April 2021

QUICK LINKS

Prince George's County Government

Council Member  Turner's Facebook Page

District 4 Web Page

Prince George's County Public Schools

Connect to the City of Bowie

Connect to the City of Greenbelt

Bowie BIC

CouncilConnection

Prince George's County Memorial Library System

Bowie Branch

South Bowie Branch

Greenbelt Branch

M-NCPPC Parks & Recreation

March Meals Distribution To District 4 Seniors

The District 4 Team and I hosted March Senior Meal Grab and Go events on March 25^th in Greenbelt and March 26^th in Bowie. 

Library Offers Limited Branch Services at 6 Locations Beginning April 28

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) has provided customers with internet access, nationally recognized virtual programs, access to physical materials through Curbside Service, and essential resource distribution events. PGCMLS will begin Phase 2 of its COVID-19 Phased Reopening Plan on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 when six branch libraries will open their doors to the public for limited branch services (Bowie, Laurel, New Carrollton, Oxon Hill, South Bowie, and Spauldings). 

“All of us at PGCMLS look forward to seeing our beloved customers back at neighborhood branch libraries now that the public health conditions are improving,” said Roberta Phillps, Chief Executive Officer of PGCMLS. “We know that customers need access to our buildings, technology, and resources to advance themselves as we collectively face the challenges and opportunities that emerged or became more extreme over the past year.”  For more information, please visit the PGCMLS webpage.

School System Talented and Gifted (TAG) Lottery Opens April 16

The Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) Talented and Gifted (TAG) Lottery for the 2021-22 school year will open on Friday, April 16 for students in second through eighth grades who are currently TAG- identified or who are going through the identification process. The lottery closes on Friday, May 28.  For more information about the program, schools and identification process, please click here.  To submit an online application, the student must:

• Meet PGCPS TAG identification guidelines to be eligible for placement.
• Have a valid Prince George's county Public School student ID number prior to May 26, 2021
• Create a family dashboard account and submit your application via PGCPS Registration and Specialty Program Lottery Application (scriborder.com)

For more information, please visit the PGCPS webpage.

PGCMLS Poetry Contest – Enter by April 30

This April the Library celebrates National Poetry Month! Enter the 2nd Annual PGCMLS Poetry Contest and share what the Library means to you!  Have you ever been touched by the words of great poets like Maya Angelou or Amanda Gorman? Now is the time to express yourself! This year's theme invites Prince George's County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) cardholders to share what our libraries mean to you.  Winning poems will receive a gift card, an opportunity to share at an Open Mic Night in May, and be published on our Poetry Hub. Submissions will be accepted during the entire month of April - please click here to submit. 

PGCPS Student Wellness Survey

Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) invites students to take an anonymous wellness survey so we can provide resources and services that best meet their needs. The survey will collect information about mental health concerns that our students may be experiencing, including stress, anxiety and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

While the survey is voluntary, we encourage all students to participate. The survey is anonymous and only your child’s school level and grade level information is needed for the survey. Please click on the Survey links for elementary (K-5) and secondary (6-12) students.  Please complete the survey by Friday, April 23.  For more information, please visit the Wellness Program webpage.

BGE Accepting Applications for 2021 Green Grants Program

BGE is now accepting applications from eligible nonprofits for grants of up to $10,000 to support environmental stewardship projects in the company's service area.  Green Grants applicants must be located in BGE's geographic service area and prospective projects must fall into at least one of BGE's environmental focus areas: conservation, education, energy Fl501(c)(3) nonprofit with a board of directors, and must meet additional criteria to be eligible for a grant.  Nonprofits may submit applications online. The application deadline is 6 p.m. on Friday, May 14.  More information is available on BGE's webpage.

David C. Driskell Achievement Scholarship Award

The Society Incorporated Supporting the Arts, Harbor City Maryland Chapter, recently announced our Second Annual David C. Driskell Achievement Scholarship Award for high school seniors in Prince George's County.  The deadline for expressing interest in the $1,500 scholarship is April 25^th. Please complete an application and for more information, you may contact them via email.

Greenbelt Middle Schooler Award

The District 4 office is proud to share an original poetry piece created by our very own Greenbelt Middle School scholar Alexis B.   Alexis won 1st place in the Higher Achievement's virtual 2021 Love Out Loud poetry showcase held last month.  Alexis performed her poem “Share” about using your voice for racial justice.  We congratulate her for such a powerful message and performance, and I hope you find it inspiring.  You can view the entire recorded poetry event by clicking here.

Message from

Council Member Turner

Welcome to the April 2021 edition of the 4^th District Legislative Email Newsletter.  Please see important updates on COVID-19, the County Budget and other matters in the County and the 4^th District.

Upcoming D4 Events

April Meal Distribution to District 4 Seniors

The District 4 Team and I will host Senior Meal Grab and Go events this month on April 29^th at the Green Ridge House in Greenbelt and April 30^th at the Bowie Senior Center.  These free meal distribution efforts, in partnership with the Prince George's County Department of Family Services, and the cities of Bowie and Greenbelt, have distributed over 1,000 frozen, pre-packaged meals and fresh produce prepared by Martin's Catering to senior residents.  For information and sign up, please see the attached flyers.

