Principal's Page
August 11, 2025
Dear Parent and Guardian Partners of Longfields Elementary,
Welcome Back to a New School Year!
As summer draws to a close, we are eagerly preparing for an exciting and impactful new school year at Longfields Elementary School! We hope you have enjoyed a restful and fun-filled summer, and we can’t wait to welcome our returning students and new families to a year full of growth, learning, and community.
We are thrilled to introduce and welcome Dr. Raquel Talley, our Acting Assistant Principal for the 2025-2026 school year. Dr. Talley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in education, particularly in the areas of instruction, coaching and best practices. We are confident that her leadership and commitment to academic excellence will help create an environment where every student thrives.
Our theme this year aligns with Prince George's County Public Schools’ initiative: “Align to Impact: Culture, Clarity, and High Expectations.” At Longfields, we always work to foster a strong school culture, promote clarity in everything we do, and set high expectations for all our students, so that each child feels empowered to achieve their very best. We believe in the power of collaboration between school and family, and we are excited to work together to make this year a successful one!
Student Orientation: We are kicking off the year with an orientation session for all students on August 25th. This is an opportunity for both students and parents to get familiar with the school, meet teachers and staff, and prepare for a smooth start to the year. Orientation flyer - Here are the details for the day:
Date: Monday, August 25th
Time: 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Location: Longfields Elementary School
Activities: Meet your child’s teacher and fill out emergency forms (INCLUDING THE IDENTIFICATION OF YOUR CHILD’S DISMISSAL PROCEDURES)Tour the school and classroomsReview important information about the upcoming school yearKindergarten and First Grade Parents - attend an attendance meeting in the media center
Parent-Student Handbook: The Parent-Student Handbook is a guide to everything you need to know for the school year. It covers our policies, procedures, school culture, and other important information. Please take some time to read through it with your child and review any important updates. We will also provide a printed copy (if needed) during the orientation session, but feel free to download it ahead of time from our school website. Please pay attention to the updates with our birthday celebration and grading procedures. Handbook Link
School Supplies: We have updated our school supplies list for the upcoming year. This list is designed to ensure that every student has the necessary tools to succeed. You can find the full list of supplies on our website or pick up a printed copy during the orientation session. Please ensure that all supplies are labeled with your child’s name and prepare to replenish throughout the year if needed. School Supplies Link
Uniforms: At Longfields, we have a school uniform policy that helps promote unity and a positive learning environment. Our school colors are navy blue (bottoms) and white/light blue (collared tops), and we ask that all students wear the designated uniform each day (refrain from purchasing sweaters and sweatshirts with hoods). When students need sweaters for colder weather or because of varying temperatures in the building, the sweaters must be solid blue or white with no symbols/markings/words. For more detailed information about our uniform policy, please refer to the Parent-Student Handbook and student agenda book.
Student Arrival & Dismissal: To ensure a safe and smooth arrival and dismissal process, please take note of the following procedures:
- Student Arrival:
-BREAKFAST - Doors open at 7:10 AM ONLY FOR STUDENTS EATING BREAKFAST. Students will eat breakfast from 7:10-7:25 AM in the cafeteria. Breakfast will not be served beyond 7:25 AM.
-ARRIVAL - Our school’s doors open at 7:15 AM for all other students. Students should arrive no earlier, as there is no supervision before this time. There is an exception for bus riders.KISS AND RIDE - Drop students off in the front of the school and avoid parking in the small staff lot or by the circle when dropping off students. Follow the flow of traffic. Kiss and Ride Map LinkINSTRUCTION - Instruction begins promptly at 7:30 AM, so please make sure your child arrives on time. Missed assignments/assessments/group work will not be issued to students with unexcused tardies and/or absences. Please see Mrs. Bell and Dr. Talley with questions.
- Student Dismissal: Dismissal begins at 1:40 PM.Please make sure you park in the fenced lot. Avoid pulling up beyond the fenced parking lot, as we need this space for our buses, after school vans and walkers. We can’t have cars parked in front of our building during dismissal during the period of 1:20-2:00 PM.If your child will be attending aftercare or taking the bus, please let your child's teacher know ahead of time. For any changes to your child’s dismissal routine, we ask that you notify the school by 12:00 PM to ensure a safe departure.
Schedule: The school day begins at 7:30 AM and ends at 1:40 PM, Monday through Friday. We ask that students arrive on time and be ready to participate in our engaging academic activities. We are excited to offer a variety of enrichment programs throughout the year, so stay tuned for more information about after-school opportunities! Schedule Link
Looking Forward to an Incredible Year! We are excited for a year full of learning, growth, and positive impact. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or need additional information. Our staff is here to support you and your child, and we are eager to partner with you in making this school year a success. Be reminded, join Remind 101 to see administrative updates from Mrs. Bell and Dr. Talley. Send text message “a46c99” to phone number 81010.
Enjoy the rest of your summer, and we look forward to seeing you on August 25th for Orientation!
Warm regards,
Carmen L. Bell, Principal
Longfields Elementary School
Phone: 301-817-0455
Email: Carmen.Bell@pgcps.org
AlphaBest - Before and After School Child Care
Longfields AlphaBest hours for students: 7:00 a.m. (drop-off) - 6:00 p.m. (pick-up) Enroll Today
Stacey Watson - swatson@alphabest.org (240) 229-5470
Hello, my name is Stacey Watson. I have had the pleasure of working with AlphaBEST since 2013! I have worked in Early Childhood Education and School-Age Childcare for nearly 20 years! In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children. I believe that children's success in our programs requires a partnership between the families, school administration, and AlphaBEST. I look forward to providing your children with fun, exciting, and educational activities while giving you peace of mind that your children are being well cared for.