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Dear Prince Georgians:
It’s hard to believe that school will be starting for students in Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) in less than two weeks. Our school CEO, Dr. Monica Goldson, and I are both excited for the start of the 2019-2020 school year on Tuesday, September 3.
Last weekend, PGCPS hosted their annual Back to School Block Party. I was proud to join Dr. Monica Goldson and her team to cut a symbolic ribbon to represent the official launch of back to school preparations. We also distributed backpacks and school supplies to more than 9,000 Prince Georgians who attended the block party.
For families that are preparing their students for school on September 3, I encourage you to take a look at the back to school webpage for PGCPS. The page has everything you need to know for the upcoming school year, including information on transportation, immunizations, schedules, and resources for students and families.
We are especially excited for this upcoming school year due to some recent announcements and investments we have made. In June, I named Dr. Goldson our permanent CEO. She is a native Prince Georgian who has spent her entire career working in our school system, and she has already made several positive improvements to PGCPS during her tenure as CEO.
We have also made several important investments for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year. In the County’s FY2020 budget, we allocated $2.1 billion in funding to PGCPS, an increase of $45 million over last year’s budget. Dr. Goldson and her team also launched the 2019-2020 Blueprint for PGCPS, a $53 million investment in initiatives like mental health services, pre-K expansion and reading comprehension programs. These investments are going directly into classrooms to support our children.
Education is the civil rights issue of our time, and you have my commitment that we will do everything in our power to ensure every child can reach their full potential. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Our children will receive the education they deserve today so they can become the leaders of tomorrow, shaping the future of our County and nation.
We are looking forward to a strong and productive school year in Prince George’s County, and I hope that each and every one of our students and their families are just as excited to start the school year as we are.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
Prince George’s County Walk to End Alzheimer’s
 The 2019 Prince George’s County Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held on Saturday, September 14 at National Harbor. This year, County Executive Alsobrooks will serve as the Honorary Chair of the Walk. Prince George’s County will host the first event out of seven total for the National Capital Area Chapter, and we are looking to set a powerful example for the rest of our region.
There are an estimated 14,000 Prince Georgians living with Alzheimer’s, so this walk is personal to our community. We are encouraging every Prince Georgian to participate in the Walk and help raise money for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Please consider creating a team or joining a team that is already participating on September 14. For more information about the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and to sign up to participate, visit the Walk website here.
Join the Prince George’s County Proud Corps!
 Do you have a passion for the community and helping others? Are you interested in volunteering? If so, we need you on our team! The Office of Community Relations is Prince George’s Proud to announce the start of the Proud Corps volunteer program. For more information or to obtain an application, please call 301-780-8308 or email lacrump@co.pg.md.us.
Census 2020: Proud to be Counted
 Census Day will be April 1, 2020, but Prince George’s County is already working hard to ensure every Prince Georgian is counted in the 2020 Census. Nationwide, every County is responsible for providing a complete and accurate count of its residents for the census. A full count is important because Prince George’s County will lose $18,250 per person over the next 10 years for every person not counted. This funding is crucial for our schools, infrastructure, hospitals, and other programs and services provided by the County Government.
Prince George’s County is preparing to launch a countywide effort to ensure a full count for the 2020 Census, and we need your help. Over the next several months, we will be hosting events related to the census in our County. There are also temporary jobs and volunteer opportunities associated with our County’s census outreach efforts. For more information about the census, or to access job and volunteer opportunities, please visit our County’s census website at pgcensus2020.org.
County Executive Speaks about Veterans on MACo Panel
County Executive Alsobrooks discusses resources for veterans at a panel during the Maryland Association of Counties 2019 Summer Conference.
County Executive Alsobrooks joined a panel titled “Serving and Supporting Our Veterans” while she attended the 2019 Summer Conference of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo). The panel provided attendees from around the state the opportunity to learn about best practices to serve veterans at the local and state level. Maryland is home to more than 400,000 veterans, and Prince George’s County has the highest veteran population in the entire state.
