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Parents and Guardians
Welcome Letter from Principal Hogue

Welcome Letter from Principal Hogue

August 14, 2024

Dear Students and Parents/Guardians:

Welcome to our 2024-2025 school year. We are excited to welcome each of you to what will be an auspicious and rigorous school year. We will diligently strive to provide robust instruction in an effort to ensure instructional continuity.  Student and staff safety are still a priority, which will continue to be reflected in our school wide policies and procedures.  I hope you recognize, receive and respect the inevitable changes that come with the start of a new school year.  One change made this year is our parent resource page, which is available on the digital version of this document which can be found on the BDF website.  This document (link) is a quick reference page that provides links to PGCPS and BDF resources.  Please note, if you are having difficulty accessing any of the links, all PGCPS resources can be found on the PGCPS website and BDF resources can be found in the main office and/or the BDF website. 

Student Safety: While there is no mandate for clear book bags, BDF is strongly recommending all students come prepared with a clear bookbag.  This is to support student and staff safety.  Additionally, Benjamin D. Foulois will continue to follow PGCPS and CDC guidelines to support the safety of all stakeholders. 

SCHOOL HOURS are 9:30 a.m. until 4:10 p.m. In order to ensure student safety, students may not enter the building before 9:00.a.m unless he/she is registered for the AlphaBest before/after care program. Dismissal begins at 4:00 p.m.

OFFICE HOURS are 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. While we understand emergencies may arise, notification of dismissal plans must be communicated via the PickUp Patrol site by 2:00 p.m.  Prior to September 3rd, an email from PickUp Patrol will be sent to families in order to update students’ dismissal information.  Changes that occur after 2 p.m. should be emailed to the classroom teacher, Ms. Holmes (registrar), Ms. Gorham (secretary), and the grade level administrator (all email addresses can be found on the BDF website).  Additionally, in order to ensure a safe and orderly dismissal, early dismissal will end at 3:30 p.m.  Students will not be dismissed for an early dismissal after 3:30 p.m. Lastly, a parent or guardian must sign a student in at the main office if they arrive after 9:30 a.m.  Please note, the enclosed dismissal plan must be completed and returned on August 26th.

In preparing for the new school year, there are a few important dates to remember:

    • New Student Orientation (Only if you are NEW to Benjamin D. Foulois) - August 23rd: 
      • Grades K-5 - 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.  Only K-2 parents can accompany their students to the classroom.  PGCPS will not provide transportation for K-5 students on this day.  
      • New to BDF 6th-8th graders - Half-Day (9:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.).  PGCPS will provide transportation for middle school students only.  Parents may not accompany students to the classroom.  
      • REMINDER: Orientation is for all kindergarteners, new to Foulois 6th graders and any other student new to Benjamin D. Foulois.  Kindergarten-2nd grade parents are the only parents allowed to join their students in the New Student Orientation…NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
  • August 26th: First Day of School for ALL Students.  Parents enter the building to assist with dropping supplies off to the classroom when necessary.  Once instruction begins, parents MAY NOT enter the classroom.
  • August 28th:  Meet the Administrator Night (virtual link will be shared the week of August 26th)
      • Grades K-5 - 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
      • Grades 6-8 - 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
  • September 2nd: Schools and Offices Closed
  • September 17th: Grades K-5 Back to School Night  at 6 p.m. (in-person)
  • September 18th: Grades 6-8 Back to School Night  at 6 p.m. (in-person)

DISMISSAL

Dismissal Plan: It is essential that the enclosed dismissal plan is completed and returned to the homeroom teacher on August 26th.  If you have multiple students at BDF, please complete one for each student.  Additionally, our departure plan with a dismissal “flash pass” is included in this mailing.  To ensure student safety, the “flash pass” will only be mailed to each family and we ask that copies are not made and shared.  The “flash pass” should be used to expedite in-person dismissal.  A parent/guardian without a “flash pass" will follow the normal student sign out procedure (show id and place parent/guardian and student names on sign-out sheet).

Transportation: As we prepare for the 24-25 school year, PGCPS has continued to be impacted by the bus driver shortage.  This will likely lead to some delays in transportation.  Transportation will be provided for students who have been fully registered by August 12th. Bus schedules will be viewable in PGCPS ParentVUE beginning August 12.  Postcards with bus assignment will be mailed to families with students who are registered for

school the week of August 19.  To opt out of bus transportation or to opt back in, contact Ms. Holmes.  Parents can access bus route information in the StopFinder app (if you already have an account) beginning Monday, August 19th (https://bit.ly/PGCPSinfoFinderi).  If you can’t find your bus assignment you can use our PGCPS Bus Stop Finder on the transportation website to locate the nearest bus stop closest to your residence. You can download the school bus app, StopFinder, from the App Store or Google Play.  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.  I strongly suggest all families download Stopfinder bus app. Parents/guardians must have an email address on file in ParentVUE in order to be invited to view the students’ bus schedule. 

