Foulois Family Newsletter
2026-2027 School Year
A Message from Principal Hogue
Welcome to a new week BDF Family!
Thank you to all of our families who participated in our Fall Fundraiser! We are excited to share that we met our goal! Our scholars enjoyed celebrating with Pajama Day and the opportunity to “pie” an administrator.
Thank you for helping make these experiences possible! The fundraiser has now officially ended. I apologize for any confusion regarding the extended hours. I did not authorize any additional fundraising days and have been in communication with the fundraising company to ensure that our fundraiser is closed. Thank you for your patience and continued support.
A special thank you to the families who joined us Wednesday for the Parent Night with our Special Education Team. We appreciate your partnership and the opportunity to connect with you. And thank you to our PTO for this week’s morning treats.
Parent Nights This Week:
8th Grade Wednesday, October 7: High school personnel will join us to discuss high school options, the PSAT, and end-of-year activities and associated costs.
5th Grade: Thursday, October 8: We will discuss the arts assessment process, Camp Schmidt, and the end-of-year activity for our 5th grade scholars.
Parents, please remember to check ParentVUE regularly for grades, assignments, and academic progress. We also encourage you to communicate directly with your child’s teacher when classroom concerns or questions arise. Early communication allows us to work together to address concerns and support our scholars.
Transportation Reminder
I know transportation continues to be a source of frustration for many families, so I want to provide a little context regarding our process. BDF is a Tier 3 school for transportation; Tier 1 and 2 schools are prioritized over Specialty Schools. One impact we are dealing with is placement of substitute drivers. When a driver is absent and a substitute driver with an earlier route is not readily available, we may have to wait for that driver to complete another route before coming to BDF. Unfortunately, this process is outside of the school’s control and can impact students’ arrival times home.
We have 26 buses, and although dismissal begins at 4:15 p.m., the bus dismissal process typically continues until approximately 4:40 p.m. Additionally, transportation may not notify us of a delay until close to the expected arrival time. For this reason, we generally begin contacting families after 5:00 p.m., when transportation has notified us of a significant delay.
If the bus arrives, we put students on the bus. We understand that this can be frustrating, but this practice is necessary because estimated delays can change quickly. We have had situations where a reported 20-minute delay became much shorter, resulting in staff waiting an hour or more for a parent who had already been contacted. Our staff members also have evening responsibilities and families, and we must balance those responsibilities while ensuring our scholars are safely transported home.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as PGCPS continues to navigate transportation challenges. We will continue to communicate information provided to us by transportation and do everything within our control to support our families. Please continue to monitor the Chipmunk App.
As we begin another week, remember: perfection is not the goal…greatness through purpose, progress, and patience is. Continue to encourage our scholars to walk in their greatness, give their best effort, and remember that growth takes time.
Have a wonderful week, BDF Family!
October is National Principal's Month!
As a way to thank our AMAZING principal, Ms. Hogue, we are sharing a Padlet where families can post a note that we will share with Ms. Hogue at the end of the month. We are hoping to get at least one note from each family expressing your appreciation for her. Feel free to click the link below to get started to #ThankAPrincipal
Hello, BDF families! 🍂💛
Our PTO family is growing! Please help us welcome the 28 new members who joined us this month. 🎉 We’re so happy to have you and look forward to getting to know you! Haven’t joined yet? We’d love to welcome you, too. Annual dues are $20, and there’s always room for your ideas, your voice, and whatever time you can share. 🤗
🎟️ Congratulations to our membership raffle winner, Tempestt Harpe! 🎉👏 We’ll be contacting you directly with prize redemption details. Thank you to everyone who participated!
📅 Tuesday, October 27, at 7 PM—our next PTO membership meeting! We’ll share the location and meeting link closer to the date. Whether you’re a familiar face or joining us for the first time, come say hello, connect with other BDF families, hear what’s ahead, and help your homeroom have a strong turnout—you never know, it just might pay off in the end. 😉✨
🧹💛 This month, we’re showing our wonderful BDF custodians some extra love! They work hard to care for our school every day, and we look forward to celebrating them. If you see them around the building, please join us in saying thank you!
💬 Keep an eye out for our family survey later this month! We want to hear from you—what your family enjoys, what would be helpful, and what you’d love to see from the PTO. Your feedback will help us plan with our families in mind.
