Thee G. James Gholson is moving into a school-based program for student devices beginning with the school year 2024-2025 and we began collecting Chromebooks back in April. The school-based program means that students will no longer be assigned a device that travels with them from home to school and back. Their Chromebooks will be placed in a cart or a secure location for use during the instructional day in the classroom. 

Even though our school will be school-based for student devices in the upcoming year, if you choose, your child can be assigned a device to take home with them after signing the Student Device Usage Agreement. 

Please help prepare for our school-based program by completing the following:

• By June 3, be sure your child brings their PGCPS-issued device (with charging cord and case) to school so it can be checked and kept at school for the upcoming school year.

• If your child does not return a Chromebook or your child’s device has been damaged as a result of negligence, lost, or stolen, a fee may be assessed based on what’s identified in the Student Device Usage Agreement: 

  • $40 for lost or damaged due to negligence chromebook power adaptors

  • $200 for unreturned/lost chromebooks in need of replacement

If your child needs a PGCPS-issued device for a PGCPS summer program, then the summer program will provide you information on receiving a Chromebook.  In-person summer programs will provide devices for students to use during the instructional day.  Students in virtual summer programs will be able to check a device out from their base school and return it at the end of the program.  Please be advised that students will continue to be responsible for damage caused by negligence, loss, and/or stolen devices as outlined in the Student Device Usage Agreement and any associated fees incurred while the device is assigned to your student.

Thank you for your continued support of our student device program in Prince George’s County Public Schools.

If you have any questions, please contact our school (301) 883-8390.

Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) is pleased to inform you that your child will be taking the district’s Optional Benchmark 3 Assessments. The purpose of these assessments is to measure what your child learned during the semester. The data gained from the Benchmarks supports teachers with identifying instructional strategies and resources to meet the needs of each student.

The Benchmark 3 Assessments will take place beginning on May 28th and will go through June 7th. PGCPS will be using the PGCPS Pearson TestNav platform to administer the Benchmark 3 Assessments. No grades will be assigned based on these assessment results. The results of the Benchmark Assessments will be used by teachers and schools to enhance instruction on skills your child is learning in the classroom.  

The assessments will cover three major content areas of Mathematics, Reading/English/Language Arts (RELA) and Social Studies. The Mathematics Benchmark assessments will be administered to students in grades K-8, and select high school courses. The RELA  Benchmark assessments will be administered to students in grades 3 through 10. The Social Studies Benchmark assessments will be administered to students in grade 8.

Following the Benchmark 3 test administration, parents and families have the ability to access completed Benchmark individual student reports for students via the PGCPS Pearson Access Parent Portal. If a parent or family had an active email address on file with PGCPS as of November 16, 2023, they should have received an email from the following email address: noreply@mdassessments.com. The email contained an invitation for parents and families to access the PGCPS Pearson Access Parent Portal to view your child’s Benchmark reports. Parents and families are encouraged to check their Spam folder in their email account, if the email does show up in your inbox.

Please note that only fully completed Benchmark scores are available after each test administration for the 2023-2024 school year. The PGCPS Parent Portal will only contain Benchmark scores after each test administration and access is only available during the school year. 

If you have questions about the testing schedule or Benchmark Assessments, please contact Mrs. Kirk, Testing Coordinator, (301) 883-8390.

Currently Gholson Middle is a MANDATORY uniform school. Enforcing the mandatory uniform policy takes time and energy from instruction , students, and parents. Enforcing a school uniform policy diverts time and energy away from learning, as staff spends time ensuring students comply with the policy. When students come out of uniform, staff must discipline them, call parents, parents must take time to come bring uniforms, and students lose class time waiting for them in In-school suspension. Furthermore, the mandatory uniform policy unfairly burdens families with limited financial resources and families without an in-home washing machine and clothes dryer. While uniforms are meant to level the playing field, they can sometimes highlight socio-economic differences. If students' uniforms are not well-maintained, they can draw attention to a student's financial situation and lead to bullying and fights. Additionally, the uniforms have not shown a significant positive effect on our students' achievement as promised.

