Letters from Principal Adams
March 16, 2025
Dear Accokeek Academy Community,
We have just completed the administration of the MISA (Maryland Science) assessment in grades 5 and 8. The students were on-task and prepared. We conducted an exit survey of the students and they feel confident in their responses. Next week we will administer the Maryland School Survey which will be given to all students in grades 5-8 and all staff. We will receive the opinions of our stakeholders. Please remind your students that they are answering the questions as their personal experience, not based on others. I also remind all students that this survey is used by politicians and real estate agents to attract families to our community. This survey has an affect on our home values as a result.
We kicked off our Spring Fundraiser on Friday for our students to earn participation in the Foam Run. It is also to assist us in covering end of year costs like snacks and water for each day of state testing. It will also offset the costs of our 8th grade activities for participating students. Additionally, it will assist to supplement our budget for next year, as we know will be tight with the current events taking place at the federal level.
One area that is affecting our students' academic success is attendance. Students are considered chronically absent when they have missed 18 days of school. We know that these students miss a lot of instruction and contributes to having low grades and in some cases, causing them to be in danger of moving to the next grade level. We are really concerned for many of our Kindergarteners who have missed so much school. This is such an important foundational age as many of our students are already reading, while our absent students are still learning letter sounds. These are examples of the importance of being present at school because "Attendance Matters!"
Teachers are actively preparing their students for the Maryland State Comprehensive Assessments in Reading, Writing, Math and Social Studies for grade 8. Teachers will send out information for what our students should know and be able to do at the end of their respective grade levels and content. You may also find this information HERE. This is an excellent resource for parents to monitoring their own children's progress.
We would also like to invite all families to the first in-person Accokeek Academy PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association) meeting of the school year. Previous ones have all been virtual. The upcoming meeting will be held in the Upper Campus Cafeteria on Tuesday March 25th at 6:30pm. A strong PTSA is so helpful to the school's success.
Thank you for your support and partnership this school year and we look forward to strengthening it the remainder of the school year.
Educationally yours,
Dr. Judy N. Adams, Principal
February 23, 2025
Dear Accokeek Academy Families:
I hope you and your family are well. I am sharing that for the first time all of our Grade Levels' Honor Roll Assemblies will be in the Upper Campus Gym and all beginning at 9:45am. We made this change to better accommodate all of our friends and families who wish to celebrate our 672 Honor Roll recipients and 139 Principal Honor Roll recipients in grades 2 - 8. Our dates are as follows:
2nd Grade Assembly - Friday March 7, 2025
3rd Grade Assembly - Tuesday March 4, 2025
4th Grade Assembly - Monday March 3, 2025
5th Grade Assembly - Thursday March 6, 2025
6th Grade Assembly - Tuesday February 25, 2025
7th Grade Assembly - Thursday February 27, 2025
8th Grade Assembly - Wednesday February 26, 2025
State Assessments are upon us. We’ve already kicked off ACCESS Testing, where we’re assessing our multilingual students' progress in English across Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. Additionally, our Middle School Band and Chorus will soon participate in their annual performance assessments.
Looking ahead, our 5th and 8th graders will begin the MISA Science Assessment on March 11th. The MISA is a two-day test: the 5th grade version covers science standards from 3rd to 5th grade, while the 8th grade version covers standards from 5th to 8th grade.
Next, we'll move on to the Maryland School Climate Survey, where both students and staff will share their experiences. This survey focuses on areas such as Safety, Community, Environment, and Relationships. We’re particularly interested in their firsthand experiences—not rumors or hearsay. For example, questions about cleanliness will ask how the school looks throughout the day. While classrooms are cleaned each morning, they can get messy as the day goes on. Students play a crucial role in keeping our school clean by throwing trash away after lunch or breakfast and avoiding leaving it on the floor or in the bleachers. These small actions add up!
Another important topic in the survey is bullying. The survey asks whether students have experienced bullying—defined as repeated, harmful comments or physical behavior over time. It's important to understand that isolated incidents (like someone borrowing a pencil or an apology after a hurtful remark) are not considered bullying.
