Note from Mr. Davis

Happy Ramadan to all those who celebrate in our Guilford Community!  As families enter into this holiday season, which involves 30 days of fasting, students who would prefer not to be in the cafeteria during lunch are able to sit in the conference room instead.  In addition, we understand that some students may need to limit physical activity and would ask that they let their teachers know. Feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher with any other questions and/or concerns.  Happy Ramadan to all!

We had our Third Quarter Pep Rally on Friday and it was so great to celebrate the success of so many of our students.  We honored students for their Hard Work, Collaboration, Perseverance, and Engagement throughout the quarter.  We celebrated the 38 students who have had No Absences and No Tardies the first day of school.  Way to go!  We celebrated 75 students who had perfect attendance during the third quarter, an amazing accomplishment since we’ve had so many students sick.  In addition we recognized 308 students who earned ROARing Behaviors Award (No Office Referrals/No Reflection Forms)  Congratulations to everyone!

In addition, Apple Ford gave Mrs. Hennessee, the HCPSS Teacher of the Year, a new car!  As part of strengthening their partnership with the school system, they are providing the teacher of the year with a new car for two years, as well as providing internships for high school students. It was a lot of fun to be part of this surprise for Mrs. Hennessee.  

During this Staff Appreciation Week, we want to THANK the PTA as well as the many families who have made our staff feel appreciated this week.  The yummy treats and snacks have been a bright spot in our busy days.  Our staff have loved receiving the many personal notes and flowers that families have sent in.  We all love what we do and thank you for taking the time to celebrate our hardworking staff!

Our Field Day and Volunteer Luncheon is scheduled for Friday.  If you have supported Guilford in any way throughout the year, we hope you will join us for lunch.  Come early and participate in our field day activities with your child as well.  We are monitoring the weather closely and will make a final decision about Field Day on Thursday afternoon.  

Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will be wrapping up the PARCC assessment on Thursday.  The students have work extremely hard throughout these assessments and we are eager to see how they did.  If your child missed any of the days of testing we will begin make-ups next week.

Jonathan Davis

Principal
Guilford Elementary School

                                        Dates To Remember for 2019

May  2019
5/1 - 5/12 - ONLINE Silent Auction & Tiger Eyes Auction
5/8 - PreK Learning Parties at 6:00 p.m.
5/9 - Intermediate Reading Night at 6:30 p.m.
5/10 - Field Day (Rain Day will be on the 5/14)
5/14 - PTA Final Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
5/15 - PreK Learning Parties at 6:00 p.m.
5/16 - Interim Progress Report Issued
5/16 - Night of Excellence at 6:00 p.m.
5/17 - Spirit Day - Beach Day
5/17 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early - Professional Learning/Articulation Day
5/20 - 4th Grade Field Trip at 9:30 a.m.
5/21 - Middle School Visits at 9:30 a.m.
5/22 - Spirits Day - Wear Red/White/Blue
5/22 - PreK Learning Parties at 6:00 p.m.
5/23 - 4th Grade Spring Chorus Performance at 7 p.m.
5/27 - School and Office Closed - Memorial Day

From the Title I Team

At GES, our Learning Compact and Plan includes goals for student achievement.  The GES goal for this week's focus is to talk your child about what they have read.  For information to meet this goal, please click on the link: http://ges.hcpss.org/news/2019/05/title-1-team

News

This year the Guilford Elementary/CBLC MESA Team will be going to the State Competition.  The competition will be on May18,2019 from 8:30 to 1:30pm at JHAPL.  Way to go Storybook Theme Park Ride. Keep up the excellent work at State Competition.  ~Ms. Drake

Field Day News

     Guilford Elementary School will hold its Monster Field Day on Friday, May 10th, (rain date: May 14th.)  All students in Pre-K through 5th grade will be participating and need to remember to wear tennis shoes and leave all jewelry at home.  Students should also bring a labeled water bottle, sun block, hat, sun glasses, and towel or blanket to sit on to watch this year's 5th grade play the staff in a kickball game.  We would also like to have each grade wear the following colors to demonstrate team unity:

Kindergarten - wear their tye dye t - shirts

1st grade - wear purple

2nd grade - wear red

3rd grade - wear orange

4th grade - wear green

5th grade - wear blue

(These colors should match last year's Field Day shirts.)  Thank you!!  We look forward to seeing all of our volunteers.  Please don't forget to join us for the volunteer luncheon as well.

