Mustangs News

Welcome to another week of greatness at Glenridge ES! I am looking forward to all of the possibilities of this school year. Let's do great things together! Please read the important information below to not only ensure you are informed of all things happening this week but also how to support daily success for all at Glenridge.😀

Our students and staff are settling in to routines for the school year, but we will need all of our parents to support us by making sure all students are in school by 7:30 each day. Morning announcements begin at 7:35 followed by our daily SEL lesson. These tow things set the stage for a productive and engaging day of learning for our students. Parents it is up to you to help ensure your child gets off to the best start and bring the to school on time. Students are late at 7:45 am.

I do hope you plan to join us for Back to School Night on Wednesday. This will be an opportunity to hear about the grade level expectations for your child as well as understand the expectations of your child's teacher for a successful school year. We look forward to seeing you!😊

• Pre-k , 1st, & 2nd grade from 4:30 - 5:30 pm
• 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade from 5:45 - 6:45 pm

The Kona Ice truck will be parked outside during Back to School Night so feel free to purchase a cool treat. They will donate 20% of sales back to the school. What a cool way to support our school 🤩

Early Dismissal on Friday

• All students should come to school on time (7:30 am)
• Students will be served breakfast and lunch prior to dismissal
• All students will be dismissed at 10:45 am - please plan accordingly to ensure you arrive at bus stops on time. or at the school for pick up.

Morning Drop Off Safety

Let's work together to keep all kids safe by doing the following:

• Only allow students to cross the street at the crosswalk. .
• Do NOT drop you child off in the street - this is unsafe and interrupts traffic
• Do not make a U-turn at the crosswalk or in the middle of the street- drive past the driveway and turn around in the parking lot for Ellen Ochoa
• DO NOT park in the parking lot at the school or come in the driveway prior to 8:30 am

Attendance

As a school we are working to improve our attendance. Good attendance supports great academic achievement. We want all students in school everyday. If students miss as few as 2 days a month they are considered chronically absent. Help us improve our attendance by bringing your child to school daily.

School Uniform

We are a mandatory uniform school and all students are expected to be in school uniform (light blue top and navy blur bottoms) everyday. The uniform expectations are pictured below. DOn't cause your child to be excluded from activities because they are not following school rules. If you need uniform assistance please reach out to Ms. Chica, Parent Engagement Assistant at jocelyn.chicaflores@pgcps.org.

Safe and Orderly Dismissal

• Ensure your child had his/her dismissal tag on their backpack each day (do not remove) this helps staff promote an efficient and safe dismissal for all.
• If your child's dismissal changes you will need to send both the classroom teacher and the main office written notification prior to 11:00 am to ensure we have time to communicate the change to all parties.
• Early dismissal ends daily at 1:00pm NO EXCEPTIONS (please allow your child to remain at school for the entire instructional day)

Immunization Exclusion

Please ensure your child is up to date with all immunizations and that our school nurse has an updated copy. Students that are not immunized or do not have up to date records at school will be excluded from school on September 16, 2025. If the school is missing your child's immunizations you will receive written communication from the school. Be sure to check your child's pack back each day. If you have any questions about your child's immunization needs, please reach out to Nurse Gross at shanari.gross@pgcps.org.

If you have not joined already, be sure to join the Glenridge Parent Advisory Committee (GPAC) to connect with other families and support our school community.

Stay connected to our school by connecting with us on all of our social media platforms. You don't want to miss what's happening at GES!

Stay Connected with Our Racing Team

• Class Dojo (teacher invitation coming)

• X (formerly Twitter) @MustangPride

• Facebook: Glenridge Elementary School

• Main office: 301-918-8740

Together, we'll make this our best championship season yet!

In Partnership,

Dr. Sharone Anderson-Davis, Principal

Class Dojo - Administration and teachers will utilize Class Dojo to communicate with families. Each teacher will have an established ClassDojo account. Teachers use ClassDojo to share classroom information, instructional updates, give individual students updates, and share schoolwide information. All new and returning parents will receive an email from the classroom teacher to sign up for Glenridge Class Dojo.

