Welcome Back!

August 10, 2026

Dear Francis T. Evans Elementary School Families,

Welcome back to an exciting new school year! I am thrilled to greet each of you as we embark on another year of learning, growth, and achievement together. This year, our school theme is “Every Falcon, Every Day: Growing, Learning, and Leading.” This slogan will serve as our compass, ensuring that every scholar receives the support, focus, and encouragement needed to excel each day. 

A new school year brings a fresh start, new friendships, and endless opportunities to learn and grow. Our dedicated educators have been working tirelessly to prepare classrooms where every single child feels seen, supported, and challenged.

Crazy About Kids: Our Commitment to You

In his inspiring book Meet Their Needs, and They’ll Succeed, Educator Salome Thomas-El writes about the transformative power of creating a school culture where families truly feel that the staff is crazy about their kids. That spirit defines who we are.

We love what we do, and we love the children we serve. Our promise to you is simple: when we meet our students' academic, social, and emotional needs, they will succeed. Period. We view every child who walks through our doors as having unlimited potential, and we are fiercely committed to helping them discover it.

Partnering for Success

A child’s success depends on a strong bridge between home and school. You are your child’s first and most important teacher, and we value your voice, your presence, and your partnership.

Francis T. Evans will open its doors to all students on Tuesday, August 25th. Student hours are 7:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.  Here is some important information about the upcoming school year. Please keep this information for your reference.

Student Class Assignments

Student class assignments will be available online in ParentVUE by mid-August. Please note that as we get to know our students during the first month of school, class assignments may change if adjustments are needed to create the most balanced learning environment possible. Our goal is to ensure that every classroom is structured to support the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all students. We appreciate your understanding and partnership as we make thoughtful decisions in the best interest of every child.

School Uniforms & Supply Lists 

Information can be found in this packet and on our school website at https://www.pgcps.org/Francis T. Evans.

Student Emergency Contact Form

We must have accurate emergency information on file for every child. Please complete the attached form and return it by the first week of the school year.

School Meals

Breakfast is offered to students free of charge daily, and lunch is provided at a cost to our families. Based on household size and income, free or reduced-price meals are available to students. Families must apply for this benefit each year here: Apply for Free and Reduced Priced Meals. This process does not carry over. It is recommended that families complete the application before the first day of school to avoid charges.

Students without lunch money may borrow funds from the Principal’s Lunch Account; however, the borrowed amount must be repaid.

Immunizations 

Remember: No Shots, No School! Make an appointment for routine immunizations today! Kindergarteners in the state are required to receive a second dose of the chickenpox vaccine, while seventh-graders must receive the meningococcal and Tdap vaccines, which protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. 

ClassDojo

Parents are encouraged to sign up for the ClassDojo account to receive school information. Connect to the school using this link: Everything you need for a year they'll love | ClassDojo for Families.  Classroom teachers will also share a class code.

School Visitors/Volunteers

Safety! Safety! Safety! Prince George’s County Public Schools are open to visitors, volunteers, and one-time volunteers. Visitors and one-time volunteers are required to have a scheduled appointment due to the need for escort and supervision by PGCPS employees at all times. Please visit the VISITOR SCREENING PAGE on the PGCPS website to begin your approval process. Volunteer at Your School

Have a Bus Rider? 

Bus info will be provided by the PGCPS Transportation Office. Schools do not manage buses or assign students to buses. Transportation questions and concerns are best addressed by the PGCPS Transportation Office Transportation or 301-952-6570. Parents may use the Chipmunk app to track their child’s bus, including estimated arrival times and instant alerts about delays, cancellations, and other transportation updates.

