@drmonicaceo LaRonda Denby Gray: Dr. Goldson, will students be given homework?
Dr. Goldson: Yes they will, but we are putting restrictions on when homework will be returned by not allowing homework to be collected on Mondays and the day after school is closed.
Brée Nachelle: Dr. Goldson, will the student service hours for students be waived or will schools provide virtual opportunities?
Dr. Goldson: At this time, MSDE has not waived Service Learning Hours. We have updated our website with things our students can do virtually to meet their hours just in case this requirement is not waived for the 2020-2021 school year. You can find this information at https://www.pgcps.org/ssl/
Nah Low: Dr. Goldson, are there any allowances for students to add or change their current dual enrollment courses given the changing environment. PGCC states that the dual enrollment office at PGCPS only authorized up to June 1st which one this changing environment makes absolutely no sense?
Dr. Goldson: With PGCC starting very soon I doubt there is an opportunity to change classes for the Fall but probably not too late to change for the Spring. Please contact our Dual Enrollment Office by sending an email to – [email protected] to provide specific information concerning your request to see if we can assist.
Heather Wagner Dearie: Dr. Goldson, will school supplies be provided? If not, can we consider for the free and reduced lunch families?
Dr. Goldson: No school supplies will not be provided but resources that students would typically use in their classroom will be (for example, workbooks and novels/books for reading). The basic supplies needed are pencils, pen, paper, composition books (ES, MS), calculator, and learning aids (post-it notes, highlighter, or index cards). If you are unable to purchase these items please let me know.
Taiwanna Anthony: Dr. Goldson, why are elementary teachers required to conduct live lessons instead of prerecorded lessons? Elementary nor Secondary Teachers are required to provide prerecord lessons.
Dr. Goldson: We are asking all teachers to provide a combination of live and recorded lessons. When teachers are conducting live lessons, we are asking them to record the lesson so that students and parents can access the lesson at a later date/time in the event they missed the lesson or need to watch it again for content and/or directions they need clarification on.
Parent: Dr. Goldson, will prerecorded lessons provide parents with opportunities to view the lessons and help their students?
Dr. Goldson: See response above.
Shunnell Lewis: Dr. Goldson, what if my student misses a live "real-time" lesson? Can we later access a recorded version?
Dr. Goldson: Yes, if the lesson is recorded you can access it at a later date and time.
Meaghan Tuttle: Dr. Goldson, what, if any, measures will be taken to keep kids on age-appropriate screen time levels, what things will be distributed or on the supply list (ie blue light glasses, headphones, microphone). What, if anything, is the district doing to help with the creation of pod groups/assist families who must work out of the home? How is the district working to make education equitable?
Dr. Goldson: Please review the latest version of the Recovery Plan which was updated to address screen time for our youngest learners. I believe the new schedule addresses this concern. Materials for distribution will be school text/workbooks that students can write in. We have purchased headphones to assist those families that are entering into Pods. Once we receive them we will determine the best way to distribute them. We have also included a section on equity in our Recovery Guide. I recommend reviewing that section as well.
Michelle Overton: Dr. Goldson, my question is about why non-public schools are suggesting students come in class even though the public is 100% online; what would kind of transportation precautions be taken?
Dr. Goldson: Non-Public schools are not under the PGCPS jurisdiction. Therefore, they are offering different forms of learning for the first semester. If we need to transport our students to a nonpublic site, students will be required to wear a mask. Parents must check their child's temperature before leaving home. Each student will be in a seat by themselves and windows opened when at all possible.
Shalana Alleyne-Shortt: Dr. Goldson, how long will students have to complete assignments?
Dr. Goldson: This will vary by teacher. We are putting restrictions on requesting homework back on Monday’s and the day school is closed.
Dawn Pefley: Dr. Goldson, when will we get communication about our students' schedules, teachers, classes, etc.? I have received ZERO communication!
Dr. Goldson: Schedules are typically not available until a few days before school begins. That will be the same this year. You can expect to get a back to school letter from your respective school soon (and we will post the letters on the school's website).
Adrienne Hawkins: Dr. Goldson, it may be a good idea for PGCPS to create a FAQ doc to help parents navigate the new virtual reality. Also, once PGCPS’s helpdesk is up and running, it will certainly provide some relief for parents. My only request is that those working the helpdesk have adequate customer service PD and lots of patience. Thank you so much for the recommendation.
Dr. Goldson: I will reiterate the need for our Parent Engagement staff to be patient and courteous at all times.
Tarnisha Semedo: Dr. Goldson, what are the requirements for students to be in full uniforms? I can understand the uniforms shirt but the bottoms? Uniforms bottoms on Zoom? Please shed light as to why that would be required.
