Tiger Times
Community Edition, Volume I, Issue II
Grace Changes Everything
There's no doubt about it, parents are struggling to balance work, child care and self-care while keeping worries — both your children’s and your own — under control. Please rest assured that we continue to extend grace upon you and ask that you do the same for us - we know the plight isn't easy! Thank you for your commitment to spread positivity and promise through the school community, as we all work to reach success in the provision of distance learning. We are in this TOGETHER and our school community will be better because of it! #PrincetonPrideAmplified
Important Dates
September 16 | Back to School Night
September 17 | Inter. Math Diagnostic Testing (8:30 a.m.)
September 21 | Inter. Science Diagnostic Testing (8:30 a.m.)
September 23 | Inter. S. Studies Diagnostic Testing (8:30 a.m.)
September 25 | Schools Closed for Students
September 28 | Schools and Offices Closed
School Website
The school website has been updated with a Distance Learning Tab for easy access to class and school information. Please view here.
Morning Announcements
Virtual Back to School Night
Textbook and Device Distribution
Friday, September 18th has been identified as a Textbook and Device Distribution Day at Princeton Elementary. Parents must adhere to the pickup time associated with their child's designated grade level. In the event that parents have multiple children, it is advised that they pickup during the time designated for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students.
Spanish Telephone Town Hall
Flexible Wednesday Schedule
Teachers have provided you with class schedules to help you understand the time when instruction will be provided for scholars. Please note, however; the schedule adhered to on Wednesdays will be somewhat different; it will allow for creative and innovative learning experiences. On Wednesdays, teacher-led small group instruction and enrichment activities will be provided.
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications
Grading, Reporting, and Attendance
Students must be online, during live instruction, to be marked present. Recorded lessons will be posted in the Google Classroom for review, for all students. Students who have an unlawful absence will earn a zero for all work missed on that day.
Technical Difficulties
A new absence reason code has been created to reflect when students are unable to participate in live instruction due to technological difficulties. When this issue occurs, parents must alert the child’s teacher of the difficulty by email. Although parents may see “absent” in SchoolMAX for the day the issue occurred, the student will be considered “present” when the new absence reason code “TC” is used. Students must submit all missed assignments.
Technology Assistance
WiFi Assistance
PGCPS continues to cover the cost of the Comcast Internet Essentials program, which provides affordable high-speed internet at home, for families eligible for free and reduced-price meals (FARMS). The school system will also help non-FARMS families obtain a Comcast or Verizon hotspot for home internet access. To request a hotspot, please call our Parent Center Hotline at 240-696-3315 or pgcps.family@pgcps.org.
Student Usernames and Email Addresses
Teachers were provided student usernames and email addresses of students and can provide, upon request.
Resetting Student Passwords
Parents can reset passwords online by visiting self-service at idm.pgcps.org and following the appropriate steps to reset passwords.
ESOL Screening
Kindergarten screening will start this week! Students in kindergarten, who speak another language other than English, will be screened with the MSDE Remote Screening Questionnaire in order to find out the level of the language acquisition these students have. Also, this screening process will determine if a student qualifies as an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other language) student to receive ESOL service or if a student is independent to continue learning without any language support.
Benchmark Testing
Testing Communication
The Department of Testing, Research, and Evaluation (DTRE) provided parent letters in English and Spanish, announcing the Fall Bridging Diagnostic assessments for the Fall of 2020. They are linked in this newsletter and can also be found on Class Dojo and in the School Communication folder in Google Classrooms on Tuesday, September 8.
TestNav Student Simulation Results
TestNav Simulations were conducted with students at Elementary, Middle, and High Schools using PGCPS issued chromebooks and personal devices. At all levels, and using both types of devices, students were able to successfully log in to the TestNav app using their PGCPS Single Sign On (SSO). In addition, students were able to launch and sign into the TestNav app while staying logged into the chromebook as well as staying logged into a Zoom or Google Meet session.
TestNav Update to PGCPS Devices
It is important that all students have access to appropriate testing software on their devices. If a students is using a school-issued device, the software is embedded in their provided device. If a student is using a personal device, please read the linked document to find out how to download the necessary software on the device.
An update to the TestNav application was pushed out by information technology. All students with a PGCPS issued chromebook should restart their devices while connected to the internet so they receive all updates on their device. TestNav will now be available to students while logged into the device.
If you are in need of assistance, please contact a Technology Parent Support Center at: 240 - 696 - 3315.
Securing a Testing Environment
- Testing MUST be secured. To ensure that authentic data is captured, answers SHOLD NOT be provided to students.
Students SHOULD NOT have cell phones and calculators during testing.
Students SHOULD be separated.
Students SHOULD Headphones; they are required.
Talented and Gifted Program
TAG students will begin pull out sessions in October. The students will be subscribed to two online platforms - Renzulli Learning and First In Math. TAG students may also participate, once face to face instruction resumes, in the regular curricula - Creative Capers for students in Grades 2 and 3, and Power for students in Grades 4 and 5.
Mrs. Wilson will serve as the TAG Coordinator. Ms Wright (Primary) and Mrs. Jones (Intermediate) will serve a TAG Teachers.
Action Required | SY21 Publicity Release Form
PLEASE COMPLETE BY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Throughout the school year, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) and the Prince George’s County Board of Education conduct activities that may be publicized by local or national news media or used to promote the school system. Publicity activities include interviews, photographs or videos of individuals or groups of students, or student works (including, but not limited to, artistic works, athletic activities, performances and competitions) that may be used in websites, social media such as Facebook and Twitter, print or online publications, or videos.
Please check ONE of the two statements, include your DIGITAL SIGNATURE, and SUBMIT this form. The Publicity Release Form can be found here and will remain in effect through September 2021.
Distance Learning Hotline
PGCPS has launched the Distance Learning Hotline to afford parents, guardians and caregivers the opportunity to receive “real time” assistance with technical support and other needs, such as navigating aspects of distance learning or accessing instructional packets. It will be managed through the collaborative efforts of the Division of Information Technology, Departments of Communications, Community Schools and Family and School Partnerships.
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hotline Number: 240 - 696 - 6229
Parent Support Centers
PGCPS has launched nine Parent Support Centers to provide a bridge between families and the schoolhouse. Under the direction of the Department of Family and School Partnerships, the Parent Support Centers will assist parents, guardians and caregivers - by appointment only - with technology, accessing and navigating platforms, and other troubleshooting such as navigating aspects of distance learning or accessing instructional packets. There will be a Parent Distance Learning Support Center located in each Board of Education District. Locations closest to Princeton Elementary include; Thurgood Marshall Middle School and Drew Freeman Middle School.
No children will be permitted to enter the center in support of PGCPS efforts to keep children safe. Parents may schedule a 30-minute appointment by calling the Parent Support Center Line: 240-696-3315 or the Parent Distance Learning Hotline: 240-696-6229. Other opportunities to schedule an appointment will be provided on the school system's website and Facebook page. Centers will be open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., by appointment only.
Princeton Elementary
Email: Jessica.Coley@pgcps.org
Website: https://www.pgcps.org/princeton/
Location: 6101 Baxter Drive, Suitland, MD, USA
Phone: 301 - 702 - 7650
Twitter: @Princeton_ES