Largo Principal's Parent Press

The Largo Principal's Parent Press is a bi-weekly communication newsletter that will be used to keep parents in the know about events, happenings, and updates at Largo High School straight from Principal Lewis' desk.

Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.

***Students can enter the building beginning at 7:00 a.m and are expected to be in their first class at 7:30 a.m..***

Please find contact information for each of Largo High School's Administrators:

9th Grade: Christopher Jackson (christo.jackson@pgcps.org)

10th Grade: Tanya Parris-Andrews (tanya.parris@pgcps.org)

11th Grade: Robyn Jones (robyn.jones@pgcps.org)

12th Grade: Dr. Vivian Powers (vivian.powers@pgcps.org)

Immersion Programs: Denise Cabrera (denise.cabrera@pgcps.org)

Please find contact information for each of Largo High School's Professional School Counselors:

9th Grade: Gisele Wilmore (Onboarding)

10th Grade: Valerie Johnson (valerie.alston@pgcps.org)

11th Grade: Tomeco Dates (tomeco.dates@pgcps.org)

12th Grade: Dr. Monet Hawkins (monet.hawkins@pgcps.org)

Please find contact information for each of Largo High School's Talent Ready Coordinator:

All grades: Tomisha King (tomisha.king@pgcps.org)

Please find contact information for each of Largo High School's IEP Facilitator (Special Education Chair):

All grades: Nicole.Bonham@pgcps.org

When reaching out to a PGCPS member via email or phone, they have 48 hours to reply to your inquiry. Please see the information below for where to share your concerns:

Admin Concern: Step 1: Grade level administrator-----Step 2: Principal----- Step 3: Instructional Director

Scheduling Concern: Step 1: Counselor--- Step 2: Grade level administrator--- Step 3: Principal

Special Education Concern: Step 1: Case Manager--- Step 2: IEP Facilitator--- Step 3: Principal

Teacher Concern: Step 1: Teacher-----Step 2: Grade level administrator----- Step 3: Principal

Our goal is to meet your needs to the best of our ability with the resources that are available to us. Please use processes above to give Largo every opportunity to work with you for the best school experience possible.

Largo High School personnel have 48 hours to respond to emails and return phone calls. Please allow that process to complete itself before reminder emails and escalatory measures are enacted. We appreciate your support of this process.

As we prepare for this school year, one of the biggest adjustments that we will navigate through as a community is PGCPS’ transition from SchoolMax to Synergy. Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, 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. A PGCPS ParentVUE account is needed to complete the required Online Registration (OLR) Application to register your student in PGCPS. This application is completed for students new to PGCPS, transferring within the county, or returning to PGCPS. You may access the ParentVUE link below:

Parent VUE Link

Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) would like you to share your thoughts on the district's culture and climate. PGCPS will use the feedback received to ensure that district offerings meet the needs of students, parents, and staff, consistent with the district’s goals.

To thank you for your participation, all respondents who complete the survey can enter a drawing/contest. If you qualify and would like to enter the drawing, you will be asked to provide your contact information at the end of the survey, which will only be seen by PGCPS. Your contact information will not be tied to your survey responses.

Your feedback is essential to the district, and we appreciate your thoughtful responses. All responses will remain anonymous and will only be reported to the district in the aggregate. This survey should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete.Thank you for your participation!

Please click the link here to complete the survey. Your feedback is paramount, in increasing our rating with the Maryland Report Card.

Please see the link here with regard to tutoring services that are available to students and families.

For National School Bus Safety Week, we’re putting the spotlight on our commitment to keeping every student safe on their journey to and from school. With more than 85,000 students — 65% of our enrollment — riding our buses daily, safety is always our top priority.

Did you know that school buses are the safest mode of transportation for kids? We all play a part in maintaining this level of safety.

Here are a few important tips to keep in mind:

Stay Back: Always stop at least 10 feet away from a bus when its lights are flashing, and the stop-arm is extended. This ensures students can safely board and exit the bus.

Stay Alert: Whether you’re driving in a school zone or on a bus route, avoid distractions and stay focused on the road.

Look Both Ways: Before driving past a stopped bus, always check for students crossing the street.

Together, we can ensure safe travels for all of our students, every day. Thank you for doing your part to help us prioritize student safety!

