Pamela Adams, Principal
Greetings Thomas Pullen G. Families!
Welcome to our 2023-2024 school year! We are excited to welcome
each of you back and look forward to an awesome year.
Our school system’s mission is, “To provide a great education that
empowers all students and contributes to thriving communities.” The
staff and I are filled with excitement as we prepare to start this year and
look forward to achieving this mission with your support. Know that we
are all in this together and will support one another through this
journey.
The entire staff is eager to partner with you and your child as part of the
Thomas Pullen Academy family and looking forward to a successful
partnership as we work to meet the educational needs.
In preparing for the new school year, here are a few important items to take note of:
All students are engaged in a full day of school, from 9:15am - 3:55pm. Staff members are on duty to receive students at 8:45am. Students may not be dropped off and left before 8:45 a.m. each morning.
The school does not offer Before and Aftercare programs. There are several companies in the area that offer services. The school does not promote or make referrals.
Thomas Pullen is not a uniform school. Students are required to dress appropriately for the school day and adhere to the PGCPS student dress code. Dance and PE have requirements for student apparel during class. This information will be provided by those instructors during the first week of school.
Please review the School Supplies list on the school website. Additional supplies that may be needed for respective Art course majors will be shared with families during the first week of school. Middle School teachers will also provide a course syllabus that outlines expectations for students in grades 6-8.
BACKPACK UPDATE: In a change from the previously announced requirement regarding clear backpacks: At present, clear backpacks are optional for 6-8 grade students. PGCPS will evaluate the policy for middle school grades at the end of first semester and communicate any modifications prior to the end of Winter Break. Mesh alternatives are not allowed.
All class rosters (grades K-5) and student schedules will be viewable in the Family Portal in SchoolMax beginning August 21, 2023.
Student class assignments and course schedules are an extensive process; therefore, there will be no requests for adjustments made to class assignments and student schedules at this time. If you need immediate assistance please contact Marcia Hamilton for students grades K-5 (marcia.hamilton@pgcps.org) or Marcus Young for students grades 6-8 (marcus.young@pgcps.org). Class Assignments & Student Schedules
Students who received a Chromebook last school year should continue to use it. Only students who did not receive a device will be eligible to receive a Chromebook. Chromebooks will be distributed during the first week of school. Please contact Valisa Cabler, Technician (valisa.cabler@pgcps.org) for assistance with student devices.
There is a fee for replacement devices and/or power cords. Please pay via Myschoolbucks.
All class rosters (grades K-5) and student schedules will be viewable
in the Family Portal in SchoolMax beginning August 21, 2023.
Student class assignments and course schedules are an extensive
process; therefore, there will be no requests for adjustments made
to class assignments and student schedules at this time. If you need
immediate assistance please contact Marcia Hamilton for students
grades K-5 (marcia.hamilton@pgcps.org) or Marcus Young for
students grades 6-8 (marcus.young@pgcps.org).
NO SHOTS NO SCHOOL! Students who are missing required immunizations will not be permitted to attend. Register for an upcoming back-to-school immunization clinic!
August 21 - August 25
Bladensburg High School
4200 58th Ave, Bladensburg, MD 20710
9 am - 3 pm
August 28 - September 8
Fairmont Heights High School
Monday - Friday except Labor Day
9 am - 3 pm
Fairmont Heights High School
6501 Columbia Park Road. Landover, MD 20785
Appointments are required - https://www.marylandvax.org/
Please contact the school nurse, Karen Irvin, RN
(karen.irvin@pgcps.org) should you need additional information.
Middle School students have the opportunity to participate in Fall and Spring sports. Students will need a completed sports physical to try out and/or participate in any sports activities. For more information please review the Welcome Letter or contact Jonathan Spinks, Athletic Director (jonathan.spinks@pgcps.org).
Please complete the documents below and return them at Orientation or on the first day of school. Please contact Dara Case (dara.case@pgcps.org) for more information.
All students who have been fully registered in SchoolMax by August 9, are assigned designated bus routes based on the current address information provided in SchoolMax. The school does not assign buses for students. The Transportation Office will mail bus route information before the start of the school year.
Parents can access bus route information in several ways: SchoolMax Family Portal or the StopFinder app (if you already have an account) beginning Friday, August 18, 2023, or use the Infofinder tool. If you cannot find your bus assignment please use the PGCPS Bus Stop Finder on the transportation website to locate the nearest bus stop closest to your residence. Please complete this form if you require transportation to/from a location other than your home (ie daycare, community center etc). Only one form is necessary per family.
