As the only school-system administered school age childcare program in Maryland, it is the goal of the Prince George's County Public School System to provide a safe, enriching environment for Prince George's County elementary school students. The program is designed to enhance the children's social, cultural, educational, and physical development, as well as meet the needs of parents by offering a safe, accessible, and affordable school-based program. County programs are licensed by MSDE Office of Child Care and frequently exceed the State requirements.
The selected curriculum materials in reading and mathematics to be used after school will augment the regular school program. Activities may vary according to the interests of children, staff, and the community. However, a wide range of activities are provided in each program. Children are given opportunities to participate in art and cooking projects, drama and music activities, and play with games and manipulatives. Additionally, students can play sports, group games, relax, begin homework assignments, and socialize in an atmosphere that supports their developmental needs. A daily snack is provided.
In order to register, parents must complete Registration and Terms of Agreement Forms, Health Inventory and Emergency Information Card. The 2009-2010 annual tuition is $3,000.00, payable in installments of $145.00 bi-weekly. Fees are paid in advance according to a published yearly pay schedule. A $100.00 deposit and $10.00 non-refundable fee are due at registration. Department of Social Services vouchers are accepted. All spaces are filled on a 'first-come, first-served' basis at the time of registration. No preferential status is given to previously-enrolled students.
If you would like to know more about the program, please call the onsite program coordinator directly at 301-390-4010.
Field trips are an integral part of the instructional program. The purpose of a field trip is to provide educational experiences, related to a student's study, which are beyond the immediate school environment. All field trips are planned by the classroom teacher. The cost for transportation is divided equally among participating students. Advance written notice of all field trips is sent to parents who must sign a permission slip allowing their child to participate. Verbal permission will not be accepted. In addition, an emergency card must be on file with the classroom teacher.
Parents assisting teachers as chaperones on a field trip should remember that they will have students in their care and, therefore, cannot bring younger siblings.
The safety patrol program is under the guidance of Mr. Harris, with the supervision by an officer of the Prince George's County Police department. The students are chosen with special emphasis upon reliability and good behavior. Patrol duties involve crossing the children safely at crosswalks.
The safety of children is of primary concern to us. Safety, school pride, discipline, and responsible decision-making go hand in hand. Children from our fifth grade serve our school as safety patrols. They are chosen on the basis of their willingness to obey the rules, to respect authority, and to cooperate in maintaining safety and accepting responsibility. We ask your cooperation in impressing upon your child the importance of obeying the patrols as they are insuring your child's safety when he is under their supervision.
Information will be sent home a week before the scheduled day for taking pictures. There will be a prepay packet offering several picture options. Envelopes for your picture selection and money will be sent home the day prior to the picture day.
The pink school bulletins and newsletters will be used to communicate what is happening at Pointer Ridge. The first bulletin is lengthy and also includes some items that are to be completed and returned to school. To keep you abreast of school happenings, a newsletter will be sent home with all students every other Friday. All newsletters will be a bright pink, to make it easily identifiable. Additional reminders and classroom information may be sent home periodically via fliers, letters and classroom newsletters. A monthly menu is provided by the county for all students.
If you have information, questions or concerns, please feel free to call us. We welcome open communication. Teachers are available before (7:20-7:40) or after school (2:00-2:40) for phone calls and scheduled conferences. Teachers are unable to leave their classes during the instructional day and may not be interrupted for consultation.
The school office opens at 7:10 A.M. and closes at 3:15 P.M. All students receive the Pointer Ridge Calendar & Handbook on the first day of school.
The instrumental music program is designed to encourage all participants to explore and develop their musical abilities by learning to play an instrument and to have opportunities to perform for their friends and family. All fifth grade students are encouraged to participate in the instrumental music program.
Group lessons are given in school during the school day. It is expected that parents will rent or buy the needed instrument. The first three to four months are considered to be a trial period during which the child can decide whether he/she enjoys the experience enough to continue, and the teacher can determine whether the instrument is truly appropriate for the student. After this step, most students do continue.
The School Library Media Program provides a curriculum based instructional program that empowers students and staff with the skills and experiences necessary to become effective users of ideas and information. We recognize the importance of reading for pleasure as well as the need to complete assignments and explore ideas. We therefore maintain a balanced collection for students, staff, and parents in the form of print, non-print, and electronic materials. We are building a community of information literate individuals who are independent thinkers and lifelong learners.
Several research databases are available but since they all have a special usernames and passwords for our county, they cannot be accessed from this site. For more information, please contact the school media specialist at 301-390-0220.
The Media Specialist also encourages students to participate in the annual Prince George's County Write-A-Book Competition. Guidelines for entries may be found at http://www.pgcps.pg.k12.md.us/~pointer/w_a_book.html#top. A handy guide with tips for students is the Student Manual for Write-A-Book, located at http://www.pgcps.org/~pointer/images/Write-A-Book%20Student%20Guide.pdf.
For more information about our school's Media Center programs, go to http://teacherweb.com/MD/PointerRidgeElem/LibraryMediaCenter/.
Teachers use the following criteria to recognize students monthly:
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Pointer Ridge students in grades five participate in this exciting competition every year. Matches can be viewed on PGCPS TV 96. The viewing schedule is also listed. Click here for a list of Science Bowl Dates and more.
SCIENCE FAIR A science fair gives students the chance to think and work independently, develop and refine individual science interests, and engage in critical thinking. All students in grades 4 and 5 are required to complete a science fair project. Two documents students may find useful are the Research Report and Research Log. Primary students in grades 1 - 3 will work cooperatively with their classmates on a project and may also submit an individual project if desired. Materials have been developed by the Prince George's
County Public Schools to help students and parents to have a rewarding science
fair experience. A Science Fair Project Planning Journal is provided for
students to assist in the planning and completion of the project. The packet of
materials, Parent Involvement in Science Fair Projects, has also been
developed, to provide acceptable guidelines for parents who wish to serve as
coaches for their students who will be conducting science research through the
science fair project.
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