The County Executive discussed the formation of our Office of Veterans Affairs and some of the partnerships that office has formed with local and national organizations that care for veterans. In the first quarter of 2019, our Office of Veterans Affairs served approximately 2,000 veterans in our County. We will continue expanding programs and partnerships for our veterans so we can better serve those who bravely served our nation.
For further information about the Prince George's County Office of Veterans Affairs, call 301-780-8260. Office hours are Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Purple Line Construction Updates
As construction on the Purple Line continues, there will be changes to traffic patterns and road closures in areas near the construction. The Purple Line has a website that lists all active construction updates. Residents can also sign up for text or email alerts for future construction updates, and those alerts are available in English or Spanish. To view active construction updates and sign up for alerts, visit the Purple Line website.
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County Executive Speaks to Prince George’s County Law Links Students
Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (center) served as the guest speaker during a meeting with the 2019 Law Links students.
County Executive Alsobrooks joined the 2019 Law Links students as a guest speaker and for a question and answer session. The County Executive was invited to discuss her educational and professional background, as well as provide advice to high school students interested in entering the legal profession.
For the past 22 years, the Prince George’s County Bar Association (PGCBA) has sponsored the Law Links Summer Internship Program. Law Links is a program that pairs rising juniors and seniors with law firms and other legal offices in the County for an amazing summer experience. The Law Links program introduces high school students to a professional work environment while they attend a Law and Leadership Institute. Since its inception, the Law Links Program has been chaired by the Honorable Sheila R. Tillerson Adams and co-chaired initially by William M. Shipp, Esq., followed by Abigail Bruce-Watson, Esq.
VIDEO: 2019 Summer Youth Enrichment Program Recap
 This year we broke records with our Summer Youth Enrichment Program, providing employment opportunities to more than 6,000 young people in our County. Take a look at our SYEP recap video, which includes highlights ranging from our outreach efforts to the business community back in January to the final day of employment in August. To view the video, click on the image above or click here.
IN THE NEWS: Quinn Cook Day in Prince George’s County
 On Saturday, August 10, 2019, County Executive Alsobrooks joined NBA player Quinn Cook at his annual basketball camp held in Prince George’s County. The County Executive declared August 10 Quinn Cook Day in honor of the work Quinn has done to give back to our community. Check out the recap video from the Prince George’s Sentinel.
IN THE NEWS: PGCPS Hosts 9th Annual Back to School Block Party
 PGCPS held their 9th Annual Back to School Block Party on Saturday, August 17, 2019. More than 9,000 students and their families attended the event to receive free backpacks and school supplies in preparation for the start of the 2019-2020 school year. Our children are excited for the start of school, which can be seen in this Washington Post article that contains several stories from families who attended the event.
OCS Prepares to Launch Online Procurement System
 On September 1, 2019, the Prince George’s County Office of Central Services (OCS) will officially launch the Certification & Compliance System (CCS). This is a new and innovative online software system supporting the Office’s Supplier Development and Diversity Division, as well as the Contract Compliance Unit. The system is designed to make online registration, certification and vendor profile management simple and efficient for our business community.
CCS will increase efficiency, reduce processing time and eliminate paper, making it easier to do business with the County Government. It will also improve the efficiency of County Government agencies that utilize vendors to provide services for our residents. This online system is one of the new programs from the $4.6 million investment by the County in technology improvements in the FY2020 budget. These investments are part of County Executive Alsobrooks’ initiative to modernize the County Government.
Labor Day Waste Collection
 Due to the holiday on Monday, September 2nd, NO curbside organics collection (of food scraps and yard trim) will occur for County-provided services. Pickup will resume Monday, September 9th.
Regular collections of trash and recycling will occur Tuesday through Friday.
County government offices, except public safety agencies, will be closed in observance of Labor Day. Also, TheBus, Call-A-Bus and CountyClick 3-1-1 will be closed and will resume regular operations Tuesday, September 3rd.
However, residents can still submit service/issue requests online here.
To view the full list of office and service closures and when they resume, visit our website here.
Join us at the 5th Annual Green Summit
 Join us Saturday, October 12th for the 5th Annual Green Summit. This free, family-friendly event will have green vendors, DIY workshops, environmental information, tours and much more!
