For the 2024-2025 school year, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) has a new student information system, Synergy. Parents are asked to create an account in Synergy’s ParentVUE portal, where they can register students for classes and access information on class schedules, test scores, attendance and transportation. Resources for learning to use ParentVUE can be found at tinyurl.com/parentvue-support and through links on each school’s website. Anyone who doesn’t have access to a computer can visit the school to register students.
New Student Orientation
This Friday, August 23, is Student Orientation Day for all new and transitioning students. Each school will provide details on times.
Transportation
To prevent past problems with school bus transportation, PGCPS has made several changes. The number of students using the buses will be reduced by increasing the size of walking zones around each school. Once parents have set up their ParentVUE portal, they can download the Stopfinder app, which allows tracking of school bus locations in real time. All PGCPS students can also now ride The Bus free of charge with their school ID, without needing to register in advance. (For more school bus information, see story on page 1.)
Immunizations
Immunizations are required for all students to attend school. The rule is no shots, no school, no exceptions. For families who lack insurance or whose insurance doesn’t cover immunizations, the county offers immunizations on a sliding-fee scale at the Cheverly Health Center, 3003 Hospital Drive, Cheverly, and the Laurel Clinic, 14207 Park Center Drive, Laurel, on Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information can be found at pgcps.org/immunizations.
Backpacks
Clear backpacks are required for all students in grades 9 through 12 and in nontraditional programs. They are optional for students in grades 6 through 8. Students may carry a small, non-transparent pouch inside the backpack for personal items.
Free, Reduced-price Meals
Students receive applications for free and reduced-price meals to take home in the first week of school; applications can be turned in at any time. For more information, call 301-952-6517.
Back-to-School Nights
Each school has a back-to-school night for parents to meet school administrators and teachers and learn about expectations and resources. The dates and times, along with other school information, are listed below for each school in Greenbelt.
Greenbelt Elementary
Greenbelt Elementary School hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. The principal is Joel L. Nelson. No uniforms are required for students. Back-to-School Night will be Thursday, September 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For further information, see pgcps.org/schools/greenbelt-elementary.
Magnolia Elementary
School hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. The principal is Sharelle Stagg.
Uniforms are required for students: navy blue bottoms, yellow tops (the website will be updated with details sometime on Monday).
Back-to-School Night will be Thursday, September 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For information on supplies and more, see pgcps.org/schools/magnolia-elementary.
Springhill Lake Elementary
School hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. The principal is Trena Wilson.
Uniforms are required for students: Navy blue pants, shorts or skirts; no jeans or leggings. Shorts or skirts must be at least fingertip length. White, light blue or navy polo shirts; optional navy blue cardigan sweater. No hoodies, no sandals or flip-flops.
Back-to-School Night for kindergarten through 2nd grade will be Wednesday, September 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and for 3rd to 5th grades, Thursday, September 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For information on supplies and more, see pgcps.org/schools/springhill-lake-elementary.
Dora Kennedy French Immersion
School hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. The principal is James Spence and the assistant principal is Sandrine Boukabara. No uniforms are required for students. Back-to-School Night for kindergarten through 5th grade will be Wednesday, September 11 from 6 to 8 p.m., and for 6th to 8th grades, Thursday, September 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. For information on supplies and more, see pgcps.org/schools/dora-kennedy-french-immersion.
Greenbelt Middle
School hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. The principal is Marcellus Clement and the parent engagement assistant for help with ParentVUE is Carlos Pugh. The Friday, August 23 student orientation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. School buses will run on a half-day schedule on that day. All students at Greenbelt Middle are offered free breakfast and lunch.
Uniforms are required for students: khaki/tan pants or knee-length shorts, with belt or khaki/tan knee-length skirts. Shirt colors are green for 6th graders, white for 7th graders and black for 8th graders.
Back-to-School Night will be Tuesday, September 10 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, see pgcps.org/schools/greenbelt-middle.
Eleanor Roosevelt High
School hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. The principal is Portia M. Barnes. No uniform is required, but clear backpacks are required for all students. Back-to-School Night will be Wednesday, September 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, see pgcps.org/schools/eleanor-roosevelt-high.