

The Greendale Pride
Events, Updates, and More

October 2023
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin Visits Greendale
October has been a very busy month here at GES, but the most exciting event was a visit by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. The Governor came to Greendale to meet with regional superintendents to discuss All In Virginia, a program built on best practices in learning loss recovery, literacy education, and school attendance. While at Greendale, Governor Youngkin visited several classrooms and was graced with performances by fourth grade, singing songs about Virginia geography, and fifth grade playing their new ukeleles.
Happenings at Greendale Elementary
Ukeleles Have Arrived
Third, fourth, and fifth grade students are set to begin their instruction on the ukelele. The instruments arrived in early October thanks to the generous contributions of many donors. Fifth grade had the honor of unboxing the instruments and have been the first to receive lessons.
Fall Festival Brings in Funds for School
The GES annual Fall Festival was a great success, bringing in close to $10,000 for the school. Festival goers took part in games, hayrides, bingo, inflatables, cake walks, the haunted hallway, and costume contests. Much appreciation and thanks goes to the PTO and all the volunteers who help make this event happen each year.
Field Trips Abound
Pre-kindergarten all the way up through second grade have had the opportunity to take field trips to local pumpkin patches. Kindergarten kicked off their unit on pumpkins with a field trip to the Pumpkin Patch at Anderson and Sons Farm. The students learned about the life cycle of a pumpkin and the work of bees, picked pumpkins, had a hay ride, met lots of animals, played in the corn crib, and went through a corn maze.
Spelling Bee
This year the GES Spelling Bee went for 21 rounds. Congratulations to all of our spellers! Hunter A. will represent GES at the next level of the spelling bee and Elijah H. will serve as the alternate.
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week took place October 23-27. The theme was "Be a light, not a bully," which highlights being a light to others through our words and actions and making healthy choices and good decisions. Students planted red tulips around the school, reminding them that tulips need light to grow just as humans need light (encouragement, kindness, support) to grow. Students also participated in dress up days and canned food donations for Red Ribbon Week.
Student/Faculty Flag Football Game
Our annual student/faculty flag football game was a success. Fifth grade students were given the opportunity to choose how they would participate in the game events. Their choices included football team, pep band, spirit squad, mascots, media crew, and student section (which is responsible for banners, signs, etc). Students spent the week leading up to the game training and preparing in their specific role. Then, they carried out those roles during the game. This year it was a really close game. Teachers won by one touchdown in the last half of the game.
Vocabulary Parade
The annual vocabulary parade was held on Halloween. Students dressed in their favorite costumes representing a wide range of vocabulary words that included adjectives, nouns, verbs, homophones, homonyms, and idioms.
Upcoming Events
November 9 PTO STEM Night
November 22-24 Thanksgiving Breaks / Schools Closed
December 14 PTO - K/1 Holiday Program
December 15 2 hour early dismissal
Greendale Elementary School
13092 McGuffie Road
Abingdon, VA 24210
276-739-3500