Note from Mr. FitzGerald

Greetings Guilford!

Such exciting times around our fabulous school! This past Monday, we had an amazing time celebrating the Play 60 Challenge with the Baltimore Ravens. We had Ravens cheerleaders, Poe the Mascot, and wide receiver Sean Modster here to applaud our efforts with exercise and healthy living.  We had a TON of pictures taken from the Ravens, our staff, and our Howard County Communications Dept. We are working on creating one shared folder for all of the photos. Once we have it all finished, we'll be sure to share it with everyone. 

Although Mother Nature interfered with our first attempt at the Turkey Trot, the weather is looking good for our second attempt this Monday, November 11th. We hope you are able to come volunteer and join in on the fun. If you haven't let Turkey Trot Coordinator Ray Somerville know you are available, please send him an e-mail at rainman066@gmail.com. The next edition of Paw Prints is coming home on Wednesday, November 20th. If there is anything that you need between now and then, do not hesitate to contact me.

Have a great rest of your day!

Justin FitzGerald
Proud Guilford Principal

 

                                        Dates To Remember for 2019

November
11/8  – Spirit Day – College Day
11/11 – Report Cards Coming Home
11/11 – Turkey Trot and Grade Level PEP Rally                                                                 
11/12 – PTA Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
11/13 – String-a-Palooza Field Trip at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
11/14 – Boy’s Night Out at 6:30 p.m.
11/15 – Coffee & Coversations w/Admin. at 9:30 a.m.
11/18 – Fall Pictures Retake Day
11/21 – Spirit Day: Dress-Up Day
11/22 – 1st Grade Field Trip to Toby’s
11/25 & 11/26 – Schools Close 3 Hours Early for Conferences
11/27 – School Closed for Conferences
11/28 & 11/29 – School/Offices Closed

 

GES News

 

Attendance Procedures: When your child has been absent, please send a note in immediately on your child’s return to school.  The note should be sent within 2 days of returning and include:

•     student’s name
•     date(s) of absence
•     REASON FOR ABSENCE
•     parent signature

A doctor’s note is preferred for medical appointments.  We encourage you to have your child attend class both before and after medical appointments when possible.

Fever Policy
Howard County Public Schools require that any student with a temperature over 100.0 stay home from school. If your child has a fever, here are some tips to remember:

•     Check your child’s temperature about every 4-6 hours when awake.
•     Encourage fluids
•     Give a fever reducing medication such as Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) or          Acetaminophen (Tylenol).  Follow the dosing instructions on the package.
•     Keep your child at home when ill or having a fever (100F or above).  Students should stay home until fever free WITHOUT a fever reducing medication for 24 hours. Consult with your health care provider if fever persists and/or symptoms worsen.
•     Encourage your child to wash their hands frequently.  Persons coming into contact with the child should also wash their hands.

If you have any further questions, please contact the health room.

Information and Application for Free and Reduced Meals                             Most parents know that the Free and Reduced-Price Meals program offers meal benefits, but did you know there are many other benefits for qualified families? Here is a partial list:

• · Reduced health insurance for your child through the Maryland Children’s  Health Program
• · Reduced fee for the Columbia Association
• · Reduced fees for Howard County Rec and Park programs
• · Reduced fees for YMCA before and after care, and summer camps
• · Comcast Internet Essentials for $9.95/month plus tax
• · Child care subsidies
• · Housing assistance
• · Energy assistance
• · Waivers that allow your child to take the SAT for free
• · Waivers that allow your child to take the ACT test for free
• · Reduced registration fees for AP exams

For more information, go to www.hcpss.org/farms/.

To apply for Free and Reduced-Price Meal benefits, go to www.MySchoolApps.com. If you would like a paper copy of the application, please send an email to Lisa_Goodwin@hcpss.org.

