Connection & Wellbeing

We look out for one another here. 

A public school system welcomes all, nurtures all and ensures that every learner has the resources and opportunities needed to thrive. Your child’s wellbeing is a priority — as is their ability to feel a sense of belonging and engagement inside and outside the classroom. The same goes for families; we want you to be connected, informed and feel a valued part of the GCS community. Our efforts to support connection and wellbeing for students and families reach far beyond the classroom. In addition to mental health support services, nutrition, school safety and telehealth clinic programs, we support an active Guilford Parent Academy, provide after-school care and have even helped parents become certified in high-wage, high-skill jobs — whatever we can do to support healthy, connected, successful families. That’s our goal.

Healthy meals, healthy kids

Nutrition plays an important role in feeling healthy, nurtured and ready to learn. At GCS, we don’t just feed students breakfast and lunch — we put knowledge and care into how we go about it because we value the opportunity to help young people learn how to care for their bodies. We follow health guidelines, provide balanced, high-quality foods, and get students excited about eating fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. We also find fun ways to involve students in menu selections, recipe-building and taste tests to create healthy and kid-friendly meals.

School safety 

GCS is committed to the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff and visitors. Our safety infrastructure includes 12 strategies that enhance security while maintaining a welcoming, close-knit sense of community in our schools. These strategies include security screeners, school bus cameras, initiatives supporting school leadership and engagement, anonymous reporting and additional mental health support for students and staff. Learn more at School Safety and Emergency Management.

Telehealth in targeted, high-poverty schools

GCS is proud to be a national leader in telehealth clinical care in many of our schools — a community-wide effort supported by Cone Health, the Duke Endowment and many generous donors and community partners. Our initial goal is to place clinics in all 51 targeted high poverty schools, and we are well on our way. As of the 2024-25 school year, telehealth clinics are now in 20 schools with five more on the way, enabling students to receive care from a Cone Health provider while parents join the call from the convenience of home or work.

ACES - After-School Care Enrichment Services

Busy families need flexibility and support. GCS offers a quality, affordable, and convenient after-school care program where kindergarten through fifth-grade children can study and play with school friends in a safe, nurturing, and fun environment. ACES provides a balance of academic, enrichment, and recreational after-school activities to expand children’s experiences, extend their learning, and provide warm and caring support for children and peace of mind for families. Learn more on our ACES website.

Free family resources through Guilford Parent Academy

Being here for students means being here for their families. Through the Guilford Parent Academy, GCS offers a variety of free resources to help you and your student thrive, from homework help and digital resources to job search support and adult education information. Visit Guilford Parent Academy to learn more.