Trish Lannon, Principal
LaRae Guide, Assistant Principal

 

February 4, 2022

DATES TO REMEMBER:

February 10 Schools Close 3-Hours Early for P/T Conferences

February 11 Schools Close 3-Hours Early for P/T Conferences

Feb.    14-18 Kindness Challenge Week

February 14 School Spirit Day: Wear red or pink

February 16 Schools Close 3-Hours Early

February 21 SCHOOLS OPEN (previously schools were going to be closed)

February 22 School Spirit Day: Twins, Tutus and Ties Day (2sDay = 2/22/22)

 

 

Guilford Family and Friends,

As you may have already seen, there have been some calendar changes made by the Board of Education. In anticipation of possible future inclement weather days, and in response to the declaration of June 19th as a federal holiday, the Board of Education has approved several modifications to the 2021–2022 current school year academic calendar:

• Monday, Feb. 21 - Schools and offices OPEN (previously closed for Presidents Day)

• Monday, June 20 - Schools and offices closed in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

• Wednesday, June 22 - Added as an additional inclement weather day, if needed

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or Mrs. Guide at any time.

~Mrs. Lannon, Principal

                                                                                                     IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Preparing for a Parent-Teacher Conferences

The HCPSS Family Engagement Committee has developed a Parent-Teacher Conference Tip Sheet. Please take time to look over this informative document in preparation for February conferences.

Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on February 10 & 11. You will be able to sign up for MATH conferences with your child’s math teacher. You can also sign up to meet with your child’s related arts teacher, if you have a concern about your child’s progress. January 28th, parents will be able to have access to sign up for conferences for their children. The window will remain open until February 4th for parents.

February Math Spirit Day

February 15th will be the 100th Day of School. To celebrate, we are encouraging students to wear clothing with numbers or patterns on it.

February 22nd -2/22/22  - It’s a ‘TWOs-day- Let’s Double-Down on Kindness! We are encouraging students to dress like a Twin, wear a Tu-Tu, or wear a Tie!

Please click here for more information

From the Title I Community

The mobile PopUP library brings preschool classes and resources to neighborhoods without ready access to library branches. With the goal of preparing children for kindergarten, instructors will bring the pop-up library to communities throughout Howard County. The unit will also serve as a mobile hotspot, providing internet access to the nearby community during each stop. Additional information can be found on the website and flier.      HCLS PopUp Library.pdf

Guilford Recess Volunteers 

We would love to have parent/guardian volunteers help monitor and lead our students in games and activities during recess. This is a fun and flexible way to get involved in our school. You may choose how long, how often, and which grades you wish to help out. Please note that committing to a regular schedule is encouraged (for example, every Monday, or the first Wednesday of every month all year long, etc.). We would like to start this the week of February 1st. 

Recess Schedule: 

3rd Grade 10:40-11:10 

1st Grade 11:10-11:40

Kindergarten 11:40-12:10

5th Grade 12:10-12:40

4th Grade 12:40-1:10

2nd Grade 1:10-1:40

If you would like to volunteer your time to help at recess, please fill out and submit the google form below, and we will be in contact with you soon. 

Guilford Recess Volunteers (google.com)

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sarah Kane, our Family Liaison at sarah_kane@hcpss.org 410-880-5930

Kindergarten & PreK Virtual Registration (Coming Soon) Information

Kindergarten Virtual Registration Week is March 7th-11th, 2022. Details will be provided soon.

Parents/guardians of children who will be 5 years old as of September 1, 2022, must enroll their children in kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year. 

Prekindergarten at Guilford ES for the 22/23 school year will be a full-day program. Students must be 4 years old by September 1, 2022, to be considered for enrollment in fall 2022. See specifics on the program by going HERE. More information about registration will be coming soon.

Parents/guardians without access to a computer will be able to contact the front office for assistance in completing the registration form.

Gather Documentation Ahead of Time

Having all your documentation prepared in advance of registration will keep the process moving quickly. If you are missing documentation, your registration will be denied.

-Student Identification Documentation

• Student’s evidence of birth (birth certificate, passport/visa, physician’s certificate, baptismal or church certification, hospital certificate, parent/s affidavit or birth registration.)

• Proof of parental relationship, custody, or guardianship. If applicable, bring legal proof of custody (court order).

• Any additional paperwork that may be necessary due to special living arrangements or circumstances.

-Academic Documentation

• Student’s most recent grade report, transcript, report card from last school attended at time of withdrawal.

• Documentation of Special Education (IEP), 504, Psychological Report, or related services.

-Parent Identification Documentation

• Parent picture ID: driver’s license, passport, MVA identification or other legal form of photographic identification.

• Signed original, current complete lease or complete deed with your address, valid dates, signatures.

• Current utility bill with name and address (non-cellular telephone, gas and electric, cable bill issued in the last 45 days.)

-Health Documentation

• Student’s current proof of immunizations signed by physician. Learn more about the immunizations required for enrollment →

• Students who have never attended a Howard County public school have certain health documents to submit with their enrollment paperwork. Learn more about these forms and find additional forms for diabetic students, students with allergies, and student medications.

