Tiger Families

If you or anyone you know are in need to emergency services or a warm place to stay, use the link below to learn about the services provided by Grassroots.

Doors open at 9:10 for students to enter GES

If students are dropped off before 9:10 they will have to stay outside.

The ACTIVATE™ cognitive training program is available for free for 1st-5th grade students in our school. This program has helped students across the country build important skills like focus, self-control, and memory, and improve their reading and math scores. Students who participate in ACTIVATE will win for prizes throughout the year, and families that sign up by December 12th are eligible to win a Target gift card.

To learn more about ACTIVATE™ or sign up today, please visit https://www.brainfutures.org/youth/activate-in-howard-county/

The GES PTA Sneaker Ball is coming soon! You don't want to miss this! Use the link below to purchase your tickets. This event always sells out.

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the importance of maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all our students. One of the most critical issues we face as a school community is bullying, which can have lasting effects on children’s well-being, social development, and academic success. We believe that addressing bullying requires a partnership between students, families, and school staff.

Understanding Bullying

Bullying is more than just occasional teasing. It is intentional, repeated aggressive behavior that can be verbal, physical, or social, and it often involves an imbalance of power. While some bullying behaviors can be overt, others are more subtle but just as harmful. Examples of bullying include:

• Physical bullying: Hitting, pushing, or damaging property.

• Verbal bullying: Name-calling, teasing, and hurtful comments.

• Social/Relational bullying: Spreading rumors, excluding others, and social manipulation.

• Cyberbullying: Using digital platforms to harass or intimidate someone.

How You Can Help at Home

Parents play an essential role in preventing bullying and supporting their children through difficult experiences. Here are some steps you can take:

• Talk to Your Child: Encourage open communication with your child about their social experiences, both online and offline. Discuss how they should handle situations where they witness bullying or experience it themselves.

• Set a Positive Example: Show your child how to be kind and respectful toward others. Modeling good behavior in your interactions will teach them valuable social skills.

• Monitor Online Activity: If your child uses social media or online platforms, make sure you are aware of their online interactions. Cyberbullying can be particularly damaging, and it’s important to stay engaged with your child’s digital life.

• Reinforce Respect and Empathy: Remind your child that treating others with respect and kindness is always the right thing to do, no matter the situation. Teach them how to stand up for others in a positive way, not by fighting, but by seeking help and offering support.

• Support School Efforts: Be an active partner in your child’s education and in the school’s anti-bullying efforts. Attend parent meetings, participate in workshops, and reinforce school policies at home.

Together, we can build a culture of respect, kindness, and safety in our school, ensuring that every student feels valued and supported. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students safe. More information can be found on the HCPSS Stop Bullying website. An online version for reporting is available and can easily and confidentially be used by students, staff, and family members. If you have any questions regarding this policy or its implementation, please contact a school administrator.

Below is the list of the Howard County Office of Children and Families current workshops and resources for families for January and February. These programs are free and geared for families with children ages Birth - 5. Staff can also sign up to receive the Parent Pages monthly newsletter about ongoing programs.

This information is neither sponsored nor endorsed by HCPSS, but serves to extend resources for students and families.

January Parent Pages Newsletter

Selecting High Quality Child Care
Selecting child care can feel overwhelming for parents. Everyone wants to find care that meets their needs: a safe and healthy environment, a place where their child enjoys attending, convenient hours and location, and a program that is affordable. Learn how to choose the right child care program for your family and how to apply for the Child Care Scholarship to help with tuition.
Wednesday, January 22, 1:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop. Register here

Effective Parenting Plans: Co-Parenting Across Two Households
Creating a successful parenting plan is crucial for fostering a harmonious and supportive environment for children, especially when parenting across two households. Learn key elements of building a comprehensive parenting plan, focusing on the practical steps and strategies needed to ensure a smooth and collaborative co-parenting experience.
Monday, January 27, 7:00 p.m. Free virtual workshop. Register here

From The Womb To The Classroom: Kindergarten Readiness
It is never too early to lay the foundation for learning. Discover how early parent-child experiences shape your child’s development for their success in kindergarten and beyond.
Thursday, January 30, 7:00 p.m. Free virtual workshop, Register here

Grand Connections series
Introducing the Grand Connections series: Are you a grandparent providing care for a grandchild under five? Want to learn more about how to make the most of your time with your grandchild, connect with other grandparents and catch up on the latest info on raising little ones? Join the Office of Children & Families staff and explore the unique bond between grandparents and their grandchildren! Saturdays starting in February at Elkridge 50+ Center. Workshops cover current caregiving strategies, partnering with parents, bedtime strategies, screen time, mealtimes, behaviors, and routines. To view entire series, visit here

Grandparents: The Cornerstone of Early Child Care
Discover the vital role grandparents play in shaping a child’s early years. This workshop explores effective caregiving strategies, fosters stronger intergenerational bonds, and provides tools to support your grandchildren’s growth and development with love and wisdom. Saturday, February 1, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Elkridge 50+ Center, Patapsco Valley Free, Register here

Sharing the Care with Adult Children and Other Caregivers
Caring for a loved one is a team effort. This workshop provides practical strategies for collaborating with adult children and other caregivers to create a cohesive and supportive care plan. Learn how to communicate effectively, set boundaries, and ensure everyone’s needs are met in a balanced and compassionate way.

Saturday, February 8, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Elkridge 50+ Center, Patapsco Valley Room. Free, register here

Good Night, Sleep Tight
Sleep is essential for health and well-being, but achieving restful nights can be a challenge for caregivers and their loved ones. This workshop explores practical tips and proven techniques to improve sleep quality, manage sleep disruptions, and create a soothing bedtime routine for you and those in your care.

Saturday, February 22, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Elkridge 50+ Center, Patapsco Valley Room. Free, register here

• JAN.24.FRI: No MESA Mtg

• JAN.31.FRI: MESA Mtg (4-5pm)(Media Center)

  
  

School Closed- Martin Luther King Jr Day

Winter Concert @ GPHS

On January 22 Patuxent Valley Middle School will be hosting out Rising 6th Grade Family Orientation from 6pm to 7:30pm in the school cafeteria.

PBIS Celebration

3 hour early dismissal (dismissal begins at 12:55 pm)

End of 2nd Quarter (Even with snow days, this remains the end date for Quarter 2)

GES Spelling Bee

No School- Professional Work Day for teachers

3rd and 4th grade field trip to Toby's

Please join us Friday, March 21-Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Harriet Tubman Cultural Center for The People's Conference II: Returning to Who We Are

Returning to Who We Are serves as a reminder of the core principles and values that define restorative justice through its indigenous roots. It encourages us to reconnect to our authentic selves, communities, land, and the fundamental human dignity that restorative justice seeks to uphold. This theme underscores the necessity of returning to our shared humanity and inherent worth; reflecting on our personal and collective journeys; and serves as a call to action, inspiring participants to cultivate a more just and compassionate society based on healing and unlearning.

We look forward to seeing you! Register here.

To update your phone number or address, email: GESRegistrars@hcpss.org

To provide a note for an absence, email the child's name, homeroom teacher, and date of absence, along with any images of notes to: GESAbsence@hcpss.org