7400 Bellefield Avenue, Fort Washington, MD 20744 | (301) 449-4966 | www.pgcps.org/applegrove
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.
SY 24-25 Newsletter Archive1
SY 24-25 Newsletter Archive2
Dear Apple Grove Families,
Welcome to the “Greatness at the Grove”! At Apple Grove Elementary School, we are committed to ensuring that 100% of our students, staff, and families feel safe, feel seen, and are supported to be successful. Every day, we work together to create a nurturing environment where learning thrives and students grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Our P.R.I.D.E. Pledge drives our commitment to excellence, fostering a community that values Preparedness, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, and Engagement. Through strong partnerships with families, we believe that every child can achieve greatness and develop the skills needed to become lifelong learners and leaders.
This school year, we are embracing the power of collaboration and innovation to enhance the educational experience for every student. From personalized instruction to exciting enrichment programs like Kumon for math and reading, we are dedicated to meeting the unique needs of all learners.
I encourage you to stay engaged and connected with us throughout the year. Be sure to explore our website for updates, resources, and important information. Together, we can ensure our students shine brightly and continue to achieve their highest potential.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. Remember, "We are too legit to quit the Greatness at the Grove!"
In peace and partnership,
Samecia-Muriel Broussard
Principal
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
School Hours: 8:30 - 2:40 PM. Instruction will take place during this time. Doors will open at 8:15 AM for students. Breakfast will be served from 8:15 AM to 8:30 AM.
Arrival: School doors will open at 8:15 AM for students to enter at their designated building door.
Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten: Door 3
Grades 1 and 2: Door 13
Grades 3 and 4: Door 1 (front door)
Grade 5: Door 4
Late Arrival: Students who enter the building after 8:30 AM are considered late. For our children's safety, parents, be sure to bring your phone and escort your child to the front door and sign them in. For your convenience, scan the QR code or use the link to sign in your child(ren).
Uniforms: We have Bulldog pride in our appearance. Apple Grove Elementary is a mandatory uniform school. All students must be dressed each day in their school uniform-
Khaki colored or black skirt, pants, shorts, or skort
Black or red polo shirt short or long sleeves
Black, red, or khaki colored dress
Black or red zip-up hoodies with no writing displayed
Black or red button up cardigan
Dismissal: Regular dismissal begins at 2:40 PM. Students will be dismissed from their designated door. Parents must sign out car-riders and walkers.
Early Dismissal: Early dismissal ends promptly at 2:00 PM every day to allow us time to organize and prepare for a safe regular dismissal. Please plan accordingly as any requests after 2:00 PM are subject to review by the principal and may be declined. For our children's safety, be sure to bring your government issued identification card and phone to scan the QR code or use the link to sign out your child(ren).
Changes in Student Dismissal Routine: We know there may be times where you will have to change your child's dismissal routine or the person who picks up your child. To protect our children in these instances, parents, please email agrove@pgcps.org and your child's teacher the following-
a copy of your photo identification card
first and last name of adult picking up your child
the change in transportation
Before- and After Care: AlphaBest provides before school and after school care for our children. They are open 7:00 AM until the start of school (8:30 AM) and school dismissal (2:40 PM) until 6:00 PM daily. Visit their website (https://www.alphabest.org/princegeorgecountymd/) to learn more information or to register.
What's that? I'm glad you asked! Our school is designated as a Title I School, which means we receive extra funding from the federal government to support student success. This funding is based on the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Our school has also been designated as an Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) School by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). This designation means that our school will receive additional support to develop and implement a plan to address areas of improvement.
Our school improvement team is committed to exiting this designation by the 2026-2027 school year and we invite you as partners in your student’s education to join us. During this time of designation and improvement initiatives, we will focus on improving instruction, offering additional learning opportunities such as tutoring and after-school programs, and providing opportunities for parent and family input and involvement. In addition, we will closely monitor student progress and provide expanded counseling and support services to ensure success.
We appreciate your partnership and continued support in the effort to improve and meet our school’s goals.
What does this mean for your child?
More Resources: The additional funds help us provide extra instructional materials, technology, and learning resources for all students.
Extra Support: We can offer additional programs like tutoring, reading/math specialists, or after-school activities to support students who need extra help.
Family Involvement: Title I emphasizes the importance of family engagement, so we’ll have more events, workshops, and resources to help you support your child’s learning at home.
Why is Title I Important?
It’s our commitment to making sure all students, regardless of background, have the tools and support they need to succeed. Title I helps us reduce gaps and create a supportive learning environment for every child.
Be sure to read through all of the Title I documents shared here and at Back-to-School Night.
Community schools promote positive, equitable outcomes by providing students and families with the physical and mental health, academic, and extracurricular supports needed to thrive. Community schools serve as hubs that bring families, communities, and partners together to remove barriers to learning. Using an asset-based approach, community schools strive to strengthen connections to generate improved student outcomes.
In Maryland, any school that receives Concentration of Poverty Grants is a community school. Concentration of Poverty Grants provide schools with startup funding and permanent per-pupil dollars to launch and sustain community schools.
Community schools work in collaboration with community partners, local governments, and other stakeholders to identify and address structural and institutional barriers to achievement. Leveraging the power of the collective allows community schools to provide resources to students and families where they need it the most—neighborhoods that have been historically underfunded and underserved. Community schools provide a wide array of wraparound services that enhance student’s ability to be successful.
Wraparound Services include-
Professional Development for staff to quickly identify students who are in need
Extended Learning time
Safe Transportation to and from school
Vision and Dental services
Expanded School-based Health Center services
Additional Social Workers and Counselors
Additional Mentors and Restorative Practice coaches
Healthy Food in-school and out-of-school
Access to Mental Health practitioners
🍎 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.