Jump Rope for Heart Event
 
     Guilford Elementary School will be holding its annual Jump Rope for Heart event to raise money for the American Heart Association on Monday, November 25th from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.   All students are invited to participate regardless of jumping ability.  Come and join Mrs. Wolter and Mr. Hines for this fun filled adventure as our students explore over twelve different jumping and fitness stations.  This event is open to the first 100 students who bring in this completed permission slip and a $5.00 donation made payable to the American Heart Association.  Online donations www.heart.org/jump and join the Guilford team.  Permission slips went home on November 5th, but there are extras in the gym. Questions: Please contact carol_wolter@hcpss.org. Thank you!!!

Turkey Trot and Fall Festival News

     Just a reminder that our Turkey Trot and Fall Festival have been rescheduled for Monday, November 11th.  Please have your student dress for cold weather and wear sneakers for this event.  If you can volunteer, we'd love to have you.  Please email Ray Somerville at rainman066@gmail.com.  Thank you!!!

Thrive by Five, an Essential Family Institute Parent Conference

Saturday, November 16. 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Energize your parenting skills at Thrive by Five,  an engaging conference featuring early childhood experts, including a keynote from Frank Kros. The conference will include discussion on topics including: building resilience in children; behavior basics; dealing with anxiety; cooking with kids; yoga and mindfulness; Ready Rosie/Talk With Me; accessing free resources at the Howard County Library; music; make 'n take - visual schedule to help with behavior; and a Spanish workshop: What You Do Matters.
The conference also features exhibits of local resources and information for parents, as well as the opportunity to win gift cards and other prizes . A continental breakfast and lunch will be served.
Registration required. FREE : https://thrivebyfivehoward2019.eventbrite.com

Onsite Child Care is available for ages 2 and up (space is limited; once you have registered for the event, call 410-313-1442 to reserve a child care spot)

Resilience- The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope

Tuesday, December 10 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Doors Open at 6:30 pm/ Film Begins 7:00 pm

Parents, early educators and community leaders are invited to a free showing of Resilience, a powerful documentary that explores the profound long-term effects of toxic stress, a condition that affects many young children in our community. Researchers have recently discovered this dangerous biological syndrome caused by abuse and neglect during childhood that correlates to adult health problems such as heart disease, cancer and obesity. Resilience discusses the groundbreaking Adverse Childhood experience study (ACES) and how these early experiences affect the health and well being of families. An interactive discussion after screening the film will center on the scientific data, offer solutions to help children deal with and overcome the effects of toxic stress and discover ways to increase their resilience. Participants will identify the effects of toxic stress on the body and discover ways to increase resilience in children.

Department of Community Resources and Services
9830 Patuxent Woods Dr., Columbia 21046

FREE! To Register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/resilience-the-biology-of-stress-the-science-of-hope-tickets-77532569001 To request accommodations to attend or need this in an alternate format, call at least one week in advance at  410- 313-1442 or email:  children@howardcountymd.gov                         

Clean Out Your Closet Challenge

Guilford is participating in the Clothing to Cash Recycling Program

Help our school raise money!  We accept New and Used clothing, shoes, sneakers, towels, textiles, and stuff animals. We want items in ALL conditions unwanted, outgrown, and out of style.

All items must be in a plastic bag and tied shut.  Look for the large white collection bin in the school parking lot.  Collections will be Reworn, Repurposed or finally Recycled.

Save our landfills and give your items a second life.   This is a easy way for our school to raise money. Help support our school & save the environment one bag at a time!

PTA News

The Turkey Trot and Fall Fest has been moved to it’s rain date of November  11th (Monday) and we are super excited for the students.  We are still looking for help on the day of to run events (sign up here).

The PTA will be hosting its annual potluck dinner for the teachers on the first night of Parent/Teacher Conferences (11/25).  We are looking for parents who are able to donate dishes to show how much we appreciate all the extra work our Guilford Teachers are putting in (sign up here).

Our next PTA meeting is November 12th from 6:30-8:00pm in the media center, childcare is provided.

If you haven't joined PTA yet, it's not too late!  You can download the form from our website at http://www.guilfordpta.com/whatwedo/membership/ and even pay for your membership online!  

Community News and Programs

Please visit the Community News and Programs and the HCPSS News page on the HCPSS website for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.