𝐅𝐍𝐒 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫: 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬 – 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
The Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) Department would like to remind families that next week will be the final week for meal handouts. To ensure students have meals beyond the program’s end date, FNS will be providing 10 days of meals instead of the normal 7 days during the final distribution.
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬:
If you have not yet registered for the Summer Food Service program, you must bring your children with you to receive meals.
GCPS thanks all participating families for their support of the meal distribution program and encourages everyone to plan ahead for the last pick-up.
For more information, please contact Mr. Scott Germain, Supervisor of Food & Nutrition Services, via phone at 301.334.8917 or 888.262.2792, or via email at scott.germain@gcps.net.
The Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) Department would like to remind families that next week will be the final week for meal handouts. To ensure students have meals beyond the program’s end date, FNS will be providing 10 days of meals instead of the normal 7 days during the final distribution.
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬:
If you have not yet registered for the Summer Food Service program, you must bring your children with you to receive meals.
GCPS thanks all participating families for their support of the meal distribution program and encourages everyone to plan ahead for the last pick-up.
For more information, please contact Mr. Scott Germain, Supervisor of Food & Nutrition Services, via phone at 301.334.8917 or 888.262.2792, or via email at scott.germain@gcps.net.
𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐭. 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓-𝟐𝟔 𝐁𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
The Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) Transportation Department is pleased to announce that bus pass information is now available for the 2025–26 school year. Student bus passes will remain unchanged from last year, meaning families do not need to update their child’s bus pass unless there is a change in transportation needs for the coming school year. If a change to a student’s bus pass is needed, parents/guardians should use the following link as soon as possible to allow for timely updates: https://www.gcps.net/page/parent-forms.
“We’re excited to welcome students back to school and want to ensure that transportation is as seamless as possible,” said Mr. Ronald Bray, GCPS Supervisor of Transportation. “Keeping the same bus passes for returning students helps simplify the process for families and our staff.”
In addition, bus stop information for all GCPS students is now available. Families are encouraged to review their child’s stop location and time to ensure a smooth start to the school year.
For more information or to review bus stop details, visit the GCPS Transportation webpage at https://www.gcps.net/page/transportation or contact the department at 301-334-8907 or transportation@gcps.net.
On this #GCPSMDWellnessWednesday, we continue our look at being active. Here’s how to safely exchange screen time for time in the sunshine.
The phrase "dog days" refers to the hot, often humid, period of summer, traditionally from early July to early September. Engaging in physical activity during the heat of the day can increase the risk of heat-related complications for both children and adults.
Heat exhaustion is a condition caused by the body overheating, typically resulting from prolonged exposure to high temperatures and inadequate fluid replacement. Symptoms like heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, and a rapid heartbeat characterize it. If not addressed, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, a more serious and potentially life-threatening condition.
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes, and without intervention, it can lead to death.
To help your child avoid heat exhaustion or the more serious heat stroke, teach them to:
- Always ensure that children bring water with them and hydrate regularly throughout the activity. Children should be limited to water or sports drinks but not sodas, energy drinks, or drinks containing caffeine.
- Wear a hat to help keep direct sun off your head. Also, wear lighter-colored, loose-fitting clothing to allow perspiration to evaporate and cool your body.
- Limit any intensive activity or competitive events in the hottest parts of the day or when humidity levels are high.
- Encourage kids to find games that can be played in shady areas of the yard or playground.
Signs of Heat Exhaustion:
- Faint or dizzy
- Excessive sweating
- Cool, pale, clammy skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid, weak pulse
- Muscle cramps
Actions you should take for heat exhaustion:
- Get to a cooler, air-conditioned place
- Drink water if fully conscious
- Take a cool shower or use a cold compress
Signs of Heat Stroke:
- Throbbing headache
- No sweating
- Body temperature above 103 degrees. Red, hot, dry skin.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid, strong pulse
- May lose consciousness
Actions you should take for heat stroke:
- Call 911
- Take immediate action to cool the person until help arrives
Additional information may be obtained by visiting https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness.
The phrase "dog days" refers to the hot, often humid, period of summer, traditionally from early July to early September. Engaging in physical activity during the heat of the day can increase the risk of heat-related complications for both children and adults.
Heat exhaustion is a condition caused by the body overheating, typically resulting from prolonged exposure to high temperatures and inadequate fluid replacement. Symptoms like heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, and a rapid heartbeat characterize it. If not addressed, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, a more serious and potentially life-threatening condition.
Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes, and without intervention, it can lead to death.
To help your child avoid heat exhaustion or the more serious heat stroke, teach them to:
- Always ensure that children bring water with them and hydrate regularly throughout the activity. Children should be limited to water or sports drinks but not sodas, energy drinks, or drinks containing caffeine.
- Wear a hat to help keep direct sun off your head. Also, wear lighter-colored, loose-fitting clothing to allow perspiration to evaporate and cool your body.
- Limit any intensive activity or competitive events in the hottest parts of the day or when humidity levels are high.
- Encourage kids to find games that can be played in shady areas of the yard or playground.
Signs of Heat Exhaustion:
- Faint or dizzy
- Excessive sweating
- Cool, pale, clammy skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid, weak pulse
- Muscle cramps
Actions you should take for heat exhaustion:
- Get to a cooler, air-conditioned place
- Drink water if fully conscious
- Take a cool shower or use a cold compress
Signs of Heat Stroke:
- Throbbing headache
- No sweating
- Body temperature above 103 degrees. Red, hot, dry skin.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid, strong pulse
- May lose consciousness
Actions you should take for heat stroke:
- Call 911
- Take immediate action to cool the person until help arrives
Additional information may be obtained by visiting https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-illness.
𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐄𝐏 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐬
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is pleased to announce that beginning with the 2025–26 school year, all students enrolled in GCPS will receive free breakfast and lunch every school day through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a federal program under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.
The approval of CEP for GCPS means that families will no longer need to complete meal benefit applications or worry about meal costs during the school year. This district-wide implementation ensures equitable access to nutritious meals for every student, supporting both academic success and overall well-being.
“Removing barriers to healthy meals is a major step forward for our school system,” said Mr. Scott Germain, Supervisor of Food & Nutrition Services. “When students are well-nourished, they are better able to focus, learn, and succeed. We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to all of our families.”
The CEP is a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that allows eligible school systems to provide free meals to all students without collecting individual applications. GCPS became eligible by meeting federal criteria based on identified student data, including participation in programs like SNAP and TANF.
To learn more about the CEP program as it relates to GCPS, please visit https://www.gcps.net/page/community-eligibility-provision or contact Mr. Germain at 301-334-8917 or scott.germain@gcps.net.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is pleased to announce that beginning with the 2025–26 school year, all students enrolled in GCPS will receive free breakfast and lunch every school day through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a federal program under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.
The approval of CEP for GCPS means that families will no longer need to complete meal benefit applications or worry about meal costs during the school year. This district-wide implementation ensures equitable access to nutritious meals for every student, supporting both academic success and overall well-being.
“Removing barriers to healthy meals is a major step forward for our school system,” said Mr. Scott Germain, Supervisor of Food & Nutrition Services. “When students are well-nourished, they are better able to focus, learn, and succeed. We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to all of our families.”
The CEP is a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that allows eligible school systems to provide free meals to all students without collecting individual applications. GCPS became eligible by meeting federal criteria based on identified student data, including participation in programs like SNAP and TANF.
To learn more about the CEP program as it relates to GCPS, please visit https://www.gcps.net/page/community-eligibility-provision or contact Mr. Germain at 301-334-8917 or scott.germain@gcps.net.
July is "Be Active Month!"
On this #GCPSMDWellnessWednesday, we focus on keeping kids active on the 4th of July by incorporating games and outdoor activities. Here are some ideas to be active on Independence Day.
- Flag Relay Race: Split kids into teams and have them race to collect American flags from buckets.
- Red, White, and Blue Tag: Play a patriotic twist on traditional tag. Designate a "red", "white", or "blue" player to tag others.
- Hula Hoop Contest: See who can hula hoop the longest or try different tricks.
- Water Balloon Toss: A classic summer game that gets everyone moving and laughing.
- Lawn Game Olympics: Set up stations with cornhole, giant Jenga, ring toss, and sack races.
- Family Walk/Hike: Enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise by walking or hiking to a nearby park or viewing spot.
- Bike Parade: Decorate bikes and scooters with red, white, and blue decorations and hold a parade.
- Visit a Park: Explore state or national parks with activities like swimming, fishing, hiking, and stargazing.
- Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of nature items for kids to find in a park or backyard.
- Sidewalk Chalk Art: Let kids create patriotic designs on the sidewalk with chalk.
