Welcome Letter
Dear James H. Harrison Tiger Family,
Welcome to the 2025- 2026 school year! It’s hard to believe that summer is coming to an end and it is time for us to adjust to our school routines. Tuesday, August 26, 2025 is the first day of school for students. Student hours are from 7:30a.m. - 1:40 p.m. Doors open at 7:15 a.m. Students will go directly to their classrooms on the first day of school. Parents and guardians will not be permitted inside of the building on the first day of school. Students will eat breakfast from 7:15 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. Instruction will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. Office hours are from 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
School Supply Lists: Click the link to access: FY26 James H. Harrison ES School Supply List for Pre-k - 2nd GradeFY26 Autism Extension/CRI/CSEP School Supply List FY26 James H. Harrison ES School Supply List for 3rd -5th Grades
James Harrison Uniform Policy: Click here to access the JHHES Uniform Policy
Emergency Contact Form: Each student needs to have an updated Emergency Contact form. On the first day of school, each student will bring home an emergency contact form. Please complete the form and return it to school. Remember to talk with the family and friends that you add to the emergency contact form to let them know the school may contact them in an emergency situation.
Health and Safety: For the health and safety of all, please ensure your PGCPS student is up to date with all vaccines as required by the state before the beginning of this school year. The Prince George’s County Health Department offers immunization clinics designed to support students and families that need assistance. Appointments are required and can be made at https://www.marylandvax.org. Click here for more information on immunization by clicking this link View immunization FAQs. If your child needs to take medication at school, please complete the required health forms. Click the link Get health forms and contact the School Nurse if you have any questions.
Back To School Night: We will host Back To School Night for all families on September 10, 2025. There will be two sessions: pre-K through 2nd grade will be from 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. and 3rd - 5th grades will be from 7:00 - 7:45 p.m. We look forward to partnering with you.
Bus Transportation: Postcards with student bus route information will be mailed during the week of August 18, 2025. Student bus route information will also be available in ParentVue. Be sure to check your child’s ParentVue account. Riding the bus is a privilege. Remind your child of safe bus riding expectations. In the beginning of the school year, the bus drivers and staff in the transportation department work diligently to get to the bus stops on time. If you need to make any changes to bus routes or bus stops, it can take between 5-7 school days for the changes to take effect. Thank you for your patience.
Meals (Breakfast/Lunch): Meals will be available to students at no cost. James H. Harrison ES is a Community Eligibility Provision School and meals will be free to all students. Breakfast and lunch are free to all students.
Student Orientation for Pre-K and Kindergarten: Students in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten will participate in an orientation session on Monday, August 25, 2025 from 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. During the orientation, teachers will share expectations for students and parents. Students will also get an orange vest and will be able to confirm transportation.
New Student Orientation for Students in Grades 1-5: We will host a new student orientation for students in grade 1-5 on Monday, August 25, 2025 from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. The new student orientation is for new students to the school. New students will go to the cafeteria to meet with Ms. Arnold, our school counselor.
Open House (Teacher Meet & Greet) : We will host an open house/welcome event at James Harrison Elementary School on Monday, August 25, 2025 from 9:00 -10:00 a.m. Remember to bring your school supplies in bags with your child’s name on them. You can leave the supplies in class so that students do not have to carry them on the first day of school.
Synergy/ParentVUE: Please update your phone number and email address in Synergy/ParentVUE. Updates from PGCPS will be sent throughout the school year. It is imperative that we have updated contact information; phone numbers and email addresses. If you moved over the summer and need to update your residency, please contact Ms. Kilgore at vanessa.boone@pgcps.org.
Teacher Assignments: Teacher assignments will be viewable in ParentVUE. Students will also meet their teachers during the Teacher Meet & Greet on August 25, 2025.
Enjoy the last few days of summer break. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely.
Nema Manuel, Principal