Trish Lannon, Principal
                                                                                       LaRae Guide, Assistant Principal

 

October 15, 2021

 
DATES TO REMEMBER:
October 15         Schools Closed for Students
October 16         PTA Fall FLowers Pickup
October 18         Fall School Pictures Day
October 19         Flu Vaccine Clinic for Students and Staff
October 22         School Spirit Day: National Color Day! 
                               Wear your favorite color from head to toe!

 

                                                                                     A Message From The Principal

Guilford Family and Friends,

I want to thank all the parents who attended our first virtual Chat & Chew last night. We were able to address many questions around Covid procedures, quarantine, Chromebooks, school lunches, and parent volunteers. We truly appreciate the ideas, thoughts and questions we had last night. Our next virtual Chat & Chew will be on Thursday, December December 9th at 5:30pm.

We have been so proud of how well our students have adjusted to following new school procedures. However, we do often need to remind students to make sure their masks are covering their mouth and nose. In particular, we are hearing from our bus drivers about this issue. Please help us out and remind your children to always have their masks on and covering BOTH their mouth and nose.

A huge shout out to the PTA Sunshine Family program for their first staff appreciation treat. We got to enjoy some amazing food from El Salvador and our staff lounge smelled amazing all day! Staff definitely appreciated all the hard work and love that went into it.

Don’t forget, we have our Fall pictures on Monday, October 18th. Order forms were sent home last week, but you can also order online by going HERE. All students will be having their pictures taken regardless of whether they have an order or not, as we will need their pictures for our school yearbook.

As always, we are here if you need us. Please feel free to email or call if you need to speak to one of us.

~Mrs. Lannon, Principal & Mrs. Guide, Assistant Principal

 

 

                                                                                                           IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Turkey Trot and Fall Festival Volunteers Needed

Guilford Elementary School will hold its annual Turkey Trot and Fall Festival on Friday, October 29th, (rain date: Friday, November 5th).  Only volunteers will be allowed to attend this event, no spectators.  To run a successful event the PE department and PTA will need at least 25 volunteers per session.  A flier should arrive home today, or it is attached.

     Please note the HCPSS volunteer policy:

1. All volunteers must register their Covid vaccine card or a negative Covid test result taken with in 7 days of the event to trish_lannon@hcpss.org

2. All volunteers must complete the confidentiality training and download and print the completion certificate: https://www.hcpss.org/parents/volunteer-information/ (Links to an external site.)

3.  All volunteers must complete the child abuse training and download and print the completion certificate:

https://www.hcpss.org/f/employees/childabuse_ppt.pdf (Links to an external site.)

PLEASE NOTE- DUE TO A SCHEDULING CONFLICT WE HAVE SWAPPED 3rd and 4th Grade Turkey Trot Times.  (4th grade now runs at 9:30 a.m. and 3rd grade now runs at 11:45a.m.)

The PTA will provide lunch for all that are volunteering all day!  If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the attached form and send it back to Guilford by October 22nd or contact Carol Wolter at carol_wolter@hcpss.org or PTA volunteer coordinator Andrew Doumaux at andrewdoumaux@gmail.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND WE CANNOT WAIT TO SEE EVERYONE!!!

Mid-Quarter Grading, Conferences, and Report Cards

In prior school years, we have issued interim progress reports halfway through each quarter. This year, HCPSS has determined that we are no longer sharing these reports. The first-quarter report card will be issued on Wednesday, November 10. All academic areas will have grades except related arts classes. Related Arts teachers will report student progress and grades at the end of the second and fourth quarters. 

Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place virtually between November 22 and 24. Specific sign-up information will be shared soon. In the meantime, your child’s teachers are uploading information on graded assignments in Canvas on a regular basis. For more information about how to access your child’s grades in Canvas, please find a guide at this link. If you have additional questions please contact your child’s teacher. 

Teachers will be reporting the learning behaviors on the report cards. Strong learning behaviors have a powerful influence and impact on student performance. Please visit the HCPSS website here with complete information regarding learning behaviors on the report card.

Text Messages

To comply with wireless carrier requirements, parents/guardians must opt into receiving HCPSS and GES text message alerts. Standard data fees and text messaging rates may apply based on your mobile plan. If you are unsure if you have already opted in, text the word “YES” to 67587 from the cell phone number on file in HCPSS Connect.

Please contact your child’s school if you have questions regarding your information in HCPSS Connect.
Please note! Unsubscribing from any school or district email or text will unsubscribe a user from all messaging, including emergency notifications.