We need your vote to change Gholson to a VOLUNTARY uniform school. This would allow families to choose whether their child wears a uniform or not according to their families' needs. In addition, children will no longer be penalized or disciplined for not being in uniform. Without mandatory uniforms, the focus can be more on academics and student achievement. Also, allowing students the option to choose what they wear helps them express their individuality and personal style. This can lead to increased confidence and a stronger sense of identity and student achievement.

Cast your vote at: https://forms.gle/LFVjrf1icFUhLpUP7

Communication is the best way to know how the children are! PGCPS and Thee G. James Gholson Middle School have employed a few tools (SchoolMAX, Knight Newsletter, SchoolMessenger) to enable two-way communication between school and families. Teachers post attendance, assignment grades and comments via SchoolMAX. This is the primary tool to stay informed of your child's attendance, grades, and progress. It is PGCPS' and my expectation that parents will regularly check (at least once a week) their children's grades in SchoolMAX and intervene. Best practice- Log into SchoolMAX with your child and have them review their attendance, assignment and course grades with you on Wednesdays of each week. This midweek check gives children time to ask their teachers questions and make any needed corrections. If you have questions or concerns as you are reviewing your child's grades, email your child's teacher or reach out to their professional school counselor to schedule a parent/teacher conference. 

Remember, PGCPS and Gholson MS primarily communicate via SchoolMessenger. Click the Family Portal SchoolMAX hyperlink to make sure your phone, text, and email are connected so you don't miss important messages from PGCPS and Gholson. Check on your friends and family with children at Gholson MS to make sure they are connected too. It's important to ensure your desired contact information is correct before SchoolMAX switches to Synergy in late June.

Thee G. James Gholson is moving into a school-based program for student devices beginning with the school year 2024-2025 and we began collecting Chromebooks back in April. The school-based program means that students will no longer be assigned a device that travels with them from home to school and back. Their Chromebooks will be placed in a cart or a secure location for use during the instructional day in the classroom. 

Even though our school will be school-based for student devices in the upcoming year, if you choose, your child can be assigned a device to take home with them after signing the Student Device Usage Agreement. 

Please help prepare for our school-based program by completing the following:

• By June 3, be sure your child brings their PGCPS-issued device (with charging cord and case) to school so it can be checked and kept at school for the upcoming school year.

• If your child does not return a Chromebook or your child’s device has been damaged as a result of negligence, lost, or stolen, a fee may be assessed based on what’s identified in the Student Device Usage Agreement: 

  • $40 for lost or damaged due to negligence chromebook power adaptors

  • $200 for unreturned/lost chromebooks in need of replacement

If your child needs a PGCPS-issued device for a PGCPS summer program, then the summer program will provide you information on receiving a Chromebook.  In-person summer programs will provide devices for students to use during the instructional day.  Students in virtual summer programs will be able to check a device out from their base school and return it at the end of the program.  Please be advised that students will continue to be responsible for damage caused by negligence, loss, and/or stolen devices as outlined in the Student Device Usage Agreement and any associated fees incurred while the device is assigned to your student.

Thank you for your continued support of our student device program in Prince George’s County Public Schools.

If you have any questions, please contact our school (301) 883-8390.

Currently Gholson Middle is a MANDATORY uniform school. Enforcing the mandatory uniform policy takes time and energy from instruction , students, and parents. Enforcing a school uniform policy diverts time and energy away from learning, as staff spends time ensuring students comply with the policy. When students come out of uniform, staff must discipline them, call parents, parents must take time to come bring uniforms, and students lose class time waiting for them in In-school suspension. Furthermore, the mandatory uniform policy unfairly burdens families with limited financial resources and families without an in-home washing machine and clothes dryer. While uniforms are meant to level the playing field, they can sometimes highlight socio-economic differences. If students' uniforms are not well-maintained, they can draw attention to a student's financial situation and lead to bullying and fights. Additionally, the uniforms have not shown a significant positive effect on our students' achievement as promised.

