6,800 Women Honored By PGCPS:

By: Michael A. Robinson, Coordinating Supervisor, Parental Engagement

May 11, 2009 will go down in the history of Prince George's County Public Schools, as 6,807 women were honored by staff, teachers and school system administrators for their commitment to impacting the lives of children as part of the first annual PGCPS Women’s Day.

Over 130 schools invited mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, nieces and other significant female role models in the lives of Prince George's County Public Schools students to celebrations in their honor. The women were treated to an assortment of celebrations, gifts and surprises. Celebrations included songs and poems performed by students, mother children Tea Parties, guest speakers from community and government organizations and at several of the schools professional photographers were on hand to take photos of the women. As gifts, some women received gifts card to local stores, certificates of appreciation from staff, teachers and students, free professional photos and CDs of their day in the school.

Carmody Hills Elementary School provided a full-course breakfast to over 70 women, which was followed by an opportunity to observe classrooms. Not to be out done, Clinton Grove Elementary School held a Mother-Daughter Tea program; and professional pictures were taken for more than 70 mothers and grandmothers. At Eugene Burroughs Middle School the women in attendance were treated to breakfast followed by a discussion on specific issues impacting student success at the middle school level. Yorktown Elementary had over 108 women participate in their celebration. Women dropping off their children, who were unable to attend, were provided a breakfast to-go packaged in a pink lunch bag with orange juice, a multi-grain breakfast bar and a banana. Bowie High School celebrated the women of Bowie with a dazzling array of events. Women were greeted in the morning with coffee and provided an opportunity to observe classrooms. The day concluded with an evening program, entitled “Phenomenal Women." The program honored women volunteers, who have worked with the students and staff of Bowie High School for over 10 years.

Women's Day provided a forum for these significant role models to share stories; ideas and strategies. Participants were also able to develop supportive networks to address challenges and successes of having such an important role in the lives of Prince George’s County students. It can never be said enough, how important a role women play in the success of students in Prince George's Public Schools.

Prince George's County Public Schools acknowledges the role and significance these women have and as such we wanted to show our appreciation as a school system.

Perhaps the late rapper Tupac Shakur said it best, “there's no way I can pay you back But my plan is to show you that I understand. You are appreciated”