GES JANUARY FAMILY NEWSLETTER

January 1st-3rd: Winter Break - No School

January 6th: First Day Back from Winter Break - Schools Open

January 6th: WIDA/ACCESS Testing for Students with MLL Plans Begins

January 7th: BOE Meeting 6PM

January 15th: RISE Girl Group Begins 3:45pm

January 20th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Schools & Offices Closed

January 22nd: RISE Girl Group Meeting 3:45pm

January 23rd: One School, One Book Academic Night 5PM

January 24th: Early Dismissal 1pm - Second Quarter End - Grades

January 27th: Semester Transition Day - Schools Closed to Students

January 29th: RISE Girl Group Meeting 3:45pm

Please remember, for all notifications, parent/guardian numbers and emails are taken directly from information provided by the family in PowerSchool. Staff contact information is taken directly from the Employee Access Center.

School delays and closings are shared via:

• a phone call, text, and email through our notification system

• a message on the CCPS Mobile App the district website (carolineschools.org)

• social media: Facebook (Caroline County Public Schools and all school pages), and Instagram (carolineschoolsmd)

• some local news and radio stations

The process for making weather-related decisions is outlined on carolineschools.org.

Caroline County Public Schools is happy to announce that nominations for both the 2025-2026 Teacher of Year and the Support Employee of the Year are now open. All staff, students, student families and community members are invited to submit nominations. (Submissions may not be made by a relative of a nominee.)

Program website page

Nominations for both awards must be submitted no later than January 31, 2025.

• Teacher of the Year Nomination Form

• Support Employee of the Year Nomination Form

For additional information, please email Communications Officer Sandi Barry, barry.sandra@ccpsstaff.org or Supervisor of Human Resources Rob Willoughby, willoughby.robert@ccpsstaff.org.

Dear Parents,

As we continue through these winter months, Choptank Health’s providers encourage protecting you and your children with immunizations against the flu, COVID-19, and RSV.

· A reminder: Your student can receive a flu shot at their School-Based Health Center. Call to schedule today.

· While flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given starting at 6 months, the RSV vaccine is recommended for all infants younger than 8 months born during or entering their first RSV season and can be given up to 18 months for select high-risk children.

· All children can access all recommended vaccines, including flu, COVID-19, and RSV, for free through their family’s insurance. Qualifying families can also receive assistance through the Vaccines for Children Program.

· The CDC website now has the 2025 Immunization Schedules and is a great resource for parents to access the recommended vaccination schedules.

· Families can go to their primary care providers for vaccines; alternatively, local health departments and oftentimes nearby pharmacies offer vaccines as well. Find contact information and more at www.choptankhealth.org/protected.

It’s never too late to sign your student up for school-based health care, with more information at your student’s health center or at choptankhealth.org/schoolbased.

Attention parents, guardians, caregivers, and daycare providers of children ages birth to eight! Join us for a four-part workshop to learn strategies used in PreK and beyond, and how these strategies can be used at home.

All details available at: carolineschools.org/article/1920932

#Caroline Family

• Flyer is on Peachjar

• Dates are on the district calendar

• News post is on CCPS and all elementary websites

For students, parents, teachers, and staff of South Asian ancestry,

The Maryland Governor's Commission on South Asian American Affairs is committed to supporting the educational success and growth of our community. We would love to hear about your experiences and perspectives on education. Your valuable input will help us develop initiatives and strategies to better support students, families, and educators in the South Asian American community across Maryland and ensure that no one is left behind. After inputting your responses, please remember to click "Submit" to have your responses submitted anonymously.

Please click here to complete the survey.

Survey link: https://forms.office.com/r/vCLGkeweWM

Click here for more information on the Commission.

Good attendance for your student begins on the first day of the school year. Consider the following facts:

• Chronic absenteeism may prevent children from reaching early milestones.

• Chronically absent students have difficulty keeping up with the pace at which they are expected to learn and grow.

• Students who are absent even a day or two every few weeks fall behind their peers.

• Irregular attendance can be a better predictor of whether students will drop out before graduation than test scores.

• Consistent, on-time attendance is a habit that lasts into adulthood.

In addition to wanting the best possible education for your child, we also closely monitor absences because Maryland law requires that children ages 5-18 attend school. Students may be withdrawn if not attending school regularly; students not enrolled or attending will be considered truant.

How Can Parents Encourage Good Attendance?

• Build good attendance habits early so children know that getting to school on time every day is important!

• Set a regular bedtime & morning routine, laying out clothes and backpacks the night before.

• Avoid scheduling appointments & trips when school is in session.

• Don't let your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick.

• Consider that sometimes a stomach ache or headache is a sign of anxiety. If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to the school about helpful resources.

GES fosters a collaborative community within a rigorous environment where students are empowered to advocate for their learning.

In partnership with family and community, Greensboro Elementary School will motivate and challenge students to attain educational excellence.

Front Office Hours: 8:30 – 4:00
Teacher Hours: 8:30 – 4:00

Caroline County Public Schools prohibits discrimination in its educational programs, and in employment, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or disability.