Dolphin Digest
Family Weekly Update: October 2, 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,
It is hard to believe that we are over a month into school and its October. On Monday of this week we reach the end of the first interim period. Interims will be sent home electronically on Tuesday 10/6/2026 by 4:00 pm. This week also held some cool events for our students. On Tuesday the 2nd grade traveled to Fair Hill Nature Center for a day of exploration and learning. Students that were in attendance on Wednesday got to enjoy our first Attendance Celebration of the year. The Cafeteria was turned into a carnival/circus theme with games, prizes, and snacks (see pictures below). These celebrations are designed to stress the importance of coming to school each and every day. A huge shout out to Misty Pearson and her team for putting on an awesome event. GMES will be busy in the coming weeks. Next week we will see Fire Prevention Week activities, October kicks off Bullying Prevention Month, and we will have our 3rd annual Haunted Hallway on 10/15/2026. Lastly, a reminder for parents and students, as the cooler weather sets in please remind your students to be aware of leaving sweatshirts and other clothing on the playground. This is the time of year where the lost and found seems to fill up really quick.
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 for the month of September was 94.8%. If you have any needs as they relate to attendance, please contact Mrs. Pearson, CSA, or Mr. Smith, SSRT.
UPCOMING EVENTS
10/5-10/9 Fire prevention week
10/6 Interims issued
10/15 Haunted Hallway 6 - 8:00 pm
10/15 Great American Shake Out (Earth Quake Drill)
10/16 Professional Day- Schools closed for students
10/21 Donuts with Grown Up (Bullying)
10/23-31 Red Ribbon Week
Thank you
Adam Goodwin
Principal
Candy Donations Needed
GMES is in need of candy donations for this event. If you are able or willing to donate please drop off in the main office.
September 30th Attendance Celebrations
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.