Dolphin Digest
Family Weekly Update: October 16, 2026
Gilpin Manor Elementary
Mr. Adam Goodwin, Principal
Mrs. Sarah Matthews, Assistant Principal
Dr. Lori Pitcock, Dean Of Students
Ms. Lauren Kegley, School Counselor
Ms. Misty Pearson, Community School Advisor
Ms. April Norman Title I Resource Teacher
Ms. Jessica Janusz-Grimes, School Social Worker
Ms. Mary Klesius, School Social Worker
Mr. Stephen Smith , Student Service Resource Teacher
Website: www.ccps.org/gmes
Location: 203 Newark Avenue, Elkton, MD, USA
Phone: 410.996.5040
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GilpinManorElementary/
Translation / Traducción
Para traducir un mensaje a otro idioma al usar un dispositivo móvil, haga clic en el mensaje y abrirá en una nueva ventana. Arriba del mensaje dice “Translate Newsletter”. Haga clic en las palabras y escoja el idioma que necesite.
Message from the Principal:
Welcome to the Gilpin Manor Dolphin Digest. For those of you who are new to Gilpin Manor, This news letter will be sent out every Friday afternoon at 5:00 pm via email as well as posted on our Facebook page. If you have questions about any of the content of the newsletter, please email the staff member directly or call the main office. Please do not reply to this newsletter.
Good Evening,
I would like to begin this week by thanking our GMES Community. Last evening we hosted out 3rd annual Haunted Hallway. This event grows bigger each year and really highlights why we do what we do here at GMES. The costumes, laughter and smiles on the students and parents faces solidifies how awesome this community is. Please see the pictures below.
Also this week... Students participated in the "Great American Shake Out". This is an annual drill that Cecil County Public Schools participates in to practice earthquake preparedness. Our students did a fantastic job. This emergency drill is one of many that students and staff participate in to help ensure a safe and secure learning environment. Should you have questions about this, or any of our other drills, please reach out to Dr. Pitcock.
Some highlights for next week include Donuts with Grown Ups (see flyer below). Code Yellow Drill. National School Bus Safety Week
November 2nd, SAVE THE DATE- On November 2nd, schools will be closed for student to allow time for all day parent teacher conferences. Parents, teachers will be sending information today, if they have not already, about how to sign up for a 15 minute conference with them. This is an excellent opportunity to hear about your student's progress in their classes. Please respond to the teachers and schedule your appointments.
School Attendance- Regular, on time, school attendance is crucial to student success. Student who demonstrate regular, on time, attendance score higher on state assessments, and have a higher reading level. GMES's goal this year is a 95% attendance rate. Our attendance rate the last 30 days is 94.62% If you have any needs as they relate to attendance, please contact Mrs. Pearson, CSA, or Mr. Smith, SSRT.
UPCOMING EVENTS
10/18-10/22 National Bus Safety Week
10/21 Donuts with Grown Up (Bullying)
10/23-31 Red Ribbon Week
10/27 National Occupational Therapist Week
11/2 Parent Conference Day
11/3 Schools Closed for Election Day
11/5 End of Marking Period 1
11/5 Picture Re-takes
11/11 Early dismissal
11/11 Donuts with Grown Ups Veterans Day edition
11/16-11/20 American Education Week
11/18 Report Cards issued
11/25-11/27 Thanksgiving holiday (schools closed)
Thank you
Adam Goodwin
Principal
Haunted Hallway Fun
Parks and Recreation Parent Survey- Please take a moment to take the survey
GMES Family Needs Assessment
Please take a moment to complete the needs assessment below to help us program for families.
Gilpin Manor Elementary Budget Priorities
We are asking all parents to complete this budget survey for the 2027-2028 school year. While we know that this time seems far off, your input is valued as we look towards next year. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at this link https://forms.gle/KqWLCtQNiHUJXoG86
GMES TENTATIVE CALENDER OF EVENTS
Please note that these dates tentative and may be subject to change.
CECIL COUNTY CONNECTIONS
Please check out the Cecil Connections newsletter for information and resources for families. The newsletter can be found here Cecil County Connections
JUDY CENTER INFORMATION
The Gilpin Manor Judy Center Early Learning Hub, provides programming for families with children prenatal through age 5, that live in the Gilpin Manor school catchment area. All services are provided free of charge. Families can access Family Service Coordination that helps connect caregivers to community resources agencies. Join us for Playgroups that are developmentally appropriate and are focused on school readiness by supporting parents/caregivers as their child’s first and best teacher!
If you would like more information- please email Katie Flannery- kaflannery@ccps.org or call/text 410-996-5083.
GMES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Please follow GMES on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/GilpinManorElementary
and now on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/gilpinmanorelementaryschool/
Transportation
Bus Stops - All CCPS schools have sent bus stop information home to CCPS families for the 2026-2027 school year. If you did not receive bus stop information and you want your child/children to be transported by CCPS, please contact your school to request a stop.
WheresTheBus (Parent App) - This app utilizes GPS technology on our school buses to provide secure access for parents to know when their child’s bus will arrive at the bus stop right from their phone or computer. As the school year approaches, please sign up for the WheresTheBus parent app. Click here to learn more.
GMES Schedule
Office Hours: 8:00 am. - 4:30 p.m. (M,T,TH,F) 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (W)
School Hours - PreK-5th Gr: 8:45 a.m. - 3:35 p.m. (M,T,TH,F) 8:45 a.m. - 1:50 p.m. (W)
School Hours - Preschool: AM Session- 8:45 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. PM Session- 12:50 p.m. - 3:35 p.m.