After Spring Break, our Reading and Math State Assessments (MCAP) will begin on April 29th. These assessments will test students on grade-level standards in both subjects. Strong reading comprehension—of both literary and informational texts—along with solid writing skills, are essential for success. Encourage your child to read for 20-30 minutes each night to build their stamina for the assessments. For Math, practicing math facts and developing a deep understanding of key concepts is crucial. Both assessments require students to make claims, support them with evidence, and explain their reasoning. Be sure to encourage your child to answer every question, especially those that require written responses, and to always give their best effort.
Finally, our 8th graders will take the Social Studies assessment. This is less about memorizing dates and more about thinking critically and making inferences based on U.S. history content. Students should be familiar with the historical periods and events they’ve studied, as well as be able to analyze visual media from different eras.
The results of these assessments will impact our Maryland Star Rating, which is publicly available and used to gauge our school's effectiveness. It also plays a role in assessing home values, as realtors and local politicians often refer to this rating. A major factor in this rating is chronic absenteeism. If your child misses 18 or more school days this school year, they will be considered chronically absent, which can significantly affect their academic success and future opportunities. Students who are chronically absent may find it harder to stay on track academically, and it can impact their chances of attending their preferred high school.
We need your support to ensure your child’s success! Please be aware of testing dates and encourage your child to get a good night's sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and be prepared to do their best. It’s also a great idea to support their learning by encouraging them to read each night and practice math facts. As teachers review content, ask your child questions to help reinforce what they’re learning.
If your child needs extra support, remember that Pear Deck Tutoring is available through Clever. They can sign up for one-on-one virtual tutoring sessions anytime. Every student is guaranteed 2 hours of tutoring each week—take advantage of this valuable resource!
Together, we can ensure your child is well-prepared for success!
Educationally yours,
Dr. Judy N. Adams, Principal
December 18, 2024
Dear Accokeek Academy Families,
Today we gave away over 100 winter coats to children in need. We are thankful for Fayetteville State Alumni for providing these needed coats. A special shoutout to Ms. Charleston, 6th Grade Reading Teacher, and her husband for their recommendation of our school. They are also alumni of Fayetteville State. Also today we had all of our Kindergartners treated to pizza, chips, juice and a holiday gift courtesy of the Roscoe C. Cartwright Mason Lodge of Accokeek and the women of the Accokeek chapter of the Eastern Star who also served our children. Teachers sponsored the 7th and 8th grade basketball game held in the gym today. We had student players and coaches for each team and each team had their grade level cheerleaders and pep club! The game was enjoyed by all. We thank Mr. Kaufman, our 8th grade Math teacher, for his coordination of the event with the assistance or Ms. Wright, 8th grade counselor; Mr. T. Long, Health teacher; and Mr. Hogan, 6th/7th grade Social Studies teacher. Finally, through the generous support of the Tantallon North Citizen Association we were able to assist our homeless, needy families, and victims of house fires to gift cards to assist them during the holidays with food and Target gift cards totalling over $650.
We are so very grateful to our partners who were given some of our community needs and they answered the call. Thank you for the support, love and giving.
Tomorrow all of us will will wear our Holiday sweaters as we continue to celebrate as a community. Friday, while a 3-hour early dismissal, we will have our Festive Pajama Day!!
So from the Administrations, Teachers and Staff, we wish everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday Season! We will return on Monday January 6. 2025. Happy New Year to All!
Educationally yours,
Dr. Judy N. Adams, Principal
October 20, 2024
Dear Accokeek Academy Families,
We are into October and having cupcakes brought into the school. Students are causing disruptions bringing them into the cafeteria. Sharing cupcakes is causing crying, frustration and disruption. Students want to leave class to give cupcakes to their friends and favorite teacher. Students not receiving cupcakes are feeling upset and ostracized.
Effective Monday October 21st, cupcakes will no longer be allowed to be brought to school for birthdays. Exceptions would include:
- Kindergarten and 1st Grade store bought purchases for the whole class and distribution controlled by the teacher
- Classroom celebrations where food is requested by the teacher
Please follow this new policy. The front offices will no longer receive cupcakes.