District II Police Virtual Meeting

The Prince George’s County Police District II COPS Presents Virtual Night-In, a Community Roundtable meeting on Thursday, April 22nd to discuss what services have been modified and new services created for residents to navigate through the current COVID-19 Pandemic which has reshaped our lives.  Pre-registration is required.

Prescription Drug Take Back Event

The Bowie Police Department will serve as a collection site for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. Residents can dispose of old and unused drugs safely, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as veterinary medications. In Bowie, the collection will take place on Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Police Department parking lot (behind City Hall).

Prince George’s County is Growing Green with Pride!

Spring is upon us and that means Prince George’s County is Growing Green with Pride! Communities, schools and businesses are encouraged to participate in this biannual countywide clean up event.  Growing Green with Pride Day will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 8 a.m. to noon.  After registering here, participants will receive all the supplies necessary for litter collection and mulching at a grab-n-go style pick-up. For additional information and assistance, please contact Tonya Harris via email or call 301-499-8641.

Proposed FY 2022 Budget Public Hearings

On March 11^th County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks released her proposed County Operating and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budgets which includes funding for the Prince George’s County Public School system.  The proposed FY 2022 budget includes $4.5 billion in operating funds, an increase of $56.7 million or 1.3% over the FY 2021 budget. For information on the FY 2022 Proposed Budgets, please visit this link.

The Council strongly encourages the participation of our residents in the Council’s virtual budget public hearings and meetings. Please see the attached flyer for the virtual budget hearing schedule.  For updated information on the Council Budget Review and Adoption Process, meetings and public hearings, visit the Council’s FY 22 Budget Portal.

COVID-19 UPDATES

County Moves to Phase 3 Opening

County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks announced that effective April 12th the County moved into Phase 3 of its vaccine distribution plan. County residents MUST fill out the pre-registration form in order to receive their COVID-19 vaccination appointment from the County.  Individuals 16 and older that live or work in Prince George’s County, and have pre-registered with the County Health Department, will be able to receive appointments at the County’s vaccination clinics under Phase 3. Seniors and individuals with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for severe COVID-19 illness will continue to be prioritized for appointments.   In addition, all County Health Department vaccination clinics are open by appointment only. Walk-ups are not accepted. In addition, the Prince George’s COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Hotline is available by dialing 311 and pressing #. Hotline staff will assist seniors and others who have trouble accessing the internet with completing the pre-registration and will also follow up later to schedule appointments via phone as appointments become available.

New FEMA and Bowie Vaccination Locations

We strongly encourage all Prince Georgian to pre-register for your COVID-19 vaccine either with the County, State or private providers.  Please remember that the County does not manage or control appointments, or distribution for any sites besides those operated by our County Health Department.  Here are additional ways to sign up and locations in the County: 

FEMA Greenbelt Metro Station (Not County-Operated)

• On Wednesday, April 7th, a FEMA-operated Community Vaccination Center opened at the Greenbelt Metro Station, where there will be an emphasis on Prince Georgians.
• Appointments: To receive your vaccination at this location, you must pre-register online with the State of Maryland by visiting covidvax.maryland.gov. You can also call the State’s Vaccination Support Center at 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829) to pre-register.

Prince George’s County Health Department

• Locations: Health Department’s Cheverly Health Center, Wayne K. Curry Sports & Learning Complex, Southern Regional Technology & Recreation Complex, Laurel Beltsville Senior Activity Center, and Mobile Vaccination Units.
• Appointments: Individuals who live or work in Prince George’s County should fill out the pre-registration form to be added to the waiting list. Individuals who cannot fill out the pre-registration form online should call 311 and press # for assistance.

Six Flags America Theme Park (Not County-Operated)

• Appointments: Sign up for appointment updates at mass vaccinations sites by visiting www.covidvax.maryland.gov for more information.
• Call the Maryland Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccination Support Center at 1-855-MDGOVAX (1-855-634-6829) to schedule vaccine appointments at mass vaccination sites. The call center is open seven days a week from 7 AM to 10 PM                    
• City of Bowie (Not County-Operated)               The City has partnered with Safeway to bring a   vaccine clinic to the Bowie Senior Center.  The   clinic will operate three days a week, for at least the next several weeks. Safeway provides the clinical workers and city staff are handling all of the other duties at the clinic.  Please complete a pre-registration application.  Anyone needing help with pre-registration can call 301-262-6200.

We thank you again for your patience and understanding as the County implements this complex mass distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

County Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced the opening of the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) on March 4, 2021, offering relief to landlords on behalf of renters experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Landlords of multi-family, single-family, condominium and cooperative rental properties with eligible tenants suffering from financial difficulties or loss of income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to apply if they hold a valid County rental license. Tenants can apply on their own if their landlord will not apply on their behalf. DHCD has also partnered with several community organizations that will offer free assistance to landlords and tenants with completing and applying.  Visit the DHCD website at to learn more about the application process and required documents, and to complete an application.

As always, please reach out to my office for any assistance you may need as we are operating remotely at this time.  For more up-to-date information on the County’s response to COVID-19 and other activities, please follow me on my official Council Facebook page.  

I am Sincerely Yours in Service,

Hon. Todd M. Turner
Council Member
4^th Council District