The Weekly Update
August 2024
Dear GKES Families,
I am honored to be back at GK as the principal and we are welcoming Ms. McBride as our new Assistant Principal! We are so excited to kick off a great school year! We wanted to give you some important information before students return to school.
Read down for our events, and remember that you can always stay up-to-date by checking our school website.
Monday-August 19th
1:00- 3:00: OPEN HOUSE K - 5th
Families may drop off school supplies at this time.
This will not be a time for formal presentations by teachers, but a time for students and families to briefly introduce themselves to their new teacher and for students to get acquainted with their new classroom.
Families Last Name A-L: 1:00-2:00 PM
Families Last Name M-Z: 2:00-3:00 PM
**If you are a family with children that have different last names, please
use the last name of your oldest child to determine the time you should attend Open House.
You may visit the classes of all your children at that identified time. Thank you.
Pre-Kindergarten Orientation Pre-Kindergarten Orientation will occur on the first day of school: August 21st at 9:00 AM. Parents will need to bring their child at 9:00 a.m. and stay with them during orientation. Families may drop off supplies at this time.
Bus service for Pre-Kindergarten students will begin on the second day of school: August 22nd.
If you have moved please come to the front office and provide your proof of residence.
HAC doesn't open until 8/16 5:00 pm
Become A School Volunteer
Both new and previously registered volunteers must complete a new volunteer application every school year. All volunteers must review the Child Abuse and Sexual Harassment (C.A.S.H) training and the Volunteer Manual annually.
CLICK HERE after you've completed the trainings in order to access the volunteer application.
Online Meal Benefit Application
Menus for School Meals are visible through Nutrislice. Check it out!
If you want to view your child's meal purchases and add funds, use the My School Bucks link.
Updated Transportation Plan:
Choose 1-Students must either be a car rider, bus rider, or walker. Unless there is an emergency and you need to change this. You must complete the transportation plan.
Bus Rider
All students have been assigned a bus. If you need more information please call the office.
Car Rider Procedures
Morning drop off has not changed. Please do not line up before 7:45. You will block staff and buses.
Due to limited staffing this year parents will pick up students from the cafeteria. Parents are asked to park around back and come into the cafeteria with their photo ID. The cafeteria door will open at 2:30 to begin the check-out process.
There are 8 marked parking spots around back reserved for parent pick up; however, parents may park in any available spot. As soon as you have your student(s), please exit as parking is limited.
We will work together to ensure this process goes smoothly and efficiently.
Walker Procedures
You must be walking, no cars permitted. Cars will be directed to park around back and come in to pick up your child.
Walkers will be dismissed at the side door to the left of the main entrance. We will begin dismissing Pre-K and Kindergarten students as these students require a parent for dismissal from school and anyone else who requires a parent to walk home. Once this group of students has been dismissed and assigned to their parent/guardian, we will then dismiss the remainder of walkers and bike riders who are allowed to walk/ ride home alone with parent permission. You must complete the transportation plan.
If there is bad weather and you will be picking your child up by car please call the office and let them know. Park in the marked spots in the back of the school and pick them up from the cafeteria from car riders with your ID.
Unplanned/ Surprise Car Rider
If you need your child before dismissal they will need to be picked up in the front office by 2:00.
Here is the link to the electronic Transportation Form. It must be completed for every student before the 1st day of school. If you do not complete the electronic one you must complete a paper one at Open House.
To help ensure the safety of all students a responsible person ( at least 13 years old) must be on time to meet the bus at the door at the assigned stop for Pre-Kindergarten and/or Kindergarten students. This includes Morning, Midday, Afternoon and Evening Unloading. This is in accordance with SMCPS Student Handbook page 37. Thank you so much for your assistance and cooperation in this matter.
Bus Routes and Times
https://www.smcps.org/offices/transportation/bus-stop-and-school-locator
Please click the link above to see your child's assigned bus stop location, bus number and expected arrival times.
During the first week of school, there may be later than normal arrival times to your assigned bus stop. Please be patient with us during this time. If we know your child's return home during the first few days will be delayed, we will reach out via our School Messenger system to send a text, phone call, or email (visit here to opt in to text messaging).
Bus passes will bot be issued for daily transportation changes. Buses are assigned by our Department of Transportation and all buses are limited to transporting those children assigned.
Here Comes the Bus App-
Available to parents of students riding SMCPS School Buses
View the real-time location of your child’s bus
Access the app from your smartphone, tablet or computer
Receive push notifications or email alerts
Send your child to the bus stop at just the right time, every time
HOW TO GET STARTED:
Download the Here Comes the Bus app* or visit herecomesthebus.com
Click the Sign Up button
Enter school code (86563) and click “Next” followed by “Confirm”
Complete the “User Profile” box
Under “My Students,” click “Add.” Enter your child’s last name and student ID number
Once you confirm your information, you’re ready to begin using Here Comes the Bus!
Here Comes the Bus App- Espanol
Ahora disponible para los padres de los estudiantes de: SMCPS
Monitoree la ubicación del autobús de sus niños en tiempo actual
Acceda la aplicación en su teléfono inteligente, tableta o computadora
Reciba notificaciones en su teléfono o alertas vía correo electrónico
Mande a su niño o niña al autobús justo a tiempo, cada día
COMO ACTIVAR EL SERVICIO:
Descargue la aplicación* de Here Comes the Bus o visite herecomesthebus.com
Oprima el botón de "Sign Up"
Escriba el código de su escuela 86563 y oprima “Siguiente” seguido por “Confirmar”
Complete el Perfil del Usuario
Debajo de “Mis Estudiantes” oprima “Añadir”. Escriba el “Apellido del Estudiante” y la “Identificación del Estudiante”. Una vez hecho esto oprima en “Guardar”
Una vez que confirme su información, ya está listo para empezar a usar Here Comes the Bus!
We are registered at Weis4schools.com. Simply register your Weis Club Card online and start accumulating points for your school every time you shop at Weis.
Our school supply lists
Cell Phone Policy- Phones must be OFF and AWAY!!!
Please view THIS presentation and this VIDEO.
Welcome back from Nurse Farr!!!!!
Please review the list of medical forms:
Immunizations and Medical Forms
If your student takes medication at school, requires an Emergency Action Plan, or has any other unique medical needs, please take the pertinent form(s) to your student's medical provider to complete them before the start of the school year. Nurse Farr will be available at the open house to collect completed physician order forms and the corresponding medication during the open house on Monday August 19th.
Please note the following changes:
- Medication administration- ALL medication requires an order.
- Emergency medications- Parents must bring meds to school, stock Epi-Pens NOT guaranteed.
🗓 Coming Up!
August
19 1:00- 3:00: OPEN HOUSE K - 5th
21 First Day of School for Students and Pre-Kindergarten Orientation
22 First day for Pre K Students
September
2 Labor Day- All schools and offices closed
19 2 hr early dismissal
20 No school for students
The vision at GKES is to create a nurturing environment for all students that promotes lifelong learning where students work hard to become respectful, responsible, and resilient.
The mission at GKES, in partnership with parents and communities, we believe that every Students Success Story becomes a testament to their determination and our unwavering commitment to fostering their academic, social, and emotional wellness.
GO OWLS!!!
