August 8, 2022
Dear Gorman Crossing Families & Friends,
I hope this email finds you enjoying the summer, gathering with friends and family, and maybe starting to think about the beginning of school. Before you know it, August 29th will be here!
Please read all of the information below carefully. There is a lot of information that will help you get off to a great start for the school year.
We are looking forward to the start of another wonderful year!
Deborah Holmes, Principal
Jayme Brewrink, Assistant Principal
Mark Your Calendar!
August 9
Kindergarten Virtual Parent Meeting
9:00 – 10:00am
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/aco-fsrc-vdh
Or dial: (US) +1 252-376-1686 PIN: 398 586 213#
August 18
Kindergarten Play Date
3:00 - 4:00 High Ridge Park/Playground
August 19
Kindergarten Play Date
9:00 - 10:00 Emerson Park/Playground
August 23
Back to School Night - K, 1, 5
5:00 - 5:45 Virtual Option
6:00 - 7:00 in person
August 24
Back to School Night- RECC, 2, 3, 4
5:00 - 5:45 Virtual Option
6:00 - 7:00 in person
August 26
Open House Day!
9:00 - 10:00 RECC/Kindergarten Open House
This is just for RECC and Kindergarten students. Older students will have their Open House in the afternoon.
12:15 New Student Welcome
New students in grades 1 - 5, please join us for a sneak peek at your new school!
1:00 - 2:00 Whole School Open House
Welcome Back! Come on in and see your friends, meet your teacher, and drop off your supplies!
August 29
First Day of School- K - 5
Doors open at 9:10, Instruction starts at 9:25
September 1
First Day for RECC and PreK
September 5- Schools & Offices Closed for Labor Day
September 9
Back to School Picnic and Dance Party - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
September 12
Gifted & Talented Information Session
5:00 - 5:45 Virtual Option
6:00 - 7:00 in person
September 13
PTA Meeting
7:00 Virtual
Welcome to new staff members!
Please join me in welcoming the following new staff members. Updates to the websites about grade level teams are coming soon!
Special Education- Lauren Monje, joining us from Rolling Terrace ES in Takoma Park
Kindergarten Instructional Team Leader- Rachel Dignan, joining us from Guilford ES
2nd Grade- Melanie Keener, joining us from Towson University, and an internship and long term substitute position here at Gorman Crossing
4th Grade - Ellie Lansing, joining us from Towson University, and internships at Bellow Springs and Waterloo ES here in Howard County
5th Grade-Nicole Meyerson, joining us from James Elementary in Florida, where she was the Assistant Principal
5th Grade, Caley Coughlan, joining us from Towson University (by way of Atholton, Murray Hill, and GCES!)
School Hours - 9:25am - 3:55 pm
Arrival
9:10 am - Doors open for students
9:25 am - Instruction begins
Dismissal
3:45 pm - Car Riders, Walkers and After Care are Dismissed
3:50 pm - Bus Riders will be dismissed as buses arrive
Transportation
Complete information on starting the 2022-2023 school year, including the bus stop locator, will be available online and shared with families via email by mid-August. Final schedules and teacher assignments will be available in HCPSS Connect Synergy in late August.
2022-2023 School Meals
Families are reminded that the federal government has not extended waivers allowing free meals for all students. Consequently, for the 2022-2023 school year, students whose families do not qualify for free or reduced lunch will be required to pay the daily meal price.
Many HCPSS families are eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program, which provides children with a wide range of benefits. Families are urged to check their eligibility and complete a FARMs application as soon as possible. Families must submit a new application every school year. Details on the Free and Reduced Meals program, including a link to apply, are available online.
Medications During the School Day
School health room staff administer medications, store medications in the school’s health room and keep records of when medications are taken by the student. Any medications required during school hours including prescription, “over-the-counter” (OTC) and homeopathic/herbal medications require a medication order signed by an approved health care provider and are subject to the HCPSS medication policy and procedure.
A new medication order is required for every new school year dated on or after July 1. Please complete the Medication order form. Medication orders will be accepted only by the school health room staff. School health room staff will be available beginning August 18th to receive medication and forms. We are unable to use orders from the 2021/22 school year for next year. Medication orders expire at the end of each school year. Please note HCPSS Health Rooms do not provide any medication to students unless provided by the family with a proper order form.
For more information, please visit the HCPSS website.