I also want to encourage you to take the Prince George's County Culture and Climate Survey. This Survey will allow us to know our school community better. Click here to begin SURVEY.
Our 8th graders will take the PSAT 8/9 this week on Tuesday or Wednesday. It is a two and half hour test. Students will need to get their rest the night before they are testing and have breakfast the morning of to keep the stamina they will need to complete the test. This is the most important test used in determining their high school selections. To encourage them to do their best, on Monday our National Junior Honor Society is sponsoring a Pep Rally during their Creative Arts time. GO EAGLES!
On Thursday evening at 6:30pm we will have our Middle School Math Night in the Upper Campus Cafeteria. Important information will be shared, as well as, how to assist your student with Math. We invite all parents to attend with their students. Please RSVP at HERE.
I am pleased to announce our new Accokeek Academy PTSA President, Ms. Lisa Burnam. She is the mother of a 3rd grader. She can be reached at president@aaptsa.org.
We will end this week with a Costume Party in Lower Campus (6 - 8pm) for grades K - 5 and a Costume Dance in Upper Campus (7 - 9:30pm). for grades 6 - 8. Parents must stay with their Kindergarten and 1st grade students. Let's have a great time! We will have our Vocabulary Parade on the 31st for our students in K - 5. They are to select a word and dress up in a way that depicts the word. What a fun way to learn the meaning of a word! Be creative!
Thank you for your partnership as we strive together to be the best school possible. Let's continue our theme of Learning Together, Achieving Together...THE ACCOKEEK WAY!
Educationally yours,
Dr. Judy N. Adams, Principal
September 25, 2024
Dear Accokeek Academy Families,
I am writing to address concerns about a social media threat to our school. Today, students reported seeing threats to multiple PGCPS schools on social media that included Accokeek Academy. All threats are taken seriously, and we worked with PGCPS Security, county police and Homeland Security as they investigated the threat.
Following a full investigation, the threat was found not to be credible and does not pose a safety concern for our school. We believe it is part of a national issue and dangerous social media trend making headlines the last few weeks. I encourage you to watch a video message from Superintendent Millard House on how we are addressing it.
We realize that concerns about school safety are presently heightened across the nation, including within our own community. Please know that your children’s safety remains our highest priority every day, and we will continue our due diligence to ensure everyone's safety.
Maintaining safe learning environments truly takes a village, and we are grateful for your partnership in this effort. Please speak to your children about the serious consequences of making threats and encourage them to always report suspicious activities or threats, whether in school or on social media. Reports can be made anonymously through the Maryland Safe Schools Tip Line and/or directly to police, school staff, or a trusted adult.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together for the safety of our entire campus.
Sincerely
Dr. Judy N. Adams, Principal
Accokeek Academy
- Immunization Requirements - please take advantage of getting your child's mandatory immunization before they will be excluded from school. This is a mandate from the state of Maryland.
- Family Information Card - please complete this information as we never know when an emergency will occur and we need this information at our fingertips.
- ParentVue - this is the parent portal. If you have not created an account please do so at this time. You will then have access to your child's information, including assignments, grades, etc.
- Class DoJo - please accept your child's teacher request and join Class DoJo. You will receive vital information from your teachers and important school information.
- Accokeek Academy PTSA - we would like to see all parents and teachers to become members this year.
- Cell Phone Policy - many studies across the country have proven that cell phone use during the school day can ruin the learning environment. Students are to turn their cell phones off before entering the building in the morning and safely put away. It is not to come back on until 4:15pm. Violation of this policy will result in confiscation of the cell and the parent will need to come to the school to pick it up.
- Uniform Policy - the uniform policy is set to standards and to minimize criticisms of clothing for our economically diverse students.
- Vandalism - unfortunately, we have a few students who feel that vandalizing our beautiful school's walls and bathroom is a form of protest. We ask you to emphasize that this school belongs to all of us and we all must feel safe at all times.
- Anti-Bullying Policy - please read this policy to your children. This also stresses the importance of a safe and orderly environment for all.
