Schools CEO Monica Goldson will hold a series of “Community Listening Sessions” in which Prince George’s County residents can learn about her plans for the current school year, as well as to voice their concerns, ideas and solutions about the school system.
The sessions are as follows:
Oct. 17, 6:30-8 p.m.
Oxon Hill High School
6701 Leyte Drive
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
Oct. 21, 6:30-8 p.m.
Laurel High School
8000 Cherry Lane
Laurel, MD 20707
Nov. 5, 6:30-8 p.m.
Fairmont Heights High School
6501 Columbia Park Road
Landover, MD 20785
For more information, contact 301-952-6008 or ceo@pgcps.org.
Homework Assignments Survey
In response to community feedback, PGCPS has convened a committee to develop a new homework administrative procedure for implementation in the 2020-21 school year.
To help guide the process, a survey will soon be available for parents and students to offer input.
Middle Schools Construction
The public is invited to join County Council member Dannielle Glaros, Board of Education member Joshua Thomas and the PGCPS Capital Programs team at William Wirt Middle School from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7 to learn more about new middle schools to be built in Riverdale and Glenridge.
Water Quality Program
PGCPS says it is committed to providing safe learning and working environments.
For more than a decade, the school system has worked to provide students and staff with safe drinking water in compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandates. Since 2004, school officials have methodically addressed lead in water, with drinking sources as an ongoing priority.
The final phase was completed at the end of January. Prior actions included sampling and testing all water sources; flushing, replacing or valving off fixtures; and providing bottled water when drinking sources could not be cleared expeditiously.
The final phase of the schools’ Water Quality Program allowed for retesting of all drinking sources currently in use and the installation of filtered water fountains throughout the school system.
Officials will continue to address this issue aggressively and provide safe drinking water in all schools and offices.
Specialty Programs Q&A
Applications for middle school and high school specialty programs for the 2020-21 school year are open.
The high school program showcase is Wednesday, Oct. 16, and to help with the application process PGCPS has provided answers to frequently asked questions:
Q. What information do I need to apply?
Before applying to specialty programs, please have your student’s PGCPS identification number and SchoolMax portal log-in credentials. Keep in mind that many applications also require teacher recommendations, a personal essay (completed by student) and/or an audition. Be prepared by considering teachers or faculty who might offer a recommendation for your child. You’ll need to submit their names and email addresses as part of some applications.
Q. What’s the process for private/home-schooled students to apply?
Private and home-school parents must obtain a PGCPS ID number for their student to apply and must apply online by the deadline. Non-PGCPS families must also submit academic transcripts or portfolios from the prior school year and first quarter/trimester of the current school year to the Department of Testing. Students must also register to take the PSAT 8/9 assessment on Dec. 7, 2019. November 8 is the deadline to register and location is to be announced.