Working with Get Variables

if ($_SERVER["REQUEST_METHOD"] == "POST"){
$name = $_POST["name"];
$email = $_POST["email"];
$message = $_POST["message"];
$email_body ="";
$email_body = $email_body . "Name: ".$name . "\n";
$email_body = $email_body . "Email: ".$email . "\n";
$email_body = $email_body . "Message:".$message;

// TODO: Send Email

header("Location: contact.php?$status=thanks");
exit;
}
?>

<?php
$pageTitle = "Contact Mike";
$section = "contact";
include('inc/header.php');
?>

<div class="section page">
    <div class="wrapper">
    <h1>Contact</h1>
    <?php if (isset($_GET["status"]) AND  $_GET["status"] == "thanks") { ?>
    <p>Thanks for the email! I&rsquo;ll be in touch shortly!</p>
    <?php } else { ?>
        <p>I&rsquo;d love to hear from you! Complete this form to send me an e-mail</p>
        <form method="post" action="contact.php">
        <table>
        <tr><th>
        <label for="name">Name</label></th><td><input type="text" name="name" id="name">
        </td></tr>
            <tr><th>
            <label for="email">E-mail</label></th><td><input type="text" name="email" id="email">
        </td></tr>
            <tr><th>
            <label for="message">Message</label></th><td><textarea name="message" id="message"></textarea>
        </td></tr>
        </table>
        <input type="submit" value="Send">
        </form>
    <?php } ?>
    </div>
</div>
<?php include('inc/footer.php'); ?>