AlphaBest - K-8 before and after care program.  Sign your child up today at www.alphabest.org.

PickUp Patrol - Platform that will be used for the following (bus/car/van rider pick up, change of dismissal plan and attendance notifications).  All families will be invited using current email addresses in ParentVUE. Please take a moment to view information re: PickUp Patrol (Parent Letter and PickUp Patrol (Video 2:39)).  August 26th - 30th, information on the dismissal plan will be used for students' daily dismissal.

PUBLICITY RELEASE: In order for students’ images to be used, the enclosed publicity release form must be completed and returned to the homeroom teacher on August 26th.  Please note, in order for students to be in the yearbook, shown in school wide announcements that are shared on the BDF website and with district partners, shown on performance flyers or videotaped during performances, access must be granted. 

SUPPLY LISTS/STUDENT DRESS CODE can be found on the BDF Website. 

STUDENT WATER BOTTLE:  This year, we have purchased a plastic reusable BDF water bottle for each student. If you prefer to purchase a water bottle for your child, please make sure the water bottle is no larger than 14 oz.  Unfortunately, the popularity of large 16-32 oz water bottles (i.e. Stanley and Yeti cups) have negatively impacted the use and availability of water from the hallway water dispensers.  In order to ensure all students have daily access to water, personal water bottles larger than 14 oz’s will be PROHIBITED.  Students will be responsible for bringing their reusable water bottles to school each day.  Prohibited water bottles will be confiscated and made available for parent pick up for students/families who make the intentional decision to ignore the Benjamin D. Foulois water bottle policy.  

SCHOOL MEALS: 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 who are not eligible for free or reduced-priced meals must pay for their meals. See How to Pay for Lunch on the PGCPS website for Meal Prices.  Food deliveries (GrubHub, UberEats etc.) are prohibited…NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

MEDICATION must be updated each school year.  Please make sure all forms are completed and signed by a physician when submitting medication for the 24-25 SY.  Medication will not be accepted without the correct documentation.  Only a parent or guardian may deliver medication and updated forms.  

IMMUNIZATION:  No Shots…No School.  All immunization requirements must be current by September 13th or your child will be excluded from school…meaning they may not attend any PGCPS. 

SCHOOL VISITORS: All visitors are REQUIRED to make an appointment prior to visiting the building. Appointments can be made by either calling the school or email. Visitors are only allowed in the main office...for student, staff and community safety, visitors may not go to classrooms or wait for students in the main hallway or cafeteria.  Parents/Guardians are welcomed and encouraged to schedule classroom visits/check-in with the grade level administrator.  Classroom visits may not exceed 1 hour unless a parent shadow is required due to academic/behavior concerns.  In cases of required parent shadowing, protocol will be communicated from the grade level administrator. Parent/Guardian conferences will have the option of being scheduled virtually or in-person. School performances/activities will continue with limited parent/guardian attendance.

COMMUNICATION: Our goal is to keep all families informed as well as help parents/guardians be a part of their child's education. Throughout the year, we will provide you with weekly online newsletters, call-outs, and Class Dojo messages. Please be sure to connect with your child’s teacher for daily communication. The Emergency Contact form is enclosed, please complete and return by August 26th. Be sure your home or cell number is current throughout the year to receive important updates and reminders. Stay Connected with us by using the following platforms: 

  • School Website
  • Weekly Parent Newsletter
  • ParentVUE  
  • Canvas/Google Classroom/Class Dojo

*ALL school correspondence will be communicated electronically.  

MESSAGE FROM THE BDF PTO

Get ready, everyone! The PTO can hardly contain its excitement for the amazing school year that's just around the corner! Mark your calendars for August 29th, because that's when the very first general body meeting is happening. We're inviting YOU to be a part of the action this year. Yup, you heard that right. Become a member of the PTO for the 2024-25 school year and let's make incredible memories together. All you need to do is go to the BDF Website and click on the parents tab, then click on PTO to register.  Also, join us on GroupMe https://groupme.com/join_group/94018250/N5wpkGhW if you want to stay in the loop and chat with PTO pals . 

Want to know more? Reach out to us at fouloispto@yahoo.com.  So don't miss out – this year is going to be off-the-charts awesome!

Again, welcome to the greatness that is the 24-25 school year at Benjamin D. Foulois.  Please note, this letter w/live links can be found on the BDF website.  If you have any questions, concerns or in need of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at keshia.hogue@pgcps.org or the grade level administrator, Mr. Agnew (K-5) at jagnew@pgcps.org or Mr.. Sherman Hunter (6-8) at sherman.hunter@pgcps.org. 

With Falcon Pride,

Keshia Hogue

Principal