Remember to...
- Supervise children closely, especially when they are around water, fireworks, or open flames.
- Stay hydrated by providing plenty of water, especially on hot days.
- Incorporate educational elements in activities by discussing the history of the Fourth of July and the meaning of Independence Day.
- Adjust activities for all ages by adapting activities to suit the age and abilities of all the children involved.
Have a safe, fun, active 4th of July!
On this #GCPSMDWellnessWednesday, we focus on keeping kids active on the 4th of July by incorporating games and outdoor activities. Here are some ideas to be active on Independence Day.
- Flag Relay Race: Split kids into teams and have them race to collect American flags from buckets.
- Red, White, and Blue Tag: Play a patriotic twist on traditional tag. Designate a "red", "white", or "blue" player to tag others.
- Hula Hoop Contest: See who can hula hoop the longest or try different tricks.
- Water Balloon Toss: A classic summer game that gets everyone moving and laughing.
- Lawn Game Olympics: Set up stations with cornhole, giant Jenga, ring toss, and sack races.
- Family Walk/Hike: Enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise by walking or hiking to a nearby park or viewing spot.
- Bike Parade: Decorate bikes and scooters with red, white, and blue decorations and hold a parade.
- Visit a Park: Explore state or national parks with activities like swimming, fishing, hiking, and stargazing.
- Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of nature items for kids to find in a park or backyard.
- Sidewalk Chalk Art: Let kids create patriotic designs on the sidewalk with chalk.
Remember to...
- Supervise children closely, especially when they are around water, fireworks, or open flames.
- Stay hydrated by providing plenty of water, especially on hot days.
- Incorporate educational elements in activities by discussing the history of the Fourth of July and the meaning of Independence Day.
- Adjust activities for all ages by adapting activities to suit the age and abilities of all the children involved.
Have a safe, fun, active 4th of July!
𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐄𝐧𝐝-𝐨𝐟-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬
As a reminder, Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) will dismiss all students three (3) hours early on Wednesday and Thursday, June 11 and 12, 2025, with the last student day being June 12, 2025, for the 2024-25 school year. The last day for teachers will be Friday, June 13, 2025.
𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒-𝟐𝟓 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) proudly honored the dedicated employees who are retiring during the 2024-25 school year during a special retirement dinner held in their honor. The event, which brought together colleagues and family members, celebrated decades of service, leadership, and commitment to the students and schools of Garrett County.
The evening was filled with heartfelt reflections, laughter, and expressions of gratitude for the contributions made by this year’s retirees. Each retiree in attendance was recognized individually for their years of service and the impact they’ve had on their school communities.
The 2024-25 GCPS retirees include educators, administrators, and support staff from across the county, many of whom have served for decades. Their collective experience and care have helped shape generations of learners and left a lasting legacy in Garrett County.
GCPS extends its warmest congratulations and deepest thanks to all 2024-25 retirees. Your work has made a difference, and your presence will be missed.
𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 The Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) Food & Nutrition Services Department is happy to announce the return of the Summer Food Service Program. Distribution will be for seven days of free breakfasts and lunches and will begin the week of June 16, 2025. There are some changes this year to the Summer Food Service program, due to Federal clarifications in the regulations. Families or a designated person must register to receive meals. Families can register using an online form (https://forms.gle/SVJWiZd9L5xWgZXt7) or at one of the meal sites. A list of meal sites can be found on the GCPS website www.gcps.net/summer-food-service. Families that have not pre-registered will be required to bring their child(ren) or a report card with them the first time to pick up meals. Additionally, only two meals per day will be served this year. Seven days of breakfasts and lunches will be distributed per week. These meals will include fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, and entrees. There are thirty-eight (38) sites to choose from, on Tuesday or Wednesday each week. Some sites will be in the afternoon while others will be in the evening, enabling you to pick the one that best suits your schedule. Please remember that you can only pick up from one site per week. Students attending summer school are asked not to pick up meals at one of the sites. Meals will be provided at each school, and weekend bags will be provided to those students attending. Other children in the family will need to pick up at one of the meal sites. Families from outside of Garrett County are welcome, but will need to preregister or bring their children with them. Additional information can be found at www.gcps.net. If you have any questions, please call Scott Germain at 301-334-8917, 888-262-2792, or email at scott.germain@gcps.net. All meals are free of charge to children 18 and under, regardless of whether they are enrolled in Garrett County Public Schools. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
