Dear PGCPS Parents and Students,

When the bell rings on Monday, August 20 to signal the start of a new school year, we will welcome more than 123,000 students back to Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS).

As we prepare to start the 2012-13 school year on an energetic note, we hope that you are excited about learning new subjects, reaching new goals and exploring new interests. This is the time to reset the clock, putting aside last year’s struggles to build on our progress and capture the promise of the new school year. We hope that you will uphold your commitment to education through rigorous academic pursuits and strong family support.

We are excited to launch several new programs this year, such as more specialized offerings in our elementary and middle schools, and an expansion of the Secondary School Reform initiative in our high schools.Outside the classroom, we are expecting great achievements by our athletic teams and extracurricular groups.

You can find a special section on the PGCPS website with Back to School information.The site includes details about Back to School nights, school supply lists, transportation and scheduling updates, and more. You can also follow PGCPS on Facebook (facebook.com/pgcps) and Twitter (@PGCPS).

We look forward to seeing you at our Back to School Fair on Saturday, August 18 at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro. The fair will include free backpacks and school supplies along with school system and community representatives to share resources for parents and students. This event will help you start the school year the right way.

In the coming weeks, you will get more information about the Superintendent Search process. The Board of Education will host a series of community forums to address any questions or concerns. We hope that you will work with us every step of the way.

Best wishes for a successful year!

Sincerely,

Prince George's County Board of Education