Parent Volunteers/Chaperones

Effective Monday, Oct. 25, all volunteers and chaperones who interact with students, and parents/guardians who are conducting classroom observations will be required to use the PinPoint platform to show proof of full vaccination at least five school days in advance. The requirement also applies to students who volunteer or mentor at a different school during the school day, but not to students who go to the ARL or another school as part of their class schedule.

Use the PinPoint Vaccine Check platform to verify your vaccination status. The following information will be required during the process:

• The school(s) you will enter during the school day during the 2021-2022 school year. You should only use this platform once. If you need to enter an additional school later in the year, please notify school_volunteers@hcpss.org.

• CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card: Uploading your COVID-19 vaccination card is not a requirement of the PinPoint system. If you experience issues uploading your card, please select the “I do not have my card” option and proceed with the VaccineCheck verification process.

• Vaccination dose date(s):

  • If you do not know the date(s) you received the vaccine, you will still be able to verify your vaccination status by providing additional information.

  • If you got vaccinated in Maryland, consider accessing Maryland MyIR to view your “Certification of COVID-19 Vaccination” document which includes your dose dates.

• Photo: The platform will ask you to upload a photo of yourself for your digital vaccine card. This is optional.

• Registration Number: The platform will provide you with a registration number at the end of the process. Please write down or screenshot the number so you can use it if you wish to download your digital vaccine card once available, which is optional. Receiving your digital vaccine card is not a requirement for entry to the school.

If you have questions about how to use the platform, please contact PinPoint’s support team by emailing hcpss@pinpoint.us or calling 888-750-2247.

Fall Individual Student Portraits October 18th 

Strawbridge Studios will be at GES on October 18th to photograph students for individual fall portraits.  Please review the information on THESE FLYERS  if you are interested in ordering photographs of your child.  Additionally, if you would like to receive electronic updates from Strawbridge regarding your child’s school portraits, you may sign up at: https://strawbridge.fotomerchanthv.com/clients/guilford-elementary-school/fall-pictures-10-18-2021-12/optIn

Flu Vaccination Information

Flu vaccinations are coming to Guilford Elementary on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.  They will be given at NO CHARGE TO YOU.  Now, more than ever, it is important to protect your family through vaccinations. If you would like your child to be vaccinated, please register online BEFORE Friday, October 8.

Fill out the consent form online at:

https://tinyurl.com/HoCPSSFlu2021

1. Type your child’s school name in Search by Name then press the blue Search button.

2. Click on the Sign Up for Flu Vaccinations button for your child’s school.

OR

Fill out a paper consent form:

1. Read the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) and talk to your health care provider or the school nurse about any questions you have. VIS: https://tinyurl.com/FluVIS2021-E

2. Fill out every section of the paper Consent Form. 

3. Use your insurance card to fill out your insurance information accurately. Your insurance company will be billed. There is no copay or deductible. You will NOT be charged by us or your insurance company. 

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a serious illness that affects people of all ages.  One of the best ways to prevent the flu is through vaccinations.  We are pleased to join with the Maryland Partnership for Prevention (MPP) to offer flu vaccinations at our school.

You may give permission for your child to be vaccinated using (1) an online form at https://tinyurl.com/HoCPSSFlu2021 or obtain a paper copy from the school if you cannot fill out an online consent form.

We urge you to protect your family from the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get a flu shot. Please visit www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm for more information about the flu vaccine.

Cellphones

Per the parent/student handbook, elementary school students MUST keep their cellphones off and in their backpacks at all times during the school day. We are finding that many students are keeping them in their pockets and taking them out to recess. Please know that if this occurs, we will first instruct them to turn it off and put it in their backpack. If it continues, we may take the phone and hold it in the front office until the student leaves at dismissal. We would appreciate it if you would review the school policy with your child and reinforce that it needs to be off and remain in their backpack. Thanks.

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.

GT Program Parent Academy

Howard County GT Program Parent Academy, October 13 and 14, 2021

HCPSS families interested in the Gifted and Talented (GT) Program are invited to come learn about the advanced-level offerings available and how their students can become involved. The evening will begin with an overview of GT Education Program offerings followed by a question and answer session with Central Office GT Education Program staff. Elementary and Secondary programs will be covered on separate days. Families may attend one or both nights. Registration is required for these events.

