The Power of WE: Back-to-School Fair Unites Community To Kickoff New School Year

On Saturday, August 16, PGCPS hosted its Back-to-School Resource Fair at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex. This year's event, themed "The Power of We," marked the event’s return to its vibrant, in-person format since the pandemic, bringing together thousands of students, families, staff, and community partners to celebrate and prepare for the 2025-26 school year.

The day kicked off with an exciting ribbon-cutting ceremony and a countdown led by the Frederick Douglass High School Marching Band with welcome remarks by Prince George’s County Executive, Aisha Braveboy. 

The fair served as a comprehensive resource hub, offering families everything they needed for a great start to the new school year. Eventgoers received free backpacks and school supplies, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities including:

• Free health screenings for adults at the Kaiser Permanente Mobile Health Unit.
• A live yoga demonstration led by wellness thought leader Akil Taffe of Conscious Crusade, with 150 free yoga mats provided to participating families courtesy of Kaiser Permanente.
• Live performances by the Starstruck Dance Team 
• The Freshman Survival Station, an innovative resource created by PGCPS student and Office of Communications summer intern, Janelle Ampedu. This station offered games and content to help incoming freshmen navigate their transition into high school.
• Onsite job fair with the PGCPS Human Resources
• Onsite contests awarding more than $500 in gift cards to help families prepare for the new school year. 

Families at the event beat the summer heat by enjoying a misting tent to stay cool and refreshed and joined PGCPS leaders and local officials at the "Cones and Conversations" tent for a chat and free ice cream.

The event's success was a testament to the power of PGCPS partners and sponsors, including: Educational Systems Federal Credit Union (ESFCU), Kaiser Permanente, 96.3 WHUR-FM, FedEx, the Revenue Authority of Prince George’s County, Jenoptik, the American College of Education, and Wegmans.

Through its Support Education Foundation, ESFCU is a full-service financial institution celebrating 70 years of proudly serving the education community. ESFCU generously donated more than $30,000 in backpacks and school supplies for the event. Throughout the school year, their partnership provides additional opportunities for PGCPS students and staff, including student scholarships, professional development scholarships for employees, and donations of backpacks and warm winter accessories for families in need. PGCPS is grateful for ESFCU's ongoing support and commitment to students and staff. 

The 2025 Back-to-School Fair was more than an event; it was a promise fulfilled—a community united to create hope, lead change, and ensure that every student has the tools needed for a successful start to the new school year.

PGCPS looks forward to welcoming students back to school on Tuesday, August 26.