Tiger Families

Week 1 was great! We are excited to begin Week 2. We have a few reminders:

1. There is no school on Monday, September 2nd.
2. The late bell rings at 9:25 am. We have moved the late/tardy sign in sheet to the main office. If your child is late/tardy, please bring them inside the main office to sign in and get a late pass.
3. If your child misses school, it is important that you send in a note. This is the only way to get the absence excused (if it is for an allowable reason). Only excused absences will allow your child to get make up work.

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

Use the link below (save it for the year) to surprise staff throughout the year with their favorite things.

Your voices and input are important to us. Our GES families and educators have an opportunity to participate in a workshop to lead the way to positive change at GES and HCPSS. Family members will engage in a process to elevate their voice and their story to advocate and make demands that will lead to better outcomes for our school and county. The workshop will culminate with families sharing their stories and working together with educators (who will receive training in active listening) to develop a plan to put change into action.

Please use this link for more information. And complete the form if you are interested in participating. https://forms.gle/ySmZfjNHkzupN5tN6

Please join the PTA it is only $5 a membership this year. We need to vote in our budget on our first meeting on September 4th at 6:30pm. In the meeting will be held in person at GES. This budget needs to be approved in order for us to be able to do anything for GES, the staff or students. We need your support.

We are looking for our Sunshine families. Adopt a month and bring in a special surprise for the Staff (in the staff lounge). We usually do it the 2nd to last week of the month. It can be food, desserts, drinks, candies, cards, notes or anything you want to bring some sunshine to their day.

Lastly we are bringing back Grade Level Coordinators. This is an individual that would like to assist a certain grade level Para with the needs of that grade. It could mean coming in once a week to assist the Para or taking things home to cut and assemble. Reach out to your grade level Para and set up a time to meet and arrange duties to assist.

Community members are invited to attend one of these meetings to help inform the system’s new strategic plan by providing their input about stakeholder values during this virtual, hour-long opportunity facilitated by HCPSS staff. No registration is required.

• September 9, 2024 – 5:00–6:00 pm – Google Meet link

• September 10, 2024 – 7:00–8:00 pm – Google Meet link

• September 17, 2024 – 5:00–6:00 pm – Google Meet link

Dear Families,

HCPSS participates in the Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMs) program. QualificationLinks to an external site. is based on family size and income, and enrollment is confidential.

Participation in FARMs qualifies students for a wide range of opportunities and resources beyond breakfast and lunch, including free college applications, free or reduced JumpStart tuition, discounted internet through the Comcast Internet Essentials program, and more.

Families must submit a new application every school year by Oct. 31. During the first 30 school days, students with FARMs eligibility from the prior school year will continue to receive benefits. Any student whose family has not filled out an application by the 30th school day will have their status changed to full pay until a new application is received.

Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to fill out the applications as soon as possible. It is very important that applications are filled out accurately and completely. Families can:

• Apply onlineLinks to an external site.
• Apply by mail: Paper applications can be picked up in the Food and Nutrition Service Office (5451 Beaverkill Rd, Columbia, MD 21044). Applications can be returned to your child’s school or mailed to: HCPSS Food & Nutrition Service Office, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042.
  

If you have questions regarding the program, please visit www.hcpss.org/FARMsLinks to an external site. or call Food and Nutrition Services at 410-313-6743.

We still have several backpacks with supplies. Please email yesenia_portillo@hcpss.org

Breakfast and Lunch are free for all Guilford Elementary students.

Breakfast is served 9:10 - 9:25 am

Lunch is served at various times (depends on grade level) from 11:00 - 2:30 pm

We are looking for long term substitute teachers who want to work long term. We have one long term job starting in January, another in February, and the final in March. All three positions are for primary.

We are also looking for a Student Support Paraeducator. This is a permanent position. This paraeducator students and staff with behavior intervention.

We are looking for a TE. This person works with students in special education. This position is contracted and does not include benefits.

These are great opportunities for someone who wants to be off when their child is off. If you are interested in becoming a substitute or paraeducator at GES, please email Mr. Carter at Howard_Carter@hcpss.org

Families have been calling to ask if we know of any childcare options for before and after care. Below are links to places that have been shared with us. We are not affiliated with any of these programs, nor are we endorsing their quality. I'm sharing because we are short staffed in the front office.

If your child is interested in participating in either of these activities and assistance is needed, please reach out to Yesenia at Yesenia_Portillo@hcpss.org

Parents, Guardians, and Families,

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students. Preventing bullying is an important part of this goal. HCPSS Policy 9460 states that bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation are prohibited in HCPSS. Our administration and staff have been trained and made aware of this policy as well as preventative and responsive measures.

We know how important your role is in not only supporting your children, but also reporting possible incidents as you become aware of them. The Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimication (BCHI Reporting Form should be used to report all alleged incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation that occur at school or have a connection back to the school setting that create a risk of harm to other students while they are at school, or interfere with the educational environment. An online version is available and can easily and confidentially be used by students, staff, and family members. Hard copies of this form are available in the main office, staff workroom, school counseling office, media center, and health services office. If you believe your child has been bullied, please complete and submit this form as soon as possible and/or assist your child in doing so.

Once the form is submitted, school administrators will ensure the parent/guardian of both the alleged target and alleged offender are aware of the report and will begin an investigation within two school days of receiving the report. Parents/guardians can expect a school administrator to reach out to them during the investigation. Once the investigation is completed, parents/guardians will be provided written notice of the outcome of the investigation within fifteen days of receiving the compaint, excluding extenuating circumstances.

There are times when incidents of peer conflict or code of conduct offenses may occur that may not be bullying, but may need follow up action. If you become aware of something that falls under conflict and/or a code of conduct offense, please notify a school administrator via email or phone call so that they can become aware and follow up as needed.

Lastly, I want to take a moment to specifically lift up cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying using electronic media like computers, cell phones, and game systems. Our digital interconnectedness makes bullying different and more damaging than it’s ever been before. It allows hatred and publicly humiliating gossip or photos to be instantly far-reaching and inescapable as electronic media is everywhere. It can NOT simply be ignored. In October 2013, the State of Maryland enacted Grace’s Law, making misuse of interactive computer services a criminal offense. Its purpose is to prohibit anyone from using electronic media (computers, tablets, phones, etc.) to maliciously engage in conduct that inflicts serious emotional distress on a minor and/or places that minor in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury. A person who is found guilty of violating this law is subject to imprisonment and/or fines.

While all of this information will be reviewed with students at school, we are asking you to do the same at home. Thank you for your partnership in ensuring all of our students feel a sense of safety and belonging in their school communities! More information can be found on the HCPSS Stop Bullying website. If you have any questions regarding this policy or its implementation, please contact a school administrator.

No School: Labor Day

Back to School Night (PreK -2nd) 6:00 pm

Back to School Night (3rd-5th) 6:00 pm (GT) 7:00 pm

3 hour early dismissal (12:55 pm)