7400 Bellefield Avenue, Fort Washington, MD 20744 | (301) 449-4966 | www.pgcps.org/applegrove
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🍎 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.
Week of October 27 - October 31
Week of October 27 - October 31
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
October
Hispanic Heritage | Breast Cancer Awareness | Bullying Prevention| Domestic Violence Awareness | National Principal's Appreciation Month
October 6- 30- American Heart Association Kids Heart ♥️ Challenge
October 27-31- Red Ribbon Spirit Week
October 27- Red Ribbon Week: Wear Red Day
October 28- Red Ribbon Week: Wear Neon Colors Day
October 29- Red Ribbon Week: Wear Your Favorite Jersey Day
October 30- Red Ribbon Week: Weary Crazy Socks and Hats
October 30- Vocabulary Parade
October 30- American Heart Association Kids Heart ♥️ Challenge Ends
October 30- PBIS | Wow Wheelz
October 30- Trunk-o-Treat 🎃 5:00 - 6:00 PM
October 31- Red Ribbon Week: Wear Your Favorite Super Hero
October 31- EARLY DISMISSAL (11:45 AM) | Grading and Reporting Day
October 31- End of First Quarter
October 31- Vocabulary Day Parade 9:00 - 10:00 AM
Principal's Message
Greetings Apple Grove Friends and Families!
"And how are the children?
What a vibrant week we just had at The Grove! We're still energized by all the amazing connections and learning that took place!
Our students were captivated as the incredible Brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. shared their love of reading with storytelling sessions.
Learning went wild as instructors from Camp Schmidt led our PK-2 students through engaging lessons in environmental science.
We strengthened our community bonds at the Family Food and Clothing Market, where families and neighbors picked up fresh produce like sweet potatoes and pears, along with clothing.
We proudly wore Orange to celebrate our unified, inclusive community!
Looking Ahead: Quarter 1 Closes & Key Events!
Looking Ahead: Quarter 1 Closes & Key Events!
This week marks the close of Quarter 1, making it an incredibly important time for you to connect with your child's teachers about your child's progress.
Check Your Child's Progress
Check Your Child's Progress
Please review your child's grades and follow up with teachers regarding your child's performance on the beginning-of-year assessments (Kindergarten Readiness Assessment, i-Ready, DIBELS).
Also, check in on your child's success with our online intervention platforms (Dreambox, Lexia, i-Ready, Hatch: Pre-Kindergartners).
Schedule a Parent/Teacher Conference! Teachers are available throughout the week during their planning time or immediately after school dismissal.
Don't Miss These Fun Events!
Don't Miss These Fun Events!
We can't wait to see you on campus for two of our most beloved traditions:
Trunk-o-Treat- Thursday, October 30, 5:30 - 7:00 PM for candy distribution
The spectacular Vocabulary Parade- Friday, October 31, 9:00 AM
We'll also be kicking off our important Red Ribbon Spirit Week! Show your spirit and commitment to a drug-free community by wearing the different attires.
Important Dismissal Notice for Friday
Important Dismissal Notice for Friday
Please note that Friday is an early dismissal day. Apple Grove will dismiss at 11:45 AM.
Ensure someone is at school or at the bus stop to pick up your child promptly at 11:45 AM.
To prepare for the school-wide dismissal, we will stop individual early student pick-up at 11:00 AM on Friday.
Join Us On Campus!
Join Us On Campus!
We warmly invite you to step into The Grove experience!
Come enjoy lunch or morning meeting with your child. Seeing you right next to your child makes a huge difference in their day!
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
We are still powered by the generosity of our families and community members, and we need your help to make this week a success! If you have a passion for students, we have a spot for you. We need volunteers to assist with:
Main office support
Student arrival and dismissal
Lunch and recess
Reading to students (in English or Spanish!)
Assisting in classrooms, making copies, or creating bulletin boards for our amazing teachers.
A Note on Health and Safety
A Note on Health and Safety
As we look forward to all the excitement this week, please be aware that the county has seen a rise in Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease cases. We urge all families to remain vigilant with handwashing and to keep children home if they show any symptoms. Please be sure to read the notes from Nurse Wray in this newsletter and to check for recent emails and calls from Superintendent Dr. Joseph's office for important information and guidance regarding this countywide health matter. Your cooperation helps keep all our students and staff healthy at The Grove!
And remember your voice matters! The 2025 PGCPS Climate & Culture Survey is open Oct. 1–31. Share your experiences and ideas to help shape the future of Apple Grove: bit.ly/25ClimateSurvey.
