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08/22/2017 12:00 AMSuperintendent’s Welcome
It is an honor to welcome you back to another exciting school year together. Each year, as I look back over all that we have accomplished in our schools and as I look forward at what our community has planned as we continue to grow together, I take great pride in being a part of this thoughtful, supportive and growth-minded system of schools, and this year is no exception.
As your superintendent, I want each of you to know that we begin this year by building on a climate that is well established and a history of successes that have been well earned. Our teaching faculty are talented, well supported, exceptionally well prepared, and they are committed to the success of your children. They are caring and dedicated professionals who love learning and love the opportunity to create learning experiences for the students in their classes. Our academic performance, by any measure, indicates that we have made good decisions and makes clear that our students are responding to the instruction that they are receiving. More important, however, the environment that we see in our schools, the vibrant and vigorous classrooms, are filled with thinking and questioning and thoughtful grappling with ideas. Our classrooms are filled with student talk, sophisticated feedback, complex writing and problem solving, and because of that, we believe that your children are learning.
Beyond being a school community that is committed to a rigorous learning environment and an effective professional structure, our community is also committed to being a safe and supportive place for learning built on caring relationships and fostering positive decision making. Last year our community engaged in thoughtful and extended conversations on important topics like dress code and the purpose and expectations of homework. Students, parents, and professionals joined in those conversations collaboratively and respectfully, and while these are big topics that are charged with emotionality, we came away from those conversations with a more clear direction for our schools, and I came away proud of how we spoke to, but more important, listened to each other.
As we begin this new school year together, and as I once again marvel at my good fortune in being a part of this school community, I want to encourage us all to build on those positive relationships, and I want each and every one of you to know that I will continue to strive to model those effective listening and respectful communication skills that we will encourage and expect from each other and from the students who attend our schools. Through working together and respecting each other, we hope to have another productive year and continue to grow this wonderful school system.
Welcome back,
Paul Freeman, Ed.D
Superintendent of Schools
School Openings and Closings for Adverse Weather Conditions
For the safety of our staff and students, we will consider two options in the event of potentially hazardous traveling conditions on school mornings—(1), close school completely, or (2), delay the opening of school for two hours. All morning bus schedules will be delayed for two hours. Schools will close at the regular time.
Pre-K programs will operate under the following schedules when the two hour delay is employed: Pre-K Program (A.M.) sessions will be canceled; Pre-K Program (P.M.) will run 12:45 to 3:25 p.m.
In the event that school is closed or delayed, the information will be communicated through the following outlets:
(1) A SchoolMessenger email message will be sent to the first two email addresses you have provided to GPS.
(2) TV Stations: GCTV (local TV Channel 19), WTNH-TV (Channel 8), FOX 61 (Channel 61), WVIT-TV (Channel 30), and WFSB-TV (Channel 3)
(3) Radio stations: WKSS (95.7 FM), WWYZ (92.5 FM), and WHCH (105.9 FM)
(4) Website: www.guilfordschools.org
(5) Call 203-453-8200, press 6 to hear an updated message.
(6) Text message to families and staff who have opted in for this service.
Please do not call the town’s communication center for information relating to school closings.
If a storm begins during the school day and shows signs of developing into a potentially dangerous situation, schools will be closed early to enable us to get children home quickly and safely. In this type of situation, P.M. Pre-K sessions will be canceled.
If a storm begins during the school day, a SchoolMessenger telephone, text, and email message will be sent to all contacts provided to us. GCTV and our website will display this information and the radio and TV stations will be notified as soon as possible.
Parents are asked to make provisions for their children who will arrive home early in the event schools are dismissed early for weather-related reasons.
Please Note:
• There may be times when the weather worsens quickly and we have missed the window of time to officially call an early dismissal. In this situation, we may have the buses pick up students at school approximately 15 minutes earlier than normal to allow more travel time for the buses under deteriorating conditions. The SchoolMessenger emergency contact system will be implemented to send email, phone, and text messages to all contacts provided to us to make you aware of the early dismissal. Please be assured that bus drivers will not leave your young child at home if there is no one there. Drivers will attempt to contact a parent/guardian; if they are unable to, the child will be returned to school.
• When Guilford Public Schools are canceled because of inclement weather, Guilford pupils will not be transported to schools out of the district.
• The Police Department recommends to parents that it is safer for children to take school buses on days of inclement weather than for parents to provide transportation since buses are equipped with snow tires and chains. This action also reduces the number of cars on the road and minimizes the possibility of mishap.
If you have specific questions about these procedures, please contact your building principal.
Communications
Visitors will find the following information at the Guilford Public Schools website www.guilfordschools.org:
• GPS mission and vision
• Superintendent’s communications
• GPS Backpack—current events and activities for students and families from area organizations
• News, videos, and announcements
• Employment opportunities and applications
• Board of Education information (member contact information, meeting dates, minutes, agendas)
• Teaching and learning—curriculum, resources
• Calendars—school year and events by school and district
• School departments—facilities, technology, pupil services, health services, and mentoring
• Individual school websites
• Link to PowerSchool student information system
• District Data—strategic school profiles, enrollments
• Forms and notices—building use, transcript release, registration
• Community Connection—links to town boards and organizations
• Dining Services—lunch menus and My School Bucks
SCHOOLMESSENGER Notification System
The district’s messaging system allows GPS to communicate informational and emergency announcements via email, phone, and text message to parents and staff.
eCompass Electronic Newsletter
The school district’s electronic newsletter provides regular announcements and links for parents, staff, and students regarding events and information relevant to the GPS community. News and accomplishments are also announced via this outlet.