We need your vote to change Gholson to a VOLUNTARY uniform school. This would allow families to choose whether their child wears a uniform or not according to their families' needs. In addition, children will no longer be penalized or disciplined for not being in uniform. Without mandatory uniforms, the focus can be more on academics and student achievement. Also, allowing students the option to choose what they wear helps them express their individuality and personal style. This can lead to increased confidence and a stronger sense of identity and student achievement.

Cast your vote at: https://forms.gle/LFVjrf1icFUhLpUP7

Communication is the best way to know how the children are! PGCPS and Thee G. James Gholson Middle School have employed a few tools (SchoolMAX, Knight Newsletter, SchoolMessenger) to enable two-way communication between school and families. Teachers post attendance, assignment grades and comments via SchoolMAX. This is the primary tool to stay informed of your child's attendance, grades, and progress. It is PGCPS' and my expectation that parents will regularly check (at least once a week) their children's grades in SchoolMAX and intervene. Best practice- Log into SchoolMAX with your child and have them review their attendance, assignment and course grades with you on Wednesdays of each week. This midweek check gives children time to ask their teachers questions and make any needed corrections. If you have questions or concerns as you are reviewing your child's grades, email your child's teacher or reach out to their professional school counselor to schedule a parent/teacher conference. 

Remember, PGCPS and Gholson MS primarily communicate via SchoolMessenger. Click the Family Portal SchoolMAX hyperlink to make sure your phone, text, and email are connected so you don't miss important messages from PGCPS and Gholson. Check on your friends and family with children at Gholson MS to make sure they are connected too. It's important to ensure your desired contact information is correct before SchoolMAX switches to Synergy in late June.

Currently Gholson Middle is a MANDATORY uniform school. Enforcing the mandatory uniform policy takes time and energy from instruction , students, and parents. Enforcing a school uniform policy diverts time and energy away from learning, as staff spends time ensuring students comply with the policy. When students come out of uniform, staff must discipline them, call parents, parents must take time to come bring uniforms, and students lose class time waiting for them in In-school suspension. Furthermore, the mandatory uniform policy unfairly burdens families with limited financial resources and families without an in-home washing machine and clothes dryer. While uniforms are meant to level the playing field, they can sometimes highlight socio-economic differences. If students' uniforms are not well-maintained, they can draw attention to a student's financial situation and lead to bullying and fights. Additionally, the uniforms have not shown a significant positive effect on our students' achievement as promised.

We need your vote to change Gholson to a VOLUNTARY uniform school. This would allow families to choose whether their child wears a uniform or not according to their families' needs. In addition, children will no longer be penalized or disciplined for not being in uniform. Without mandatory uniforms, the focus can be more on academics and student achievement. Also, allowing students the option to choose what they wear helps them express their individuality and personal style. This can lead to increased confidence and a stronger sense of identity and student achievement.

Cast your vote at: https://forms.gle/LFVjrf1icFUhLpUP7

Communication is the best way to know how the children are! PGCPS and Thee G. James Gholson Middle School have employed a few tools (SchoolMAX, Knight Newsletter, SchoolMessenger) to enable two-way communication between school and families. Teachers post attendance, assignment grades and comments via SchoolMAX. This is the primary tool to stay informed of your child's attendance, grades, and progress. It is PGCPS' and my expectation that parents will regularly check (at least once a week) their children's grades in SchoolMAX and intervene. Best practice- Log into SchoolMAX with your child and have them review their attendance, assignment and course grades with you on Wednesdays of each week. This midweek check gives children time to ask their teachers questions and make any needed corrections. If you have questions or concerns as you are reviewing your child's grades, email your child's teacher or reach out to their professional school counselor to schedule a parent/teacher conference. 

Remember, PGCPS and Gholson MS primarily communicate via SchoolMessenger. Click the Family Portal SchoolMAX hyperlink to make sure your phone, text, and email are connected so you don't miss important messages from PGCPS and Gholson. Check on your friends and family with children at Gholson MS to make sure they are connected too. It's important to ensure your desired contact information is correct before SchoolMAX switches to Synergy in late June.

ZOOM: https://pgcps-org.zoom.us/j/86021099928

May 14

Testing Results: What Do they Mean & How Can I Help My Child?

Learn best practices for reviewing test results as well as how to help prepare students for future assessments.