We are continuing to work toward our 94% attendance goal—this means missing no more than 11 days of school for the year, or about one day each month. Great attendance keeps students on track for success and makes them eligible to join in our monthly Atten-Dances and the end-of-year Field Day. Thank you for supporting your child’s daily attendance.
Let's make this final week of Quarter 1 the best one yet! We look forward to seeing you at The Grove.Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students healthy, safe, and learning. Together, we are making this a strong year of growth and success!
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
A Guide to Addressing Questions and Concerns.pdfSynergy 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
PGCPS wants your feedback! Take the 2025 Climate & Culture Survey by Oct. 31. It’s quick, anonymous & matters. Share your voice: bit.ly/25ClimateSurvey
¡PGCPS quiere conocer su opinión! Llene la encuesta de cultura y clima 2025 antes del 31 de octubre. Es rápido, anónimo e importante. Comparta su opinión: bit.ly/25ClimateSurveyES
2025 Climate Culture Survey (Spanish)Flyer.pdfResources for Students & Families
Resources for Students & Families
Save the Date: Hispanic Heritage Gallery Walk, October 15, 2025, 5:00 - 6:00 PM, A celebration of Art, Music, and Community
Copy of ML Family Resources.pdfEnglish Language Development Resources for Families
Support At Apple Grove.docxResources for Families during the Government Shutdown
Kids Heart ♥️ Challenge
Kids Heart ♥️ Challenge
Apple Grove families,
We are excited to help create a community of lifesavers and are asking you to join us. Sign up under our school http://www2.heart.org/goto/applegrove Sign UP in less than one minute and receive a wristband just for joining the team.
This year, we have an important goal: 100% of our families learning the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR! It only takes a few minutes to learn, and it can make all the difference in an emergency.
Sign Up: http://www2.heart.org/goto/applegrove/ and download the free “AHA Schools” app.
Raise funds to help kids with Special Hearts.
Complete Finn’s Mission: Complete all 7 steps, learn Hands-Only CPR, and be entered to win two Super Bowl tickets!
If 50% of our families Sign Up our school will earn a $500 Bonus for physical activity and recess equipment to support the health of our school community.
Plus, Every Classroom Teacher that has 15 students or more Signed UP will receive a Recess Basket compliments of the American Heart Association.
Let’s work together to create a community of lifesavers. Thank you for your support in helping us achieve this incredible goal!
Every person who signs up receives a free prize!
Thank you!
Counselor's Corner
Counselor's Corner
Red Ribbon Week is Coming: Week of October 27th
Apple Grove Elementary along with PGCPS, will participate in Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s oldest drug prevention campaign. This year’s theme is “Life Is A Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free.”
We’ll also host a Spirit Week — see the flyer for daily dress-up themes and fun ways to show your support! View Spirit Week Flyer
Let’s come together as a school community to promote healthy, drug-free choices!
Counselor Virtual Office.pptxEnglish Language Development (ELD) Program
English Language Development (ELD) Program
How can I support my child's education if I don't speak English?
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.
Together, we can ensure that every child is safe, seen, supported, and successful!
Copy of Primary Grades- Tips for Parents of MLs.pdf
From Nurse Wray👩🏽⚕️
From Nurse Wray👩🏽⚕️
Hello Apple Grove Elementary School Community!
As we move into the fall season, we want to take a moment to update you on common illnesses we are seeing in school, including hand-foot-and-mouth disease, colds, COVID-19, and the flu. These illnesses can spread quickly among children, and we appreciate your partnership in helping keep our school community healthy.
What You Can Do at Home:
Remind your child to wash their hands often with soap and water.
Teach your child to cover their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.
Encourage healthy habits: plenty of rest, nutritious meals, and staying hydrated.
When to Keep Your Child Home:
Please do not send your child to school if they have:
A fever of 100.4°F or higher (they must be fever-free for 24 hours without medicine before returning).
Vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
New or worsening cough, sore throat, or shortness of breath.
Rashes, blisters, or sores that could be contagious (such as those from hand-foot-and-mouth disease).
How We Are Supporting Students at School:
Extra attention to handwashing and sanitizing in classrooms.
Regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces.
Monitoring of student symptoms and communication with families when needed.
Together, we can reduce the spread of illness and keep our students learning in a safe and healthy environment. Thank you for your cooperation and care.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our school nurse at Kristi.JohnsonWray@pgcps.org or 301-449-4966
Follow us on Twitter!
Follow us on Twitter!
🍎 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.
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