J. Frank Dent Elementary School

Prince George’s County Public Schools J. Frank Dent Elementary School 2700 Corning Ave • Fort Washington, MD 20744 Office (301) 702-3850 • Fax (301) 702-7574 Anita Walls Principal August 1, 2014

Dear Families of J. Frank Dent Elementary School,

Welcome to a new and exciting school year at J. Frank Dent Elementary School! I am very excited to see all of our bright scholars for another rigorous school year! I look forward to seeing our students return to school with enthusiasm and a growth mindset! I am also anxious to meet our new students who are coming to our school for the first time. At J. Frank Dent Elementary School, we take your child’s academic and social growth seriously. Over the next several months, it is our hope that you will notice your child growing and changing into college bound individuals with confidence and pride in themselves and their school. Our school system will continue to work towards Outstanding Academic Achievement for All. Our goal is to achieve LITERACY through Effective School Improvement. 1. Safe and Supportive Environments 2. Organizational Effectiveness 3. Family and Community Engagement 4. Academic Excellence 5. High Performing Workforce As we continue with Common Core implementation we will focus on increasing Reading, Math and Science skills for all students. We will be specifically focusing on literacy and will be using data to guide instruction, infusing technology to teach concepts and enjoying hands-on learning. Our new Common Core State Standards will drive our instruction, making learning more rigorous, meaningful, and exciting for students. We will be offering specific attention to individual students who may need additional support academically. This school year we will have parent events that will prepare you to help your child with the new Common Core Curriculum. Every child will achieve in a nurturing, safe, and positive environment at J. Frank Dent Elementary School.

Our focus on instruction will not be compromised. We know we have the best and the brightest students and we expect that to be reflected in all our students’ accomplishments. Parents, our mission is to provide your child with a rigorous and relevant instructional program. Our expectations are high and the instructional program will be challenging yet rewarding. Parents play a key role in the academic success of our students; therefore, school/parent communication is crucial.

As part of our instructional focus, we gladly welcome parents and families to partner with us in our quest to take J. Frank Dent Elementary School to greatness. We will have many opportunities for parents to participate in their child’s learning. We want our school to be a true “Neighborhood School”, one in which there are activities that support students, families, and the community both socially and academically. Kindergarten Orientation will be held August 21, 2014 and New Student Orientation will be held Monday, August 25, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. The first day for all students is Tuesday, August 26, 2014. I look forward to our first meeting and making the students of J. Frank Dent Elementary School academic trailblazers in our district, state, nation, and the world.

As we work with you and your children, you will be able to discern that high expectations permeates throughout the school and students will enhance their confidence and self-pride as they matriculate in the classroom and school. Our school continues to be guided by five core values, which include P.R.I.D.E. (Prepared, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Excellence). These values are the foundation of the vision, mission, and school culture for our students.

Again, I am honored to partner with our School Community to make this year the best year yet. As principal, I have an open door policy. Don’t hesitate to contact the school if you have any questions or concerns. Attached to this letter, you will find all the information you need to begin the school year successfully. Please ensure that your child is at the bus stop and in school on time the morning of August 26, 2014. Enjoy the rest of your summer and we will see you in a couple of weeks!

Educationally Yours,

Anita Walls Principal

SCHOOL HOURS: School begins promptly at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 1:55 p.m. Remember…in order to receive the full benefit of the instructional program at J. Frank Dent Elementary School it is important to be present and on time every day. For the safety of our students, children are not permitted to arrive at school before 7:15 a.m. An adult must remain with children until the doors open at 7:15a.m.

BUS SCHEDULES: Bus schedules will be mailed to you by the Prince George’s County Public Schools’ Department of Transportation. Bus stop information can also be obtained from www.pgcps.or. Please be sure to review the a.m. and p.m. bus numbers with your child. Sometimes the morning and afternoon buses have different numbers.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES: A required school supply list is attached. Students should come to school, ready to lean and prepared with necessary supplies.

STUDENT AGENDA HANDBOOKS: Student agenda handbooks will be required to assist with school-home communication, time management, and goal setting. The books contain important phone numbers, the school calendar, and information regarding policies and procedures. Agenda Books will be distributed during the first few weeks of school.

LUNCH: It is important that ALL parents who are interested in free or reduced lunch fill out a lunch application and return it to school the next day. If you had free or reduced lunch last school year, your child will not receive free or reduced meals after September 30th if the lunch form is not returned as soon as possible. If you need assistance we will have someone available to help you fill in the information after August 26th. Reduced Lunch is $.0.40 Regular Lunch is $2.60

______EVERY student, EVERY day, COLLEGE BOUND and CAREER READY!! Prince George’s County Public Schools J. Frank Dent Elementary School 2700 Corning Ave • Fort Washington, MD 20744 Office (301) 702-3850 • Fax (301) 702-7574 BREAKFAST: Breakfast is free for all students! However, students who arrive late will not be able to get breakfast because the food and nutrition staff must prepare for lunch. Breakfast begins at 7:20 a.m. and ends promptly at 7:40 a.m.

Dates to Remember!

Kindergarten Orientation Thursday, August 21 st @ 9:00a.m.

New Student Orientation Monday, August 25 th @ 9:00a.m.

First Day of School Tuesday, August 26 th @ 7:45 a.m.

Back to School Night Thursday, September 4 th @ 6:30

______EVERY student, EVERY day, COLLEGE BOUND and CAREER READY!!