Student Engagement and School Support

Areas of Responsibility

Prince George’s Regional Association of Student Governments (PGRASG)

The Prince George’s Regional Association of Student Government consists of the PGRASG executive board and the multiple SGAs of the high schools and middle schools that make up our county. Together we work with the student board member to advance student voice in the county!

Highlighted Programs

Life Skills (LST)

The Life Skills Training Program (LST), currently included in the seventh-grade health curriculum and offered to 4th, 5th, 6th-grade students in selected elementary schools, is a research-based, Center for Disease Control (CDC) approved prevention program. The main goals of Life Skills Training are to teach prevention-related information, promote anti-drug norms, teach drug refusal skills, and foster the development of personal self-management skills and general social skills. LST is an interactive program using a multi-sensory approach designed to educate students through the use of role-play, guided practice, small group activities, and discussion. Program topics of this sequential curriculum include Self-Esteem, Decision-Making, Smoking Information, Alcohol, Marijuana, Advertising, Dealing With Stress, Communication Skills, Social Skills, and Assertiveness.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

PBIS is a broad range of systemic and individualized strategies for achieving important social and learning outcomes while preventing problem behavior. PBIS is the integration of valued outcomes, the science of human behavior validated procedures and systems change. PBIS addresses "best practices" and current research about the issues of prevention and early behavioral intervention in schools. This unique approach to changing behaviors in schools emphasizes prevention and capacity building at the school level with a focus on concrete activities and strategies to support safe, non-violent environments that optimize the potential for learning. The goal of PBIS is to create a positive school culture in which pro-social behaviors are explicitly taught and reinforced, and all adults respond to the occurrence of problem behaviors in a consistent manner.

Restorative Approaches

When implemented in schools, restorative approaches create a positive culture and climate that is just and equitable. Restorative approaches build relationships, prevent and repair harm due to conflict through dialogue in the form of individual and/or collective accountability to promote safe school environments for students, staff, and families. 

Restorative approaches include all stakeholders in the process to build and maintain a sense of belonging, safety, and social responsibility in the school community. These approaches build the capacity for people to engage with one another in a way that fosters respect, dignity, and mutual concern for everyone. 

Restorative Approaches in PGCPS

Tobacco Cessation/Tobacco Initiative Zero-Tolerance Tobacco Use Program

In recognizing that the cause of a student's use of tobacco may be for reasons of addiction rather than intentional disobedience, the Zero-Tolerance Tobacco Use Program is a non-punitive initiative intended to motivate students who have violated the Code of Student Conduct in Prince George's County to make positive choices for a healthy and tobacco-free lifestyle. Students may be administratively referred or voluntarily enter the program. The program also supports the Tobacco Initiative and curriculum that is in place in the county's schools. Administrators are encouraged to refer students to the program as needed.

Dangers of Marijuana Edibles and Vaping

Recently the nation and our school district have seen an increase in the number of students involved in incidents of vaping and in the ingestion of edibles (marijuana or the active ingredient in marijuana placed in food/candy). While some teens believe these behaviors to be harmless, they are fraught with dangers and health risks. We encourage parents and students to read or listen to the following articles in English or Spanish and get the facts. More info on the dangers of Marijuana Edibles and Vaping.

Student Assistance Program (SAP)

This program is a partnership between the Prince George's County Public Schools and the Prince George's County Health Department. The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a school-based substance abuse intervention program established to identify adolescents whose behavior, attendance, grades, or other indicators identify them as being at-risk for and /or have problems related to substance abuse. Through the SAP process, these at-risk students and their parents are directed to appropriate services in the community that will provide the necessary assistance. The program is currently available to middle schools and high schools.

Other Services

Alternative to Expulsion: Assessment/Intervention

Prince George's County Public Schools Provides parents/guardians and students with an alternative to expulsion, for Code of Student Conduct substance abuse violations, by providing two intervention/counseling sessions to be attended by both a parent/guardian and the student. All students using drugs are encouraged to seek help. Students referred administratively or non-administratively can be seen by an assessment/intervention specialist who implements procedures regarding student use/or possession of alcohol or other drugs as specified by the Code of Student Conduct. Please refer to the Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for the policy and procedure on handling first and second alcohol and/or drug violations.

The Department of Student Services would like to share information about the 2027 Maryland General Assembly Student Page Program. Each year, 105 students and 36 alternates are selected by the state’s local school systems to participate in the Maryland General Assembly Student Page Program. Each county is allocated a number of pages and alternate appointments based on its Grade 12 student enrollment. Prince George’s County is allocated 14 pages and 4 alternates  

About the Program

The Page Program is non-patronage, non-partisan and open to residents of Maryland who attend Maryland public and nonpublic high schools. Each year, 105 students and 36 alternates are selected by the state’s local school systems to participate. Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) is allocated 14 pages and 4 alternates based on its Grade 12 student enrollment.

Selected Pages serve two nonconsecutive weeks during the thirteen weeks of session. During the 13 weeks of session, which runs from the second week in January to early April, each page serves one week during the first seven weeks and returns for a second week of service during the last six. The duties of the page revolve around the schedule of the chamber, and pages must be present whenever the chamber is in session.

Eligibility Requirements

All high school seniors who are residents of the state of Maryland, age 16 or over, are eligible to apply. Applicants should have an interest in government, law, politics, proceedings of the legislature, community service, and leadership.

Program Benefits

The Page Program pays the cost of housing directly to the housing providers. In addition, upon your arrival, students will receive a meal card, worth approximately $50.00 per day worked, to use at local restaurants to cover meals for the week.

How to Apply (PGCPS Students)

All interested students must complete the electronic application in the Google Drive below. The program information and guidance for completing the digital application are linked in this document.

Selection Process

Each county has a County Page Coordinator who oversees the application and selection process. Application to the program is based on the school and school system the student attends, not where the student lives. A screening committee and/or interview panel may be convened if the applicant pool exceeds the number of allocated page positions. 

Questions?

If you have questions about the program or selection process, please contact Mr. Timothy Hipps at timothy.hipps@pgcps.org.