Trish Lannon, Principal
LaRae Guide, Assistant Principal

 

DATES TO REMEMBER:

 

April 29     Battle of the Books

May 2         Professional Learning Day - Schools CLosed for Students

May 3-6     Teacher Appreciation Week

May 5         Spring Pictures

May 12     5th Grade Student Visit to Middle Schools

 

Related Arts Color Days Calendar

 

 

 

 

 

 

                          

 

Guilford Family and Friends,

Mrs. Guide and I would like to thank all the parents/guardians that have been coming in to help out with lunch and recess. It has been heartwarming to get to see volunteers abc in our building supporting our amazing students. If you are interested in volunteering in your child’s classroom at any time, please reach out to your child’s teacher directly.

We are very excited that this year we are able to go back to the end of the school year traditions. Be on the lookout for information coming from your child’s teacher about picnics and, of course, the traditional 5th grade promotion celebration.

Shout out to all our Sunshine Families. The monthly treats brought in for our staff always bring a smile to our faces. It is heartwarming to see all the effort that out community is putting in to showing our staff how much they appreciate the work they are doing. They are super excited about Teacher Appreciation Week, as you all never fail to blow us away!

As always, my door is open. Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. I hope everyone gets out to enjoy the great weather this weekend.

~Mrs. Lannon, Principal

 

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

Late Arrivals

Please remember if you need to drop your child off late for school, you must come into the building and sign them in. The sign-in clipboard is in the vestibule and once they are signed in, you should then buzz the office and they will let your child into the building. Not signing them in causes attendance errors.

Access to Additional Google Services

Google Translate is now available in Google’s menu of additional services on HCPSS issued Chromebooks for students in grades 4-12. Parent or guardian consent is required for students to access the tool/application.

If you have previously provided consent for Google’s menu of additional services, your child will automatically be given access to Google Translate, and no further action is needed.

If you desire to provide consent for your child to access Google’s additional services which include Google Translate, YouTube (grades 6-12), and CS First (grades K-5), complete the following steps:

1. Log in to HCPSS Connect.

2. Select More Options from the left panel.

3. Select HCPSS Google Menu from the middle of the page.

4. Click the check box to provide consent. Changes are automatically saved.

The Google Additional services will include:

• CS First for grades 4 and 5 - This is an authorized Supplementary Digital Tool, for creating interactive stories, games, and animations using a programming language called Scratch during the Computational Thinker unit

• Google Translate grades 4-12 - This additional service or authorized Supplementary Digital Tool, offers free service to instantly translate words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages. Students will be informed when this service is allowable for use during classwork, independent assignments, and/or World Language assessments.

Please contact Mr. Incavido or Mrs. Tarash if you have any questions.

Field Day Volunteers Still Needed for Morning Session II

     Thank you for the amazing response for Field Day volunteers!  We are still in need of volunteers for session II from 11:15 - 12:45 and will cover grades 1 - 4.  If you can volunteer for this session, please email Mrs. Wolter at carol_wolter@hcpss.org.  Thank you!

PTA Staff Appreciation Week

It is that amazing time of the year when we get to celebrate the BEST Teachers and Staff!

Teacher & Staff Appreciation week is May 3rd thru the 6th (Tuesday thru Friday) We have a wonderful week planned for our Teachers and Staff and we would like to see if anyone would like to volunteer or donate.

We always want to make this week as special as possible, so any help would be greatly appreciated.  To sign up, please go HERE; however if there is something you want to help with but the quantity is too much please feel free to let us know because anything is appreciated.  If anyone would like to help with décor, set up or clean up please let us know as well.

I can be contacted by email at bamsmartialfitness@gmail.com

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.

HCPSS RAINBOW REPORT

Read the Rainbow

Registration is OPEN for the next virtual FAMILY Read the Rainbow book club sponsored by HCPSS & CARY! The next selection is Calvin by JR and Vanessa Ford. To read more about JR and Vanessa and their book, please visit their website: https://www.jrandvanessaford.com/about JR and Vanessa will do a read aloud of their book, and then the time is open for you and your children to ask questions, share what you liked about the story, and chat with the authors and other families.

Please check your calendars to see if you can join us for this virtual FAMILY Read the Rainbow book club on Tuesday, June 7th at 6:00pm with JR and Vanessa Ford. The first 50 families to register will receive a FREE copy of the book. Here is the link to register: https://forms.gle/QQBEhF3QQ6Hwhhwv8

Dine and Donate

Head to BIBIBOP Asian Grill on 4/6 for 20% to go directly to CARY (Community Allies of Rainbow Youth)

FUNDRAISE CARY BIBIBOP 4.6.22.pdf

HCPSS PRIDE WEEK  June 6 - 11

Registration for HCPSS Pride Week opens APRIL 1st. Please see this link for the amazing events planned to celebrate PRIDE. Prizes and gift cards will be raffled off to those who register and attend! https://sites.google.com/hcpss.org/hcpssrainbowconference/week-of-pride?authuser=0

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 

Please click here for the Spring Recess Sign Up.pdf 

Enjoy the warm weather and check out our new playground equipment while volunteering at recess!!

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 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

• 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.

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.