Getting Started

• Make sure you have an active ParentVUE account
• Download the Chipmunk app from the Apple App Store or Google Play
• Select Prince George's County Public Schools as your district
• Sign in using the same email address associated with your ParentVUE account
• Your student's transportation information will automatically sync once available

Back-to-School Bus Checklist

• Be at the bus stop 10 minutes early.
• Make sure students are ready and visible at the stop.
• Update contact info in ParentVUE for real-time notifications.
• Review your child’s bus assignment in ParentVUE before the first day

Cellphones

Francis T. Evans’ cell phone policy aligns with PGCPS's policy. While students are allowed to bring cell phones to school, they must remain turned off and stored away during school hours. If students need to contact their parents, phones are available in school for their use. The presence and potential misuse of cell phones can significantly disrupt the instructional environment, making it crucial to monitor student usage. We respectfully ask parents to support our no-phone-in-the-classroom expectation to ensure a focused and productive learning experience for all students.  

PGCPS or Francis T. Evans Elementary is not responsible for damaged or misplaced cell phones. 

As we gear up, mark your calendar for:

• August 24 - In-person Orientation for Prekindergarten (8:00-8:45 a.m.), Kindergarten (9:00-9:45 a.m.), and Sneak-a-Peak for Grades 1-5 at Francis T. Evans ES (10:00-10:45 a.m.). Please adhere to the appointed time, as staff will not be available outside of the predetermined timeframe. We also encourage families to bring their students' supplies to orientation.
• August 25 - First Day of School
• September 7 - Labor Day: Schools and Offices Closed
• September 24 - Back-to-School Night- Details forthcoming.

At Francis T. Evans Elementary School, we are committed to creating a culture where integrity guides every decision and excellence is the expectation. Together, we will encourage students to make positive choices, care for one another, and take pride in their learning.

Here is how we can work together this year:

• Stay Connected: Please ensure your contact details are up to date in our system so you receive our regular updates, emails, and alerts.
• • PGCPS maintains a districtwide calendar on its website at Prince George's County Public Schools Calendar - List. 
  • We welcome parents and families as partners in our school community. To ensure a safe and secure learning environment, all visitors must follow the PGCPS Code of Conduct. Please review the PGCPS Code of Conduct for Families, Volunteers, and Visitors to ensure we maintain an orderly, respectful, and secure educational environment for students and staff while on campus. Parents must respect policies and procedures established by PGCPS and Francis T. Evans ES. Penalties for lack of adherence to this Code of Conduct are enforceable by the Principal, PGCPS Department of Security Services, and/or local police.
• Establish a Strong Routine: Consistent routines, reliable attendance, and daily reading at home set your child up to win every single day.
  • The instructional school day at Francis T. Evans Elementary School is 7:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Students may arrive between 7:20 a.m. and 7:40 a.m. to ensure they are ready for a prompt start to instruction.
  • Students are considered tardy if they are not inside the school building by 7:45 a.m. A parent or legal guardian must accompany any student arriving after 7:45 a.m. into the building to sign in before reporting to class.
  • Breakfast is provided to all students each morning until 7:45 a.m. Students eating breakfast must arrive no later than 7:30 a.m.
  • If parents need to pick up their child before the end of the school day, early dismissal ends promptly at 1:15 p.m. To ensure the safety and security of all students, school staff must verify the identity of the individual picking up the child and confirm that the person is listed on the student's emergency contact card or is authorized by a written note from the parent or guardian. For safety reasons, verbal permission or changes to dismissal arrangements will not be accepted over the phone.
  • We will continue to use the PikMyKid app for dismissal. Please download the app. You will receive your code soon.
• Get Involved: Consider joining our [PTO], volunteering, or attending school events. When your children see us working together, they thrive!

We Are Here for You

If you ever have questions, ideas, or need support, please do not hesitate to reach out. Our doors are always open. You can contact our main office at (301)599-2480 or email your child's teacher directly.

Thank you for trusting us with your children. We are going to love them, support them, and watch them accomplish incredible things this year. Together, let’s make it extraordinary!

Remember, our commitment is to be crazy about kids as shown through our school theme:

Every Falcon, Every Day: Growing, Learning, and Leading!

Warmly,

Sonya Gaston,
Principal