Paw Prints
Fri, 04/01/2022 - 11:22am
April 1, 2022
DATES TO REMEMBER:
April 1 End of Q3 - Schools Close 3-Hours Early
April 4 Always Reading Program Kickoff
April 4 School Spirit Day - Wear Rainbows for National Rainbow Day
April 7 Kindergarten Field Trip to the Ho Co Library
April 8 Report Cards Available on HCPSS Connect
April 11-18 Spring Break/All Schools Are Closed
April 22 Earth Day/Kindness Rock River Installation
Guilford Family and Friends,
We have made it to April and hopefully Spring will soon find us and we will be enjoying nicer weather. With the arrival of Spring, there often is an increase in some behavioral issues. We hope that our whole community will help us to remind the students to “finish strong” before Spring Break. When we return to school on the 19th, we will be making the rounds visiting every grade to review our PBIS rules so we can get through the 4th quarter strong!
Our yearbook sale has been extended through April 22nd. We are not selling these to make any profit, we are selling them at cost for only $15. Please see THIS FLIER for the details of how to order online. Huge thanks to Ms. WHitaker and Ms. Vaugh for working so hard on this year’s yearbook!
I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. Be safe and we will see everyone next week for our last week of school before Spring Break!
~Mrs. Lannon, Principal
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Ramadan Alternative Lunch Activity
This year, Ramadan starts at sundown on Saturday, April 2, and ends with Eid al-Fitr on Monday, May 2. As always, we provide an alternative location during lunch time for those students who will be fasting for Ramadan. Students will be going to the Media Center and will be able to read a book or do their homework/finish unfinished work.
If your child will need to spend their lunch time fasting during Ramadan, please send an email to Mrs. Lannon, our principal, at trish_lannon@hcpss.org and she will ensure that they spend that time in the Media Center. If your child will be fasting, but they would prefer to continue to go to the cafeteria during lunch, that is totally fine. In this case, you do NOT need to email Mrs. Lannon.
PTA Staff Appreciation Week
The PTA is looking for volunteers for the Staff Appreciation Week Committee. We want to have a spectacular week for our staff to show how much we love them! Members of the committee will help with one or more of the following tasks: brainstorming ideas, shopping for supplies and/or food, soliciting donations, cooking meals, making decorations, setting up and cleaning up, etc. We need all the help we can get, and even if you can only participate in small bits, that’s okay! If you are interested please email Christie at christiespeich@gmail.com.
Spring Clothing Giveaway at Long Reach High School on Saturday, April 2
Please see the following flyers (English & Spanish) for the 4th Annual Long Reach High School Spring Clothing Giveaway on Saturday, April 2nd 9:00 - 11:00 AM. Line starts at 7:00 AM.
Maryland Special Education Involvement Survey
Parents of students receiving special education services are encouraged to complete a Maryland State Department of Education survey, which will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services. Complete and return a hard copy recently mailed from MSDE to parents, or complete the survey online at www.mdparentsurvey.com no later than May 27.
Title I Survey – Input Needed
Howard County Public School's Title I Office receives Title I funds to provide additional support and resources to Title I Schools. The Title I Office supports family engagement through the implementation of its Parent, Family, and Community Involvement Plan and by providing schools with funds to support family engagement. Please take a moment to complete the HCPSS Title I Parent, Family, and Community Involvement Input Survey, providing feedback on the district's Parent, Family, and Community Involvement Plan and parent involvement funds.
La Oficina de Título I de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Howard recibe fondos Título I para proveer apoyo y recursos adicionales a Escuelas Título I. La Oficina de Título I apoya el compromiso familiar mediante la implementación de su Plan de participación de padres, familias y la comunidad y proporcionando a las escuelas con fondos para apoyar la participación familiar. Por favor, dedique un momento para completar la Encuesta de opinión sobre participación de padres, la familia y la comunidad del HCPSS, realizando comentarios sobre el Plan de participación de padres, familias y la comunidad y los fondos para la participación de padres del distrito.
