Dolphin Digest
Family Weekly Update: November 27, 2022
Gilpin Manor Elementary
Dr. Jessica Casbolt, Assistant Principal
Ms. Lauren Kegley, School Counselor
Ms. Misty Pearson, Community School Advisor
Ms. Maggie Buto, Title I Resource Teacher
Ms. Melissa Pratt, Title I Resource Teacher
Mr. Charlie Givens, Student Services Resource Teacher
Ms. Jessica Janusz-Grimes, School Mental Health Professional
Ms. Mary Klesius, School Mental Health Professional
Email: dfoskey@ccps.org
Website: www.ccps.org/gmes
Location: 203 Newark Avenue, Elkton, MD, USA
Phone: 410.996.5040
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GilpinManorElementary/
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Message from the Principal
Hello Gilpin Families,
As we wrap up the month of November and enter December this week, we are looking ahead to the many events that will take place at Gilpin Manor. Please note that there will be Fall Portrait retakes this Friday, December 2. We are also excited for our PTA Winterfest on Friday, December 9, and our Winter Concert on Friday, December 16. Keep a look out for additional information coming soon!
Speaking of the month of December, the cold weather months are upon us. Please be sure to send your child to school wearing winter coats, hats, and gloves. If you are in need of support to get these items for your child, please contact Mrs. Misty Pearson, our Community School Advisor, who would be happy to assist you. We want all of our students to be warm, happy, and healthy this winter. To support healthy children, please chat with your child about proper handwashing. This will help prevent the spread of germs!
At Gilpin Manor, we strive to be a support system for our GMES students and families. If you are in need of assistance, have questions, or just need to check-in, please email me at dfoskey@ccps.org or contact the school at 410-996-5040. Dr. Casbolt, our assistant principal, can also be reached at jkcasbolt@ccps.org. I hope you are safe and well!
And, as always, be kind to one another.
Fondly,
Don Foskey
#WeCan
Reminders:
- Check out the cafeteria meal menu.
- Check out details about our Community School Advisor and Community Schools.
Virtual Instruction Survey
**Other schools will surveys for students who attend them, such as Elkton Middle and Elkton High.
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
December:
- Thursday, December 1: Dolphin Pride Day: Holiday Spirit!
- Friday, December 2: Fall Portrait Retake Day (parent/guardian request only)
- Friday, December 9: PTA Winterfest from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
- Friday, December 9: Marking Period 2 Interim Period Ends
- Week of December 12: Holidays Around the World Spirit Week
- Monday, December 19: Marking Period 2 Interims issued to families
- Wednesday, December 21: GMES Jingle Bell Tour (school staff tour some of our neighborhoods giving out books and spreading winter holiday cheer)
- Friday, December 23-January 2: Schools Closed for Winter Break!
Car Loop
Please remember some of our car loop expectations. Family members must stay in the vehicle at all times. Students should get out of the car on the passenger side, not the driver side. Please turn music down, keep your car tag on the rearview mirror, and follow all directions given by the school staff members present.
Please note that you are ONLY allowed to turn right out of each car loop. This keeps traffic flowing smoothly. This ensures the safety of everyone.
Principal's Book of the Month
We are excited to continue our ‘Principal’s Book of the Month’ program at Gilpin Manor. Throughout the school year, Mr. Foskey will select a book that will be given to every GMES student. During the month, students are encouraged to read the book. Teachers may complete activities with the book in classrooms as well.
The ‘Principal’s Book of the Month’ program will help us continue to build our learning community. One book will give us a common experience to discuss with our entire school family. Our books might have gentle messages, celebrate a person or event, or give us ways to discuss our Gilpin values. These books are intended to highlight something special and bring joy to our lives. We hope you and your child will read our book of the month.
Social-Emotional Learning
Throughout the second marking period, our students are working through our Second Step Elementary unit 2 which focuses on emotion management. Children will learn how to identify and label emotions and use emotion-management strategies--including stress management for older students--to calm strong feelings. (see the home links attached at the very end of this newsletter)
To support families with SEL, below are a few resources:
AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination
As part of our work as an AVID school, we take time to teach students organizational skills, note-taking habits, and writing skills. We also enhance our lessons with different levels of questioning and creative ways to engage students in their learning. Ask your student how they remain organized at school!
To learn more about AVID, please view this presentation from our Gilpin University event: AVID.
Bookworms
Support for Math Facts
K-5 Math Teaching Resources: Is a website full of games and activities for each math standard that allow you and your child to better understand different topics being taught in the classroom. There are different categories to choose from: number sense, geometry, and measurement and data. Click on the activity or game that will help practice different mathematical concepts. Recommended for Kindergarten through 5th grade.
Attendance
Arrival: 8:45-8:55 a.m. Dismissal: 3:30-3:45 p.m.
Attendance at school each and every day is very important. This make sure students have consistent access to teachers and learning experiences. We will share weekly attendance rates for each grade level and the whole school each week.
Check out this great resource about attendance at school: Absences Adds Up!
Our goal each week is for each grade level, and our school overall, to have 92% or greater attendance. Attendance rates for this week are posted below:
PS: 90.4% PK: 86.3% K: 89.6% 1st: 84.7%
2nd: 92.3% 3rd: 90.2% 4th: 85.0% 5th: 87.3%
Overall: 88.1%
Congratulations to 2nd grade for surpassing our goal of 92%!
Cafeteria News
Gilpin Manor is very fortunate to be able to offer a free breakfast and lunch to every student. To access the meal menu, please see this link: Meal Menu.
Students are invited to get a meal from the cafeteria or to bring one of their own.
Check out the MD SNAP-Ed Facebook page for more information on cooking demos and other great nutrition information - https://www.facebook.com/EatSmartMD
PTA Post
Official PTA elections will take place during the upcoming December PTA meeting on Monday, December 5. We hope you will join us for the meeting!
If you are interested in joining the PTA, a committee, or have any questions, please email us at gilpinmanorpta@gmail.com
2022-2023 PTA Board Members:
- President - Renee' Sayers
- Vice President - TBD
- Treasurer - TBD
- Secretary - TBD
- Past President - Sabrina Roberts
- GMES Staff Liaison - Kelly Strawbridge
Be sure to 'Like' our Facebook page - Gilpin Manor PTA.
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.