annual athletics and debate banquet this week. Thank you to all the coaches and sponsors for the time you put into giving our students opportunities to compete and represent our school. We also want to thank the booster club executive committee and banquet committee for the extra hours and effort they put into enhancing the opportunities for our students in co-curricular activities. Executive committee: Mark Gelner, Abbi Rose, Dana Fredrick, Teresa Fredrick, Natalie Clark, Tona Hetzler. Banquet Committee: Abbi Rose, Paula Daugherty, Amy Lines, Natalie Clark, and Teresa Fredrick.

GO Blue Jays!

Ron & Jeni

We are pleased to announce that Amanda Montileone will be joining our staff next year as a Communication Arts Instructor. Mrs. Montileone graduated from Southwest Baptist University with a Bachelors in Secondary English and a Masters in Administration. She has taught Communication Arts in St. Louis, Nixa, Springfield Central, and at Greenwood in 2020-2021. She has taught grades 6-12 and is Cooperative Learning certified, Cognitive Coaching certified, and Adaptive Schools certified. She was also a Professional Learning Specialist and Academic Coach for Springfield Public Schools, along with being a Blended Learning and Technology Specialist. We are grateful to add an experienced and talented teacher to our faculty. Mrs. Montileone has a love of learning and is excited to be at Greenwood! Her husband, Tyler, is a Greenwood graduate (2003) and they have two children here: Roman (current 3rd grade) and Berkeley (current Kindergarten). Mrs. Montileone will be teaching 8th grade English, 9th grade English I, and Journalism-Yearbook/Multi-Media. Welcome Mrs. Montileone!

NEXT YEAR SCHEDULING:

GLS Administration is making good progress in developing the master schedule.

Area Opportunities:

University of Washington - Calling all high school juniors! This University of Washington virtual event is designed exclusively for students who will be submitting their college applications in the fall of 2024. Join the University of Washington for Junior Dawg Day, where 2025 Seniors will learn more about the application process, holistic review and the steps they can take now to prepare to apply this fall. Current students will be on hand to talk about what it’s really like to be a Huskie.

What: Junior Dawg Day Junior Dawg Day – Office of Admissions (washington.edu)

When: Wednesday, April 24 / 5–6 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Where: Online

Club Z In-Home Tutoring Services – Club Z offers learning and academic solutions with tutoring, test prep, and study skills customized for your student’s needs. 417-714-4880; kevinbaker@clubztutoring.com; In Home Tutoring & Online Tutoring - Club Z! Tutoring of Springfield, MO (clubztutoring.com)

Class101 offers several events to assist students with ACT Prep.

The 101 Scholarship is BACK Class 101 is awarding four high school students with a $3,000 scholarship! If you have a passion for making a difference in your community apply between February 15th - April 15th, 2024.Visit Class101.com/101scholar for more information.

High School Prep 101: Empower your middle schooler for high school success! Our tailored course imparts essential life skills and knowledge, from time management to goal setting. Join us on the journey to personal growth and academic excellence. Enroll now and set the stage for a successful high school experience. High School Prep 101 - Class 101 Southwest Missouri

Summer ACT Power Camp for June or July tests:
Monday, June 3rd - English; Tuesday, June 4th - Math
Wednesday, June 5th - Reading & Science
$450* Register Here

Class of 2025 - Jump Start Meetings College applications open for the Class of 2025 in less than 5 months! From choosing colleges to test prep, essay writing, and applying for scholarships, preparing for college can be overwhelming. Class101 will guide you every step of the way. Schedule your free Junior Jump Start meeting now with one of their college planning experts.

SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES: Various summer enrichment & leadership programs are offered in Missouri and across the nation. Participating in these programs provides students with invaluable curriculum enhancement, leadership experience, and contributes to the strength of college applications. Mrs. Ewing will send out notices as she learns of any summer program opportunities. You may also check out various programs listed on the Counseling page of the Greenwood website. Counseling Department | Greenwood Laboratory School (missouristate.edu). You will also find other opportunities through your own research and networking. Continue reading for this week’s focus programs:

DRURY Summer Gifted Camps – See application at this link

Gifted Summer Camps Application.pdf

WASHINGTON WEDNESDAYS – Starting June 26, this summer-long live webinar series is designed to help students get a jump start on their University of Washington freshman application. Check out this year’s schedule. Keep watching; registration opening soon.

