PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — Ahead of a new school year, officials at Prince George's County Public Schools want to make sure parents and students are prepared for some major changes. Those changes include new bell schedules at some, but not all, schools in the county.
The school district is consolidating 13 different start times across the county to just six. PGCPS Superintendent Millard House II hopes this change will help alleviate ongoing bus and transportation issues in the county.
For example, Allenwood Elementary is shifting its start time from 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Potomac High School, meanwhile, will start earlier this year, with the first bell ringing at 7:30 a.m. instead of 7:45 a.m.
Not all schools in the county are making changes though. Walker Mill Elementary's start time will remain at 9:30 a.m. for the new school year.
House II says these steps are part of a long-term solution to ensure every child arrives to school on time and gets home safely.
According to the school district, 84% of schools have no change or a shift of 15 minutes or less, with no school shifting more than 45 minutes.
Here's a full breakdown:
The school district is hosting several information sessions for parents to stay informed on the schedule changes.
Information sessions:
Tuesday, Aug. 13
Fairmont Heights High School (Auditorium)
6501 Columbia Park Road
Landover, MD 20785
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday Aug. 14
*Recorded & livestreamed via PGCPS YouTube
High Point High School (Auditorium)
3601 Powder Mill Road
Beltsville, MD 20705
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 15
Oxon Hill High School (Auditorium)
6701 Leyte Drive
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
6 - 7:30 p.m.