December Community Newsletter 2025
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Greene Community Newsletter - December Edition
Courtney Carlomagno • a month ago • Thursday, Dec 11 at 5:00 PM • 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, GR Staff
December 2025 - Greene Community Newsletter
Important Reminder:
Greene Middle School will be on alternate bell schedules next week as we approach the Winter Break (December 15 - December 19).
Dear Greene Middle School Families,
It is with immense pride and excitement that we share some incredible news: Greene Middle School has been officially designated a California School to Watch (STW)
This prestigious recognition follows a rigorous application process and a successful site validation visit by the California Middle Grades Alliance. This designation is a powerful testament to the tireless dedication of our students, staff, and community, and the exceptional learning environment we cultivate daily.
What Does "Schools to Watch" Mean?
The "Schools to Watch" program identifies and recognizes high-performing middle-grade schools that are examples of educational excellence. To achieve this designation, a school must demonstrate success in four key areas, known as the STW criteria:
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1. Academic Excellence: We are challenging all students to use their minds well and ensuring they master a challenging curriculum.
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2. Developmental Responsiveness: We are sensitive to the unique developmental needs of early adolescents, providing a supportive, safe, and health-promoting environment.
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3. Social Equity: We are democratic and fair, providing every student with high-quality teachers, resources, and supports, ensuring all students have the opportunity to achieve.
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4. Organizational Structures & Processes: We have policies, programs, and practices that are aligned with the first three criteria, operating as a professional learning community focused on continuous improvement.
Our recognition affirms that the learning experience at Greene Middle School meets these high standards for student growth, achievement, and developmental support.
The Heart of Our Success
This entire effort was truly a labor of love—a multi-year project built on the collective efforts of our entire community. The STW designation is a direct reflection of the extraordinary environment our teachers and staff cultivate for our students every single day. Their unwavering commitment to academic rigor, student well-being, and social equity is the foundation upon which this success is built. We are so proud of what we have achieved together.
Next Steps: Sharing Our Story
As a recognized California School to Watch, we now have the honor of representing our school and district on both the state and national levels:
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State Level Recognition: We will be formally recognized at the California Middle Grades Alliance Annual Conference in Long Beach in March.
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National Level Recognition: We will then represent California at the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform National Schools to Watch Conference in Washington D.C. in June.
This is an opportunity for our team to share the successful practices, programs, and structures that make Greene Middle School an exemplary model for middle grades education.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. We look forward to celebrating this remarkable achievement with all of you throughout the year!
Warmly,
Greene Admin Team
In this newsletter, you will find information about:
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End of First Semester
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Informational: Second Semester Scheduling
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Homework Habitat Schedule for Rest of Semester
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Informational: Transition to High School
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Yearbook: 8th Grade Baby Ads due Jan 9th
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Upcoming Alternate Schedules
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Upcoming Events
Need to Knows - End of First Semester
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Please monitor and check-in with your students as we close the first semester. Students may be completing assignments or assessments or late or incomplete work to submit before the end of the grading period. Friday, December 19th, is officially the last day of the first semester.
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First semester grades will be available for viewing in Infinite Campus beginning Friday, January 9th.
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Second semester schedules will be distributed in Advisory classes on Wednesday, December 17th.
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Students will follow their new second semester schedules when they return to school on Tuesday, January 6th.
Informational: Second Semester Scheduling
6th Grade Only
All 6th grade students will receive their second semester schedules during Advisory on Wednesday, December 17th. Please note, there will be minor schedule changes for 6th-grade students to accommodate the redistribution of music classes for the second semester. Sixth grade families, please read the separate post regarding 6th grade updates.
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Impacted Classes: Changes will only affect classes scheduled between 3rd and 7th periods (Music, PE, and Wheel classes).
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PE Locker Assignments & Changing:
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Start of 2nd Semester: Students will be assigned PE lockers.
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3rd Quarter: Students will begin changing for PE class on Mondays only, starting Jan 12..
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4th Quarter: Students will transition to changing for PE every day, preparing them for the required daily change in 7th grade.
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7th and 8th Grade Only: Schedule Review & Error Correction
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Schedule Distribution: 2nd Semester Schedules will be distributed to students during Advisory on Wednesday, December 17th.
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Action Required: Please review your student's schedule carefully with them as soon as they bring it home.
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Schedule Errors (e.g., missing math, two PE classes, etc.):
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If you find an error, your student must visit the Counseling Office to pick up a Schedule Error Ticket.
