The Largo Parent Press

The Largo Principal's Parent Press is a bi-weekly communication newsletter that will be used to keep parents in the know about events, happenings, and updates at Largo High School straight from Principal Lewis' desk.

Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Instructional Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.

***Students can enter the building beginning at 7:00 a.m and are expected to be in their first class at 7:30 a.m..***

Please find contact information for each of Largo High School's Administrators:

9th Grade: Christopher Jackson (christo.jackson@pgcps.org)

10th Grade: Dr. Vivian Powers (vivian.powers@pgcps.org)

11th Grade: Tanya Parris-Andrews (tanya.parris@pgcps.org)

12th Grade: Dr. Robyn Jones (robyn.jones@pgcps.org)

Immersion Programs: Dr. Denise Cabrera (denise.cabrera@pgcps.org)

Community Schools Coordinator: Monica Miller (monica2.miller@pgcps.org)

Please find contact information for each of Largo High School's Professional School Counselors:

9th Grade: Dr. Monet Hawkins (monet.hawkins@pgcps.org)

10th Grade: Giselle Wilmore (Giselle.wilmore@pgcps.org)

11th Grade: Valerie Johnson (valerie.alston@pgcps.org)

12th Grade: Tomeco Dates (tomeco.dates@pgcps.org)

Please find contact information for Largo High School's Talent Ready Coordinator:

All grades: Tomisha King (tomisha.king@pgcps.org)

Please find contact information for Largo High School's IEP Facilitator (Special Education Chair):

All grades: Lalika Gerald (lalika.gerald@pgcps.org) - Active August 18th.

Please find contact information for Largo High School's Athletic Director:

All grades: Ayana Ball-Ward (ayana.ball@pgcps.org)

When reaching out to a PGCPS member via email or phone, they have 48 hours to reply to your inquiry. Please see the information below for where to share your concerns:

Admin Concern: Step 1: Grade level administrator-----Step 2: Principal----- Step 3: Instructional Director

Scheduling Concern: Step 1: Counselor--- Step 2: Grade level administrator--- Step 3: Principal

Special Education Concern: Step 1: Case Manager--- Step 2: IEP Facilitator--- Step 3: Principal

Teacher Concern: Step 1: Teacher-----Step 2: Grade level administrator----- Step 3: Principal

Our goal is to meet your needs to the best of our ability with the resources that are available to us. Please use the processes above to give Largo every opportunity to work with you for the best school experience possible.

Largo High School personnel have 48 hours to respond to emails and return phone calls. Please allow that process to complete itself before reminder emails and escalatory measures are enacted. We appreciate your support of this process.

• August 18-22: Professional Duty Days for All Teachers
• August 19: Instructional Leadership Team Collaborative - Room 109 (2:35 to 3:05 pm)
• August 21: Transition Day Staff Collaborative -Media Center - (2:35 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.)
• August 21: Ninth Grade Parent Orientation (Parents ONLY) (6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
• August 21: Senior Parent Pep Rally (Parents ONLY) (6:00 to 7:00 pm)
• August 25: 9th Grade/New Student Transition Day (Students ONLY) (7:30 a.m.)
• August 26: First Day of School for All Students
• September 3: Labor Day (PGCPS Schools and Offices Closed)

• September 10: Back to School Night (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)

Dear Largo High School Community,

Colleagues, I greet you with “Den Pride!” I hope you have each enjoyed a summer filled with rest, renewal, and some of your favorite activities. I am excited to officially welcome you back for the 2025–2026 school year, and Largo High School's 57th year of existence of educational service!