🙋♀️ Want to lend a hand? We’d love to have you! Please complete your PGCPS SafeSchools training and receive the required school/PGCPS approval before volunteering so you’re ready to join in.
Thank you for being part of our BDF family. We’re looking forward to a wonderful October together! 🍁
Every Child, Every Family, Every Voice—Better Together! 🫱🏼🫲🏾💛
Let’s go, BDF Falcons! 🎉
With appreciation,
Courtney E. Shorter
PTO President
On behalf of the PTO Executive Board
📣 Volunteer Season is Coming!
Field trip season and PTO volunteer opportunities are almost here! Please complete your volunteer requirements early so you’re ready to participate.
✅ Complete the PGCPS Volunteer Application
https://www.pgcps.org/volunteer/
✅ Complete fingerprinting/CPS clearance if required
✅ Complete all required volunteer trainings
✅ Send your training certificates, fingerprinting receipt, and PGCPS volunteer approval letter to Ms. Halsey.
Discounted Fingerprinting Fees:
💡FARMS: Families approved for Free and Reduced Meals may qualify for waived or discounted fingerprinting fees. Please bring proof of approval to your fingerprinting appointment.
📌Volunteer applications and training are required yearly. Fingerprinting is generally a one-time requirement once completed and approved. Please don’t wait until a field trip is announced — start now!
Sasscer Administration Building
14201 School Lane, Room 128
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
1A Prevent First Fingerprinting
3710 Riviera Street, Suite 1A
Temple Hills, MD 20748
LivescanMD – Upper Marlboro
1401 Mercantile Lane, Suite 251
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
LivescanMD – Waldorf
11705 Berry Road, Suite 201
Waldorf, MD 20603
📚 Books on the Ground Part II: We Want Your Feedback!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Books on the Ground Part II! Your feedback helps us continue improving PTO events and creating experiences that work well for our entire school community. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey that applies to you:
👪 Parent/Guardian Survey: https://forms.gle/HN953uv6cYnCdHso7
🎒 Student Survey: https://forms.gle/iqsjbzs94a1LzspX9
🍎 Teacher/Faculty/Staff Survey: https://forms.gle/xKg42voFxCX7LGBD7
Thank you for helping us make our next event even better! 🤍💙
Arts & Academic Rotation Days
Monday, October 5, 2026:
- K-5: C Day
- MS: A Day
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- K-5: A Day
- MS: B Day
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
- K-5: B Day
- MS: A Day
- 8th Grade Parent Night (In-Person) @ 6:00 pm
- Wear PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! (Every Wednesday in October!)
Thursday, October 8, 2026
- K-5: C Day
- MS: B Day
- 5th Grade Parent Night (In-Person) @ 6:00 pm
Friday, October 9, 2026
- K-5: A Day
- MS: A Day
K-5 Creative Arts Rotation Schedules
BDF Alternate Schedules
Delayed Openings:
- One Hour: Doors open at 10:00 am; Students late after 10:25 am
- Two Hour: Doors open at 11:00 am; Students late after 11:25 am
Early Dismissal (Half Day): Dismissal begins at 1:20 pm
Arrival & Dismissal
Arrival
Parent Drop Off: Please follow the traffic pattern as to not negatively impact the buses coming in to the bus lanes.
Maintaining a steady routine is essential. While we understand emergencies happen, frequent or sudden changes can compromise a safe and smooth departure.
- Students arriving after 9:25 a.m. are considered “tardy”. Late bus arrivals will receive a late bus tardy slip, while students being dropped off late by a parent or van service must be signed in by a parent/guardian at the main office.
Please do not call your child directly on their cell phone during the day—this violates the PGCPS/BDF Cell Phone Policy.
Dismissal
If an emergency occurs after your child has left home, please email their teacher(s), Ms. Halsey, and Ms. Holmes…all email addresses can be found on the BDF website and on the bottom of this newsletter.- Any dismissal changes made after 2:00 p.m. will need grade level administrator notification.
- Changes after 3:00 pm, please email teachers, the grade level administrator and the front office team; additionally, a phone call is needed after the email.
- Early dismissal/sign-outs conclude at 3:30 p.m…NO EXCEPTIONS.
Late Buses
Students will call if the bus has not arrived by 5:00 pm in order to inform you of the estimated arrival time.
Please do not change your child’s dismissal plan due to a late bus. If the bus arrives prior to a parent/guardian arrival, the student WILL be placed on the bus.