Please click the link below to register:

PGCPS Family Institute Link

The Largo High School Golf Team took the Prince George's County Championship for the first time since 2007. The golf team has been on a tear this year, and this outcome did not come as a surprise. Largo's team emerged tops over schools such as Charles H. Flowers, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Bowie High Schools. Freshman standout Jordan Wallace won the overall event with the lowest score among all participants.The next stope for our golf team will be to compete for the Maryland State 1A/2A title. The team is coached by Lewis Howard, and the members consist of (left to right) Amari Watson (Fr.), Kiyana Jackson (Sr.), Leonard Crichton, Jr. (Jr.), and Jordan Wallace (Fr.).

Senior Largo Boys Basketball phenom Cameron Ward selected Michigan State University as the place where he will continue his education and athletic career after graduation. Cam chose the Spartans over Maryland, Kansas State, and Virginia, who were also in the running. He made the decision sitting with his family and before approximately 500 spectators.

I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this year’s Homecoming celebration a tremendous success. This year’s festivities marked our largest student celebration to date. From the spirit days, to the pep rally and the unforgettable Homecoming game, Homecoming Week was packed with energy, school spirit, and lasting memories. It was incredible to see the entire Largo High School community—students, staff, parents, and alumni—come together for this annual celebration.

The excitement culminated with our annual Homecoming Pep Rally, a thrilling 30-26 win over Friendly High School, where our athletes gave it their all and made us so proud, and our annual Homecoming Dance was a fitting end to a week full of joy and unity. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and hard work of so many individuals—faculty, students, volunteers, and sponsors, families, and the Greater Largo community. Your support of this annual tradition shows the strength of our community, and I am deeply appreciative of each and every one of you for helping make this event special!

Please join us for our first "Coffee with Counselors" event. This event is designed to provide high school parents with an informal, welcoming space to connect with school counselors and learn about the resources available to support their students’ academic, social, and emotional development. Through this gathering, parents can discuss topics like graduation requirements, college and career readiness, mental health resources, and strategies for student success. The event fosters open communication, allows parents to ask questions, and builds a collaborative relationship with counselors to ensure students receive well-rounded support throughout their high school journey.

Zoom Link for Event:

https://pgcps-org.zoom.us/j/81885176388

Meeting ID: 818 8517 6388

Largo's Green Club recently put down decorative plants in front of our school building. These plants were supplied by the PGCPS Building Services Department. The aim is to provide a healthy school environment and beautification of our school grounds. This activity also contributes to green school certification requirements. Please help me to thank our Green Club students, and sponsors for their continued excellence. Largo's Green Club is currently going through the process to recertify for "Green School Status."

We invite you to join the Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO) this school year! Being a part of the PTSO is a wonderful opportunity to stay actively involved in your child’s education, connect with other parents, and help shape the school community. Your participation directly impacts our ability to support events, programs, and resources that benefit our students. Meetings are held on the third Tuesdays of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m. in room 100.

Our freshman should be well on their way to earning the five credits they need to ascend to 10th grade status on time. Here are some things that are 9th grade parents should be monitoring:

• Academic Progress: Keep track of grades through the PGCPS grading portal, monitoring core subjects like Math, English, and Science, as these foundational courses affect graduation requirements and college readiness.
• High School Graduation Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the requirements, including core credits, Service Learning hours, and assessments. Understanding what’s required will help students stay on track and avoid last-minute issues. Specifically, 9th graders cannot move to the next grade without having passed English 9 and Geometry.
• Study and Time Management Skills: Encourage students to develop good study habits, manage their time, and balance their schoolwork with extracurricular activities. Many 9th graders need guidance in developing these skills.
• Mental Health and Well-being: Transitioning to high school can be challenging. Monitor for signs of stress and encourage open communication. PGCPS offers resources like school counselors and mental health professionals to support student well-being.

