Dolphin Digest
Family Weekly Update: March 19, 2023
Gilpin Manor Elementary
Dr. Jessica Casbolt, Assistant Principal
Mr. Ryan Crouse, Acting 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,
I want to make you aware that Cecil County Public Schools will officially open Preschool, PreK, and Kindergarten registration on April 1st. Preschool is a half day 4-day a week program (Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri). These children must be 3 years old on or before September 1, 2023. PreK registration is open for children in Cecil County who will be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2023. Children may be enrolled in Kindergarten if they are 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023. Registration will be completed online at www.ccps.org. Please be sure to share these details with neighbors, family, and friends who have children in this age range. (See flyer below)
During this upcoming week, we will recognize Tuesday, March 21, as World Down Syndrome Day. This day is marked each year to recognize individuals who have Down Syndrome and to grow awareness about Down Syndrome. This year's theme is 'With Us Not For Us' to acknowledge that people with disabilities have the right to be treated fairly and have the same opportunities as everyone else, working With others to improve their lives. During this particular day, we encourage students and staff to 'rock their socks' by wearing brightly colored and unique socks, including mismatched socks. We hope you will join us!
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.
Bus Lane
Welcome Mr. Crouse
Mr. Crouse is joining us for the remainder of the school year as a second assistant principal to assist students and families.
GMES Yearbooks: 2022-2023
You can also access our School Cash system to pay for a yearbook here: https://ccps.schoolcashonline.com
Please feel free to call the main office with any questions you might have about yearbooks and the process of ordering them.
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
March: Women's History Month, National Nutrition Month, & Fine Arts/Music in Schools Month
- Tuesday, March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day (Rock your socks!)
- Tuesday, March 21 - Donuts with Grownups at 8:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, March 22 - World Water Day
- Wednesday, March 29 - PTA Spirit Day at Roma's
- Thursday, March 30 - ALICE Drill at 9:30 a.m. (campus will be closed off)
- Thursday, March 30 - All County Elementary Band Concert at 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, March 31 - Marking Period 3 ends
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.
The car loop operates from 8:45-8:55 a.m. and then again from 3:30-3:45 p.m.
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 third marking period, our students will work through our Second Step Elementary unit 3 which focuses on empathy and kindness. Children will learn how to recognize kindness and act kindly toward others, develop empathy for others and take other's perspectives, and act with empathy. Social Emotional Learning is important to the development of every individual.
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.
Additional Parent/Guardian AVID resources from AVID.
Bookworms
**I encourage you to check out the 'Big Idea,' which explains our DI. block (differentiated instruction). This can help you see if your child is at proficiency in reading or if they are still on their journey to achieving proficiency.
Mathematics Instruction
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.
Additional supports and resources can be found here and here. Check them out!
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 makes 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: 95.6% PK: 93.6% K: 86.9% 1st: 92.2%
2nd: 87.2% 3rd: 94.6% 4th: 90.6% 5th: 91.7%
Overall: 91.0%
CONGRATS TO PRESCHOOL, PREK, 1ST GRADE, AND 3RD GRADE WHO SURPASSED 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
PTA meetings take place during the first Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the GMES library. We hope you will join us for our meetings!
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 - Heather McCauley
- Treasurer - Ashley Carmichael-Stokes
- Secretary - Crystal Blake
- Past President - Sabrina Roberts
- GMES Staff Liaison - Kelly Strawbridge
Be sure to 'Like' our Facebook page - Gilpin Manor PTA.
CCPS Family Resource Center Playgroups
Title I
Below are two of our GMES Title I documents:
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.