Monster Field Day Volunteers Needed

Guilford Elementary School will be holding its Monster Field Day on Friday, May 10th, (rain date: Tuesday, May 14th.)  We are in need of 50 volunteers to work our Field and Blacktop Stations from 9:20 a.m. - 11:00 a.m, and/or 11:00 a.m. - 12:35 p.m.  We will also have our volunteer luncheon on May 10th.  Please look for our green volunteer letter or sign up through our Canvas announcement or on Sign - up genius.  If you have any questions, please contact Carol Wolter at (410) 880 - 5930 or carol_wolter@hcpss.org.  THANK YOU for your support!!!

The Rube Goldberg Challenge Voting

Please take a minute to vote for Guilford Elementary School- The Cheezy Creators.  They worked for months on building a machine that zips a zipper!!!  Voting started on Monday,  and ends on Sunday, May 12 at 11:59 p.m.  THANK YOU!!!http://hclibrary.org/rubegoldbergvideo/

Save The Date! ~ Guilford’s Night of Excellence will be held on May 16, 2019

The annual Guilford Night of Excellence will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2019 from 6:00-7:30!  This school-wide, fun-filled event is an opportunity to see all of the students’ hard work, learning, and accomplishments during the school year.  Projects that students completed during CEU’s, Instructional Seminars, and G/T math classes will be on display in the media center, computer lab, and the fourth grade pod.  Starting at 7:00, the Jazz band will perform.  We hope to see you there!

Help Girl Scout Troop

Did you know that students can lose up to 2 months of skills over the summer?  Help Girl Scout Troop 1214 stop the "summer slide"!  We are collecting new and gently used games, books, activities, crafts, etc. to create "FUN BOXES" to give to Guilford students in need. There are collection boxes in each grade's pod as well as the teacher's lounge. Please bring in donations by May 24. We are in need of items for all grades, K-5. Thank you! Questions? Email gscmtroop1214@gmail.com.  Troop 1214 is a Brownie troop of 2nd graders from Guilford and Bollman Bridge Elementary Schools

GES Families

Dear Parents, Your students have been participating in WE Schools for our Bridges program. This past November we did the WE Walk For Water Campaign to ensure good weather for the event. We walked and had a relay race and read a book about the water walk in Africa .This book told of the hardship women and girls endured to gain access to clean water in their country. Our students expressed how thankful they were to have clean water in our country and they shared some stories of their families in other countries. This is our 2nd year with WE. Last year WE showcased our school at WE Day Baltimore. This year WE is having a fundraiser event for clean water to their villages they support around the world. If you would like to donate for clean water please go to this link
https://www.crowdrise.com/donate/event/we-walk-for-water-usa?lang=en-us

Type in the team name:  Deborah Robbins - GES Bridges

Click here to view Flyer:   WWFW_Parent_Resource.pdf 

Thank you for your support,
Deborah Robbins
GES Bridges Service Learning WE Schools Educator

GES ANNUAL BOOK DRIVE

Ready for some spring cleaning?  GES is looking for donations of gently used books in good condition.  Books must be of appropriate subject matter for elementary school students and should not be of a religious content.  Please do not send in any ABC books, Board books or free toys from fast food restaurants.  Our book drive will run from May 8th - June 10, 2019.  Our goal is to "recycle" these books and allow EVERY STUDENT to take 1 or 2 books home for summer reading. We will be handing out books to our students on Wednesday, June 12, 2019.  Schedule and details provided at a later date.  

Please turn in books to Mrs. Jenkins in the media center.  Thank you in advance for your donations!

Yearbook Sale

Guilford Elementary School’s yearbook is now available for pre-sale starting May 8, 2010 for $14.00 each.  Yearbooks will be delivered to GES for distribution on June 14, 2019.  We are offering two ways to pay for this keepsake.  You may pay on-linefrom the GES website at ges.hcpss.org.  Scroll down and find the link to “On-line payments” at this address https://osp.osmsinc.com/HowardMD/BVModules/CategoryTemplates/Detailed%20List%20with%20Properties/Category.aspx?categoryid=DA004.  You can pay by check.  Please make it out to “Guilford Elementary School.” and be sure to include a phone number on your check.  Turn in all checks to Ms. Cabrera in the front office.  Place your orders early since we ordered a limited amount!  If you have any questions, feel free to contact Arlene Cabrera at arlene_cabrera@hcpss.org.  