- Chromebook Safety - this year our Kindergarten through 2nd graders will keep their chromebooks at school. This week we began issuing chromebooks to our 4th - 8th grade students. The chromebooks belong to Prince George's County Schools. Students and their parents have the responsibility for the care of the device.
August 17, 2024
Dear Accokeek Academy Parents, Guardians and Students:
I am humbled and honored to serve this community another school year. We welcome new members to our community which include new members of our Administrative Team. Our new Kindergarten through 2nd grade Assistant Principal, Dr. Elizabeth Bell, has been promoted from Testing Coordinator and Data Coach. For our 3rd through 5th grade Assistant Principal we are welcoming Mr. John Moore, a seasoned Administrator with several years of experience. We are saddened to announce the transfer of Dr. Tenesia Crook, as she becomes the Assistant Principal for Pointer Ridge Elementary School in Bowie, giving her a very short commute each day. We know that she will thrive in that community. Unfortunately, Ms. Michelle Lambert, our 6th grade Assistant Principal, remains on leave. I will be assuming those responsibilities in the interim. I am so pleased and proud to announce that Mr. Leon McCants, our 7th grade Assistant Principal and Mr. Donald King, our 8th grade Assistant Principal, are both returning to Accokeek Academy. We hope that each of you will embrace our Administrative Team as you have in the past.
Our goals this year are wrapped in our vision of becoming a student-centered school with inclusive and innovative educational opportunities that focus on the whole child. We want our scholars to take ownership of their learning and advocate for social justice and equity. We will focus on our Math instructional and achievement goals. We will continue to keep our culture and climate at the forefront of everything we do. And we will enhance our support for social and emotional learning. We also have an overall goal of increasing our academic scores with continuous improvement and reducing the number of students who are chronically absent (missing more than 10% of all school days) to reach our goal of a 5-Star Rating from the state of Maryland. We also invite you to volunteer and assist your child’s teachers in every way possible. We know it takes a village to raise our children.
We encourage each of you to visit our website twice each week: www.pgcps.org/accokeek We will keep you informed of all activities and upcoming dates via our school website and the individual grade level sites. We are a school wide Class DoJo school. We use Class DoJo for communicating school stories, class updates, teacher messages and other important information. Please sign up to receive all messages on Class DoJo at this LINK or accept the invitation soon to come from your child’s teachers.. Additionally, we ask that you complete the link found on the site entitled, Family Information Form. This information is crucial for the safety of all students while in our care. Prince George’s County Schools has introduced Synergy as our new student information system. Synergy provides a ParentVUE and a StudentVUE, where parents, guardians, and students can view the information via computer or mobile device. Please see how to set up your ParentVUE account. ParentVUE is also where you may register your student, see grades, class schedule, etc. It is also important to note that we are transitioning to the full use of Canvas and eliminating Google Classroom. Please refer here for the Parent Guide to Canvas.
As you know, we are a one-to-one Chromebook School and County. This year all Kindergarten through 2nd grade students will have their Chromebook housed in their classroom and remain there throughout the school year. All other grade levels will receive a Chromebook which is the student’s and parent’s financial responsibility and stewardship to keep the chromebook clean, handled properly and safely. When students are unable to properly care for their device, the English Version Student Device Usage Agreement and (Spanish Version) identifies fees incurred for lost or damaged devices and peripherals. A payment plan may be offered by the school administration. A loaner device to use in school may be offered while payment is being collected.
While we provide the electronic device for your scholar, we also have a List of School Supplies by grade level that you are asked to provide. We are adopting a color-coded content organization system, as we must prioritize student organization skills. This year we will provide each student in grades 3 - 7 with an Agenda Book for daily assignments and 2-way communication with families. PGCPS also recommends clear backpacks for students. However, it is not mandatory at this time.
Having a safe and orderly environment is our number one goal. Each child has a civil right to the best education possible. We achieve this by having all scholars meet behavioral expectations of mutual respect of person and property. Prince George’s County has updated the Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook and has created a Code of Conduct for Families, Volunteers and Visitors. Please review each to ensure that we have a great and productive learning environment for all and at all times. It is important to note the Cell Phone Policy. Keep in mind that students are to turn off their cell phones before entering the building. Students may turn on their cell phones after dismissal at 4:15pm. All cell phones are off during the school day. If there is a need to call home, they are to come to the main office and use the designated school phone.
