Do minnows have bones? First Graders discovered that minnows have a Weberian apparatus, which is a series of small bones that connect their swim bladder to the inner ear.
This allows the minnow to hear vibrations in the water. So, they do have bones!
Third grade had a very special guest last week! Louie, from the Springfield Cardinals “flew” in for a quick visit. He was here to wish Brynlee Adamson a very Happy Valentine’s Day!
The deadline for the Boys & Girls Club Donations has been extended to this Friday, February 28th! This is a great opportunity to support a local organization making a huge impact in Springfield.
Interested in purchasing a Business Ad in the Greenwood yearbook? Order at yearbookforever.com by this Friday, February 28th!
Thanks to everyone who has shared their awesome pictures with the yearbook staff. We'd love to see any shots from Valentine's Day parties, club activities, presentations...you name it! Please send to glsyearbookphoto@greenwoodlab.org. Keep those smiles coming!
Congratulations to Greenwood’s HOSA State Qualifiers:
Biomedical Debate Team: Ethan Duff, Gyan Grewal, and Tristan Khoshyomn
Epidemiology: Ilyaan Khan
Medical Math: Jesse Davies and Anya Soni
Medical Spelling: Laila Ozturk
Medical Terminology: Madhav Nair and Anisa Pathak
Nutrition: Hursh Patel
Veterinary Science: Anna McQueary and Harrison Slater
They will represent Greenwood at the State Competition on March 24th and 25th in Rolla, MO. Congratulations on a terrific job HOSA Jays!
Greenwood FBLA students competed in the District 18 FBLA Competition last week. We are incredibly proud of our students' success. FBLA is new to Greenwood this year, so not only are we celebrating our students' state qualifications, we are also recognizing the hard work and risk-taking of all of our students who competed and tried something new-to-them. A special thank you to Kai Schaeffer and Tristan Khoshyomn for their leadership as co-presidents of our FBLA chapter. If you see these students around, give them a shout-out and encourage them as they prepare for state competition!
First Grade Students enjoyed listening to author David Shannon read his book No, David! (A First Grade Favorite) on Wednesday February 5, 2025 for World Read Aloud Day. No, David! was a 1998 Caldecott Honor book. The author told us why he writes his books, how he generates ideas, and even why David the main character has a different eyebrow. Do you know why? It is his naughty eyebrow :)
Students enjoyed asking the author questions and playing the interactive games while David was reading. At the conclusion Mr. Shannon taught the students how to draw David, the main character of the book. We also got a sneak preview of the newest book coming out soon. First Grade Students had their own comfy, reading day using flashlights and reading books to special stuffed animals. Thank you Scholastic Storyvoice.
Our very own Elif Benzer, junior, got nominated to be Player of the Week by Prep Hoop Girls. Congratulations Elif, we are so proud! Check out more information and place your vote for Elif here: https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/02/who-is-the-prep-girls-hoops-player-of-the-week-feb-4-feb-10/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIXGF1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdjPcfsHXhAnCSM7gkVV25MpswRmIcd4M4Y1INQDmogyxvSbhrzexBJp8g_aem_v7x-Hy3UbYTrK_bQ8qftpA
Go Bluejays!
Chase brought his parents, Dr. Shawn Usery and Mrs. Blair Usery, for his student of the week celebration. Dr. Usery and Mrs. Usery are both in the medical field and shared information with the class about being a doctor and a nurse. Chase also presented his Student of the Week poster and answered classmate’s questions.
Students asked Mrs. Usery and Dr. Usery terrific questions about health, hearts, and what nurses and doctors do each day.
Students were introduced to the stethoscope, a medical device used to listen to the sounds inside of a patient's body. Stethoscopes are often used to listen to the heart, the lungs, and to check blood pressure. By placing the resonator against the skin the stethoscope amplifies the internal sounds.
Students were each given a stethoscope and practiced listening to their own hearts and abdomens. The stethoscope was invented by Rene Theopphile Hyacinthe Laennec in 1816 to investigate sounds made by the heart and lungs.