Dr. Goldson: We are not requiring students to wear uniforms during the distance learning phase of instruction. I have added information about this in the updated Recovery Guide which will come out on 8/7/2020.
Norma Morán: Dr. Goldson, I’m trying to enroll my daughter in PGCPS for the first time and submitted all documentation on July 15. I haven’t received an email or follow up to confirm she’s now enrolled. What’s the best way to contact who at where?
Dr. Goldson: Please contact our Pupil Accounting and School Boundaries office to get assistance at the following email address [email protected] so we can assist.
Michelle Overton: Dr. Goldson, what resources - what do students need; before parents and children are running around the house looking for a ruler or a cylinder type ice container?
Dr. Goldson: The basic supplies needed are pencils, pen, paper, composition books (ES, MS), calculator, and learning aids (post-it notes, highlighter, or index cards). If additional items are needed we are requesting that teachers let their parents know well in advance.
Lisa Lake: Dr. Goldson, the registration site keeps saying my son needs a specialty letter when he doesn't. Tried to call the student "Accountability" office and it doesn't allow you to leave a message. My kid's starting high school and no schedule, orientation...nothing. SchoolMax is down, last I checked. Can you shed some light on registration, schedules, and orientation?
Dr. Goldson: I need to know which specialty program you applied to in order to assist. Please send me an email at [email protected] so I can direct you to the right program coordinator to receive assistance.
Jasmine Jazz Carpenter: Dr. Goldson, will schedules... the teacher contact information and a supply list if any be sent before the start of school? If I need a Chromebook for my daughter what should I do?
Dr. Goldson: Schedules are typically not available until a few days before school begins. That will be the same this year. You can expect to get a back to school letter from your respective school soon (and we will post the letters on the school's website). The basic supplies needed are pencils, pen, paper, composition books (ES, MS), calculator, and learning aids (post-it notes, highlighter, or index cards). Additional laptop distribution will take place the week of August 24, 2020.
Bio
Dr. Monica E. Goldson is Chief Executive Officer of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), effective July 1, 2019. She previously served as Interim Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning.
As Interim CEO, she successfully advocated for increased school funding, student supports and public-private partnerships to enhance school construction capacity. Dr. Goldson’s strategic priorities include driving more resources to low-performing schools, expanding access to prekindergarten and improving the availability of mental health services to students and families.
A product of the county schools, Dr. Goldson has spent her entire career in PGCPS, starting as a mathematics teacher, steadily climbing the ranks from the classroom to district leadership. She began her career at Suitland High School with long-term plans to become an actuary. Within weeks, she knew that education was her true calling. Two years later, she was promoted to Mathematics Instructional Specialist where she provided assistance to targeted schools across the system. She also observed and assisted more than 200 secondary teachers with classroom instruction.
Dr. Goldson later served as assistant principal for Forestville and Frederick Douglass high schools and principal of Frederick Douglass and Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. high schools. As the founding principal at Wise, she partnered with Prince George’s Community College to launch a dual enrollment program and oversaw a 182-point increase in SAT scores. As Associate Superintendent for High Schools, Dr. Goldson worked to increase principals’ leadership capacity and helped develop action plans to improve student achievement while monitoring more than $5 million in federal grants.
Dr. Goldson believes in creating experiences that propel students to their highest levels of excellence. She increased student access to dual enrollment college credit years before state legislation granted free access to such programs. She oversaw higher passing rates on Advanced Placement exams, which gained PGCPS national recognition from The College Board. Most recently, she created a process to enhance access for all eighth-grade students to the county’s premier specialty program, Science and Technology.
As Chief Operating Officer, she managed major divisions and offices, including Student Services, Information Technology, Supporting Services, Business Management and Pupil Accounting and School Boundaries. In this role, she developed and implemented policies and strategies related to service delivery and collaborated with staff to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness. She also served as a board member for the Prince George’s County Government’s Transforming Neighborhood Initiative @ Schools team. This initiative focused on improving schools in five neighborhoods with significant economic, health, public safety and educational challenges.
Dr. Goldson currently sits on the board of directors for Nonprofit Prince George’s. She is a member of Leadership Greater Washington and serves as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University, Howard University and Morgan State University.
A three-time graduate of historically Black colleges and universities, Dr. Goldson holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Florida A&M University, a master’s degree in Elementary and Secondary School Administration from Bowie State University, and a doctorate in Educational Administration and Policy from Howard University. She is the proud parent of two sons; a student at Savannah College of Arts and Design, and another who attends Oxon Hill High School.
