The Weekly Update
April 22nd, 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.
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!!
Applications for STEM 6 will open on April 2 and close on April 30, 2024. No late applications will be accepted. The online application will be found on the Academies page of the SMCPS website.
The final day for students will be Friday, June 7, 2024.
- 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).
The School Based Health Center has 2 locations and is a great resource and is open to all SMPCS students and staff. To enroll to receive health care services through the SBHCs, please click here or give the location center a call to make an appointment.
🗓 Coming Up!
April
22- Earth Day
25- Kindergarten to the zoo
📄 Spring Testing Window - April 1 - April 30
🙋♀️ For questions about our state testing, click here.
May
2-Gr. 2 & 5 To Sotterley
3-Gr. 1 To Elms
3-Gr. 2 & 5 to Sotterley
6-Gr. 1 to Elms
6-Gr. 2 & 5 to Sotterley
10- 2 hour early dismissal
14- Primary Election Day- School is closed for students
17- Field Day
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
30 - Chorus Concert
June
7-The final day for students
GO OWLS!!!