If your child rides a bus that typically arrives around 4:30ish pm and you have a scheduled activity, please plan their dismissal accordingly.
Dismissal Plan & Flash Pass
- If you haven't done so already, please be sure to complete the Dismissal Plan for each student and return it as soon as possible. This form dictates how your child gets home daily, and BDF staff will follow this plan strictly. Please lock in this plan before school starts and walk through it with your child. The first week is busy with new routines, and a clear plan ensures everyone gets home safely and quickly. .
- If there is a long-term change to your child’s dismissal plan, please contact Ms. Holmes for a new plan and return it to the main office.
- If you have a change the morning of, please let your child know before leaving home whenever possible.
- Each family should have received a Dismissal Flash Pass in the school mailer. For security, these will never be sent through digital means like email or ClassDojo. Each unique pass speeds up the process and presenting it means you won't need to fill out the sign-out sheet. Please keep the original safe and do not duplicate or share it. If a pass goes missing, see Ms. Halsey for a new one. Replacements must be collected in person at the school office.
Transportation & Bus Stops
Families who are still waiting for a permanent transportation assignment can check whether an eligible bus stop is available for their child:
Enter your home address and select your child’s school.
BusPlanner Web will identify the single closest eligible bus stop for that school.
Families may use an eligible stop identified through BusPlanner while they are waiting for a permanent transportation assignment to appear in ParentVUE and Chipmunk.
For some students, this may provide an immediate transportation option while PGCPS completes or corrects their permanent route. Families should continue to check ParentVUE and Chipmunk for updates to their permanent transportation assignment. For students who do not have an eligible stop available through BusPlanner Web, PGCPS will continue working directly with the affected family and school to identify available transportation options.
Families should not place a student on an alternate bus or route without receiving authorization from the school or transportation team.
👥 Attendance Policy 👥
- Please be advised that Benjamin D. Foulois follows the PGCPS Attendance Policy AP 5113.
- After 3 absences within a quarter, whether or not consecutive, you will receive a “Notice of Concern”.
- After 4 absences, an attendance letter from school administrators will be sent and a parent meeting will be scheduled to develop an attendance plan of action.
- Letters are sent regardless of lawful or unlawful absences.
- Attendance is monitored by the BDF Staff and our Pupil Personnel Worker, Ms. D. Mayfield.
- Chronic absences: 4 in a quarter, 9 in a semester, and 18 in a year. Parents, please send a note or email within 3 days of your child returning to school.
- Please note that vacations and out-of-state sporting events are unlawful absences.
Publicity Release
- Appear in the yearbook
Be featured in school announcements
Be shown in performance flyers or videos
Appear in any media coverage (including first day of school)
School Meals
Families are encouraged to apply for free/reduced-price meals at MySchoolApps.com.
No outside food deliveries (UberEats, GrubHub, etc.) are allowed…no exceptions.
- Breakfast Reminders
- Ends at 9:15 for car/van riders
- Students riding a PGCPS Bus may have breakfast regardless of bus arrival time
Free and Reduced-Price Meals Applications
Apply online for Free and Reduced-Price Meals!
Applying online is the fastest, easiest, and most reliable way to submit your Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application. Families can receive an eligibility determination within 48-72 hours. Please include a valid email address on your application to ensure faster, more efficient service.
Completing a Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application may qualify you for additional benefits and programs, including:
- SAT, ACT, AP exam fee waivers
- College application fee waivers
- Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) registration assistance
- Discounted internet service through Comcast Internet Essentials
- Department of Human Services (DHS) Sun Bucks program
- And other valuable educational and community assistance programs!
Please call us at (301)952-6517 if you need any assistance.
Health Requirements
- Medication must be renewed yearly with the correct physician-signed forms. Parents must deliver medication directly to our school nurse, Mrs. Isha Spencer.
- Immunizations must be current by September 14, 2026 or your child will be excluded from school.
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment
Renaissance Star Math Assessment
DIBELS K-3
8th Grade PSAT 8/9 Student Information
1. Our in-school testing date for PSAT 8/9 will be Wednesday, October 21, 2026. This is the ONLY day for in-school testing and ALL 8th graders will take the assessment for FREE. If you miss this date, you likely will have to pay for them to take it outside of the school building.
2. Bluebook is the app our students will complete testing on and it is available for download at home. Students must sign in to Bluebook with their College Board Student Accounts, made with a personal email address ONLY.