The Transportation Office will mail postcards the week of August 14, 2023. Transportation will be sending additional updates to assist parents as we get closer to the start of the school year. If you have any questions or would like to report a concern, please complete and submit a ticket to the Transportation Resolution System page, at trs.pgcps.org, or you may call our Transportation Phone Bank, at 301-952-6570, beginning August 19, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Additionally, this school year all students can ride TheBus operated by Prince George’s County to school for free with their school ID. Click on the link to view your commuter bus route. No registration is required. Please note that T.G.P. staff members will not monitor students exiting/boarding students who may choose to use the community commuter bus.
Morning Arrival - Please follow the direction of staff members who are outside during drop-off and pick-up times to help with the flow of traffic. Please also adhere to the posted speed limits while driving on school property. Students may not be dropped off and left before 8:45 a.m. each morning.
Arrival Entrance Locations
DOOR 2
Grades K-5 and Students eating breakfast
DOOR 14
Grades 6-8
Afternoon Dismissal - All students who are designated car/van riders must be placed on the Not-to-Ride List before 1:30pm. Students may be placed on the DAILY Not-to-Ride List or PERMANENT Not-to-Ride List.
Dismissal Pick-Up Locations
DOOR 3
Grades K-2
DOOR 14
Grades 3-8
For safety reasons, do not call or text your student to leave their classroom to meet you in the parking lot. All parents/guardians need to present a photo ID at the designated door before receiving your student. Let's partner together for a safe and smooth arrival and dismissal!
Breakfast and Lunch is offered in all schools. Meals are no cost to students who are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals. Parents are encouraged to complete the lunch application to determine eligibility for meal benefits. Households can complete an application at MySchoolApps.com. Online applications are processed within 24-48 hours.
*Students not eligible for free/reduced costs meals are expected to pay full price: Breakfast - $1.60 and Lunch - $2.75.
All students are assigned a PIN code connected to student lunch accounts. Please contact your student's homeroom teacher for PIN information.
You are encouraged to prepay for meals by depositing funds in your student account in several ways:
Parents/Guardians are welcome to drop off lunch for their students during their designated lunch time. Neither parents nor students will be permitted to send/order food through third-party food delivery services. The main office will not accept the delivery.
Team A (K-2): 11:30-12:00
Team B (3-5): 12:10 - 12:40
Team C (6-7): 12:55 - 1:25
8th Grade: 1:40 - 2:10
Classroom Celebrations & Parties
There will be planned occasions for classroom celebrations during the school year such as Harvest Festival, Winter, Valentine’s Day, and end-of-year celebrations.
Due to increased food allergies, we do NOT hold birthday parties within the school building. Please plan for all birthday celebrations to be done off-site rather than within school hours. Any other celebrations will be coordinated by the classroom teacher.
Thank you for your continued support to keep all students safe!
All visitors are REQUIRED to make an appointment prior to visiting the building. Appointments can be made by either calling the school or emailing. At the time of visit, please adhere to the following guidelines:
*A government-issued photo ID must be provided to the front office for scanning through Raptor, our visitor management system. A Raptor system badge must be worn for the entire school visit. All visitors must sign out with the front office at the conclusion of the visit.
*Visitors are allowed to ONLY have 1 person accompany them inside the building. All other persons will be required to remain outside the building. Visitors are to be escorted by a member of the staff.
We welcome the opportunity and support of parent volunteers and chaperones. Becoming verified is an annual process. PGCPS policy requires all adult volunteers and chaperones to be verified prior to supporting in those capacities. Please reference and follow the procedures here.
We would like to have the names of all interested verified volunteers/chaperones for the school year by October 31. Non-verified adults will not be permitted to participate in any in-school activity or field trip. Please contact Dara Case, Arts Program Coordinator, (dara.case@pgcps.org) for more information.
Our goal is to help keep our parents informed as well as help parents be a part of their child's education. Throughout the year, we will provide you with monthly online newsletters, call-outs, and Class Dojo messages. Please be sure to connect with your child’s teacher for daily communication. Be sure your email address and home/cell number are current in SchoolMax.
Stay Connected with us.
Friday, August 25, 2023
Kindergarten Orientation
Who: Kindergarten students & Families
Time: 10:00am - 11:00am
Middle School Transition Day
Who: Students transitioning to or new to Middle School at T.G.P.
Time: 9:05am - 12:55pm *Modified A-day Schedule
Notes: Please report to the Cafeteria. Students should print and bring a copy their schedules. Students will be provided a “grab-n-go” breakfast and a bag lunch.
*School Bus transportation will be provided for students who have been fully registered by August 9th.
*This orientation is for students only.
T.G.P. Open House Meet & Greet - OPTIONAL
Who: All Students & Families
Time: 10:30-12:00 - Stop by and say "Hi"! Meet your teacher and staff members! Drop off your elementary student supplies!
*There is NO transportation or Grab-n-Go meals provided.
