7400 Bellefield Avenue, Fort Washington, MD 20744 | (301) 449-4966 | www.pgcps.org/applegrove
Hello Apple Grove Bulldog Families!
7400 Bellefield Avenue, Fort Washington, MD 20744 | (301) 449-4966 | www.pgcps.org/applegrove
🍎 The Apple Grove Way 🍎
School Mission: The Mission of Apple Grove Elementary School is to ensure that all students acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to become a college and career ready member of a diverse global society and workforce with an understanding of their role, impact and responsibilities within that society.
School Vision: Growing in Greatness: Rooted in Community, Diversity and Academic Excellence
Apple Grove Elementary School is a place where every community member feels safe, feels seen, and is supported to succeed.
September
September 1- SCHOOLS & OFFICES CLOSED | Labor Day
September 4- iReady Assessment Grades 4 and 5 Window Opens; Kindergarten Readiness Assessment for Kindergartners Window Opens
September 8- Read-A-Thon Kickoff!
September 8 - 22- Read-A-Thon Fundraiser
September 8- iReady Assessment Grades 4 and 5 Day 1
September 9- iReady Assessment Grades 4 and 5 Day 2
September 10- ELD Parent Night 5 PM; SpEd Parent Night 5 PM; Back-to-School Night 6 PM 📚😃
September 12- STUDENTS EARLY DISMISSAL | Teacher Planning
September 16- Student Code of Conduct Assembly
September 23- SCHOOLS CLOSED | Professional Development
September 24- Systemic Lockdown
September 24- Superintendent's In-Person Advisory @Colin Powell Academy 6 PM
September 26- PBIS Event 🪅🎉
September 29- YOJO Show for Grades PK - 2
September 30- YOJO Show for Grades 3 - 5
Principal's Message
Greetings Apple Grove Friends and Families!
"And how are the children?
What a wonderful first week of school we’ve had at Apple Grove Elementary! Our hallways and classrooms are once again filled with the energy, curiosity, and joy of learning. I want to take a moment to thank you for your partnership in making the start of the year so successful. Students arrived prepared, staff welcomed them with care, and together we set the tone for a year filled with Bulldog P.R.I.D.E. – being Prepared, Respectful, showing Integrity, Discipline, and staying Engaged.
This week, our focus was on building strong routines, fostering relationships, and helping students feel safe, seen, and supported. Already, we see students rising to the challenge, showing kindness to one another, and taking pride in their learning spaces.
Looking ahead to next week, here are a few important reminders and next steps for families:
Attendance matters! Please ensure your child arrives on time each day, ready to learn.
Stay connected. Review your child’s folder/backpack daily for school updates and assignments. And log into Synergy ParentVue weekly.
Support Bulldog P.R.I.D.E. at home. Talk with your child about how they are practicing being prepared, respectful, and engaged at school.
Mark your calendars. Don’t forget about upcoming events, including our ELD Parent & SpEd Parent Nights on September 10, 5:00–6:00 PM and Back-to-School Night 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM.
We are off to a strong start, and I am confident this year will be filled with growth, achievement, and celebration for every student. Thank you for your continued support and for entrusting us with your children. Together, we are building Greatness at the Grove!
Be sure to scroll to the bottom for new announcements and opportunities for your child and family!
We Are Too Legit to Quit the Greatness at the Grove!
DON'T MISS OUT! SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
This newsletter will be updated Sunday nights and posted on the Apple Grove Elementary website to keep all students, staff, families and community members informed. Be sure to read and make note of all details.