School Messenger - All parents with a valid email and phone number in Synergy, our new district data base will receive updates from the school by email, text, or phone call. We use this system to share important county and schoolwide information. Please ensure all of your information in Synergy is accurate and up to date so you don't miss any information.

Twitter & Facebook - Glenridge ES has both a X (formerly known as Twitter) and Facebook accounts. These social media platforms will be used to share information and updates about events and activities happening at our school. We are excited to share all of the great things that will be happening this school year.

• twitter @_MustangPride
• Facebook Glenridge Elementary School

All Glenridge Families are asked to get connected to all of our digital platforms to stay informed about the news and events taking place at Glenridge. Each week we will share our Mustang News that will include information about the week and upcoming events. This information is shared through Class Dojo, School Messenger, FaceBook, and Twitter. Please follow us and stay informed!

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

Welcome back to a new school year! This is a busy and exciting time as we return to classrooms, reconnect with friends, and get back into a routine. It's also an important month for raising awareness about your child’s health and well-being. This month, we’re spotlighting two important health observances:

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)

Keeping up with vaccines is one of the best ways to protect your child and our school community from preventable diseases.

Why Immunizations Matter:

• Vaccines help protect children from serious illnesses like measles, mumps, whooping cough, and more.

• Staying up to date keeps everyone safe, especially those with weakened immune systems.

• Some vaccines are required for school attendance. Now’s a great time to double-check your child’s immunization records.

What You Can Do:

• Schedule your child’s well visit with their pediatrician.

• Make sure your child is up to date on required and recommended vaccines.

• Submit updated vaccination records to the school nurse’s office.

Need help? Feel free to contact me, I’m happy to assist you with vaccine requirements or accessing local clinics.

Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month

Healthy vision is key to learning and development.

Signs Your Child Might Need an Eye Exam:

• Squinting, frequent eye rubbing, or sitting too close to the board or screen

• Complaints of headaches or eye strain

• Trouble focusing or struggling with reading

Protect Those Peepers!

• Schedule an annual comprehensive eye exam.

• Make sure your child wears protective eyewear when playing sports or doing risky activities.

• Limit screen time and encourage outdoor play to support eye development.

Back-to-School Health Checklist

Immunization records up to date
Annual physical and eye exam scheduled
Emergency contact information current
Any medication or health needs discussed with the school nurse

Let’s work together to make this a safe, healthy, and successful school year!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Monday, September 8, 2025

• Doors open at 7:20 am
• Make sure students have dismissal tags on backpack (do not remove)

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

• Doors open at 7:20 am
• Make sure students have dismissal tags on backpack (do not remove)

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

• Doors open at 7:20 am
• Back to School Night: Pre-k , 1st, & 2nd grade from 4:30 - 5:30 pm
• Back to School Night: 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade from 5:45 - 6:45 pm
• Make sure students have dismissal tags on backpack (do not remove)

Thursday, September 11, 2025

• Doors open at 7:20 am
• Make sure students have dismissal tags on backpack (do not remove)

Friday, September 12, 2025

• Doors open at 7:20 am
• Student early dismissal @ 10:45 am
• Check Synergy to review your child's grades for the week!
• Make sure students have dismissal tags on backpack (do not remove)

Arrival

Bus Arrival - Students who arrive on the bus will be dropped off in front of the school and supported by staff to transition to their classroom.

Parent drop-off/walkers

All students should enter the building using their grade level door each morning. Staff members will be located at each door to receive students each morning. Families may walk students to the door each morning.

*Please label student belongings with his/her grade and first and last name. This will help us to assist our younger and new scholars who may be shy on the first day of school.

Dismissal Procedures

Dismissal will begin with parent pick-up in the rear of the building at 1:40 followed by bus riders and ending with our walkers.

Parent Pick-Up - If you are picking up your child at the end of the school day. Please go to the rear of the school. You will be able to sign your child out from a staff member. All pre-k & kindergarten students must be signed out by a responsible adult. The person picking must be the parent/guardian or listed on the emergency contact/pick-up form.

Bus Riders - Students assigned to a bus will ride the bus each day. Students cannot switch buses unless approved by transportation. Please check the StopFinder mobile app for information about your child's bus stop. All pre-k and K students must wear a county issued red safety vest daily. Students will be given a vest on the first day of school. They should be worn daily. Replacement vest are $5.00.

