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Community Welcome Letter

August 10, 2023

Greetings Parents/Guardians of Our Glassmanor Ambitious Tigers: 

We hope you have enjoyed the summer and are just as excited as we are about the upcoming school year! We have planned for high student achievement balanced with social emotional learning and a host of engaging activities for our students.

This school year, we have 3 areas of focus, to ensure the success of all of our students:

  • Fostering a positive school culture and climate
  • Increased student achievement in Mathematics for multilingual learners 
  • Social and Emotional Learning and positive mental health for all 

Here are some of OUR Glows from last school year:

  • As a school, we met our Math targets for student growth from Benchmark 1 to Benchmark 3 assessments with 35% of K-2 students scored between 65%-100% and 50% of grades 3-5 students scored between 65%-100% on Benchmark 3.
  • 25 English language development students exited the English Language Development (ESOL) program, demonstrating attainment of English proficiency.
  • We utilized funding to provide meal distributions, after school activities, field trips and parent workshops

There are still opportunities for Growth in the following areas: 

  • Attainment of 94% or higher student attendance
  • Increased student achievement in Math proficiency for K-5 students
  • Increased English proficiency for multilingual students (MLL)
  • Enhance strategies for monitoring student work and progress at home, as we believe parents are our partners and we all must take responsibility for the teaching and learning process

With the growth opportunities in mind, we are excited to move forward this school year with high expectations for ALL.  

Here are some key points to review, prior to the opening of school on Monday, August 28, 2023. Please read this section very carefully:

There will be two activities prior to the first day of school for our families:

  • Kindergarten Orientation - Friday, August 25, 2023 from 8:00 am - 9:00 am (provides families with an opportunity to learn what to expect in the Kindergarten school year)
  • “Take-a-Peek-at Your Seat” - Friday, August 25, 2023 from 9:15 am - 10:15 am (provides families with an opportunity to meet the teacher, locate their classrooms, and drop off school supplies, for an easy transition on the first day of school.)

Student Arrival: At this time, Glassmanor Elementary School does not have a before and after care program. Students should not arrive to school prior to 7:25 a.m.  Students will eat breakfast in their classrooms, daily, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.  School instructional hours are from 7:50 a.m. to 1:55 p.m. EVERYDAY. On days when there is inclement weather (extremely cold temperatures, rain, snow), students will be allowed to enter the multi-purpose room upon arrival. At all other times, K-4 students will line up, in a safe and orderly manner, in front of the building to be called to enter the building. Grade 5 students will line up, in a safe and orderly manner, on the side of the building (alongside the 5th grade hallway) to enter the building. Students arriving after 7:50 a.m. are considered late and must obtain a tardy pass from the front office, prior to reporting to class. 

*On the First Day of School (Monday, August 28, 2023), parents/guardians of Kindergarten students only are welcomed to walk their children to class to get them settled. We ask that all parents exit the building by 8:00 am, so instruction can begin.

Late Arrival/Early Dismissal: Students are expected to arrive on time and remain until the end of each instructional day.  Chronic tardiness to school creates a personal loss of instructional time for our students. We ask that unless you or your child has an emergency or appointment, that every effort is made for your student to come to school daily and on time. We have this same philosophy for early dismissal. We encourage families to allow students to remain in school for the entire instructional day, and only be dismissed early for medical appointments or family emergencies. Early dismissal procedures will end at 1:30 pm. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Student Dismissal Times: Student dismissal will begin promptly at 1:55 p.m.  If there is a need for someone other than the authorized person(s) listed with the school to pick up your child, parents/guardians must provide the name of the person being authorized in writing, prior to the start of the dismissal procedures. The authorized person is required to present a valid photo ID. Otherwise, the student will not be released.

School Meals: We are excited to announce that Glassmanor ES has been designated as a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school! This means all students enrolled will receive free breakfast and lunch throughout the school year. 

Uniforms: Glassmanor ES is a uniform policy school where students dress in a business casual manner. It is a daily expectation for students to be appropriately dressed for the instructional day, unless otherwise communicated due to special events/activities. If a family is experiencing a hardship that impacts adherence to the uniform policy, please communicate your needs so we can provide you with the appropriate support. Students are expected to dress according to the following approved uniform: 

Young Ladies

Black Khaki pants, skirt, jumpers or shorts (top of the knee length)

Black or White polo or button down shirts

Young Men

Black Khaki pants or shorts (black belts should be worn)

Black or White polo or button down shirts

Students may wear a sweater, sweatshirt, or hoodie, which must be solid white/black (no writing, graphics, or logos unless it is a Glassmanor shirt). If a student wears a hoodie, they will not be allowed to wear the hood on their heads, in the building, during the instructional day. 

Athletic wear is not acceptable. For the safety of our students, all students must wear close-toed shoes. Crocs, sandals, flip flops or any other foam-material shoes are not appropriate. 

Parent Classroom Visits/Volunteerism: Parents are always welcomed at Glassmanor Elementary School. Classroom visits give parents and guardians the opportunity to become familiar with the instructional delivery of teachers while observing your child’s learning and interaction with others. It is not an opportunity to engage teachers or other instructional staff in conferences, or to engage with other children. If you wish to visit your child’s classroom, it is a requirement that you contact your child’s teacher, at least 24 hours in advance, to confirm there is no testing or special programming planned for the day you wish to visit.  

Volunteers are also welcomed! If you would like to work with students in small groups, read to the class, assist with school beautification projects, please contact us. ALL Volunteers MUST have either a fingerprint or background check receipt from Prince George’s County Public School System on file with Glassmanor Elementary School.  This is also a requirement for Field Trip Chaperoning.

WE are striving for high student achievement by fostering a nurturing school culture, character building, shared values, mutual respect for all stakeholders, and parents as our partners. We are looking forward to continuing the journey on Glassmanor’s road to success, for the 2023-2024 school year! If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 301-749-4240

Best Wishes for a GREAT school year,

 

Dr. Jamilah L. Weldon

Principal