Our school hours for all students are from 9:30 am until 4:15 pm. Students are not supervised on site until 9:00am. Please do not drop your student off before 9:00am any morning unless attending activities requiring your written permission. Early dismissals are discouraged but we understand that it may be necessary on an infrequent basis. Those having daily early dismissals are subject to failing their last class of the day. No early dismissals will occur after 2:30pm to allow for staff to prepare for dismissal of all of our students.
As you plan ahead, our Uniform Policy is found on our school website. There will be strict adherence to the uniform policy this school year, as we return to the use of lockers in our middle school. The 2024-2025 Accokeek Academy Hoodies are also on sale for $38 each. Please keep in mind that all hoodies/sweatshirts must be a solid color and match the student’s grade level uniform color to be worn during the school day. School Breakfasts & Lunches will have the following prices: Breakfast for all students is $1.60; Lunch for elementary students (Grades K - 5) is $2.75; Lunch for middle school students (Grades 6 - 8) is $3.00. We encourage all parents to apply for Free and Reduced Lunches. Applications can be completed online at MySchoolApps.com. Please consider that bringing in fast food lunches for students is a disruption in the cafeteria and discouraged..
You are asked to join our PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association) and suggest your ideas. Please become a member at Memberships on the PTSA website. Parents, students, staff and community members are encouraged to join.
All students have required immunizations to ensure they are fully registered. Mandatory immunizations at each grade level can be found at Maryland State Immunization Requirements. Additionally, the current Immunization Certificate for your child must be on file.
In light of the continued shortage of bus drivers regionally and nationally, we ask for your patience during the first weeks of school. Please update phone numbers, emails and emergency contact info in ParentVUE. To view your bus stop, use our Infofinder tool. Transportation questions can be submitted online.
Important Dates:
August 19th - September 8th Back to School Immunization Clinics in Prince George County
Thursday August 22nd 6:00pm - Accokeek Academy’s Back to School Fair - please join us as we celebrate the new school year! Meet your child’s teachers, visit with community partners, free school supplies, food and more.
Friday August 23rd - Orientation for Kindergarten and All Students New to Accokeek Academy - A.M. ONLY
Friday August 23rd - 9:00am - 12:30pm New Student Orientation In-Person for all incoming 6th graders, our new elementary and middle school students to Accokeek. Bus transportation will be provided. This is a 3-Hour Early Dismissal Schedule for the day. Breakfast and lunch will be provided at no charge.
Friday August 23rd Kindergarten Orientation and New to Accokeek Academy Elementary Students (Grades 1 - 5) - all parents/guardians should accompany their students to the Lower Campus Multipurpose Room at 9:00am.
Monday August 26th is the First Day of School for ALL STUDENTS!
Students are encouraged to be on time everyday. On-time attendance and staying for the completion of the school day is critical to student academic success. All students will receive their schedules via email prior to the first day of school. While we all wish to celebrate the first day, please keep in mind the amount of traffic we experience at Accokeek Academy. We encourage you to think about ways you can celebrate the first day with your child. Bringing them to school on the first day can be overwhelming with the amount of traffic.
Our Back to School Nights are scheduled for in-person from 6:30pm - 8:00pm on the following nights:
Tuesday September 10th - Kindergarten - 2nd Grades
Wednesday September 11th - Grades 3 - 5
Thursday September 12th - Grades 6 - 8
All parents and students are encouraged to attend and meet their teachers to learn the expectations of their schedules and course work. Please keep in mind that parent involvement in your child’s education is a significant factor in their success. We encourage you to have your child practicing their Math facts and reading at least 20 minutes each day to be ready to learn upon their return to school.
Wishing our Accokeek Academy community the best school year ever, as we emphasize our values of respect, effort, efficacy and excellence while ensuring that we motivate our scholars in every way possible and recognize that we are Learning Together, Achieving Together…THE ACCOKEEK WAY!
Educationally yours,
Dr. Judy N. Adams
Principal