The class of 2027 has really emerged as of our most gifted classes, especially in a review of their academic data. We want to see our sophomores continue along this trajectory. Here are some things 10th grade families want to monitor as we end the first quarter:

• Course Credits and GPA: By end of the 10th grade, students should be steadily accumulating credits toward graduation, of which English 10 and Algebra 1/Geometry must have been successfully completed, and 10 credits must have been earned by the end of this year. Parents can check grades in Synergy and ensure students are meeting or exceeding academic expectations in core subjects to maintain a strong GPA, which will be critical for college applications or other post-graduate endeavors.
• Standardized Testing Preparation: This is the year that students began taking many of their graduate assessments. Stay informed about these opportunities and encouraging practice can help students perform well when the times comes.
• Career Pathways and Elective Choices: 10th grade is a good time to start exploring career interests or specialized fields, including tech or arts programs. Parents can encourage students to take electives that align with these interests or to explore opportunities like the Seal of Biliteracy for language learners.

Additionally, English 10 benchmark assessment will begin on November 10. Students must have their Chromebook to test and it needs to be fully charged. Pleae reach out to AP Parris-Andrews if you have questions or need assistance.

The Countdown Begins!

As of Monday October the 21st, there are only 9 school days until the end of the quarter. Students must attend their classes and turn in all assignments. All of the classes that are on the junior schedule are needed for graduation. Late assignment acceptance is at the discretion of each individual teacher. It is imperative that your student meet all deadlines.

Service Learning Hours

Currently, only 28% of the Junior Class has completed their 24 Service Learning Hours. THIS IS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT!. It is also a requirement for them to receive a half day schedule in their senior year. There are many opportunities for service learning hours at school and in the community. Encourage your students to check their Canvas and emails for updates.

Trying to Get a Jumpstart on Senior Year?

The Alfred Street Baptist Church is hosting their FREE HBCU FESTIVAL November 9th at the ST. James in Springfield, VA! This is an opportunity for you to learn about different colleges and their requirements for admission, meet the recruiters and be a step ahead for your Senior Year. REGISTER HERE to attend.

Greetings from Dr. Arminta Breaux President of Bowie State University, to the Class of 2026

Join the Class of 2026 Remind Group:

Please join REMIND.COM. Send a text message to "@22dcgc" for class text and email updates.

Please see the most recent updates from the Senio Leadership Team:

• Senior Dues: Packages have been approved and will be uploaded to our school website and MySchoolBucks on Monday, October 28. The team will share with families projected dates for submission of dues to support senior activities.
• Please see the contact information for In Studio Senior Pictures. They can be reached at 1-800-736-4775.
• ID picture make-ups will take place on December 14.
• If you have not done so already, please be sure to sign your senior's student service learning hour forms, if this applies.

Please see updates below from Immersion Dean Denise Cabrera, and dates connected to program events connected our Language Immersion Program:

• November 1: Immersion Open House
• November 7: Specialty Programs Show Case
• November 22: Testing Spanish Immersion - DELE Test

Please join us at Largo High School for the TalentReady Open House on November 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose room

College Track is a program designed to equip students confronting systemic barriers to earn a bachelor’s degree in pursuit of a life of opportunity, choice, purpose, and power. College Track is targeting current 9th graders who are considering going to college, and fuctions in partnership with Prince George's County Public Schools out of the Durant Center.

Please see the link below to the presentation:

College Track Presentation

Mrs. Nicole Mintz, Parent Engagement Assistant, is your direct link to providing you with support. Mrs. Mintz provides parents with issues ranging from helping you to access SchoolMax to providing workshops to help our parents navigate our school and school system. Mrs. Mintz can be reached at Nicole.Mintz@pgcps.org.

Save the Dates:

• October 26: Largo Varsity Football at Surrattsville (2 p.m.)
• October 31: End of the 1st Quarter
• November 1: Grading Day for Teachers (3-Hour Early Dismissal for Students)
• November 1: Largo Varsity Football @ Gwynn Park (7:00 p.m.)
• November 5: Election Day - PGCPS Schools and Offices Closed
• November 19: Monthly PTSO Meeting - Room 100- (6:30 p.m.)
• November 27-29: Thanksgiving Break - PGCPS Schools and Offices Closed

Did you miss an edition of the Principal's Press? Don't worry. We've you got covered. Go back and review any of the previous editions of Principal Lewis' letter by clicking the links below:

August 20, 2024

September 6, 2024

September 20, 2024

October 5, 2024

Email: Albert.Lewis@pgcps.org
Website: https://schools.pgcps.org/largo/
Location: 505 Largo Road, Upper Marlboro, MD, USA
Phone: (301) 808-8880
Twitter: @Albert_TLewis