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

We want to take a moment to thank all of our families for their support in sharing valuable tips and information regarding the recent social media incident. Your partnership plays a critical role in helping us keep our community safe. We encourage you to continue to share any information that may assist us in ensuring the safety of all our students and staff. Please find a link below the letters that were shared with our community about these circumstances:

September 19 Letter to the Community

We are excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15. This month is a special time to honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities in the United States. We recognize and celebrate the diversity that strengthens our school and community, and we look forward to highlighting the achievements, traditions, and vibrant heritage of our Hispanic families throughout the month. Join us in celebrating and embracing this important part of our shared history! More information will come regarding celebrations.

For Hispanic Heritage Month, we are holding a poster contest. Here is the promotion in case you can add it to your parent press. Also, we will have a Spirit Week from September 30 to October 4 the flyer will be attached here too. Thank you!

Please help me to welcome the newest members of the Largo family:

• Aisha Childs, Business Teacher (Starting, September 30)
• Dr. Danielle Clarke, Business Teacher (Started September 16)

Attendance Awareness Month, observed each September, highlights the critical role regular school attendance plays in student success. Consistent attendance is closely linked to academic achievement, social development, and long-term opportunities, as students who attend school regularly are more likely to stay on track and graduate. By raising awareness, schools and communities can address barriers such as health issues, transportation challenges, and family concerns that contribute to chronic absenteeism. The month provides an opportunity to engage parents, educators, and policymakers in proactive solutions, fostering a supportive environment where all students can thrive. Recognizing the importance of attendance helps ensure that students are present, engaged, and ready to learn.

See what Prince George's County Public Schools is doing to fight against truancy and chronic absenteeism by clicking the link below:

PGCPS and Attendance Awareness Month

The Largo Golf Team is off to a hot start this year, and we couldn’t be more proud of their hard work and dedication. Recently, the Golf Team spent time with the Howard University Golf Team and the Langston Hughes Course in Washington, D.C. Our golf team consists of Leonard Crichton, Jr. and Jordan Wallace. They are coached by Lewis Howard. Keep up the great momentum, team!

Mr. Marcus Trotter Jr., a proud native of Prince George’s County and an alum of Largo High School, is exited to come back home. After earning his BA in Music Education from Delaware State University, he is now dedicated to helping build a thriving music program right where his journey began. With a passion for education and a commitment to excellence, Mr. Trotter is eager to educate, learn, and make a lasting impact at Largo High School. He looks forward to working with students, staff, and the entire school community to create a music program that resonates within the county and beyond.

Mr. Trotter will succeed Douglass Gilchrist, who led our band during the 2023-2024 school year. A formal introduction to the band and parent community is being planned in the near future.

On September 27, PGCPS will have a three-hour early dismissal. Students will be dismissed from school at 11:10 a.m, and our bell schedule will be modified. Students are being released early, as this is a "Teacher Planning Day."

The progress report window will open on September 26 and close on September 30. Please use the Synergy platform to review your child's academic progress during this time. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to your child's teachers, counselor, or grade-level administrator for assistance.

Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for October 7 and are designed to provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss your child's academic progress, strengths, and areas for growth. These conferences help foster communication and collaboration between families and the school to support student success. More detailed information about the schedule and format for the day will be shared in the coming days, so please stay tuned for updates.

Over 30 students at Largo High School recently registered to vote during an event sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. We are incredibly proud of our students for taking this important step in fulfilling their civic duty and becoming active participants in our democracy.

The Largo High School Main Office received brand new furniture on Monday, September 16. This is the first major update to the Main Office in over 15 years. The new furniture opens of the space, and presents a modern look, as we aim to meet the needs of our students and families.

Is your student interested in being an author? If so, the Write-A-Book competition is for them. This competition is sponsored by the Office of Library Media Services and directly supports the current Framework, MSDE, and AASL standards. This competition affords students an opportunity to write to inform, to persuade, and to express personal ideas. The collaboration between the Library Media Specialist and classroom teachers provides a climate that is conducive to student learning and achievement. Parent involvement completes the partnership between home and school and contributes to the overall success of the students’ creative literary experience. Judges will award prizes at the school and county level for each entry for 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, and honorable mention. If your student is interested in participating in the competition this year, please contact Mrs. Biscette (email: jessie.simmons@pgcps.org) for more information on the guidelines and entry categories.

