May 16, 2018

Dear Friends,

What a busy time of year! I know this is an active time for families across the County--our students have finished PARCC testing; some are taking AP exams; spring performances are taking place; and our high school seniors are preparing for graduation. Congratulations and best wishes to all on these milestones and celebrations!

This is also a busy time of year for the County Council.  We are currently wrapping up our Fiscal Year 2019 budget review process and are in the initial stages of a robust review of the legislative package to rewrite our zoning and subdivision regulations. Thank you to the nearly 200 individuals who attended our May 1 and May 7 public budget hearings. (Click those dates to link to the videos!) We are scheduled to adopt the Fiscal Year 2019 budget on Thursday, May 24, at 11:00 a.m. We need your strong engagement in the zoning ordinance rewrite process as well. Please visit pgccouncil.us/ZOR to learn more and share your comments.

Thank you to the many individuals and families who joined me for the 2nd Annual District 3 Science, Technology, Engineering, 

I was especially thrilled to have students from Parkdale High School and DuVal High School at the event! Members of the Parkdale Robotics team showed off the robot they made for this year's FIRST FRC competition. Did you catch this incredible news story about how a Parkdale technology class changed the life of a fellow student? Please take a moment to watch. I promise it will make your day!

Students from DuVal High School's Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology program were also part of STEAM Day. They taught attendees about flight paths and velocity through making and launching straw rockets. Check out this video about the program's first graduating class.

Do you know a young person graduating from high school, or out of school now, and struggling with their next step?

At my most recent D3 Workforce Development Initiative meeting, Brian Cavey, Chairman of the Trade Union Apprenticeship Program for the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, shared with attendees the requirements, benefits, and training paths for 15 apprenticeship programs through the Baltimore DC Building and Construction Trades.  Please send me a message at [email protected] if you'd like to be connected to Mr. Cavey to better understand apprenticeship opportunities and how to apply.

Other organizations which regularly attend my D3 Workforce Development Initiative meetings also offer free job training opportunities, including The Training Source, Greater Riverdale Career Empowerment Center, and J oe's Movement Emporium. Prince George's County Workforce Services has job opportunities as well. Please click on those links to learn more.

Prince George's Community College is now enrolling students for the fall. Applications are open through August 1 for the Prince George's Promise Scholarship. This scholarship, funded by Prince George's County, covers tuition and fees for students who have graduated from PGCPS within the last two years and meet other requirements, essentially making Prince George's Community College FREE.

 

Friday, May 18, is Bike to Work Day 2018. I'm thrilled  t hat Prince George's County will finally join the regional network of Capital B ikeshare! The first phase of the County's Capital Bikeshare stations will open  on Friday--rain or shine! 

The County government's first-ever Bike to Work Day pit stop will be at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building, 1301 McCormick Drive, Largo, from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. on Friday. The official launch of Capital Bikeshare will take place there at 9:00 a.m. Capital Bikeshare stations at Baltimore Avenue & Van Buren Street in Riverdale Park, Baltimore Avenue & Jefferson Street in Hyattsville, Perry Street and 35th Street in Mt. Rainier will also open on Friday. I look forward to additional  Capital Bikeshare stations opening later this year.

As always, don't hesitate to reach out to a member of my staff or me if we can assist you in any way.

P.S. I'm active on social media! If you are, too, please engage with me on Facebook or Twitter.