Vaccination Clinics

Through a partnership with the Howard County Health Department and several local pharmacies, HCPSS is pleased to provide students ages 5-11 the opportunity to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Visit the HCPSS website to view upcoming clinic information and make an appointment.

Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, 4-6 p.m.  

Swansfield ES, 5610 Cedar Lane, Columbia - in partnership with Soleil Pharmacy    

Pfizer (5-11) first dose vaccine Schedule an appointment and complete the online consent form (Feb. 2)

HCPSS Health Mitigation Efforts

HCPSS sent a message to the community with several updates related to health mitigation efforts in place in HCPSS schools. Please take a few minutes to review the following information that HCPSS shared. Again, your efforts to keep our staff and students healthy is appreciated!

• Quarantining and contact tracing

• Face masks

• COVID testing

• Health mitigation efforts in cafeterias

• Virtual instruction

New Playground Update

We are finally seeing construction starting on our new playgrounds! We know it has been a long time coming, but we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We just need some dry weather so work can continue.

Cognitive Abilities Test CogAT Testing

Due to anticipated staff and student COVID-19 related absences, HCPSS will be postponing the January census administration of CogAT in 5th grade and 3rd grade. If you have any questions or concerns about this test, you need to reach out to Mrs. Guide at larae_guide@hcpss.org

From February 14 to March 4th, HCPSS plans to administer CogAT to all 3rd grade students. Placements for 4th grade GT Math will be made following the CogAT administration and will include all available performance and assessment data in accordance with Maryland COMAR for Gifted and Talented Education.

If you have any questions about 4th grade GT placement, please contact Mrs McNamara at catherine_mcnamara@hcpss.org

Middle School GT Class Recommendations

Although the CogAT administration may be delayed, all 5th grade students will be considered for potential placement in 6th grade GT classes using all available performance and assessment data in accordance with Maryland COMAR for Gifted and Talented Education. This includes data from students’ 3rd grade CogAT administration in December 2019, if available.

From February 14th to March 4th, HCPSS plans to administer CogAT to any 5th grade students who do not have a prior CogAT score, as well as all students in 5th grade GT Math. The data will assist with identification for Accelerated GT Math and provide an aptitude measure for students who had no previous CogAT test.

From February 8 until February 22, families will be able to review course recommendations and may request a course placement that is different from the school’s recommendation through HCPSS Connect. 

If you have any questions about 6th grade GT placement, please contact Mrs. McNamara at catherine_mcnamara@hcpss.org

Close Adult Support for Special Needs Students

We are in need of 3 adults to hire for this position. For the close adult support position, you would apply through an outside agency that staffs these positions in our schools. The position is for 6-hours each day, Monday-Friday and we currently need to hire 2 people. We also frequently need subs for this role, as well. Click here to learn more and apply.

Information for the GES Rainbow Rep

CARY (Community Allies of Rainbow Youth) is an organization started by CHS parents that advocates to improve opportunities for LGBTQ+ young people.  CARY is sponsoring a virtual program on understanding and supporting trans and non-binary young people.  It will take place on Tuesday Feb. 8 at 6:30 PM. To register use this link.  Not able to attend?  When you choose to register there is an option to record the webinar and download it to watch at another time. 

Guilford Elementary School PTA

Stay connected with our amazing PTA by joining their Facebook page. You can join by clicking on THIS LINK. You can also follow them on their website HERE. One of the most important things the PTA does for Guilford ES, is to support our students with fun events, assemblies and activities. In order to do this, they need you to join the PTA! You can join by going HERE.

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

In response to community requests for resources, HCPSS’ new Community News and Programs website makes it easy for families to find educational and recreational resources, events and after-school programs beyond the school day by non-profit organizations.

Community organizations requesting their announcements be shared in school newsletters should visit community-programs.hcpss.org for more information. Questions should be directed to the Public Information Office at publicinfo@hcpss.org.

TITLE 1 INFORMATION

Guilford Elementary School is a Title I School-wide Program school. Title I is a federally funded program designed to close achievement gaps and ensure all children have an opportunity to access a high-quality education by providing funding for supplemental academic services and supports. 

A Family-School Compact & Plan is an agreement between families, students, and teachers that is jointly developed and distributed to all families. It explains how families, students, and teachers will work as a team to make sure all students meet with success and get the support they need to achieve grade level goals.  

The Guilford Elementary School Family School Compact and Calendar of Events can be found here http://ges.hcpss.org/sites/default/files/ges-title-I-compact-calendar.pdf for English; http://ges.hcpss.org/sites/default/files/ges-title-I-compact-calendar-spa.pdf for Spanish and on the Guilford Elementary School Title I can be found here  http://ges.hcpss.org/about/title-i-program. 

If you have any questions, please ask your child’s teacher at your upcoming parent teacher conference.  If you have any input or feedback, please contact Donna Bethune Brown at donna_bethune-brown@hcpss.org.