PLEASE NOTE that all 5th graders get a copy of the yearbook, complements of our generous PTA. 

It's Time For Spring Cleaning Your Closets

If you have any unwanted clothes, textiles, and shoes, please donate them to our Cash for Clothing recycling program. Our white bin is located in the side parking lot.
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!

Thank you,
GES Green Team

Summer Programs

The HCPSS GT Summer Institutes are still accepting registrations for the summer 2019 program.  Spaces are available in a variety of elementary and middle school classes that provide enrichment experiences in technology, science, engineering, advanced art, and more.  Visit https://www.hcpss.org/summer-programs/  for further information.  Please make sure to click on the GT SITD link towards the bottom of the page.

Future Guilford Tigers

Calling all FUTURE Guilford Tigers! (birth through 5)

Do you have a future Guilford Tiger in your family?

Do you know of someone who does?

If so, we’d like to be able to send you resources and communicate with you about upcoming events that may be of interest to you and your family. Please fill out this Google form so we can learn more about your child, and can identify what could best address your needs.

We’d also like to introduce you to Talk With Me – Howard County, a new initiative in partnership with HCPSS. Talk With Me works to support parents and caregivers in gaining a greater understanding of the powerful brain-building that occurs through early interactions with babies and toddlers.

More information about Talk With Me – Howard County can be found at their website: https://www.hcpss.org/launch-into-learning/talk-with-me/ or by contacting Mrs. Hennessie at Sylvia_Hennessie@hcpss.org.

Early Interactions Build Brains! We hope you will spread the word!

Registration for the G/T

Registration for the G/T Summer Institutes is underway. You can find the catalog on the HCPSS website athttps://www.hcpss.org/f/summer/gt-summer-institutes-talent-dev-catalog.pdf (Links to an external site.)

Scholarships are available for students participating in the Free and Reduced Meals program.

Please feel free to contact Ms. McNamara or Ms. Stetz if you have any questions at all.

Before & After School Classes with Howard County Recreation & Parks

For complete information on these Before & After School classes, including how to Register, please go tohttp://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?preview=true&m=1101410824386&ca=7e11e213-9db3-48bb-b660-968d74bfd10d&id=preview

You may also contact: William Banks Youth Programs Coordinator, Howard County Recreation & Parks, 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD 21046, 410.313.4721

PTA News 

Teacher appreciation week is in full swing and our hospitality team is working hard celebrating Guilford's amazing staff!  If you are able to help out, there are a few opportunities!  Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0848aea628a46-teacher2

PTA's online auction is OPEN FOR BIDDING!  Auction items are available for bidding by anyone, so feel free to share, share, share!  Our Tiger Eyes items are for families of Guilford students only and teachers have donated the gift of their time to make priceless memories with our students!  Place your bids at https://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/home.cfm?auctionID=14621 by Sunday (5/12) at 9pm!

PTA ROAR cart still has some opportunities for parents to volunteer in school!  If you have a younger child, you may bring them with you!  View the upcoming dates and sign up at http://signup.com/go/GjpwKzX.  Questions?  Email us at guilfordpta@gmail.com.

A note for families of students headed to Thomas Viaduct Middle School in the fall:
Elections are going to be at the next general PTSA meeting on May 8 at 6:30 - here is the link to information on positions and a nomination form. https://www.tvmsptsa.com/2019/2019-2020-school-year-ptsa-board-elections-may-8-2019/  They are currently seeking a treasurer for the 2019-20 school year.  Terms are one year.

Please consider joining us for our final PTA general membership meeting of the year on Tuesday May 14th at 6:30pm in the media center.  Childcare will be provided.  We have several open positions on our PTA for the 2019-20 school year and we'd love to have you!!

May 1 - May 12 - ONLINE Silent Auction & Tiger Eyes Auction
May 14 - PTA Meeting, 6:30-8pm
May 20 - Restaurant Night, Shake Shack, 11am-9pm

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.