Our Direction
Superintendent of Schools Paul Freeman provides a regular electronic communication to parents, staff, and students to keep the GPS community informed on current issues and educational initiatives.
GCTV Channel 19
Current announcements and events are broadcast on Channel 19. Educational programming and Board of Education meetings are aired on this cable access television channel. Informational broadcasts pertaining to district initiatives and the education budget are also aired on this channel.
The State of the Schools
This annual communication provides an opportunity for the public to learn about the state of the school system. Information in the presentation includes curriculum, budget, district goals, accomplishments, test scores, and other highlights. The report is available on the district website and in limited numbers of printed booklets.
Open Houses, Orientations, and Back to School Nights
Open Houses
and Orientations
Elementary Schools: Wednesday, Aug. 30 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Baldwin Middle School Orientation and Picnic: Grade 5 and new Grade 6 students to Guilford on Monday, Aug. 28 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Adams Middle School New Student Orientation: Friday, Aug. 25 from 9:30 to 11 a.m.; orientation is for 7th and 8th grade students new to Guilford. Note that 7th grade teams will be conducting orientation during the first few days of school. If any incoming 7th grader would feel more comfortable receiving an additional tour, they may come on the morning of Aug. 25. The school asks that you call 203-453-2755 to let them know that you would like to be included.
Math placement for new students will take place on Thursday, Aug. 24 at 10 a.m. More information on placement procedures can be obtained from Adams Middle School.
Guilford High School Freshmen and New Student Orientation: Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Back to School Nights
Elementary Schools: Thursday,
Sept. 14
Baldwin Middle School,
Grade 5: Monday, Sept. 18
Baldwin Middle School,
Grade 6: Tuesday, Sept. 19
Adams Middle School, Grade 7:
Tuesday, Sept. 12
Adams Middle School, Grade 8:
Wednesday, Sept. 13
Guilford High School:
Thursday, Oct. 5
Specific times for Back to School night and other details will be communicated directly from the schools in the fall.
Guilford School Bus Schedules
School bus schedules for the 2017-’18 school year are available on the district website at www.guilfordschools.org/transportation.
Printed copies of the bus schedules are available at Guilford Public Schools’ Central Offices, 55 Park Street and 701 New England Road, at each school, and at the bus company, Student Transportation of America (STA), 130 Hubbard Road.
Guilford Board of Education Meetings through January 2018
Regular meetings are at 7:30 p.m. in the Guilford High School Media Center.
Monday, Sept. 11
Tuesday, Oct. 10
Monday, Nov. 13
Monday, Dec. 11
Monday, Jan. 8, 2018
Workshop meetings are held at
7:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 25 –
Calvin Leete School
Monday, Oct. 23 –
Baldwin Middle School
Monday, Nov. 277 –
Melissa Jones School
Monday, Jan. 22, 2018 –
Adams Middle School
Physical Exams
Students entering Kindergarten and grades 3, 6, and 10 are required to have a physical examination, meet proof of immunity requirements, and must submit a completed blue physical form. Students in grades 3, 6, and 10 have the entire school year to return their completed exam report. The completed exam report for Kindergarten students is to be returned to the school nurse before the first day of school. Kindergarten physicals performed 12 to 15 months prior to entry into Kindergarten are acceptable, provided all mandated information is complete and submitted on the blue State of Connecticut Health Assessment Record form.
Athletic Participation
A current physical examination form must be on file with the school nurse in order to participate. The examination expires 13 months from the date of the examination. When the physical expires, the student-athlete is ineligible to practice and/or compete. Student athletes and their parents are responsible for knowing the expiration date of their physical.
Medication in School
The State of Connecticut has set down very definitive regulations regarding administration of medication in schools. If it is necessary for your child to take medication, either prescription or over-the-counter, during school hours, these are the steps for you to follow to facilitate the procedure and to meet the State regulations:
1) The prescribing physician or dentist, licensed to practice in this or any other state, or advance practice registered nurse) or physician assistant, must submit a written order for each medication. Forms for these orders are available from the school’s health office or download from the link on the district’s website.
2) The parent/guardian must sign the written authorization for medication mentioned above, as well as for self-administration, when applicable.
3) The parent/guardian (or another adult) must deliver the medication directly to the nurse.
4) Medications must be brought to school, in the original over-the-counter container or the original pharmacy container, labeled with the name of the student, name of prescribing physician, date of original prescription, name and strength of medication, and directions for administering. No more than a 90 school day supply of medication will be kept in school.
50 Medication orders must be renewed each school year.
60 Medication must accompany the medication order. Students that self-carry should have a back-up medication available in the Health Office.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The Guilford Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or disability in its programs, activities, and employment practices and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries related to sex discrimination or harassment should be directed to Jason J. Beaudin, Title IX Coordinator and Assistant Superintendent, 701 New England Road, Guilford, CT 06437 or at 203-458-0001, ext. 6; inquiries related to disabilities should be directed to Virginia Brown, Director of Pupil Services, 701 New England Road, Guilford, CT 06437 or at 203-458-0001.