Hello Gilpin Families,

This week, we will transition from January into February. It seems like the first month of 2023 has gone by very quickly! With the change of months comes a new Principal's Book of the Month. Our new book is called Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse! by Laure Numeroff. This is a book in the If You Give a Mouse a Cookie family. While reading this book with your child or listening to them read it to you (yes, even our older students), engage them in conversation about what they love most about family members and friends. In the middle of the week, students will bring home these books and some activities that go along with them.

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.

Schools and businesses in Cecil County are participating in the 2nd Annual Red Sand Project during the month of January. The project was created by artist Molly Gochman and uses red sand to raise awareness for survivors of human trafficking. “Filling in the cracks” and making the vulnerable visible. Filling in the cracks with bright red sand for others to see will spread awareness of this issue.

At Gilpin Manor we want students to be aware of keeping safe on an

elementary level. Personal Safety lessons are taught to all grade levels every year with the focus being on keeping your body safe! Saying No, Go, and Telling an adult when they feel uncomfortable is the plan all students learn. We will be sharing with students that the red sand in our sidewalk cracks is to remind them to be safe, if they are ever in a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable to follow our “No, Go, Tell” personal safety plan.

February: Black History Month

• Wednesday, February 1 - Global School Play Day
• Thursday, February 2 - GMES Pride Day: Sports Team Day
• Thursday, February 2 - My Family Matters event at 5:00 p.m.
• Week of February 6 - National School Counseling Week
• Monday, February 6 - GMES PTA Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the library
• Tuesday, February 7 - Report Cards issued via email
• Tuesday, Feb 7 - Anti-Bullying Posters due (for anyone choosing to participate)
• Wednesday, February 8 - 100th Day of School
  
• Wednesday, February 8 - Board of Education meeting at 5:30 p.m.
• Friday, February 10 - Student Marking Period Gatherings (grades 2-5)

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.

SEL is how we foster skills like resilience, perseverance, focus, and kindness. It is how we support children in setting and working toward goals and building and maintaining positive relationships. SEL is something that we are working on at Gilpin Manor. All of us, children and adults, can always make improvements. To support families with SEL, below are a few resources:

To support families with SEL, below are a few resources:

• Second Step Program: Information for Families (see sample lessons!)
• Resource Guide to Social and Emotional Learning
  
• Let's Talk SEL

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: 95.4% PK: 88.6% K: 91.9% 1st: 90.0%

2nd: 88.0% 3rd: 94.1% 4th: 96.9% 5th: 91.6%

Overall: 91.9%

CONGRATULATIONS TO PRESCHOOL, 3rd GRADE, and 4th GRADE FOR SURPASSING OUR GOAL OF 92%!

There has been a lot of illness making its way throughout our community. Please encourage good handwashing habits, covering faces when coughing, and staying home when sick.

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.

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.