Dr. Goldson: Yes they will, but we are putting restrictions on when homework will be returned by not allowing homework to be collected on Mondays and the day after school is closed.
Brée Nachelle: Dr. Goldson, will the student service hours for students be waived or will schools provide virtual opportunities?
Dr. Goldson: At this time, MSDE has not waived Service Learning Hours. We have updated our website with things our students can do virtually to meet their hours just in case this requirement is not waived for the 2020-2021 school year. You can find this information at https://www.pgcps.org/ssl/
Nah Low: Dr. Goldson, are there any allowances for students to add or change their current dual enrollment courses given the changing environment. PGCC states that the dual enrollment office at PGCPS only authorized up to June 1st which one this changing environment makes absolutely no sense?
Dr. Goldson: With PGCC starting very soon I doubt there is an opportunity to change classes for the Fall but probably not too late to change for the Spring. Please contact our Dual Enrollment Office by sending an email to – [email protected] to provide specific information concerning your request to see if we can assist.
Heather Wagner Dearie: Dr. Goldson, will school supplies be provided? If not, can we consider for the free and reduced lunch families?
Dr. Goldson: No school supplies will not be provided but resources that students would typically use in their classroom will be (for example, workbooks and novels/books for reading). The basic supplies needed are pencils, pen, paper, composition books (ES, MS), calculator, and learning aids (post-it notes, highlighter, or index cards). If you are unable to purchase these items please let me know.
Taiwanna Anthony: Dr. Goldson, why are elementary teachers required to conduct live lessons instead of prerecorded lessons? Elementary nor Secondary Teachers are required to provide prerecord lessons.
Dr. Goldson: We are asking all teachers to provide a combination of live and recorded lessons. When teachers are conducting live lessons, we are asking them to record the lesson so that students and parents can access the lesson at a later date/time in the event they missed the lesson or need to watch it again for content and/or directions they need clarification on.
Parent: Dr. Goldson, will prerecorded lessons provide parents with opportunities to view the lessons and help their students?
Dr. Goldson: See response above.
Shunnell Lewis: Dr. Goldson, what if my student misses a live "real-time" lesson? Can we later access a recorded version?
Dr. Goldson: Yes, if the lesson is recorded you can access it at a later date and time.
Meaghan Tuttle: Dr. Goldson, what, if any, measures will be taken to keep kids on age-appropriate screen time levels, what things will be distributed or on the supply list (ie blue light glasses, headphones, microphone). What, if anything, is the district doing to help with the creation of pod groups/assist families who must work out of the home? How is the district working to make education equitable?
Dr. Goldson: Please review the latest version of the Recovery Plan which was updated to address screen time for our youngest learners. I believe the new schedule addresses this concern. Materials for distribution will be school text/workbooks that students can write in. We have purchased headphones to assist those families that are entering into Pods. Once we receive them we will determine the best way to distribute them. We have also included a section on equity in our Recovery Guide. I recommend reviewing that section as well.
Michelle Overton: Dr. Goldson, my question is about why non-public schools are suggesting students come in class even though the public is 100% online; what would kind of transportation precautions be taken?
Dr. Goldson: Non-Public schools are not under the PGCPS jurisdiction. Therefore, they are offering different forms of learning for the first semester. If we need to transport our students to a nonpublic site, students will be required to wear a mask. Parents must check their child's temperature before leaving home. Each student will be in a seat by themselves and windows opened when at all possible.
Shalana Alleyne-Shortt: Dr. Goldson, how long will students have to complete assignments?
Dr. Goldson: This will vary by teacher. We are putting restrictions on requesting homework back on Monday’s and the day school is closed.
Dawn Pefley: Dr. Goldson, when will we get communication about our students' schedules, teachers, classes, etc.? I have received ZERO communication!
Dr. Goldson: Schedules are typically not available until a few days before school begins. That will be the same this year. You can expect to get a back to school letter from your respective school soon (and we will post the letters on the school's website).
Adrienne Hawkins: Dr. Goldson, it may be a good idea for PGCPS to create a FAQ doc to help parents navigate the new virtual reality. Also, once PGCPS’s helpdesk is up and running, it will certainly provide some relief for parents. My only request is that those working the helpdesk have adequate customer service PD and lots of patience. Thank you so much for the recommendation.
Dr. Goldson: I will reiterate the need for our Parent Engagement staff to be patient and courteous at all times.
Tarnisha Semedo: Dr. Goldson, what are the requirements for students to be in full uniforms? I can understand the uniforms shirt but the bottoms? Uniforms bottoms on Zoom? Please shed light as to why that would be required.
