Trish Lannon, Principal
LaRae Guide, Assistant Principal

 

February 25, 2022

 

DATES TO REMEMBER:

March 1     Mask Requirement Changes Begin

March 7     Kindergarten Registration Begins

March 13     Daylight Savings Time Begins

March 14     School Spirit Day: National Pi Day - Celebrate math by wearing something with numbers or Pi on it!

March 15     Virtual Parent Night “Bullying/Anti-Bullying” @ 5:30pm ​​meet.google.com/yet-qjhx-jhz

March 16     Early Dismissal Day - GES will dismiss at 12:55pm

March 17     School Spirit Day: Wear Green!

March  24     Virtual Parent Chat & Chew @ 5:30pm meet.google.com/zgc-bheo-shm

March 25     School Spirit Day: Maryland Day - show your MD pride!

 

 

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Guilford Family and Friends,

I want to thank our amazing community for all the support you have given our teachers and staff. More importantly, the support you are giving our students! The only way we can ensure that our students are successful is if we do it together. I ask that if you come to the school or call the school, that everyone continues to be respectful to one another. We want all parties to feel this is a safe and respectful environment in which to work and attend school. 

As you already know, starting March 1st masks will be voluntary within the school building. You can read more about this by going HERE. We will also be removing the plexiglass barriers in the cafeteria, but will continue to have assigned seats and outdoor dining.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out at any time.

 

~Mrs. Lannon, Principal

 

 

                                                                    IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

 

Celebrating Maryland's Healthcare Heroes Poster Competition

Late last week, Governor Hogan announced a student poster competition as part of Maryland's Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week. The contest asks public school students to design posters of any size on the theme: "Celebrating Maryland's Healthcare Heroes." The contest is open now, and the last day for students to submit artwork is March 8. One winning poster will be selected at the state level from each category: elementary school, middle school, and high school.

Two jurors, First Lady Yumi Hogan, and Dr. Jinlene Chan, Maryland's Public Health Doctor, will review the district submissions and choose one winning poster from each grade band to be installed at a public event with Governor Hogan. 

MSDE is also considering displaying the remaining posters in a virtual format or in various healthcare facilities across the state. The winning students will be invited to a celebration to receive a Governor's Citation.

All provided information can be found on the MarylandPublicSchools.org website: 2022 Governor's Healthcare Heroes Poster Competition. 

Each submission must also have a signed release form by the students and their guardians. The release form can be found on the website listed above.  

The last day for students to submit poster designs to the HCPSS Fine Arts Office is March 8 through the following link: STUDENT POSTER DIGITAL FILE UPLOAD & RELEASE FORM UPLOAD LINK

Young Authors' Contest Results

Thank you to all the students who participated in the Young Authors' Contest this year!  We really enjoyed reading ALL the wonderful poems and stories!  Choosing one winner for each category was extremely challenging!  The following students were selected as the first place winners for Guilford and will move on to the county level competition.

A Big CONGRATULATIONS to the following students:

1st Grade Poem:  "Clouds in the Sky" By Dua Khan

1st Grade Story:  "The Tornado Girls" By Zia Murray

2nd Grade Poem:  "How to Take Care of Cats" By Sadie Fosnaught

2nd Grade Story:  "The Unique Name" By Saanvi Khanal

3rd Grade Poem:  "Books" By Asad Ali

3rd Grade Story:  "Rover the Adventurous Hamster" By J.T Kora

4th Grade Poem:  "A Starry Night" By Rayan Khan

4th Grade Story:  "Callie and The Magical One" BY Rayna Marx

5th Grade Poem:  "Moonlight"  By Belzarena Kim

5th Grade Story:  School Field Trip Gone Wrong" By Richard Jenkins

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.

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

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.

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