Update to Vaccination and Testing Requirements
Unvaccinated staff no longer are required to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing, and visitors/volunteers no longer are required to provide proof of vaccination when entering a school building. Please note that public health agencies continue to recommend vaccines as a primary means of protection against severe COVID-19 symptoms.
Clarification: Tentative Last Day of School
The last day for half-day pre-K/RECC students is currently Tuesday, June 14. The last day for full-day pre-K and K-12 students is scheduled for Friday, June 17. Full details on the calendar are available online.
Calendar Reminders
Families are reminded of the following upcoming 2021-2022 calendar items:
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Friday, April 1: Schools close three hours early. There is no half-day pre-K/RECC.
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Monday, April 11 - Monday, April 18: Spring Break; schools closed with no meal service. (Offices open April 11–14)
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Wednesday, April 27: Schools close three hours early. There is no half-day pre-K/RECC.
Related Arts Color Day Rotation Survey
HCPSS is seeking feedback on the elementary related arts color rotation schedule. The color rotation schedule was implemented to mitigate loss of instructional time due to school closures for related arts classes scheduled on Mondays and Fridays, sometimes up to nine classes per school year. This feedback will be utilized in conjunction with additional stakeholder input to determine the 22-23 related arts schedule model. Thank you for your time in completing this feedback form by March 25, 2022.
https://forms.gle/qz2JZGtophiXPT7h8
Bullying/Anti-Bullying Presentation
Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual parent night about bullying. You can see the presentation yourself by going to: Bullying- Parent Presentation Draft.pptx
Communication Devices (Cell Phones & Smart Watches)
We have a high number of students that have personal communication devices and it is important to note that if your child brings one of these devices to school, that they are to be turned off and kept in a backpack while on school property. There have been instances where these devices have been lost or damaged, and we cannot replace or repair them. We have also had increasing issues with students using the devices during class, lunch and recess. We also ask that parents not encourage this by texting your children during the school day.
Additionally, we have had children expressing concern with the things that are stated within apps towards one another. It is so easy for students to forget the impact that their words can have on another, especially when they can say them being a screen. It is important to remember that such instances can warrant disciplinary actions under policy 1060. Many students are on social media apps that are meant for adults and they are viewing and participating in things that are not appropriate.
Lastly, there has been an increase in TikTok challenges where students are encouraged to participate in unkind and unhealthy actions. Recently, we have experienced challenges of creating very unsanitary conditions in the restroom and clogging the toilets. Both of these actions result in the restroom being closed while custodians have to clean or fix issues. Please encourage your children to not participate in such challenges and they are unhealthy and disrupt the learning for all.
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 Registration Information
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
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Student’s evidence of birth (birth certificate, passport/visa, physician’s certificate, baptismal or church certification, hospital certificate, parent/s affidavit or birth registration.)
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Proof of parental relationship, custody, or guardianship. If applicable, bring legal proof of custody (court order).
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Any additional paperwork that may be necessary due to special living arrangements or circumstances.
Academic Documentation
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Student’s most recent grade report, transcript, report card from last school attended at time of withdrawal.
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Documentation of Special Education (IEP), 504, Psychological Report, or related services.
Parent Identification Documentation
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Parent picture ID: driver’s license, passport, MVA identification or other legal form of photographic identification.
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Signed original, current complete lease or complete deed with your address, valid dates, signatures.
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Current utility bill with name and address (non-cellular telephone, gas and electric, cable bill issued in the last 45 days.)
Health Documentation
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Student’s current proof of immunizations signed by physician. Learn more about the immunizations required for enrollment →
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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.
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!
Parent Resources
Here is a resource for parents who may be concerned about the overuse of technology by kids:
This link for parents covers many topics, including child development, positive discipline, school readiness, and finding resources.
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/familyinstitute
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.
