Note from Mr. FitzGerald

        Greetings Guilford! I trust everyone had a fabulous Valentine's Day and an enjoyable Presidents' Day Weekend. As we finish the second half of February, we are continuing to celebrate Black History Month. This coming Friday, we'll have our Guilford Black History Assemblies. Our students have been working hard to put together a truly impressive program. Thank you to everyone who attended the PTA Evening of Kindness last night. Anytime we have an opportunity to celebrate kindness, it's a good thing!  Together the students completed 475 acts of kindness last night based on our tally from their passports.  While I have you, I will put another plug in for our PTA Raise Craze Fundraiser. Trish Lannon and I are just waiting for the opportunity to dress up like penguins. Each generous donation you make, the closer that becomes to a reality.  The next Paw Prints will be coming home on Wednesday, March 4th. Wow...did I just type March?!?!? If there is anything you need between now and then, do not hesitate to contact me.  Have a great rest of your week!

Justin FitzGerald
Proud Guilford Principal

                                       Dates To Remember for 2020

February
2/28 - Spirit Day – Superhero Day

March
3/3  -  Kindergarten Field Trip to Library
3/10 -  PTA Meeting at 6:30 p.m.
3/13 -  Spirit Day- Numbers Day
3/18 -  Picture Day - Spring Pictures
3/27 - Spirit Day – Crazy Hat Day

                                   GES News

        March “Mathness”

In honor of Math Madness, we will be doing a school-wide Dreambox challenge during the month of March.  Grade levels will be competing to see the highest average number of lessons completed pre week.  This includes both school and at home use.  The winning grade will earn an extra recess block.  Please encourage your child to log into Dreambox at home.  Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have questions about accessing Dreambox at home.

Thomas Viaduct, 8th Grade Chamber Chorus Night at the Washington Wizards Game: Please come out to support the Thomas Viaduct Middle School 8th Grade Chamber
Chorus as they perform the National Anthem at the Wizards vs. Suns game!

See Flier For More Details

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.

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

Thank you to everyone who came out to our Evening of Kindness event last night.  It was a huge success! It wouldn't have been possible without all our volunteers and station coordinator.

Don't forget we are coming up on our last week of Raise Craze.  Please consider support your children's act of kindness through a donation to the PTA.  The PTA continues to be a source of advocacy and eventing for the students of Guilford Elementary School.  You can register you student here: http://my.raisecraze.com/A9VV1U1

Please come check out what PTA is all about at our next meeting the evening of March 10th in the Media Center from 6:30-8:00.

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.