Two PG County Schools Recognized for Support of Military Families
Washington, D.C. and its surrounding counties are often associated with the history and culture that the nation’s capital brings, as well as a strong military presence — given their proximity to military bases like Fort Meade and Joint Base Andrews (a merger of Naval Air Facility Washington and Andrews Air Force Base).
Being part of a military family comes with its challenges, so these families rely on the support of their communities. Two local schools in Prince George’s County were recognized this year for their commitment to providing that support beyond expectations.
The Maryland State Department of Education designated two schools within Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), Stephen Decatur Middle School and Imagine Andrews Public Charter School, as Purple Star Schools.
“Valid for two years, the Purple Star designation is awarded to schools that go above and beyond in meeting the unique needs of military-connected students — from easing school transitions to providing social-emotional support and academic continuity,” according to a PGCPS news release.
Imagine Andrews Public Charter School, located on Joint Base Andrews, has built up a community of support and inclusion around the military families it serves. It also has resources tailored to student mobility and deployment challenges.
Stephen Decatur Middle School, in Clinton, is all about making students feel at home, from staff training to dedicated supports.
— by Lindsay C. VanAsdalan
School Supply Drives in the DMV
It can be harder to secure school supplies than one may think. Teachers often have to pay out-of-pocket costs to stock their classrooms, and low-income parents may not be able to afford the extra expenses.
Fortunately, there are plenty of places in the DMV that offer free school supplies and back-to-school services. If you have extra school supplies, many of these school supply drives accept donations.
Items School Supply Drives Need:
• Crayons, markers, pencils, etc.
• Binders, folders and notebooks
• Backpacks
• Paper
• Glue sticks
• Clean, new or gently-used clothing
• Hand sanitizer
• Tissues
• Hygiene supplies
Places To Get Or Donate School Supplies:
Backpack Buddies VA
1615 Kenwood Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22901
855-601-2010 | backpackbuddiesva.org
Collect for Kids – Apple Federal Credit Union
applefcu.org/appleweb/promotions/collect-for-kids
District of Columbia Public Schools
dcps.dc.gov/page/make-donation-dcps
Drive for Supplies – Montgomery County Public Schools
240-740-3000 | montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/student-leadership/drive-for-supplies
Northern Virginia Family Service
3110 Fairview Park Drive, #100, Falls Church, VA 22042 (Drop-off location) | 571-748-2672 | nvfs.org/support/back-to-school
Operation Backpack – Central Union Mission
Comprehensive Family Resource Center | 3194 Bladensburg Road NE, Washington, D.C. 20018 (Drop-off location) | 202-745-7118
missiondc.org/get-involved/events/mission-backpack
SOME
Knoll Place at the Conway Center | 4401 Blaine St. NE
Washington, D.C. 20019 (Drop-off location)
202-797-8806 | some.org/backtoschool
Stuff the Bus – United Way of
the National Capital Area
1015 15th St. NW, #1200, Washington, D.C. 20005
202-488-2000 | unitedwaynca.org/stuff-the-bus
The Tree House Child Advocacy
Center of Montgomery County
7300 Calhoun Place, #500, Rockville, MD 20855
240-777-4699 | treehousemd.org/back-to-school-drive
—by Jillian Diamond