Click the handbook ⬆️
Who to contact
Synergy ParentVue help: Ms. Graham, School Secretary, Kimberly.Graham@pgcps.org
Attendance, Enrollment or Withdrawal: Ms. Graham, School Secretary, Kimberly.Graham@pgcps.org
To schedule a parent/teacher conference: Your child's teacher(s) or Special Education Case Manager
Grades, Instruction or Student Work: Your child's teacher(s) or Special Education Case Manager
Special Education Services: Your child's teacher(s) or Special Education Case Manager or Ms. Nelson, Special Education Chairperson, Jamie2.Nelson@pgcps.org
Academic or Behavioral support: Your child's teacher(s) or Special Education Case Manager, Mrs. Branch, Professional School Counselor, Keisha.SmithBranch@pgcps.org
Student health: Nurse Wray, Nurse, Kristi.JohnsonWray@pgcps.org
Discipline: Ms. Worrell, Assistant Principal, nicole.worrell@pgcps.org
General questions: Apple Grove, agrove@pgcps.org
To schedule an appointment with Principal Broussard: Ms. Hughes, Principal's Secretary, alethia.hughes@pgcps.org
At Apple Grove Elementary, we teach and encourage students to show their Bulldog P.R.I.D.E. all year long. This is part of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system, which helps create a safe, positive, and supportive learning environment for every child.
What P.R.I.D.E. Stands For:
P – Prepared: Be ready to learn with materials, homework, and a positive attitude.
R – Respectful: Use kind words and actions with teachers, classmates, and staff.
I – Integrity: Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
D – Discipline: Make good choices and follow school rules.
E – Engaged: Stay focused, participate, and give your best effort.
Students are expected to show P.R.I.D.E. in every area of the school: classroom, hallway, bathroom, cafeteria, and playground.
Families play a key role in reinforcing these values. Here are ways to support:
Talk About P.R.I.D.E. Daily
Ask your child: “How did you show P.R.I.D.E. today at school?”
Celebrate their successes with praise or a small reward.
Model the P.R.I.D.E. Values at Home
Show respect by using polite language.
Demonstrate integrity by keeping promises.
Stay engaged during family conversations or activities.
Create Home Routines that Match P.R.I.D.E.
Prepared: Pack backpacks, set out clothes, and review homework each evening.
Respectful: Encourage siblings to share and take turns.
Integrity: Praise honesty, even when mistakes are made.
Discipline: Set consistent rules and follow through with consequences.
Engaged: Limit distractions (like TV or devices) during homework or family time.
Recognize and Reinforce Positive Behavior
Use phrases like: “I’m proud of how respectful you were with your sister” or “Great job staying engaged with your homework.”
Connect school and home by saying: “That’s showing Bulldog P.R.I.D.E. at home!”
Stay Involved with the School
Attend school events, communicate with teachers, and encourage your child to see you as a partner in their learning and behavior growth.
By working together, parents and staff can help students feel safe, seen, and supported—and live out their Bulldog P.R.I.D.E. everywhere they go! Students who have earned enough PBIS Points will be celebrated September 26.
We are excited to share a new tool to support our English Language Learners and their families — the English Language Development (ELD) Family Resource Website. This website is designed to give parents and guardians quick access to helpful resources, tips, and information to support your child’s growth in English at home and at school. You’ll find activities, guides, and connections to school programs that make learning engaging and accessible.
We encourage you to visit and use the website regularly to explore strategies and resources that will strengthen your child’s language development and success in school.
📅 Save the Date!
Please join us for our ELD Parent Night on Tuesday, September 10, from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM. This will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about how to support your child, meet other families, and connect with our staff.
Together, we can ensure that every child is safe, seen, supported, and successful!
Hello Apple Grove Elementary School Community!
This post is a reminder that ALL medications must be given to Nurse Wray by an authorized parent/guardian. The parent/guardian or authorized adult must sign a form that serves as proof that medication (s) may be administered to the student.
Per the administrative policy (5163), the Prescriber Medication Order Form (PMOF) is only valid for one calendar school year. This means that every school year a new PMOF must be provided if medication is deemed for your child/children.
Link to the Administrative Policy 5163 (Medication): https://www.pgcps.org/offices/ograc/administrative-procedures/students--5000/ap-5163---medication#:~:text=Students%20are%20permitted%20to%20take,individual%20basis%20for%20each%20student.
SPANISH Link to the Administrative Policy 5163 (Medication): https://www.pgcps.org/globalassets/offices/gov-relations-compliance-procedures/docs---ograc/administrative-procedures/5000/procedimiento-administrativo-5163---procedimientos-de-medicamentos.pdf
Please do not hesitate to contact me for any questions or concerns.