At Largo High School, our mission is to provide a high-quality instructional program and a vibrant school culture grounded in our vision and mission, with an intentional focus on living out these anchoring statements through stellar customer service. Our vision is for students to become empowered lifelong learners and productive citizens in a global society. Our mission is to create an inclusive community where all students are nurtured, engaged, and challenged to reach their potential through the tenets of Leadership, Integrity, Optimism, and Nobility (L.I.O.N.). Together, we remain committed to our long-term goal of becoming a five-star school in Maryland. Guided by the Maryland State Report Card, district initiatives, and stakeholder feedback, our data-driven efforts will continue to focus on:

• School Safety and Culture

• Academic Achievement

• School Quality and Success

• Graduation Rate

• Readiness for Post-Secondary Success

We are also excited to share several program enhancements this year. We will welcome the third phase of our Language Immersion Program, expanding Spanish, French, and Chinese instruction to 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. Our Advisory Period will be offered bi-weekly, with two strands, to strengthen support for our students’ social and emotional learning needs. Additionally, 17 new members will join the Largo Family, bringing fresh energy and expertise to advance our instructional program.

Important Dates:

• August 21 – We will have a Community Meet and Greet with the Largo administration and select staff from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Additionally, first-time 9th grade and senior parents will meet at 6:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room and Gymnasium for grade-level specific events.

• August 25 – Transition Day for incoming 9th graders. This day is designed to help students navigate the building, meet teachers/classmates, and learn Largo’s expectations for success.

• August 26 – First Day of School. Hours: 7:30 a.m.–2:10 p.m.

• September 3 - Labor Day - PGCPS Schools and Offices are closed

This year, we have launched the Largo High School Instagram page — follow us at @prideofLargo to celebrate our students and school community. Please also sign up for this year’s Largo Principal's Remind Group

Our theme for this year is "100-Percent Pride" — a call for alignment, deeper accountability, high expectations and closing gaps as we commit to serving all students with maximum effort from all stakeholders.

As summer comes to a close and we return to “The Den,” I am energized by the possibilities ahead — for each of us individually and for our school and community. I look forward to welcoming you back and making this school year one to remember.

In pride,

Albert T. Lewis
Principal

Families must use ParentVUE, to access important information about their students. ParentVUE is the portal that allows parents and guardians to view information about their student, including classroom assignments and scores, attendance, transcripts, graduation status and more. In ParentVUE, families can also update their phone numbers and emergency contact information and access the Online Registration (OLR) Application.

A PGCPS ParentVUE account is needed to complete the required Online Registration (OLR) Application to register your student in PGCPS. This application is completed for students new to PGCPS, transferring within the county, or returning to PGCPS. You may access the ParentVUE link below:

Parent VUE Link

Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Interim Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph has officially released his 100-Day Entry Plan, laying out a clear roadmap for building trust, advancing equity, improving academic achievement, and strengthening district operations.

The plan is structured in three phases—initial alignment and listening, strategic implementation, and readiness across all departments. It focuses on six priority areas:

• Strategic Alignment,
• Talent Recruitment and Retention
• Student Academic Growth
• Blueprint for Maryland’s Future implementation
• Community and Family Engagement
• Operational and Systems Readiness

This plan signifies a strong commitment to transparency, collaboration, and immediate action while setting the stage for long-term improvement across PGCPS. Click on the link below to review the full plan at https://www.pgcps.org/offices/superintendent/100-day-entry-plan.

Please help me to welcome the newest members of the Largo family:

• Anthony Blount, Student Advocate
• Ernest Cotton, English Language Development
• Brandi Cypress, Science
• Lalika Gerald, IEP Facilitator
• Antoine Hicks, Technology Education
• Wei Li, Chinese Immersion
• Lihui Martin, Chinese Immersion
• Matilde Martin, World Languages
• Camilla Mayo, School Accounting Secretary
• Denise McGarrell, Special Education
• Monica Miller, Community Schools Coordinator
• Marjani Mitchell, Special Education
• Jennifer Mitchem, Physical Education/Health
• Olukunbi Olubi, Special Education
• Yeteunde Omosanya, French Immersion
• Eloy Oyola-Alicea, Spanish Immersion
• Rian Reed, Special Education
• Dr. Sommers, Special Education
• Marcus Trotter, Instrumental Music
• Dr. Kalfani Ture, Special Education
• Maya Washington, Special Education
• Rachele Wimbush, ISEA

Largo High School’s enrollment has officially eclipsed 1,300 students for the first time since 2011. Over the past several years, Largo has experienced steady and consistent enrollment growth. This increase is a strong indicator of the confidence our community has in the quality of education, programs, and culture we offer. It reflects the dedication of our staff, the hard work of our students, and the positive reputation we continue to build as a school reclaiming its narrative and continuous improvement.