3. Feel free to check out this Student Resource document for more resources regarding PSAT 8/9. We will share most of this same information at the 8th Grade Parent Night on October 7, 2026.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Dance Department
Intermediate 3-5 Sign-Up Link
- Mondays 4:30-5:30 (Beginning September 14, 2026)
Middle School Sign-Up Link
- Thursdays 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm (Beginning September 10, 2026)
Visual Art Department
Art Club 2026-2027
Attention Middle School Parents:
Art Club will begin THURSDAY, October 1. Art Club will be held every Thursday from 4:30-6pm unless otherwise announced. Students do not have to be a Visual Arts major but must be in middle school.
Please look for an invite to our Art Club Class Dojo once you sign up.
Here is the sign-up link if you still need to sign your child up.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScj_79FecUubTRNOVATj07Hwf2YfoswFW6FUup4zOvk4p2SAA/viewform?usp=dialog
Artfully,
Ms Tolson
October 2026 Student Service Learning Opportunities
For all available October 2026 Student Service Learning Hours, please click this link.
Student Service-Learning Campaign: Project 24
We are excited that PGCPS students have the opportunity to earn Service-Learning Hours during the school day! Throughout the school year, students can participate in one of the following school-based service-learning projects in order to reach the required 24-hour service-learning requirement!
All middle and high school students are eligible to participate in Project 24. Due dates are recommended only and can be adjusted. Seniors must have all Service-Learning hours completed prior to their prom date and/or the last day of school for seniors. Sixth - eleventh (6-11) graders may earn hours until the last day of school.
Schools are able to create and implement a specific project that meets the needs of the community. Proposals must be submitted to Doreen Hogans one week prior to the implementation date. Proposals can be submitted by using this link.
- Student’s social media posts must be approved by the SSL Coordinators and/or Principals’ designee prior to posting. Failure to obtain approval will result in forfeiture of hours. Students can screenshot approved posts to verify completed activity.
- Student’s letters must be of original thought and cannot be mass copied. Prior to email submission or postal mailing, letters must be approved by obtaining the signature of the SSL Coordinator(s) and/or Principals’ designee. Students must attach the following cover page to all letters.
Service Learning Project 2 - Positive Social Media Campaign
Description: Using a variety of methods, students will create engaging campaigns to
raise awareness of cyberbullying.
Please remember to complete your SSL Verification Form.
MAKE A PHOTO COPY FOR YOUR RECORDS SSL Verification Form and submit items to Ms. Reynolds, the SSL Coordinator.
The deadline is this Friday, October 30, 2026.
SAVE THE DATE!
PreK-12 Specialty Programs Showcase
Join us at Dr. Henry J. Wise High School on October 21, 2026 to learn more about all of the specialty programs offered in the county.
The event will take place from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm.
Parent Survey
Please take a moment to complete our Beginning of Year Parent Survey. This survey will provide us with information that may be helpful for your scholar to be successful this school year!
Thank you!
Mrs. Reynolds & Mrs. Colbert
BDF Professional School Counselors
Week of October 12 - October 16
Monday, October 12, 2026:
- K-5: B Day
- MS: B Day
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- K-5: C Day
- MS: A Day
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
- K-5: A Day
- MS: B Day
- K-5 Math & Science Night @ 6:00 pm
Thursday, October 15, 2026
- K-5: B Day
- MS: A Day
Friday, October 16, 2026
- Teacher Professional Development Day: No School for Students
Phone: (301) 817-0300 | Fax: (301) 817-0941
Administrators:
- Ms. Hogue | Principal
- Ms. Hawkins | ES Assistant Principal
- Mr. Hunter | MS Assistant Principal
- Mrs. Barnes | Arts Program Coordinator
Administrative Assistants/Team Home Base
- Ms. Gorham | Principal Secretary
- Ms. Holmes | Registrar
- Ms. Halsey | Secretary I
Professional School Counselors
- Mrs. Colbert | Elementary PSC
- Mrs. Reynolds | Middle School PSC
Instructional Specialists & Resource Teachers
- Mrs. Watson-Bell | Special Education Coordinator
- Mr. R. Williams | Special Education Teacher
- Ms. Dunn | Special Education Teacher
- Ms. Stefanak | School Testing Coordinator
- Ms. D. Smith | Athletic Director