Guilford public school students return to class on Wednesday, Aug. 31 this year. In advance of the start of classes, the schools administration shared the information below with readers.

Welcome to the 2016-’17 School YearLetter from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Freeman

As we approach the beginning of a new school year, I again have the privilege of welcoming our community back to the public schools in Guilford. As I sit to compose this message, I am very aware of how fortunate I am, how fortunate we all are, to be a part of this learning community. This summer, more than most, finds me excited, and proud, and enthusiastic as we prepare to welcome your children back to our schools.

Our focus this year will continue to be on student learning. Our expectation in the Guilford Public Schools is that every child will be exposed to rigorous learning tasks in every class. We believe that instruction must be designed to invite effort on the part of our students, because we know that effort builds ability. To that end, we will be working this year to further develop our mastery and our use of high leverage instructional practices in all of our classrooms. These practices (that include focused academic talk, writing to learn, and specific and effective feedback) encourage our students not only to learn content, but also to develop their ability to understand and to monitor and manage their own learning. Research has shown us that these practices are among the most highly effective and impactful ways that teachers can shape learning with their students in the classroom.

This year we will also continue our focus on mathematics instruction at the elementary and middle levels, and we expect to receive approval for our application with the International Baccalaureate World School organization at the high school level.

This summer has offered us somewhat of a reprieve around our facilities projects. With the high school complete and landscaping work winding down, and with no major projects in our other school buildings, our facilities team has had the opportunity to focus on cleaning and routine maintenance and has done a wonderful job getting our buildings ready to open. While the dry summer has been difficult on the new grass and plantings at our new high school, please know that all the grass installation and the plantings are warrantied under the project, and we will have re-seeding and re-planting taking place as we move into the Fall.

I look forward to this new school year, I look forward to working with a team that becomes better every year, and I am excited to welcome all of you back.

Peter Fragola Appointed Principal of A.W. Cox Elementary School

The Guilford Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Fragola as the new principal of A.W. Cox Elementary School. Fragola brings his experience as an assistant principal at CREC schools since 2012 and 11 years of teaching elementary school in grades 1, 4, and 5.

More than 50 applicants applied for the principalship at A.W. Cox, made available following the retirement of Vince Agostine in June. Superintendent of Schools Paul Freeman stated, “The caliber of the candidates was outstanding, but Peter clearly rose to the top.”

Fragola holds a B.S. in elementary education from CCSU, an M.A. in curriculum and instruction from UConn, Fragola’s colleagues describe him as always working hard to maintain positive relationships with students, staff, and parents: “At the core, he is an educator who strives to maintain a high degree of self-motivation, professional competency and integrity.” “Students’ eyes light up when he enters the room. They enjoy his sense of humor and positive energy.”

“I am excited to join the Cox community and look forward to providing a high quality educational experience to each student,” Fragola stated in a recent communication to parents. “It is clear there is a highly collaborative partnership between all stakeholders. I look forward to fostering these relationships.”

Candidates for the position were interviewed by a committee that included A.W. Cox parents, faculty, Board of Education members, and Guilford Public Schools administration. Fragola began his work in Guilford Public Schools on Aug. 1.

Communications from Guilford Schools

Guilford Public Schools website: www.guilfordschools.org

SCHOOLMESSENGER

Notification System

The district’s messaging system allows the schools to communicate informational and emergency announcements via email, phone, and text messages to parents and staff.

eCompass Listserv

The school district’s electronic listserv provides regular news, announcements, and links for parents, staff, and students regarding events and information relevant to the Guilford Public Schools community. The eCompass is also available on the district’s website.

GCTV Channel 19

Current announcements and events are broadcast on Guilford Community Television Channel 19. Educational programming is 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, student accomplishments, test scores, and other highlights. The report is available on the district website and in limited numbers of printed booklets.

Our Direction

Superintendent Paul Freeman provides Our Direction, a regular electronic communication to parents, staff, and students to keep the GPS community informed on current issues and educational initiatives. Our Direction is also available on the district’s website.

Guilford School Bus Schedules

School bus schedules for the 2016-’17 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 at 55 Park Street and 701 New England Road, at each school, and at the bus company, Student Transportation of America (STA), 130 Hubbard Road.

Back to School Nights

Elementary Schools:

Thursday, Sept. 15

Baldwin Middle School,

Grade 5: Monday, Sept. 19

Baldwin Middle School,

Grade 6: Tuesday, Sept. 20

Adams Middle School,

Grade 7: Monday, Sept. 12

Adams Middle School,

Grade 8: Tuesday, Sept. 13

Guilford High School:

Thursday, Oct. 6

Specific times for Back to School night and other details will be communicated directly from the schools in the fall.

School Openings and Closings for Adverse Weather Conditions

For the safety of staff and students, Guilford Public Schools will consider two options in the event of potentially hazardous traveling conditions on school mornings.

1) Close school completely.

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.

When the two hour delay is employed, Pre-K Program (A.M.) sessions will be canceled; Pre-K Program (P.M.) will run from 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:

• A SchoolMessenger email message will be sent to the first two email addresses parents have provided to Guilford Public Schools.

• TV stations GCTV (local TV Channel 19), WTNH-TV (Channel 8), FOX 61 (Channel 61), WVIT-TV (Channel 30), and WFSB-TV (Channel 3)

• Radio stations WKSS (95.7 FM), WWYZ (92.5 FM), and WHCH (105.9 FM)

• Website www.guilfordschools.org, and

• Text messages sent to families and staff who have opted in for this service.

Residents may also call 203-453-8200 and press 6 to hear an updated message. 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 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 the schools. GCTV and www.guilfordschools.org 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.

Take note: There may be times when the weather worsens quickly and the schools have missed the window of time to officially call an early dismissal. In this situation, buses may 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 make parents aware of the early dismissal. Bus drivers will not leave young children 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.

Those with specific questions about these procedures should contact their building principal.

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 a child to take medication, either prescription or over-the-counter, during school hours, these are the steps for parents 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 (APRN) or physician assistant (PA), must submit a written order for each medication. Forms for these orders are available from the school’s health office or from 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.

5) Medication orders must be renewed each school year.

6) Medication must accompany the medication order. Students who self-carry should have a back-up medication available in the Health Office.

Board of Education Meetings through January 2017

Regular meetings are held at

7:30 p.m. Guilford High School

Media Center.

Monday, Sept. 12

Tuesday, Oct. 11

Monday, Nov. 14

Monday, Dec. 12

Monday, Jan. 9, 2017

Workshop meetings are held at

7:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 26 at

Guilford Lakes School

Monday, Oct. 24 at

Baldwin Middle School

Monday, Nov. 28 at

A.W. Cox School

Monday, Jan. 23 at

Adams Middle School