Elementary Focus: Wednesday, October 13, 7 – 8:00 p.m., being held virtually via Microsoft Teams

Secondary Focus: Thursday, October 14, 7-8:00 p.m., being held virtually via Microsoft Teams

For more information and to register, please visit the HCPSS GT Program Parent Academy announcement HCPSS GT Program Parent Academy announcement.  HCPSS GT Program Parent Academy announcement

Jewelry and Shoes in PE

Howard County has guidelines for Safe Dress and participation in PE.  You can find this document on your students' PE homepage.  All students must wear sneakers or tennis shoes on PE days.  The only jewelry that students are permitted to wear are stud earrings and fitness trackers.  Please see your students' PE home page for PE days and a color calendar for the year.  Thank you for your support!

Water Bottles and Masks

Please make sure you send your child with a refillable water bottle each day so they have access to water throughout the day. In addition, every child should bring a mask to school and we highly suggest you pack them some extras in their backpack. Thanks.

HEPA Filters

Air purifiers have been installed in all classrooms throughout our building. This is another preventative measure our school system and GES has taken to keep our students and staff as safe as we can. 

 

Resources for Quarantined Students

In the event that your child needs to quarantine, there have been instructional materials developed for their use.  Your child’s teacher will contact you with directions regarding these materials and supports. 

This will include:

• Instructional Packet (paper copy) - These packets were sent home with ALL students at the beginning of the school year. Please put them in a safe place in the event that your child may need them in the future. 

• Robust Instructional Packets - These large packets are ent home with students who end up on quarantine and are grade level specific.

• Synchronous Support Sessions - Each ELA and Math teacher will offer synchronous sessions that quarantine students can access.  Teachers will send the dates/times and login information for these sessions. In addition, our special ed staff will also have support sessions.

• Canvas Materials - There may be activities on Canvas that students can complete.  Teachers will communicate this with parents. 

• Dreambox, Typing Agent and LexiaCore will be available for students to utilize. 

• Evening School - This program offers academic enrichment for those students who are put on quarantine. If you want your child to participate in this, please email our school counselor, Michelle Clarke, directly. Her email address is michelle_clarke@hcpss.org

If your child left their laptop at school, please call the front office to arrange a pick-up time to get your child's device. This will allow them to access the above supports. If your child does not have a device assigned to them, a device will be assigned to them if they need to be quarantined. If your child is not in school when they are placed on quarantine, you can contact the front office in order to arrange a pick-up time to get a device for your child.  

Thank you for your understanding, support and continued collaboration as we stay safe, healthy and able to focus on teaching and learning.  As always, please feel free to reach out with any additional questions. 

 Absences

If your child is absent at any point this school year, please send an email to gesabsence@hcpss.org and your child’s homeroom teacher. In your email please include your child’s first and last name, date of the absence and the reason.

Providing Consent for In-School COVID Testing

HCPSS offers free, voluntary COVID tests for students and school-based staff who develop COVID-like symptoms or are identified as close contacts while they are in a school building. Parents/guardians who have not already done so can provide consent in HCPSS Connect Synergy to enable your child to participate in this testing program.

Quarantining Procedures

The close contact and quarantining procedures that were put into place last year will remain this fall. Only unvaccinated students and adults who are identified as close contacts must quarantine. Vaccinated students and staff will not be required to quarantine unless they receive a positive test or are displaying symptoms, but are expected to monitor their symptoms closely for the 14 days. Instructional supports are in place for students who must quarantine.

Update Your Family File

Thank you to those families who have already completed their Family Files! Currently, we are at 60% completion and need 199 more Family Files to be completed. We need every parent/guardian to update each of their children’s Family File. This will give us the information about who we are permitted to release your child to for early dismissal, how they will arrive and be dismissed from school (car, walk, bus, daycare, etc.), how to contact you in the event of an emergency, and so much more. To update the Family File for each of your children, please go to ​​https://www.hcpss.org/connect/ prior to August 30th.

1. Log in to HCPSS Connect Synergy using parent/guardian credentials

2. Select “More Options” from the left navigation

3. Select “Family File” at the top of the page

4. Complete each page of Family File

5. On the last page, select the blue Submit button

If you have any issues, please contact the front office and someone will be able to assist you.

Additional Benefits of FARMS (Free and Reduced Meals)

FARMS eligibility provides discounts for summer school, recreation programs, Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), internet programs, SAT and ACT tests, and much more. Families must submit a new application every school year.

Any student who has not filled out an application up to the 30th school day will have their prior year status changed until a new application is received. 

Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to fill out the applications by October 15th. Apply for school meal benefits the easy way. MySchoolApps is the fast and secure way to apply for free and reduced meals online. www.myschoolapps.com

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.