The Weekly Update
May 6th 2024
Dear GKES Families,
Read down for our upcoming April and May events, and remember that you can always stay up-to-date by checking our school website.
Please remember not to line up for student drop off before 7:45 am. The traffic backs up to the road, blocks busses from getting in, and is a safety concern. We appreciate your care and attention to this matter.
As Teacher Appreciation Week approaches, we're asking for your help to show our incredible educators and staff just how much we appreciate them! We plan to provide snacks to keep them fueled and energized throughout the week. If you're able to contribute, please sign up to donate using the link below. Every little bit helps, and our teachers truly deserve it!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EA8AA23A2F5CE9-48907695-teacher
Thank you for your support in making Teacher Appreciation Week extra special for our hardworking teachers!
~GKES PTO
- GK Families, Mark your calendars, Field Day is MAY 17th! If you would like to volunteer (for the best day, ever) please fill out this Google Form. https://forms.gle/wzn6tvNDsW1ZndVd9 Thank you! Ms.B
- Summary of Annual Self-Evaluation- GKES Pre K
The PreK team has started the process of earning the highest EXCELS quality rating of 5. EXCELS is Maryland’s quality rating and improvement system for early childhood education programs that meet nationally recognized quality standards. Public school programs that participate in Maryland EXCELS are committed to providing the best possible education and care. Achieving Maryland Accreditation is part of the EXCELS process. High-quality education builds stronger communities, supports family success, and improves student outcomes in school and in life.
The Team conducted their Accreditation self-appraisal in January and used the results to create their Program Improvement Plan, which has been shared here.
To achieve accreditation the following strategies for program improvement are being implemented:
Establish a process for an annual self-evaluation.
Write a plan of transition for PreK students entering the program.
Review our lesson plans to affirm we are meeting the needs of every student.
Indoor Environment:
Affirm items and learning centers are labeled.
Create visual choice cards for student use.
Add pictures to the daily schedules.
Add a variety of text materials throughout the room.
Review all learning centers to ensure they include materials that emphasize concepts from all 7 learning domains (ELA, Math, Science, SS, Arts, PE, Social).
St. Mary’s County Public Schools, in collaboration with Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership, is hosting a Surf the Mental Health & Wellness Wave: A Resource & Education Fair on May 18, 2024, from 10 AM-3 PM, at the James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center. Come interact with and gather information from over 35 Mental Health & Wellness vendors. There will be numerous guest speakers and presentations on several different mental health and wellness topics. Use the QR code in the health fair flyer to view the schedule of events. In addition, there will be food trucks, door prizes, and lots of fun! Please join us!! For families that do not have access to transportation, there will be free transportation to the Mental Health Fair. This Transportation Flyer provides information on bus routes. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
HAC Report Card Screen (viewing access for current students)
Open Thursday, June 13th
Close Tuesday, June 25th
*SY25 eSchool Rollover will occur on Wednesday, June 26th
The final day for students will be Friday, June 7, 2024
Summer Meals/Parent Signup: St. Mary’s County children eligible for free meals. Locations are CHS, LHS, OES, and SRMS.
Summer Sports Academies: SMCPS and SMC R&P have partnered to offer the new Summer Sports Academies. Campers will be instructed by area high school coaches. Camps are held Monday - Thursday. Registration began March 1st.
- Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services were mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services during the week of February 12, 2024. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage-paid envelope by May 24, 2024. The Survey may also be completed online. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in your local school system. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other children across the state of Maryland. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com.
From Nurse Farr:
Please report any communicable diseases to Nurse Farr for tracking purposes (COVID, flu, pink eye, strep, etc.), it would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Nurse Farr. Thank you!
What to do if your student is ill
While school attendance is vital to your student’s education, a sick child belongs at home. Please review the Sick Day Guidelines below to assist you in making that decision.
KEEP ME HOME IF...
I have a temperature higher than 100°F.
I'm throwing up or have diarrhea.
My eyes are pink and crusty.
SEND ME BACK TO SCHOOL WHEN...
My symptoms have significantly improved or resolved.
I haven't had a fever or fever-reducing medication for 24 hours.
I haven't thrown up, had diarrhea or had medications to control these symptoms for 24 hours.
If antibiotics have been prescribed, I have been taking them for at least 24 hours.
CALL THE DOCTOR IF...
I’ve had a temperature higher than 100°F for more than 2 days.
I've been throwing up or having diarrhea for more than 2 days.
I've had cold symptoms for more than a week and they aren't getting any better.
I still have asthma symptoms after using my asthma medicine (and call 911 if I'm having trouble breathing after using an inhaler).
Students with medications in the Health Room:
If your child has unused medication(s) in the Greenview Knolls Elementary School health office. Please make arrangements to pick them up by 3:15 PM on June 10th. Our office hours are 8:00 AM - 3:15 PM daily. No appointment is necessary.
Order forms and emergency action plans for the 2024-2025 school year will be provided at pick-up.
*Please note: New orders are required for each school year.
Please contact the school nurse at hmfarr@smcps.org or 301-863-4095 option 1 with any questions.
and
Rising 6th graders:
Esperanza Middle School is located in the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. There is a form being sent home for the administration of Potassium Iodide (KI) in the event of a nuclear emergency. Please read the information and indicate whether you do or do not want your child to receive this medication. Your signature is necessary. You may return this form to school or send via email to hmfarr@smcps.org. If you have any questions you may contact Nurse Farr at 301-863-4095, Option 1.
🗓 Coming Up!
May
6- Teacher Appreciation Week
6-Gr. 1 to Elms
6-Gr. 2 & 5 to Sotterley
8- Nurse appreciation day
10- 2 hour early dismissal
14- Primary Election Day- School is closed for students
17- Field Day
22-Chorus Concert parent performance 9:00 am
23- Blue Crabs field trip for 5th grade & 4th/5th grade chorus
27- Memorial Day- School is closed
29-School Improvement Meeting
29 - Big, Bad Musical performance
June
5- 5th grade EOY celebration
6- Kindergarten concert
6- Last day for Pre K
6- 2 hr early dismissal
7- 2 hr early dismissal
7-The final day for students
GO OWLS!!!