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Deadline: All Schedule Error Tickets must be submitted to the Counseling Office by Wednesday, December 18th.
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Important Note: Schedule changes will only be made for verified errors. We are unable to accommodate elective changes or requests for specific teachers/periods.
Homework Habitat Schedule - Remainder of Semester
As we approach the end of the semester, please take note of the upcoming schedule for Homework Habitat. We want to ensure all students have the support they need to finish their classes strong!
Final Semester Schedule
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Date |
Status |
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Thursday, Dec 11 |
OPEN |
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Monday, Dec 15 |
OPEN |
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Tuesday, Dec 16 |
OPEN (Last Day of Semester) |
Key Reminders
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Final Sessions: Monday, Dec 15 and Tuesday, Dec 16 are the last opportunities for students to receive guided help before the winter break.
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Closing Day: Homework Habitat will conclude for the semester on Tuesday, December 16.
We encourage students to utilize these final open days to clarify any last-minute questions, complete outstanding assignments, or study for final exams.
Thank you for your continued support of our program!
8th Grade to 9th Grade: High School Transition
Eighth grade families, please view the high school information regarding 8th to 9th grade transition by clicking the link below. Families are all invited to attend the rising 9th grade parent nights in January for more information regarding the transition to Gunn or Palo Alto High School. Information is also available for families who are interested in finding out more about Palo Alto Middle College.
LINK: 2026 9th Grade High School Transition Information
Additional information provided by Palo Alto Middle College:
Welcome to PAMC, Palo Alto Middle College! We are the third High School in the Palo Alto Unified School District. You are invited to come to our campus to find out more about our programs. Please click on the additional information linked below.
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Wednesday Tours, Room 6301 at Foothill College PAMC Campus Map - located on the campus of Foothill College |
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. |
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Wednesday, February 18, 2026 |
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Saturday Tours, Room 6301 at Foothill College PAMC Campus Map - located on the campus of Foothill College |
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. |
Saturday, December 6, 2025 Saturday, January 10, 2026 Saturday, February 7, 2026 |
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Webinars Meeting link: meet.google.com/jhy-kich-zkc |
6:00 - 8:15 p.m. |
Wednesday, December 10: En español, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 10: In English, 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. Friday, January 9: En español, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 9: In English, 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 27: En español, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 27: In English, 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. |
Yearbook: 8th Grade Baby Ads due January 9th
Traditionally, 8th grade families have marked this milestone in our annual yearbook by purchasing an 8th grade Baby Ad. Baby ads can be ¼ page for $70 or ½ page for $120 featuring photos and a personal message from the 8th grader’s family marking their promotion to high school. Baby ads must be purchased and submitted by January 9th for our publication. For more information or to purchase an 8th grade Baby Ad, click the link below.
LINK: Purchase an 8th Grade Baby Ad
LINK: Purchase a Yearbook
Upcoming: Alternate Schedules (Thursday, Dec 18 and Friday, Dec 19)
Please note: We have an alternate schedule on Thursday, December 18 and Friday, December 19.
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Thursday, December 18, is a restructured day. Dismissal for Greene students is 2:30 PM.
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Friday, December 19, is a district-wide minimum day, and Greene students are dismissed at 12:40 PM
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Students return from Winter Break on Tuesday, January 6th. (No School for students on Monday, January 5th due to the staff development day).
Upcoming Events:
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Th, Dec 18 - Early Release Thursday - dismissal at 2:30pm
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F, Dec 19 - Minimum Day Friday - dismissal at 12:40pm (Grab & Go Lunch pick-up from 12:40-1:10pm)
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M, Dec 22 - F, Jan 2 - Winter Break
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M, Jan 5 - Staff Development Day - No school for students
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T, Jan 6 - First Day of Second Semester
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M, Jan 19 - Holiday - No School
Helpful Resource Links:
Additional Contact Information:
6th Grade - Mimi Kwon, 6th Grade Administrator, mkwon@pausd.org & Susan Curry, Oak Team School Counselor, scurry@pasud.org & Kylie Payne, Redwood and Sequoia Team School Counselor
7th Grade - Ben Gonzales, 7th Grade Administrator, bgonzales@pausd.org & Susan Curry, 7th Grade School Counselor, scurry@pausd.org
8th Grade - Courtney Carlomagno, 8th Grade Administrator, ccarlomagno@pausd.org & Kylie Payne, 8th Grade School Counselor, kpayne@pausd.org