Have a great day.
Thank you.
Kristi.JohnsonWray@pgcps.org
301-449-4966
Welcome Back! I'm excited to kick off a brand new school year with you as you Professional School Counselor! Please complete the School Counseling Department Needs Assessment hyperlinked below. This will help with counseling program planning for the school year.
Thank you so much!
Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, Synergy will replace SchoolMAX as the student information system for Prince George's County Public Schools. Families will now use ParentVUE, in place of Family Portal, to access important information about their students.
ParentVUE is the portal that allows parents and guardians to view information about their student, including classroom assignments and scores, attendance, transcripts, graduation status and more. In ParentVUE, families can also update their phone numbers and emergency contact information and access the Online Registration (OLR) Application.
Learn more about ParentVue here. Additionally, you may reach out to Ms. Graham at (301) 449-4966 or Kimberly.Graham@pgcps.org for help activating or navigating your account.
"We've got the energy for Synergy!"
Please view the video on activating a ParentVUE account for parents who previously had a SchoolMAX account.
Please view the video on activating a ParentVUE account for parents who did not have an activated SchoolMAX account.
Assert Your Rights and Defend Yourself
Update Emergency Contacts at school
Create a Family Preparedness Plan (Immigrant Legal Resource Center); Preparedness Guide- English; Preparedness Guide- Spanish
Save Important Numbers (child's school, neighbors, etc.)
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
3600 Clipper Mill Rd, Suite 350
Baltimore, MD 21211
Takoma Park Field Office: 301.270.2258
AYUDA
6925 B Willow Street NW
Washington, DC 20012
202-387-4848
CASA
8151 15th Ave.
Hyattsville, MD 20783
Phone: 301-431-4185
Fax: 301-408-4123
Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)
1460 Columbia Road NW, Suite C-1
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-328-9799
Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)
453 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: 202-488-8787
Latin American Youth Center/Maryland Multicultural Youth Center (LAYC/MMYC)
6200 Sheridan Street
Riverdale, MD 20737
Phone: 301-779-2851
At Apple Grove Elementary School, the safety and well-being of our students, their families, and staff are our highest priorities. We understand the concerns that some families may have regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents/officers visiting our campus. We want to assure you that we have clear procedures in place to protect the rights and safety of all students and families, regardless of immigration status.
Please know the following:
Schools Are Supposed to Be Protected Spaces: Under federal guidelines, schools are considered protected spaces, and ICE should not conduct enforcement actions at schools or bus stops except under extraordinary circumstances.
No Unauthorized Access: ICE agents/officers will not be allowed inside Apple Grove Elementary School. School staff will use the video telecom system to verify their credentials and reasons for the visit while keeping the doors securely locked.
No Release of Information: Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), we are prohibited from sharing any student or family information with ICE without parental consent or a valid judicial warrant. Administrative ICE (deportation, investigation) warrants do not permit access to student information.
General Counsel and Security Consultation: If ICE agents/officers visit, we will contact the Office of General Counsel and Security Office immediately to ensure all actions are lawful and appropriate.
Family Notifications: If a situation arises involving your child, we will notify you immediately and provide updates in your preferred language. Be sure your child's Emergency Contacts are updated in Synergy and in the main office.
In the rare event of an ICE visit, we will take additional steps to ensure everyone’s safety, including initiating reverse evacuation or lockdown procedures if necessary. Please know that we will do everything possible to protect our students, families, and staff.
Additionally, we will provide resources such as the red cards and preparedness guides in the lobby and main office for everyone.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at (301) 449-4966 or Principal Broussard at Samecia.Broussard@pgcps.org. We are here to support you and ensure that Apple Grove remains a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
🍎 The Apple Grove Way 🍎
School Mission: The Mission of Apple Grove Elementary School is to ensure that all students acquire the requisite knowledge and skills to become a college and career ready member of a diverse global society and workforce with an understanding of their role, impact and responsibilities within that society.
School Vision: Growing in Greatness: Rooted in Community, Diversity and Academic Excellence
Apple Grove Elementary School is a place where every community member feels safe, feels seen, and is supported to succeed.