Dr. Goldson: We are not requiring students to wear uniforms during the distance learning phase of instruction. I have added information about this in the updated Recovery Guide which will come out on 8/7/2020.
Norma Morán: Dr. Goldson, I’m trying to enroll my daughter in PGCPS for the first time and submitted all documentation on July 15. I haven’t received an email or follow up to confirm she’s now enrolled. What’s the best way to contact who at where?
Dr. Goldson: Please contact our Pupil Accounting and School Boundaries office to get assistance at the following email address [email protected] so we can assist.
Michelle Overton: Dr. Goldson, what resources - what do students need; before parents and children are running around the house looking for a ruler or a cylinder type ice container?
Dr. Goldson: The basic supplies needed are pencils, pen, paper, composition books (ES, MS), calculator, and learning aids (post-it notes, highlighter, or index cards). If additional items are needed we are requesting that teachers let their parents know well in advance.
Lisa Lake: Dr. Goldson, the registration site keeps saying my son needs a specialty letter when he doesn't. Tried to call the student "Accountability" office and it doesn't allow you to leave a message. My kid's starting high school and no schedule, orientation...nothing. SchoolMax is down, last I checked. Can you shed some light on registration, schedules, and orientation?
Dr. Goldson: I need to know which specialty program you applied to in order to assist. Please send me an email at [email protected] so I can direct you to the right program coordinator to receive assistance.
Jasmine Jazz Carpenter: Dr. Goldson, will schedules... the teacher contact information and a supply list if any be sent before the start of school? If I need a Chromebook for my daughter what should I do?
Dr. Goldson: Schedules are typically not available until a few days before school begins. That will be the same this year. You can expect to get a back to school letter from your respective school soon (and we will post the letters on the school's website). The basic supplies needed are pencils, pen, paper, composition books (ES, MS), calculator, and learning aids (post-it notes, highlighter, or index cards). Additional laptop distribution will take place the week of August 24, 2020.
Bio
Dr. Monica E. Goldson is Chief Executive Officer of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), effective July 1, 2019. She previously served as Interim Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning.
As Interim CEO, she successfully advocated for increased school funding, student supports and public-private partnerships to enhance school construction capacity. Dr. Goldson’s strategic priorities include driving more resources to low-performing schools, expanding access to prekindergarten and improving the availability of mental health services to students and families.
A product of the county schools, Dr. Goldson has spent her entire career in PGCPS, starting as a mathematics teacher, steadily climbing the ranks from the classroom to district leadership. She began her career at Suitland High School with long-term plans to become an actuary. Within weeks, she knew that education was her true calling. Two years later, she was promoted to Mathematics Instructional Specialist where she provided assistance to targeted schools across the system. She also observed and assisted more than 200 secondary teachers with classroom instruction.
Dr. Goldson later served as assistant principal for Forestville and Frederick Douglass high schools and principal of Frederick Douglass and Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. high schools. As the founding principal at Wise, she partnered with Prince George’s Community College to launch a dual enrollment program and oversaw a 182-point increase in SAT scores. As Associate Superintendent for High Schools, Dr. Goldson worked to increase principals’ leadership capacity and helped develop action plans to improve student achievement while monitoring more than $5 million in federal grants.
Dr. Goldson believes in creating experiences that propel students to their highest levels of excellence. She increased student access to dual enrollment college credit years before state legislation granted free access to such programs. She oversaw higher passing rates on Advanced Placement exams, which gained PGCPS national recognition from The College Board. Most recently, she created a process to enhance access for all eighth-grade students to the county’s premier specialty program, Science and Technology.
As Chief Operating Officer, she managed major divisions and offices, including Student Services, Information Technology, Supporting Services, Business Management and Pupil Accounting and School Boundaries. In this role, she developed and implemented policies and strategies related to service delivery and collaborated with staff to improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness. She also served as a board member for the Prince George’s County Government’s Transforming Neighborhood Initiative @ Schools team. This initiative focused on improving schools in five neighborhoods with significant economic, health, public safety and educational challenges.
Dr. Goldson currently sits on the board of directors for Nonprofit Prince George’s. She is a member of Leadership Greater Washington and serves as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University, Howard University and Morgan State University.
A three-time graduate of historically Black colleges and universities, Dr. Goldson holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Florida A&M University, a master’s degree in Elementary and Secondary School Administration from Bowie State University, and a doctorate in Educational Administration and Policy from Howard University. She is the proud parent of two sons; a student at Savannah College of Arts and Design, and another who attends Oxon Hill High School.
Fall 2020 Draft Reopening Plan
| final_draft_of_pgcps_reopening_plan.v2_7.28.2020.pdf |