Walkers - All walkers will be dismissed and escorted out the front of the building. Students will be able to meet each other at the light pole or at a tree after dismissal so they can walk home together. Students will not be permitted to pick up students from classrooms. Students must be in 2nd grade or above to walk home without a guardian.

Student walkers are expected to leave the school grounds immediately and will not be permitted to wait in front of the school for someone to pick them up as this is not safe for students to be unsupervised. If students are waiting outside, they will be brought back into the school and the parent will need to sign the student out in the back of the building.

Students MUST be picked up by 2:00PM Daily.

Parent pick up in the back of school ends at 2:00 pm

Students that walk home must leave school premises by 2:00 to ensure safety. The crossing guards are no longer on duty and staff are required to return inside the building for end of day procedures.

We all know a birthday is a special day. At school we recognize that student should feel special on his or her birthday, however at school we do not facilitate birthday parties or celebrations. We will however, recognize student on their special day.

Parents may send in a small store bought snack to recognize the student birthday. The snack can be a cupcake, cookie or bag of chips. Only one of these items will be given out to the class.

No goodie bags or balloons should be sent to school. Parents will need to pick them up at the end of the day of they are sent to school. They will not be sent home with the student if dropped off- No exceptions!

The birthday treat will be shared with the class during the last 10 min of the school day. We do not take instructional time away for birthday celebrations.

If you do not wish for your child to participate in a class birthday recognition treat please share with your child's teacher in writing.

The school day for the 2025-2026 School Year:

7:30 a.m. - 1:40 p.m.

Student arrival begins at 7:15 a.m.

Students are late at 7:45 a.m.

Early dismissal ends at 1:00 p.m.

Remember: No Shots, No School! Make an appointment for routine immunizations today! Kindergarteners in the state are required to get a second dose of the chickenpox vaccine, while students in the seventh grade must get the vaccination for Meningococcal and Tdap, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

Safety! Safety! Safety! Prince George’s County Public Schools are open for visitors, volunteers, and one-time volunteers. Visitors and one-time volunteers must have a scheduled appointment due to the requirement of being escorted and supervised by PGCPS employees at all times. Please visit the VISITOR SCREENING PAGE on the PGCPS website to begin your approval process. https://www.pgcps.org/offices/humanresources/fingerprinting

All students of Glenridge Elementary School are able to receive free breakfast and lunch daily. Each student has a pin number that willbe used daily to pick up daily meals. Please help your child learn his/her pin number. Your child's pin number will be the same as long as they attend a Prince George's County School.

Glenridge’s cellphone policy aligns with the policy established by PGCPS. 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 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.

The Mandatory Uniform Policy at Glenridge Elementary School is based on the Board of Education Policy 0600 regarding school uniforms. All students must be in full uniform each day. When shopping for school uniforms, shoes, and accessories, please adhere to the guidelines below. Students will have opportunities to dress down and show their individualism on specific days of the year, however, it is imperative that students follow the guidelines daily. The uniform consists of the following: Light Blue Polo or button-down shirts; Navy Blue Slacks/Pants; Skirts or Jumpers; Navy Blue or Light Blue Sweaters/ Cardigans (No Hoodies). No jeans, cargo pants, yoga pants, or leggings. All black shoes are preferred, but students can wear sneakers, or boots. No light-up shoes or shoes with wheels.

Families with students who will be riding the bus this fall can download the new StopFinder mobile app for info on bus locations and schedules. Please note that you must have an email address on record in SchoolMax to use the app. Learn about additional changes and upgrades to transportation and our school bus fleet!

Stay connected with PGCPS by signing up for email alerts and text messages. Help setting up an account can be found here.

At this time time wearing a mask inside of the school building is optional for all students and staff. If you would like your child to wear a mask please send him/her to school with a mask to were. The school will not provide masks to students.

Leading and Learning in Excellence Together

Email: s.andersondavis@pgcps.org
Website: https://schools.pgcps.org/glenridge/
Location: 7200 Gallatin St. Landover Hills, MD 20784
Phone: 301-918-8740
Facebook: facebook.com/GlenridgeElementarSchool
Twitter: @MustangPride