14 de mayo

Resultados de las evaluaciones: ¿qué significan y cómo puedo ayudar a mi hijo?

Aprenda las mejores prácticas para revisar los resultados de las evaluaciones y cómo ayudar a preparar a los estudiantes para evaluaciones futuras.

14 mai

Les résultats de tests : Que signifient-ils et comment puis-je aider mon enfant ?

Apprenez les meilleures pratiques pour l'examen des résultats des tests ainsi que la manière de préparer les élèves aux évaluations futures.

The G. James Gholson’s School’s Extended Learning Opportunities Program. The program will be every beginning Saturday, March 16th and end Saturday, May 25th. The hours of the program will be from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. If your child has a D or E in any subject, especially math language arts (RELA), definitely bring your child to our Saturday Academy 9:00 -12 PM for free tutoring and enrichment. Some teachers are also offering extra credit for student attendance. 

The purpose of this program is to provide academic enrichment to students through various ways of learning in order to improve their academics and promote academic confidence, motivation, and experience. 

Students will explore learning through Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics. A light snack will be offered each Saturday. Parents must provide transportation.

Use the link below to register-

 Form Link:  tinyurl.com/yve7yafv

If you would like more information or have any questions or concerns, please contact Monica Francis, ELO Coordinator, at 301-883-8390, Rm F-114 or via e-mail at Monica.Francis@pgcps.org.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER AND PARTICIPATE!! 

Leave a message and share the story of one of our extraordinary educators who gives their best to our students every day, and let us know what educators in your area need to succeed!

Call National Educator Association @ 202-743-5371 | www.nea.org/TAW

April 15 - May 31- MCAP Testing

May 6 - May 10- Teacher Appreciation Week

May 6- Parent Support Center @Gholson 5:00 PM | Soccer Game Vs. Legends (Away) 5:30 PM

May 7- PGCPS Family Institute: Make Transitions smooth moves (ES, MS, HS, College)

May 8- Career Day | Soccer Senior Day Pep-Rally

May 9- 7th Grade Wild Rice Field Trip 

May 10- 8th Grade Pizza Party Cruise

May 11- Saturday Academy 9:00 AM

May 13- 8th Grade Social Studies Smithsonian Field Trip |Parent Support Center @Gholson 5:00 PM | Quarter 4 Progress Reports Released on SchoolMAX

May 14- NO SCHOOL- Primary Election Day | PGCPS Family Institute: Testing Results: What Do they Mean & How Can I Help My Child?

May 17- DUE: 8th Grade Student Service Learning Hours (SSL)

May 18- Saturday Academy 9:00 AM

May 20- 8th Grade Social Studies Smithsonian Field Trip | Parent Support Center @Gholson 5:00 PM 

May 21- Tentative Quarter 3 Honor Roll Assembly

May 22- Physical Education Bowie Baysox Field Trip 

May 25- Saturday Academy 9:00 AM

May 27- NO SCHOOl- Memorial Day

May 28- Eighth Grade Hershey Park Field Trip

Currently Gholson Middle is a MANDATORY uniform school. Enforcing the mandatory uniform policy takes time and energy from instruction , students, and parents. Enforcing a school uniform policy diverts time and energy away from learning, as staff spends time ensuring students comply with the policy. When students come out of uniform, staff must discipline them, call parents, parents must take time to come bring uniforms, and students lose class time waiting for them in In-school suspension. Furthermore, the mandatory uniform policy unfairly burdens families with limited financial resources and families without an in-home washing machine and clothes dryer. While uniforms are meant to level the playing field, they can sometimes highlight socio-economic differences. If students' uniforms are not well-maintained, they can draw attention to a student's financial situation and lead to bullying and fights. Additionally, the uniforms have not shown a significant positive effect on our students' achievement as promised.

We need your vote to change Gholson to a VOLUNTARY uniform school. This would allow families to choose whether their child wears a uniform or not according to their families' needs. In addition, children will no longer be penalized or disciplined for not being in uniform. Without mandatory uniforms, the focus can be more on academics and student achievement. Also, allowing students the option to choose what they wear helps them express their individuality and personal style. This can lead to increased confidence and a stronger sense of identity and student achievement.

