Blue Jay News
September 9, 2022
A Message from the Administrative Team
Greenwood Students and Families:
Week number three (3) is in the books and it is amazing how time flies! Our school year is off to a great start and we want to thank our students, faculty/staff, and parents for their collective efforts in ensuring the success of our school.
We have a huge number of students participating in co-curricular activities this fall. Participation in these types of activities enriches the school experience, teaches teamwork, and promotes school spirit. We are very proud of our teams and clubs and thank our coaches/sponsors for their leadership. One of Greenwood’s most successful co-curricular activities is Speech & Debate. Recently, the National Forensic League announced that Greenwood earned membership into the prestigious 100 Club. This achievement is based on competition, leadership, and service activities completed by our Speech & Debate team. Congratulations to our students and Coach Heather Walters and Kristen Stout on this outstanding accomplishment.
Do not forget about Blue Jay Bash next weekend – please do your part to support our school through your attendance and sponsorship of this annual event.
Lastly, very sad news to hear of the passing of Bobby Allison. Mr. Allison was a huge supporter of Greenwood Laboratory School and the education of children. His charitable gifts and contributions to our school will last forever. Our thoughts and prayers go out to family and close friends of Bobby Allison.
Have a great weekend!
Ron & Jeni
Pow-Wow at Greenwood Event Center
This event is being planned by MSU and the American Indian Center of Springfield. Bill Meadows, Greenwood parent and MSU Professor, is planning this event.
Everyone is invited to this event-parents, family, students, faculty, staff.
Please see the flyer for more information.
Volunteer Opportunities
Come support the HS volleyball team and JH Girls and Boys basketball teams by helping in the concession stand or gate.
Middle school students can earn civitas hours by working with a parent.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B48A4AB28A57-greenwood1
The basketball sign ups are full. Thanks to everyone who has signed up so far.
CUB STANDARD NEWSPAPERS WANTED
Jennifer Frost Holden ’82, English and Multi-Media teacher, is looking for copies of old Cub Standard newspapers for her classroom! Some will be framed, others will be available for student perusal.
If you have copies you would like to donate, please reach out to Ms. Holden to discuss mail/pick-up or drop them off at the main office.
JenniferHolden@Missouristate.edu
Thank you!
Car Line Reminders
Please take a look at the attached document which has car line reminders for elementary and secondary families.
Thanks.
Our Website Has it All!
- Need to know how to call or email your student's teachers, it is under Staff
- Need to know when events are happening - check out Events
- Need to know sports schedules, coach's contact info, MSHSAA forms - check out Athletics
- For Blackboard, the school calendar, and elementary class pages, go to School Resources/Students
- For lunch menus and prices, go to Dining
- For Storefront, go to Related Information/Storefront
- For GPA & Booster Club Info, go to School Resources/Parents
Want to get involved?
Volunteer at Greenwood Parent Association (GPA) Events.
Sign up to help out with Blue Jay Bash set-up & Homecoming tailgate.
New Coach Spotlight: Mrs. Harper Henson
As news of the addition of volleyball into Greenwood’s well-established sports curriculum garnered attention from students, parents, and the Missouri State community, the big question became: Who will have the honor and responsibility of being named the first Greenwood girls volleyball head coach in school history? Enter Harper Henson! Born and raised in Springfield, Henson graduated with honors from Kickapoo High School, where she played varsity volleyball and basketball. She was recruited by William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, to further both her academic and volleyball careers.
Coach Henson has loved volleyball since she was 7 years old and believes that a successful team must move as one collective piece: “I love the mind game that comes with volleyball along with the hustle. It is an intricate sport with many moving pieces, so you must play as a unit on the court. I believe that any team can show up on any day and beat any team; every single game is a tossup. It is just how volleyball rolls.”
In addition to her excellence as a player on the court, Henson already has more than five years of coaching experience under her belt, as she began when she was seventeen. She believes GLS is a perfect fit: “Greenwood reminds me of my college. Jewell was tiny and that is what I loved about it. Small schools are truly special and that is what I loved about Greenwood!”
Now that Coach Henson has settled in and got a feel for our school, she has set some goals for her first-year team, many of whom have never played volleyball before: “I would love to have all my players serving overhand, successfully, by the end of season! One expectation I have for my players is that no balls hit the floor without a body or communication, so I would love to get to a point where this ‘stat’ is at zero during games! Obviously, I would love to have some tallies in the W column!” Team expectations are set, and since Coach Henson plans to call Greenwood home for the next few years, she and her team will have plenty of time to develop and build a successful program.
The Blue Jay family is thrilled to have Coach Henson’s leadership during the inaugural season of Greenwood Volleyball.
New Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Mark Lawley
Once a Blue Jay, always a Blue Jay, might be a new phrase as Greenwood was fortunate enough to welcome Mr. Mark Lawley, a Marshfield High School Blue Jay graduate, as the new vocal music instructor.
Mr. Lawley received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from Evangel University and his master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Missouri State University. He is entering his 38th year of teaching and notes that while he has loved every school at which he has taught, which include Missouri State, Evangel, Drury University, Missouri Baptist University, and Willard High School, “what I love about Greenwood is a more collegiate atmosphere, caring students, faculty and staff and being compared to Olaf from Frozen!”
