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.
September
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Hispanic Heritage Month
September 8 - 22- Read-A-Thon Fundraiser
September 15- Hispanic Heritage Month begins
September 15- Pre-Kindergarten Cognitive Toybox Assessment begins
September 16- Student Code of Conduct Assemblies PK-5
September 16- PGCPS Family Institute: MD Comprehensive Assessment (MCAP) 6:00 PM
September 19- i-Ready Assessment Window Closes
September 22- Picture Day 📷
September 22- Kindergarten, First, Second, Third Grade DIBELS Assessments begin
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 - Quarter 1 Progress Report Window Opens
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?
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 the right track for success and also makes them eligible to join in our monthly Atten-Dances and the end-of-year Field Day.
We have a busy and exciting week ahead! Please take a moment to look over these important dates and reminders.
This Week’s Events
📚 Our Read-A-Thon Has Begun!
Our Read-A-Thon fundraiser officially kicked off Monday, and we’re thrilled to see our students diving into extra reading. This event not only encourages a love of books but also raises funds for instructional materials, student resources, and new technology. The best part: our school keeps 70% of the profits!
This week, you’ll receive a personalized donation page for your child. Here’s how you can help once you receive it:
Make a donation to get things started.
Share your child’s donation page with at least 10 family members and friends.
Use the simple social media and email sharing tools on the page.
Thank you for your support in making this a successful Read-A-Thon! With your help, we can reach our goals and continue Building Greatness at the Grove!
Dates to Remember
September 15 – Hispanic Heritage Month Begins
September 15 – Pre-Kindergarten Cognitive Toybox Assessment Begins
September 16 – Student Code of Conduct Assemblies PK–5
September 16 – PGCPS Family Institute: MD Comprehensive Assessment (MCAP), 6:00 PM
September 19 – i-Ready Assessment Window Closes
September 22 – Picture Day 📷
Let’s keep up the momentum, celebrate attendance, and support our students as they learn and grow!
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
Hello APPLE GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Family and Friends!
Our AWESOME READATHON Donation Fundraiser is going on right now! Our students are doing some extra reading and using teamwork to unlock incentives and rewards! Go to the special donation page we have created for your student & check it out!
Click on this link and type in your student's name! ---> https://app.pledge-drive.net/Campaign/apple2025
The student Donation website and e-mail correspondence will be the primary method of communication throughout the program. We hope we can count on your generous support. With 100% participation, we will be able to reach our donation goal.
Don’t forget to Click on the Daily Reading Challenge Video Button on your student's page!!
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Here are some tips:
Make your donation now to set a good example for other potential donors to follow. SHARE your donation page with at least 10 family and friends with the email function on your donation page. Forward this e-mail and the link to family and friends. From your donation page you can easily post on FACEBOOK, send TEXTS, and post to SOCIAL MEDIA!
Can’t find your student by name? Click HERE to register your student! https://app.pledge-drive.net/Campaign/apple2025/register
Thank you for your generous support!
Families, we need your help! So far, we have not received any responses to our Counseling Program Needs Assessment. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your feedback is essential in shaping how we support students this year. It only takes about 5 minutes to complete the Parent Needs Assessment for School Counseling
Mark Your Calendars: Atten-Dance Party!
We are excited to share that our Atten-Dance Party will take place on Thursday, October 3rd. This celebration is for students who achieve near perfect (94 %) attendance and no tardies in August and September.
Students: Keep showing up every day! When you reach perfect attendance and no tardies, you’ll earn your pants and your ticket to the dance.
Families: Thank you for helping your children arrive on time and ready to learn. Please continue to encourage daily attendance – it’s the key to assisting them to qualify for the celebration.
Staff: Keep cheering on and motivating students each day. Your support helps build strong attendance habits across our school.
We will continue to track attendance throughout the month. There is still time for every student to earn their pants and join us on the dance floor on October 3rd.
Thank you for your partnership!
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!
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.
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
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.
🍎 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.