Dr. Usery told the class that the first stethoscopes were cone shaped, and before that doctors often used their ears to hear the heart.
Chase treated his classmates to Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
Thank you chase, Dr. and Mrs. Usery!
Last week the First Grade Class had the opportunity to explore Australian culture with an engaging presentation by International Culture Club members: Anna Schippert, Chrissy Risolvato, Josie Matkowski, Cambelle Walton, and Anya Soni! The presentation consisted of unique landscapes, art, authentic desserts, standard conversational phrases, and a fun game of Kahoot to test their knowledge. The first grade students left with a greater appreciation for the beauty of Australian culture and plenty of smiles!
Musical announcements for this Spring:
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades present the musical-
Down By the Water on Wednesday, April 9 at 6:30.
Greenwood High School/Middle School Vocal Music Spring Concert will be held Wednesday, April 9 at 7:30.
Please remember to support the Greenwood Haseltine Library Service Project to Benefit our Local Boys and Girls Club! Now through 2/14
As our secondary collection grows, so too does the fun for our 6th-12th students! During February, students have the opportunity to go on a "Blind Date with a Book." They read the description, check it out (sight unseen!), rate the date, and are entered to win a cozy Stitch blanket and a 7 Brew gift card! Matches are already flying out the library door!
Last week, 6th grade students took a trip to Pummill Hall to join the Chinese New Years Celebration hosted by the Language & Cultures Department of Missouri State University. Students had the opportunity to taste dumplings, write Chinese calligraphy, taste a variety of teas, participate in two dragon dances, and more! Huge thanks to Mrs. Schaefer & Mrs. Nottingham for helping to make this memorable moment happen.
Do Tadpoles Have Bones? This was the essential question when Dr. Slotto visited. First graders discovered that Tadpoles do not have bones at first. They have a cartilaginous skeleton, which is made of cartilage, the same material that makes up your nose and ears. As tadpoles develop into frogs, their cartilage is replaced by bone through a process called ossification. Tadpoles are unique because they start out without bones and then they develop bones during metamorphosis. Who Knew?
Next question: Do Minnows Have Bones?
January 31st is National Hot Chocolate Day! Mrs. Flanders’ second grade and Mrs. Martin’s fifth grade reading buddies celebrated by drinking hot chocolate and reading books. Thanks to Mrs. Usery and Mrs. Montileone for coordinating, organizing, and donating supplies and time for our celebration. Reading is much more fun with a buddy, a good book, and a hot chocolate to warm us up.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025 Valedictorians and Salutatorian!
Hey Greenwood family! Please consider supporting GLS Yearbook by purchasing a Business Ad
🎉 Big News! JFORCE made it to the Finals at the UDA National Dance Championships! 🎉
After an incredible season of dedication and hard work, JFORCE advanced to finals at the UDA Nationals in Orlando, held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex! 🌟
Competing against some of the best teams from across the country, JFORCE proudly placed: ✨ 5th in Pom ✨ 5th in Game Day ✨ 6th in Jazz
This is a huge accomplishment, and it’s a testament to the countless hours of practice, teamwork, and heart they’ve poured into their performances. We couldn't be more proud of their growth and perseverance on this journey! 💪💙
Let’s show some love and support as we welcome them home! 🙌
WAY TO REPRESENT GREENWOOD!
The Math Club students took the MATHCOUNTS Ozark Chapter competition on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Drury University. There were 89 students from 12 schools took the competition, including Central High, Nixa Junior High, Ozark Junior High, Cherokee, Pleasant View, Greenwood, and others. I am pleased to report that our team (with members Dylan, Sarina, Arjun, Jodie) got the second place! Dylan also got the second place in individual competition and the first place in the count down round. Our team members will be advanced to the state level competition and are working hard to prepare. Huge thanks to Mr. Anderson and Ms. Burch for teaching them so well! Proud of our Bluejays!
