What's New in Prince George's County for 2015-16 School Year?

From some new buildings to new meal prices, Prince George’s County Public Schools students will see a number of changes when they return to school next week.

Start Date and Systemic Orientation
PGCPS will kick off the school year with a system-wide orientation day on Monday, August 24, for students entering prekindergarten and kindergarten, middle, and high school. For details, check with your child’s school. The first day of school for all students is Tuesday, August 25. To view the 2015-2016 School Calendar, click here.

New Prices for School Meals
To address the growing costs of providing school meals, the Department of Food and Nutrition Services will now charge $1.60 for full-price breakfast, $0.30 for reduced-price breakfast, $2.75 for full-price lunch, and $0.40 for reduced-price lunch for elementary students. Meals for middle and high school students is $1.60 for full-price breakfast, $0.30 for reduced-price breakfast, $3.00 for full-price lunch, and $0.40 for reduced-price lunch. For more information on school meals, including online pre-payment through MySchoolBucks, click here.

New Immunization Requirements
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene made two changes last year that impacts state-required immunizations for students for the 2015-2016 school year. In addition to the existing school immunization requirements, all students entering kindergarten and Grade 1 must have had two varicella (chicken pox) vaccinations, and all students entering Grade 7 and 8 must have had one Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccination and one meningococcal (meningitis) vaccination. This change primarily impacts students coming from a country outside of the United States. A child has up to 20 days from the start of school to show proof of vaccinations or that they have started a plan to get the missing immunizations. For more information and a complete list of required immunizations, click here.

Two New International High Schools
Two new International High Schools will open this fall, one within Largo High School in Upper Marlboro and another at Annapolis Road Academy in Bladensburg. The schools are based on a highly successful model developed by the Internationals Network for Public Schools. They are designed to raise achievement and meet the needs of English Language Learners (ELLS). Alison Hanks-Sloan is principal of the International School at Largo High School and Carlos Beato will serve in the same role for the school at Annapolis Road Academy. For more information, click here.

New Names for French Immersion Schools
John Hanson French Immersion has changed its name to Maya Angelou French Immersion, and Robert Goddard French Immersion has changed its name to Dora Kennedy French Immersion. Both schools were previously named after the buildings they were housed in. Since the schools have moved out of these locations, the school community proposed new names, which the Prince George’s County Board of Education approved.

New Athletic Facilities and Playgrounds
Through the school system’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), ten high schools will see new improvements for students to take part in athletic events this fall. Dr. Henry A. Wise and Gwynn Park will have new turf fields and stadium lighting; Charles Herbert Flowers, DuVal, Frederick Douglass, and Northwestern will have new rubberized running tracks; Frederick Douglass, Parkdale, and Suitland will have new tennis courts; and Potomac will have new stadium bleachers. Additionally, students in 40 elementary schools and Early Childhood Centers will see new playground sets when they return to school. To view the latest information on CIP projects, click here.

New Entrances for Elementary Schools and Early Childhood Centers
Five elementary schools – Baden, James H. Harrison, Kenilworth, Paint Branch, and Rockledge – will have an updated look to their entrances when students and families return to school this year. Chapel Forge and H. Winship Wheatley early childhood centers will also sport new entrances, as part of the PGCPS Capital Improvement Program. To find out what other projects are planned for PGCPS schools, click here.