When: October 12th from 10 AM - 3 PM
Where: Kentland Community Center - 2413 Pinebrook Avenue, Landover, Maryland 20785
To register for your free ticket, click here. For vendor opportunities, contact Brittani Garner at BGarner@co.pg.md.us.
DPIE Zoning Inspector Sam Cappetta Enjoys Bringing Businesses into Compliance
DPIE Zoning Inspector Saverio “Sam” Cappetta photographs a littered lot, a violation of Prince George’s County code and property maintenance standards.
Saverio “Sam” Cappetta is a member of the Zoning and Commercial Property Standards Section, which conducts inspections of commercial and industrial properties to ensure compliance and responds to complaints about violations. Members of the Zoning team are assigned to sectors that correspond with those of County police. His territory is located between Central Avenue and Suitland Parkway, from the Beltway to Southern Avenue.
“In Zoning, our day is predicated on 311 complaints, so the number of calls we respond to can range from three to 13 in a shift,” said Cappetta, a retired County Fire Department captain. Zoning inspectors also spend a significant amount of time researching properties in their sectors to ensure owners are complying with their permits, including use and occupancy permits (U&Os).
He believes half the properties in his sector lack valid U&Os, though securing one from DPIE can take as little as two weeks. Cappetta said he considers his job helping as much as enforcing.
“Sometimes you have to be the bad guy, but if I can help a business owner make their property whole and make sure the standards are upheld, that makes me happy,” Cappetta said.
For more information about U&Os, visit our website here or call 301-636-2053.
County Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA) Encourages Eligible Veterans to Register with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA) was established to proudly serve the needs of men and women veterans who honorably and proudly served our great nation. The OVA has discovered that many veterans are not aware of the many benefits available to them through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The misconception is that veterans can only use the facility if they have a service-connected disability.
Anyone who served on active duty in the military may be eligible for at least some VA healthcare benefits. This also includes the Reserves or National Guard who qualify and were called for active duty.
However, to receive healthcare benefits through the VA, veterans must FIRST register. Therefore, the OVA is asking each veteran if they have registered and, if not, we are encouraging them to do so at their first opportunity.
To apply for VA healthcare benefits, including enrollment, you must fill out an application for enrollment, VA Form 10-10EZ. To apply, visit the VA website or call 1-877-222-VETS (8387).
To contact the Prince George's County Office of Veterans Affairs, call 301-780-8260. Office hours are Monday - Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
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Patuxent River Watershed Restoration Public Meeting
An informational meeting to discuss two restoration plans in the Patuxent watershed will take place on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Department of the Environment, 1801 McCormick Drive, First Floor Conference Room, Largo, MD 20774.
The meeting will include a brief presentation, followed with a question and answer session. Verbal comments will be accepted at the meeting or in writing during the 30-day public comment period starting August 12, 2019 and running through September 13, 2019. Residents in the Patuxent watershed are encouraged to attend.
Written comments may be submitted to Tanvir Bhuiyan via email at tbhuiyan@co.pg.md.us or via mail to: Prince George’s County Government, Stormwater Management Division, Department of the Environment, 1801 McCormick Drive, Suite 500, Largo, MD 20774.
For additional information and updates, please visit the DoE’s Restoration Planning website here.
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The Ultimate Car Seat Guide
 Are you in need a of car seat and don’t quite know what to look for in a seat? To ensure you’re purchasing the proper one for your child, we highly recommend that you go to two sites:
Safe Kids Ultimate Car Seat Guide
NHTSA Car & Booster Seat Guide
You can enter your child’s information (information is not stored) on these sites, and it will help you decide what seat(s) your child should be using.
Data shows that when a car seat is used correctly, it can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71%. The best way to keep your child safe in the car is to use the right car seat in the right way. The websites above also have information on proper use of a child safety seat and car safety tips for children.
$5 Feline Adoptions
 Prince George’s County wants to save as many pet lives as possible, so we are offering a special for all cat lovers. Throughout the month of August, ALL Friday cat adoptions at the Animal Services Facility are $5. This includes kittens and adult cats.
There are so many that need a forever home, so stop by the facility and pick up your new best friend. Click here to learn more about the adoption process.
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