First-time ninth graders and new students to PGCPS will attend a program at Largo from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Students who ride buses will be picked up and dropped off at their regular time and bus stop location.

Transition Day allows students to participate in their regular school schedule, attend an information session about available resources for a successful school year, and meet key staff members, student guides, and peers. Information session topics include:

• Middle/high school schedules
• School bus transportation rules
• School policies
• Lockers
• Extracurricular activities
• Tools for success, such as student handbooks and calendars
• Strategies for success, including homework and student responsibilities
• Synergy, transcripts, testing, and more

Chromebooks will be disseminated to freshmen and new students to PGCPS on Thursday, August 21 from 4-6 p.m. Alternate plans will be developed for students who cannot retrieve them at that time. For more information, please contact Assistant Principal Christopher Jackson, or, Ninth Grade Coordinator, Megan Claggett (megan.claggett@pgcps.org).

The grade appeal window for the fourth quarter for the 2024-2025 school year for students and families in grades 10, 11 and 12 will be open from Tuesday, August 26 through Tuesday, September 2, with no exceptions. Please reach out to your child's grade level administrator to assist you if you are submitting a grade appeal.

PGCPS students at the secondary level in all Prince George's County Public Schools will be required to have clear book bags only. There will be no exceptions made under any circumstances. This communication has been shared widely with families beginning with last school year. Additionally, it was posted in the welcome back letter from August 1. Please ensure that your child comes to school with a clear book bag. Grade level administrators will reach out to you if there are issues with your child's book bag being out of compliance.

The first day of school is met with a variety of emotions. To assist us in making Monday as hassle free as possible, we are asking you to ensure that are lions are prepared to have the following experiences:

• Get to school by 7:10 am.
• Follow the PGCPS Dress Code (from day 1 to day 180). Exceptions addressed case by case.
• All students must enter through the main lobby entrance. No exceptions!
• Students will begin in Administrative Homerooms, where they will receive their schedule and other critical information to assist with their success.
• Students will also complete their schedule for A-Day.
• Largo staff and students leaders will assist new students with additional support for transition until they are comfortable on their own.
• Professional School Counselors will share information regarding schedule changes with students and families.
• Pack your patience. There will be a few hiccups, but our commitment is to support you every step of the way.

Largo High School implements two lanes for drop-offs in the morning. The right lane is for school buses and critical transportation only, while the left lane is full car riders. If you are a car rider, we ask that you quickly exit the vehicle, and proceed forward so as not to create a backup along Landover Road. In the afternoon, car riders will be picked up in the parking lot on the side of Largo high school that is adjacent to Prince George's Community College between 2:10 and 2:45 p.m. We appreciate your support and adherence to ensuring that we have safe arrival for students and staff in the mornings

Welcome back, Largo families! The Largo High School Parent, Teacher, Student, Community Organization (PTSCO) is excited to kick off an amazing year. PTSCO President, Sherrice Carpenter, along with the board and all members, are looking forward to partnering with you for the advancement of Largo High School.

By joining the PTSCO, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with other families, support student success, and make a meaningful impact on our school community. Your voice and involvement matter!

Be a part of the Pride—join the PTSCO today!

Did you miss an edition of the Principal's Press? Don't worry. We've you got covered. Go back and review any of the previous editions of Principal Lewis' letter by clicking the links below:

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Largo High School has officially launched its Instagram page! Follow us at @PrideofLargo for the latest school updates, highlights, and moments that showcase the excellence and spirit of our community. Be sure to spread the word to students, families, and community members so everyone can stay connected and engaged throughout the school year.

Want text messages from me? Just head to https://www.remind.com/join/7cddc99 to sign up!

You’ll also hear from us through robocalls sent via School Messenger. If you’re not receiving automated calls or updates, please call 301-808-8880 and ask for our registrar to make sure your contact info is up to date.