While Mr. Lawley knew that he wanted to go into teaching after his first-grade teacher, Mrs. Long, created a classroom environment that he fell in love with, it was not until his piano lessons in first grade and high school where his “musical experiences with great teachers,” helped him to narrow his path to music. As a connoisseur of music, it is no surprise that Mr. Lawley feels music is the one thing that he cannot live without: “music soothes, enlivens, frees, invigorates and is a natural form of therapy. When we sing or create music, we chase our own blues away!” When asked now how his 10-year-old self would react to his life, Mr. Lawley replied, “Hey! You did it! You honored Mrs. Long, and all your other teachers, by passing along what they gave you! Whoohooooo! Way to go!"
Outside of school, you can find Mr. Lawley spending a day off with his family of which he has “2 sons, 1 daughter, 2 daughters-in-law, 5 Granddappers (Grandsons) and 1 Granddollie (Granddaughter) who is scheduled to be born in early December!” Perhaps what is most inspiring about Mr. Lawley’s story is that his friend, Charles Facer, taught at Greenwood before he lost his battle to cancer. Mr. Lawley thought that he was a “a brilliant man whom I often referred to as a walking encyclopedia! He seemed to know everything! But he was a river not a damn. He shared all of his knowledge and giftings quite generously with others!” Mr. Lawley aspires to honor him.
The Greenwood family is pleased to welcome someone as dedicated to “giving back” as Mr. Mark Lawley to our faculty.
From Our Counselor
Watch for weekly newsletter articles from Mrs. Ewing covering various topics such as student success, college preparation, scholarships, and other related opportunities.
Upcoming CollegeRep Visits: Representatives from colleges/universities will be available in the Science Wing during lunch (12:37-1:27). They will be happy to provide information about their school and answer any questions you may have.
o September 28 – University of Tulsa
o October 4 – Oklahoma State University
o October 12 – Drury University
ACT and SAT Reminders:
Register for the ACT at ACT | College and Career Readiness Solutions.
Register for the SAT at The SAT – SAT Suite | College Board.
Be sure to enter our School Code (CEEB) to identify with Greenwood: 263285. See the Greenwood Counseling Website for ACT/SAT tips Greenwood Laboratory School Counseling Department (greenwoodlabcounseling.com)
Many colleges/universities are test optional for admissions; even some scholarship programs are test optional. Check with the institutions you are interested in pursuing for their specific requirements.
PSAT
Greenwood will administer the PSAT to all juniors (and interested sophomores may take for practice) on Wednesday, October 12. Watch for more specific details to come. Interested sophomores will need to sign up outside Mrs. Ewing’s office beginning September 12.
The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test that provides excellent practice for the SAT and the ACT. Taking the PSAT is required to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. PSAT scores are not typically sent to colleges for admission but can be used as a tool for recruitment to some institutions and leadership programs. The test covers two major areas: Verbal and Mathematical Skills.
Dual Credit Deadline for Registration is September 20. (An incorrect date was listed last week.) Don’t delay; there are multiple steps before approval is finalized. Contact Mrs. Ewing and Ms. Herman (counseling intern) with questions. Parent Consent should be completed by September 23. Payment is not due at the time of registration; parents can select the payment option that works best for your family. Student registration link:
https://dualcredit.missouristate.edu/applytodualcreditcourses.htm
Class101: Students and families will gain excellent 1:1 preparation through working with Laurie Goslee at Class101. Here are a few upcoming programs. Click the program links to for more information.
5 Secrets to Make College More Affordable
Free Information session & snacks
3300 S. National Ave. Suite 100
Thursday, Sept 15th
6:00-7:00 pm
Free Community ACT Practice Test
3300 S. National Ave. Suite 100
Saturday, Sept 17th
9:00-12:30
Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting & Back to School Bash
3300 S. National Ave. Suite 100
Tuesday, Sept 20th
3:30-6:30 pm
3-week ACT Prep Class to prepare for the October 22nd test
Sundays, October 2-16
4:00 - 7:00 pm
Club Z is hosting an ACT Boot Camp at Springfield Catholic High School on Oct 15. See the flyer posted on the “Counselor News” board as you enter the main hallway.
College & Career Fair – Tuesday, Oct 18 at Glendale High School. See the flyer posted on the “Counselor News” board as you enter the main hallway.
The Blue Jay Bodega is Back!
You can click here for their Amazon Wish List.
Thanks to everyone who has already donated. Muchas Gracias.
First Week Bodega
Wanted For Hamburger Fry
We are looking for a family who might be interested in donating the ground beef for this event.
If you are, you can contact Mr. Anderson at Anderson01@Missouristate.edu or Mrs. Hopkins at JeniHopkins@Missourstate.edu.
Thanks!
Get Tickets Today Only for the Bash
Please join us for the Blue Jay Bash. "Welcome to Fabulous Greenwood" is sure to be the event of the year! Full of fun and friendship.
LAST DAY TO BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY 9/9/2022 at greenwoodgpa.com
Who: Greenwood Parents and Friends
What: Welcome to Fabulous Greenwood - Blue Jay Bash - meet Elvis, take some selfies in front of our photo op wall, play a few casino games with "play money" (included in sponsorship), enjoy a silent auction, raffle and live auction at the event.
When: Saturday September 17, -- 6-10pm
Where: Twin Oaks Country Club
What to Wear: Casino Casual - be comfortable.
Dinner will be provided as a "Las Vegas" style buffet. Signature cocktails, beer and wine are complimentary. THERE IS NO CASH BAR, but drinks can be purchased on membership tabs or credit cards at the inside Grill Bar
THERE'S STILL TIME to support your Blue Jays. Reach out to Brooke Evans at 417-844-6363 for more information.
Ball Kids Needed for Soccer Games
A schedule of soccer games is attached.
Greenwood Laboratory School
Email: RondaCox@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