Cast your vote at: https://forms.gle/LFVjrf1icFUhLpUP7

We are excited to celebrate our eighth graders! In order to prepare for the end of the year activities and high school transition, students and families will need to adhere to the established timeline and guidelines in the eighth grade end of the year letter. Letters were shared at the April 11 Family Forum, given  to students to bring home, and mailed to your address in SchoolMAX. 

As students are transitioning to high school, parents must provide updated proof of residence in person or via https://pgcpsmdc.scriborder.com/ for all students who will be attending high school due to promotion to ninth grade. Please contact Ms. Dennis at rebecca.dennis@pgcps.org or 301-883-8390.

Additionally, in order for students and families to participate in any of the End of the Year activities- 8th Grade Class Trip, Formal Dance and Awards Ceremony, students must meet all of the following criteria during fourth quarter-

• At least 8 hours of Student Service Learning (community service) hours documented in SchoolMax by May 17, 2024

• All class grades 60% D or higher and be eligible for promotion to ninth grade

• 0 in-school (ISS) or out-of-school (OSS) suspensions

• 0 uniform violations documented in Minor Incident form or Student Discipline Referral (PS-74) 

• 0 class skipping 

• 2 or less unexcused late to class/hall sweep in a week

As of now we only have 135 of 220+ eighth graders who are on track to meet the requirements and participate in the class trip, formal dance, and promotion ceremony. Students who do not meet all of the requirements will not participate in any of the end of year activities (no class trip; no dance; no awards/promotion ceremony). Please work with your child to meet these requirements so you and your familiy will not miss out in these joyous events!

ZOOM: https://pgcps-org.zoom.us/j/86021099928

May 7

Make Transitions smooth moves (ES, MS, HS, College)

Is your child transitioning into a new level of education? This transition can be a major adjustment for the whole family. Join us to learn tips to ease these transitions and increase outcomes for student success. 

7 de mayo

Haga transiciones tranquilas (escuela primaria, escuela intermedia, escuela superior y universidad)

¿Su hijo está haciendo la transición a un nuevo nivel de educación? Esta transición puede ser un cambio importante para toda la familia. Acompáñenos para aprender consejos para facilitar estas transiciones y mejorar los resultados para el éxito estudiantil.

7 mai

Effectuez des transitions en douceur (Primaire, Collège, Lycée, Université)

Votre enfant est-il en transition vers un nouveau niveau d’éducation ? Cette transition peut être un ajustement majeur pour toute la famille. Rejoignez-nous pour découvrir des conseils visant à faciliter ces transitions et à améliorer les résultats pour la réussite des élèves.

May 14

Testing Results: What Do they Mean & How Can I Help My Child?

Learn best practices for reviewing test results as well as how to help prepare students for future assessments.

14 de mayo

Resultados de las evaluaciones: ¿qué significan y cómo puedo ayudar a mi hijo?

Aprenda las mejores prácticas para revisar los resultados de las evaluaciones y cómo ayudar a preparar a los estudiantes para evaluaciones futuras.

14 mai

Les résultats de tests : Que signifient-ils et comment puis-je aider mon enfant ?

Apprenez les meilleures pratiques pour l'examen des résultats des tests ainsi que la manière de préparer les élèves aux évaluations futures.

The G. James Gholson’s School’s Extended Learning Opportunities Program. The program will be every beginning Saturday, March 16th and end Saturday, May 25th. The hours of the program will be from 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. Please make arrangements for your child to be present for this free program.

The purpose of this program is to provide academic enrichment to students through various ways of learning in order to improve their academics and promote academic confidence, motivation, and experience. 

Students will explore learning through Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics. A light snack will be offered each Saturday. Parents must provide transportation.

Use the link below to register-

 Form Link:  tinyurl.com/yve7yafv

If you would like more information or have any questions or concerns, please contact Monica Francis, ELO Coordinator, at 301-883-8390, Rm F-114 or via e-mail at Monica.Francis@pgcps.org.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER AND PARTICIPATE!!