Prince George's County Schools kicks off school year with new bell schedule, bus routes

BOWIE, Md. — More than 130,000 are heading back to class at Prince George's County Public Schools Monday.

For many of them, that means new bus routes and bell schedules.

PGCPS said that the majority of schools are seeing no change or only a 15 minute change in their start and end times, but 16% of schools are seeing a shift anywhere from 16 to 45 minutes.

The change creates a three-tier system, with tier one starting at 7:30 a.m., tier two starting at 8:30 a.m., and tier 3, starting at 9:30 a.m.

Each tier includes elementary, middle, and high schools.

The district said these changes will help to balance the distribution of trips, which improves transportation efficiency and means less delays for students.

"Through thoughtful community engagement, we've listened and responded with purpose," said Superintendent Millard House II, now in his second year leading the district. "Driven by community feedback, our transportation improvements, investment in new schools and focus on student safety and equity are about ensuring each student has the best experience possible, every day, while also positioning PGCPS for the future."

When it comes to transportation, the district said they have also adjusted bus assignments and stop locations and improved functionality and reliability of the StopFinder app.

Now, some more students will have to walk to school -- and parents said some will have to walk farther for a bus stop.

The school system, however, said overall -- these changes are supposed to improve efficiency and accessibility.

PGCPS is also introducing 10 new electric school buses as part of their climate pledge.

To improve safety, PGCPS said they have added two Safe Passage Coordinators, who will serve as liaisons between the school system, crossing guard unit and community partners like police and the county Department of Transportation and Public Works.

They’re also introducing a new mass emergency alert system for the hearing impaired.

Continuing from last year, middle and high school students will be required to use clear backpacks in schools -- and certain schools are seeing increased security measures.

The district is also opening two new middle schools and reopening its STEM education hub, called the Howard B. Owens Science Center.

The science center has new learning spaces, like a “mission control” feature that NASA designed.

To improve education for special education learners, the district is opening the new Regional Autism Center at Pointer Ridge Elementary School.

Originally, the district was planning to close the school because of low enrollment – but now it will be a center dedicated to students with autism.

Superintendent House will be doing a tour of certain schools throughout the day Monday, starting at Tulip Grove Elementary School at 8:20 a.m.