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.

Please see the latest updates from the 9th Grade (Class of 2028)

Please see the information below from Assistant Principal Tanya Parris-Andrews:

Dear Class of 2027 Parents,

Welcome to Week 4 of the new school year! We’re excited to share some important updates and goals that the 10th-grade team has set during our meeting yesterday, and we’re looking forward to working closely with you to ensure a successful year for our scholars.

Goal 1: Maintain or Surpass a 93% Pass Rate

We aim to maintain or exceed our outstanding 93% pass rate from last year. To achieve this, we will analyze academic, attendance, and discipline data while providing individualized support for our scholars to help them stay on track.

Goal 2: Preparing for Key Assessments

This year, our scholars will face key assessments, including the English MCAPs, county benchmarks, and the End of Course (EOC) assessments in Science and Social Studies, which will account for 20% of their final grade. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to take the Accuplacer and the ASVAB:

ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery):

• Used for military enlistment eligibility and job training placement.

• Assists with career exploration, helping students discover careers that match their strengths and interests.

• Assesses academic abilities, predicting success in various occupations.

Accuplacer:

Evaluates skills in reading, writing, and math to help colleges place students in courses that match their skill level.

Goal 3: Service Learning Hours

By the end of this school year, our goal is for 65% of our students to have completed the required 24 Service Learning Hours. We’ll be encouraging and supporting our scholars in fulfilling this important requirement.

Other Announcements:

• Class of 2027 Officers’ Meeting: Tuesday, September 24th at 2:15 p.m.

• Join our Remind Group: [https://www.remind.com](https://www.remind.com) - Code: he3e3db

• For assistance, please email our class sponsor, Ms. B. Williams, at baiyina.williams@pgcps.org.

Thank you, parents, for your continued partnership! Together, we will achieve great things this year. Go Class of ’27!

Please see the following updates from Assistant Principal Robyn Jones, and the 11th grade team:

Attendance:

It is imperative that students are on time for school and all classes! When students attend their classes daily, they are more likely to be successful academically!

Please reinforce the adverse effects of misbehaviors aligned to attendance (i.e. class-cutting), and tne impact that these behaviors can have on their success. 11th grade year is very important and we need everyone focused on what they need to do to graduate on time next year!

Progress Reports:

The window for Progress reports opens on September 26th. Please make sure that you are using the PARENTVUE app to review your student's progress (Grades, Attendance, Schedule, etc).

Academic Requirements:

Starting in October, Mrs. Dates (the 11th grade counselor), will be meeting with all 11th grade students to review their transcript and requirements needed for academic progress.

Please see the following updates from Assistant Principal Dr. Vivian Powers, and the 12th grade team:

• Seniors have begun the GNA process. Dr. Hawkins, Senior Counselor, will be setting up meetings with students and families to review their progress and classes needed for graduation.
• Opening senior parent meeting was held on Thursday, September 18. Dr. Powers, with the assistance of the 12th grade team, and other faculty went through a comprehensive meeting to share critical information that affects the class.
• Our projected graduation date is May 23, 2025. Official confirmation will come via advertisement. Stay tuned!
• Students with early release schedules should leave the school at their appointed departure time. Please speak with your senior about this process.

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

• September 30 to October 4: Heritage Month Spirit Week (see Flyer attached)
• Heritage Month Poster Contest- (See Flyer attached)
• November 22: Testing Spanish Immersion - DELE Test
• November 1: Immersion Open House
• Specialty Programs Show Case November 7

There are no Talent Ready updates at this time.

Please see the advertise for this event below:

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:

• September 21: Largo Varsity Football @ Douglass (2 p.m.)
• September 26: Progress report window opens
• September 27: Teacher Planning Day - 3-Hour Early Dismissal for Students
• September 27: Largo Varsity Football vs. Fairmont Heights (7:00 pm)
• October 1: Formal Observation Window Opens
• October 4: Largo Varsity Football vs. Potomac (7:00 pm)
• October 7: Parent-Teacher Conferences - Schools Closed for Students
• October 12: Yom Kippur
• October 14-18: Largo Homecoming Spirit Week
• October 18 : Professional Development Day - Schools Closed for Students
• October 18: Homecoming
• October 31: End of the 1st Quarter

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

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