Georgetown University Precollege Courses – Georgetown University will offer two college credit-bearing courses as part of their Pre-college Online Program. High school students with a passion for biology or psychology can earn college credit from home by taking one or both courses. Each course will feature dynamic video lessons taught by renowned Georgetown faculty. Learn more about these opportunities at this link: Georgetown Pre-College Program | Online College Credit Courses (precollegeprograms.org)

MSU Sports Medicine Camp - The camp will feature skills and speakers from a variety of health care professions. The event is designed as a high school camp, but they believe Greenwood 7th and 8th graders will fit in nicely as well. See dates and registration info at this link: https://phsm.missouristate.edu/camp.htm

MSU CSI Summer Camp – See the link for information: CSI Summer Camp Flyer--2024.pdf

SCHOLARSHIPS & College Resources: In addition to the scholarship information posted on the website’s Counseling page, Mrs. Ewing will highlight specific scholarship programs and resources in future newsletters.

Scholarship Essays Worksheet - Check out this great resource to help you identify what makes a great scholarship essay, how to write a strong essay of your own, and how to ask for letters of recommendation. Student Worksheet: Essays and Letters of Recommendation - Going Merry

3 Senior Spring College Decision Handouts

College decisions bring a mix of emotions. Some students get into their dream schools while others may not get any acceptances at all. These handouts may help you through the next steps:

• Got into College: What to Do Next
• Rejected from Top-Choice College
• Not Accepted to Any Colleges

You will find a list below with other local and area scholarship opportunities. Pay attention to each application deadline:

1. Soroptimist Lollar Scholarship – The Soroptimist International of Springfield offers a scholarship of $1500 to a deserving, qualifying senior planning to attend college or vocational school in the fall of 2024. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. See Mrs. Ewing if interested in applying. Applications must be postmarked before April 28.

For those who were unable to attend our meeting this past Wednesday morning, your student should bring home a white GLS folder with meeting handouts. Also, look for a bright yellow folder to come home with your student at the end of the year. This yellow folder has the student version of our handouts and discussion related to transition. All of this information should provide you with helpful information to consider over the summer as you look toward sixth grade.

Third grade celebrated their Night of Notables this week. This is a wonderful tradition where students research, write a biography, create a tri fold, memorize a speech, and present as that person for an evening event!

Thank you, Cora, for sharing your talent and being an encouragement!

First Grade students were surveyed about what they knew about engineers during the winter by students from Dr. Gina Woods class, Hannah Bobeen and Hallie Bond. Today Hannah and Hallie taught a lesson on engineers. Students were divided into 5 groups, worked together to create a plan, and an illustration of a solution to a task. After deciding upon their solution students were given supplies to create the design and challenged to work as a team to construct their design. We love collaborating with MSU Education Majors.

First Grade students practiced data collection, survey skills and making graphs as they asked each other, "I mustache (must ask) you a question? Which do you prefer...?"

We would like to take a moment and thank Kelby Agnew for all the work and volunteer hours he puts into the Greenwood community. Kelby has been a tremendous DJ at sporting events and assisted with various performances. He is always up for helping his fellow Bluejays! Kelby will be honored with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award at Honor Day for his service hours that total over 75! Please thank Kelby Agnew for all of his time and efforts!

Come on a 3 day 2 night trip to the Buffalo River wilderness from May 21-May 23. The trip will include hiking, spelunking, camping, and canoeing on and around the pristine Buffalo National River. Open to all current grade 9-11 students. Capped at 10 students. $400 fee includes 6 meals, canoe rental, van rental, gas, tents, campground fee, and supervisor stipends. We will leave Greenwood around noon on May 21 and arrive back around 6 PM on May 23.

*Be prepared for a somewhat primitive wilderness experience. This will be an unplugged trip where students will not be allowed to use their phones once we arrive until we leave. There will be no showers but flush toilets and running water will be available at the campground. Expect to hike 8 miles through the rugged Ozark mountains and canoe the Buffalo River. The Buffalo River is generally considered a Class I float but depending on water levels can push into Class II rapids. I believe anyone with determination, a good attitude, and a basic level of fitness can complete this trip. I just want everyone to know what they are getting into! :)

We are a laboratory school for students in Kindergarten - 12th grades. We are part of the College of Education at Missouri State University.

Email: Greenwood@Missouristate.edu
Website: https://education.missouristate.edu/greenwood/
Location: 1024 East Harrison Street, Springfield, MO, USA
Phone: (417) 836-5124
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenwoodlab

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenwoodlabschool/

Counseling Website: https://www.greenwood.missouristate.edu/page/counseling-department

Greenwood Blue Jays YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@greenwoodbluejays4814/featured