Foulois Family Newsletter
2026-2027 School Year
A Message from Principal Hogue
Welcome to a new week of instruction, BDF Families! I hope everyone enjoyed the four-day weekend and had an opportunity to rest and recharge. I also hope Thursday night’s storm did not cause any trouble for our BDF Families. We are excited to continue building on our strong start to the school year!
I want to begin with something exciting for our students! In addition to announcing birthdays during our morning announcements, we will host monthly birthday celebrations for our students this year! We kicked off this new tradition on August 31 by celebrating our July and August birthdays. Beginning this month, September–June birthdays will be celebrated on a selected Friday each month. We look forward to celebrating our students throughout the school year!
Please mark your calendars for Back-to-School Night next week!
- Middle School: Tuesday, September 15 at 6:00 p.m.
- Elementary: Thursday, September 17 at 6:00 p.m.
Our fall fundraiser, the BDF Read-a-Thon, also begins September 15! Funds raised through this event help support monthly birthday celebrations, attendance incentives, academic incentives, building beautification, and other student/staff activities. We appreciate your participation and support!
A quick reminder about our monthly attendance incentive: Students are eligible with 0 absences and fewer than 2 tardies (arrival after 9:25 am). Due to the beginning of the year transportation concerns, tardies will not count toward September’s incentive. Tardies due to PGCPS late bus arrival, will not be counted against students eligibility. Beginning in October through May, tardies will count. Remember, each month is a fresh start! If your child does not earn the incentive one month, they have another opportunity the following month.
We will also continue our Quarterly Administrative Incentive Field Trips for Quarters 1-3. Eligibility requires 5 or fewer absences and positive behavior, including zero in-school/out-of-school suspensions and no administrative time-outs. For grades K-2, students must also have fewer than 4 cafeteria referrals/parent calls. These requirements apply only to the three administrative incentive field trips and not to teacher-sponsored field trips.
As we move into September, I want to recognize our BDF Family members who have stepped up to care for young or adolescent relatives. September is Family Kinship Care Month, which recognizes relatives and family members who provide care, stability, love, and support to children when they need it. To our kinship caregivers, thank you for making sure our young people remain connected to family and surrounded by people who care about their well-being.
Please remember to complete and return your child’s Publicity Release Form and Student Emergency Contact Form. If your child’s dismissal arrangements or emergency contacts change during the year, please provide the school with updated information and forms.
For middle school families, students trying out for a sport must have a current physical that remains valid for the entire season. Physicals are valid for one calendar year. For example, a physical completed for a spring sport may still be valid for the fall season if it has not expired.
Intermediate Families (Grades 3-5): Please look for Instrumental Music Pull-Out Program Interest Forms to come home by the end of this week. From Tuesday-Friday, our instrumental music teachers will visit classrooms to introduce students to band, orchestra, and piano. Teachers will visit by grade level and discipline to ensure students receive consistent information about each program.
As we continue this school year, let’s remember our mantra: “Conquering the Pressure of Perfection.” We are not striving for perfection; we are focused on purpose, progress, and patience as we learn, grow, and move in our greatness.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our BDF Family. Have a wonderful week!
Walk in your greatness!
Principal Hogue
Arts & Academic Rotation Days
Monday, September 7, 2026:
- NO SCHOOL: Labor Day Holiday
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- K-5: A Day
- MS: B Day
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
- K-5: B Day
- MS: A Day
Thursday, September 10, 2026
- K-5: C Day
- MS: B Day
Friday, September 11, 2026
- K-5: A Day
- MS: A Day
- Patriot Day: 9/11 Rememberance 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
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
iReady Inform Assessment
Renaissance Star Math Assessment
IXL Math and ELA Assessments
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!
PGCPS/BDF Student Device Agreement
This week, our students will be getting set to use Chromebooks during their classes. In order for them to access a device, we must have a device agreement on file for them.
Our goal is to reach 100% completion of these agreements by Friday, September 11, 2026. Completion of the form only takes a few minutes and can be done from a computer, a tablet, or your cell phone. There is NOTHING that needs sent back to the school and there is no physical form being sent home.
Thank you to the 423 parents who have already completed the agreement! Please note that without an agreement on file, your student will not be able to access their device for classroom instruction and activities.
We only need ONE completed agreement PER student - please be sure to check in with all family members connected to the school to ensure that only ONE agreement is being completed. Click here to complete the electronic device agreement:
Thank you all for your continued support of our technology procedures here at BDF!
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)
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
Our PTO is an important part of the BDF community, and we encourage all families to get involved. The PTO will host a PTO Update Meeting at 6:00 p.m. immediately before each Back-to-School Night:
- Middle School Back-to-School Night: September 15th at 6:00 p.m
- Elementary Back-to-School Night: September 17th at 6:00 p.m.
The PTO will also provide a sign-up opportunity for elementary student childcare during the September 17th Elementary Back-to-School Night only. Due to limited classroom space, we kindly ask that students remain at home if possible, during both elementary and middle school back-to-school nights. Having fewer students in the classrooms will allow us to comfortably accommodate parents and teachers and create the best environment for families to participate in Back-to-School Night. We appreciate your understanding and support.
Scholastic Book Fair
📚 The PTO and Fundraising Committee are excited to announce the Scholastic Book Fair returns to the BDF Media Center from September 15, 2026 - September 22, 2026 🎉🎉🎉
Every purchase supports our Foulois Family!
To make shopping easier, you can now set up an eWallet for your scholar so they can shop cash-free at the Book Fair!
- For information on how to set up your eWallet please watch this video: https://youtube.com/shorts/rs_WVZ4SZyg?si=06QvR9w17tZW55uc
- To set up your scholar(s) eWallet please use this link: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/benjaminfouloiscpaacad
And if interested in volunteering during this school event, please use the link below. (Please remember all volunteers must be approved by Ms. Halsey).
💓 Thank you again for your support and for encouraging a love for reading at home!!! 💓
Week of September 14 - September 18
Monday, September 14, 2026:
- K-5: B Day
- MS: B Day
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
- K-5: C Day
- MS: A Day
- Middle School Back to School Night: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
- BDF Read-a-Thon Fundraiser & Scholastic Book Fair Begin!
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
- Teacher Professional Development Day: No School for Students
Thursday, September 17, 2026
- K-5: A Day
- MS: B Day
- Elementary School Back to School Night: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Friday, September 18, 2026
- K-5: B Day
- MS: A Day
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