Welcome
Dear Eagle Scholars and Families,
It is our pleasure to welcome you to Barack Obama ES (BOES). As I kick off my 11th year as Principal at BOES, I am energized and truly committed to making your child’s experience at our school memorable and one that has a positive impact in their lives. We will begin the 2024-2025 School Year on August 26th! We hope that you and your families found joy this summer and had plenty of time to relax and rejuvenate. Our theme this year is "Making a Difference: Our Impact Matters"!
We've missed your scholars over the summer and are excited to start another fantastic year together. We are delighted to introduce an addition to our Administrative Team - our new Assistant Principal, Mrs. Jo’An Lawson will join Mrs. Walker and myself as well as 12 new staff members joining the BOES family this school year.
We hope you and your family had a wonderful summer and are eagerly anticipating the arrival of August 26th. This year, our instructional program will continue to emphasize Reading and Writing across all content areas, as well as critical thinking and reasoning in Math and Science. At Barack Obama ES, we believe that high expectations drive academic transformation for all students. Rest assured, we are committed to ensuring your child achieves outstanding academic success, and we look forward to partnering with you to reach this goal.
We encourage you to become actively involved in your child's education by joining our P.T.A. Membership Dues are $20.00 per family and $10.00 for staff members. Your involvement plays a crucial role in the academic success of our school, making school-parent communication essential as our focus on instruction and learning remains uncompromised.
To ensure a successful school year, please:
- Prioritize your child’s prompt attendance each day – Instruction begins daily at 7:30 a.m students are tardy at7:31 a.m..
- Expect homework Monday through Friday and regular projects.
- Dedicate time each night for reading and practicing basic math facts with your child.
- Return all requested forms and documents promptly.
- Be an active participant on Class Dojo by reading important information and updates
- Ensure your child’s immunizations are up to date and notify our Nurse of any health conditions or medications.
- PRE-K Parents: Submit Health Inventory forms as soon as possible.
Recognizing that our instructional program is rigorous and challenging, yet rewarding, we will be implementing advanced reading, writing, and mathematics instruction, utilizing various resources to challenge our students. Our program’s effectiveness is greatly enhanced by your active participation. Please ensure your children arrive on time, exhibiting positive behavior , prepared with proper materials, and ready to learn. We, in turn, will prepare them to meet the demands of being college and career ready! Your presence is always welcomed, greatly needed and appreciated!
We are also excited to continue providing Spanish instruction to our students in grades K-5. This countywide initiative will help our students embrace diversity and learn about Hispanic culture, preparing our fifth graders as they transition to middle school in August 2025.
Below is key information about the start of the school year:
- School begins promptly at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 1:40 p.m. Students may enter the building at 7:15 a.m. for breakfast, with all others allowed to enter at 7:25 a.m. Prior to this time, there is no adult supervision except for those approved for the Before and After Care Program. To fully benefit from our instructional program, it is important to be present and on time every day.
To support environmental conservation and save school resources, we will utilize our school website at https://www.pgcps.org/schools/barack-obama-elementary a call-out system, and Class-Dojo for communication. The Parent-Student Handbook, located on our website contains essential information, so please review it at length. Back to School forms, which must be returned on the first week of school, are available on the website under the “Back to School Link.” If you are unable to download the forms, please visit the school to obtain them. Please review the handbook with your child before the first day of school.
Online resources:
- Lunch application: https://www.pgcps.org/offices/food-and-nutrition/how-to-pay-for-lunch
- Payment site: School Bucks (You'll need your child's school, student ID number, name, address, and birth date) https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain?requestAction=home
Our school supply list and uniform policy are also available on the school’s website and Class Dojo. Students should come to school dressed for success and equipped with the necessary supplies. Uniforms can be purchased from various uniform stores, Target, WalMart and Old Navy. Class assignments for returning students
will be available in the ParentVue in Synergy after August 19th. Pre-K and Kindergarten students will learn their teacher assignments at the orientation on August 23rd.
Meal costs:
- Breakfast: $1.60, Lunch: $2.75
- Reduced breakfast: $0.30, Reduced lunch: $0.40 Students who received free or reduced lunch last year can continue to do so at last year’s rates for the first three weeks of school. A new application for free or reduced lunch must be completed before September 30, 2024, on the PGCPS website. For more
information, visit the Food and Nutrition website
https://www.pgcps.org/offices/food-and-nutrition/how-to-pay-for-lunch
- We recommend you complete the application for free and reduced price meals - this application must be completed every year even if your scholar was free or reduced last school year. myschoolapps.com
Medication policy:
- Medications should be dispensed at home whenever possible. If medications must be taken at school, they must be left in the health room and secured in locked facilities. Written permission from a
physician specifying dosage, child’s name, and the administration time is required. Relevant forms, such as the “Physician’s Medication Authorization for Prescription and Nonprescription Medication,” Form PS-51, or others as applicable, must be on file.
Information about bus routes, pick-up, and drop-off times will be mailed separately from the Transportation Office and can also be found online at www.pgcps.org. If your child’s pick-up or drop-off address differs from your home address, please provide this information to the main office as soon as possible. If your child is taking the school bus to a local aftercare, ensure this information is updated with the office. Review the A.M. and P.M. bus numbers with your child, complete the transportation google form before the first day of school. For questions, contact the school or the Department of Transportation at 301-952-6570 or via email at
Transpor@pgcps.org. Notify the Main Office immediately if your child has an alternate PM address. Thank you for your commitment to your child's education. We look forward to seeing you on August 26th as we continue to soar to new heights. Please feel free to contact our office with any questions at 301-574-4020.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ashworth, Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Lawson
Administration, Barack Obama Elementary School
The following information is being shared to prepare for the first few months of school:
|
Date: |
Event: |
Time: |
|
August 23, 2024 |
Pre-K, Kindergarten and NEW Student Orientation |
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. |
|
August 26, 2024 September 2, 2024 |
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR ALL STUDENTS LABOR DAY HOLIDAY - No School |
7:30 a.m. |
|
September 10, 2024 |
Back to School Night #1 PreK-2 Grade and PTA Membership Drive |
6:00 p.m. |
|
September 16, 2024 |
Professional Development Day for Staff - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS |
September 19, 2024 Back to School Night #2 Grades 3-5 and PTA Membership Drive
September 23, 2024 Read A Thon Fundraiser KICK OFF DAY
6:00 p.m.
September 24, 2024 PTA Meeting #1 VIRTUAL 6:30 p.m.
September 27, 2024 Teacher Planning Day - 3 Hour Early Dismissal Day. We will dismiss at 10:40 a.m.
On behalf of the BOES Parent Teacher Organization, it is my pleasure to welcome parents, teachers, community friends and partners back to the 2024-2025 school year. I believe that the PTO is working hard to prepare and support our school, scholars, parents and teachers as we begin this school year. Please see the BOES PTO at a glance for dates and important information. Visit their website at https://boes.ptboard.com. Or email boespto@gmail.com for more information or volunteer opportunities.
Barack Obama Elementary School
12700 Brooke Lane ~ Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772
Telephone: (301) 574-4020 Fax: (301) 574-4025
“Learning and Leading is Our Legacy – Eagle Scholars Soaring to New Heights”
Megan K. Ashworth, Ed.D Principal Brittany Pace Walker, Assistant Principal Jo’An Lawson, Assistant Principal