GES September Family Newsletter

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.

The GES school community is truly a family. We know that for our students to get the best education they deserve, it takes a village. GES would not be where we are today without our students, teachers, parents, staff, and community members. Each of us is a unique and important part of the education equation, which equals success for our students' future.

As a tribute to our strong family tree, we ask that you share a photo of your student and family which will be displayed in our school. Of course, this is not mandatory or expected. However, we very much want you to know that we value our relationships and want to exhibit our strong family connections.

If you would like to participate in this project with us, please send in your family photo. You are welcome to stop by the front office and drop off a photo or email it to one of the administrators or our Community Schools Coordinator, Ashley Powell. You are also welcome to send a photo in with your student on the first day of school. We hope that you will join us in this project.

Emails:

kerr.maryjo@ccpsstaff.org

walker.briana@ccpsstaff.org

murray.jaclyn@ccpsstaff.org

powell.ashley@ccpsstaff.org

September 5th - First Day of School for K-5 Students

September 11th:

• PreK 4 Orientation 9-12 PM & 1-3PM
• PreK 3 Orientation 10-11AM & 1-2 PM

September 12th - First day for PreK 3 & PreK 4 Students

September 13th - "Wild About Learning" Night @ GES 6-7PM

September 13th - Chorus (Grades 3-5) & Band (Grade 5) Information Night 7PM

September 15th - Early Dismissal 1PM

September 19th - Multilingual Learner Night - 6-7PM

September 21st - Picture Day

September 29th - No School - Professional Development Day for Staff

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.

8:45 – Building opens to students

9:00 - School Day Begins

3:40 – Car riders and Bus 6 first shuttle dismissed

3:45 – All students dismissed

All Caroline County Public School students may eat breakfast and lunch free of charge this year, with no application needed. CCPS now participates in the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows free meals for all students in schools in low-income areas. There will still be a charge for extra items such as snacks. School menus may be found on the Caroline Schools, MD free mobile app and on all CCPS websites.

GES is blessed to have a wonderful PTA. The first PTA meeting for the school year is October 2nd at GES, in the cafeteria, at 6pm. We hope you are able to join us.

Meet our PTA officers:

President: Michelle Berggren

Vice President: Chelsea Powell

Secretary: Samantha Turner

Treasurer: Heather Gellert

Parents Right to Know:

The Federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains several provisions that promote a parent/school partnership through communication. One such provision gives parents the right to ask for and receive information about the professional qualifications of their child’s classroom teachers. A parent may request the following information:

• Any college or university degree, major or certification held by the teacher

• Whether the teacher is certified by the State of Maryland to teach a particular grade level or subject area

• Whether the teacher holds a conditional teaching certificate

• The qualifications of the paraprofessionals serving the student

If you would like to request the professional qualifications of your child’s classroom teachers or paraprofessionals, please submit a written request to the principal. The principal will provide the information to you within 30 business days of the date of your request.

Parents may also request information on the level of achievement and academic growth of their child, if applicable and available, on each of the State academic assessments.

Parents will receive timely notice if the student has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who does not meet applicable State certification or licensure requirements at the grade level and subject area in which the teacher has been assigned.

If you have any Title I questions please do not hesitate to school the school directly.

Front Office Hours: 8:15 – 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.