Dear P-TECH Families,
Welcome to Issue 2 of the P-TECH IT Family Newsletter. We are sending this Friday, October 9 so we can share the full story of what happened today at PGCPS Legislative Day. Our scholars helped Largo host a landmark event, and the district confirmed what stays the same as TalentReady becomes P-TECH IT at Largo High School. You will also find an important update on middle school outreach and the dates that matter over the next six weeks.
In this week's Lion Letter, Principal Albert T. Lewis shared a story from Camp Schmidt about a student who got stuck halfway through a ropes course until an instructor offered a rope and helped her reach the next step, after which she finished on her own. His challenge to all of us: be that rope. Quarter 1 ends October 30. If your scholar is stuck in a course, now is the time to reach out, and we will help them get unstuck.
Great News First
Twenty P-TECH IT scholars help host Legislative Day — and make history
Today, Friday, October 9, Largo High School hosted PGCPS's Annual Legislative Day, and 20 P-TECH IT scholars were part of the student team welcoming guests, alongside students from SGA, AFJROTC, Football, Cheer, and ProStart. Members of the General Assembly and PGCPS leadership were on campus.
Our scholars reported at 7:30 AM in their program polos and represented P-TECH IT with outstanding professionalism throughout the morning. The PGCPS Superintendent and his staff were visibly impressed — with the way our students carried themselves, engaged with guests, and showed what this program stands for. The Superintendent took photographs with our class leadership and with our Talent Ready volunteers. This was the last official Talent Ready event, and our scholars ended it on the highest note possible.
Thank you to every family who returned the PGCPS Student Publicity Release form so quickly, and to every family who helped their scholar prepare. You made today possible.
They Showed Up. They Were Ready.
To every P-TECH IT student who was on that floor today — thank you. Not just for showing up, but for showing up ready. Your effort, your attitude, and your character did not go unnoticed, and it will not go unrecognized.
The Superintendent and his staff saw exactly who you are. We look forward to continuing to support the Board in any way we can, and we are honored that today gave our scholars the opportunity to shine in front of the people who lead this district.
You all did an outstanding job. We are so proud of you. It will not go unrecognized.
— Mr. Carlton A. James, P-TECH IT Facilitator
P-TECH once again leading the way
- Samsung Solve for Tomorrow. Mr. James and Mr. Buma are leading a P-TECH team in this national STEM innovation competition.
- P-TECH Class Leader Conference, Monday, October 19, 6:30–8:30 PM. For our Class Leaders and their families. A parent must bring the learner on site. Our team will confirm the location with each Class Leader's family directly before the event.
- Seniors met four colleges in two days. On October 7 and 8, Class of 2027 seniors met representatives from Washington College, North Carolina A&T, Frostburg State, and Stony Brook in the Career Center.
P-TECH IT: What the District Has Confirmed
Effective October 2026, the program formerly known as TalentReady is P-TECH IT at Largo High School. This week PGCPS Career and Technical Education answered our team's questions about the transition. Here is what families need to know.
- The five pathways stay the same: Networking, Cybersecurity, Database Management, Computer Science/Programming, and Systems Administration. Computer Science/Programming remains its own pathway.
- The degree stays the same. Scholars continue working toward the same Associate of Applied Science degree options at Prince George's Community College. Graduates earn one diploma (Largo High School) and one degree (PGCC associate degree).
- Current scholars continue on their established course and degree tracks. What P-TECH adds is formal industry partner engagement, structured work-based learning (mentoring, site visits, internships) that ramps up in 11th grade, and support to finish college coursework for up to two years after high school graduation.
- Employer partners for Largo's P-TECH IT program are being finalized by the district. We will share them as agreements are announced.
Middle School Outreach
P-TECH applications for 8th graders are open September 23 – December 11, 2026, and the program is open-border: eligible students from anywhere in the district may apply. An update this week: Ms. King has paused formal presentations at middle schools until P-TECH IT recruitment materials complete the district's review and approval process. She is eager to resume as soon as approved materials are in hand. Ms. King has also advised middle schools that transportation is not provided for students enrolled in the program.
| When | Event |
|---|---|
| Tue, Oct 13 6:00–8:00 PM | Accokeek Academy High School Exploration Night. P-TECH IT will not present this year while materials are under district review; the school's counselor hopes to welcome us next year. |
| Wed, Oct 21 6:00–8:30 PM | PGCPS Specialty Programs Showcase, Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School. A district-wide event where 8th-grade families can explore specialty programs. |
| Wed, Oct 28 10:00 AM–1:00 PM | CTE Career Connections Day (tentative): 8th graders visit high school CTE programs for hands-on activities. |
| Fri, Dec 11 | P-TECH application window closes. |
How you can help: know an 8th grader who loves technology? Point the family to the PGCPS P-TECH page before December 11.
Senior and Upperclass Corner
- College rep visits continue in the Career Center. Washington College, North Carolina A&T, Frostburg State, and Stony Brook visited this week. Seniors are released when the visit is announced; watch for announcements from the Counseling Department.
- Spring 2027 registration at PGCC: advance registration for returning students opens Monday, October 26, and registration opens for all students Monday, November 2. Please plan spring courses with our team before registering.
- Spring course planning with PGCC's Learning Commons: the session for Year 3 and Year 4 students is being rescheduled because students are out on October 16. We will share the new date.
- PGCC Spring Transfer & Resource Fair: Wednesday, February 10, 2027, at PGCC's Largo Campus, with four-year colleges and universities. Student registration opens November 9, 2026.
- College classes come first. Upperclassmen attend scheduled PGCC classes even when PGCPS is closed for students, unless PGCC is also closed. Term 1 PGCC classes end November 24; final exams run December 1–7.
Opportunities for Your Scholar
- Technica Hackathon at UMD — Oct 17–18. Free. gotechnica.org
- Full Sail University workshop — Fri, Oct 23, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM at Largo: careers in technology, game design, and creative fields.
- Congressional App Challenge — due Oct 26. Teams of up to four build an app that solves a community problem. congressionalappchallenge.us
- Girls Who Code Spring Pathways — priority deadline Oct 28. Free, virtual, self-paced (Mar 1–Apr 18); no coding experience needed. Closes Dec 16.
- NSA Codebreaker Challenge — through January. nsa-codebreaker.org
Mark Your Calendar
P-TECH scholars follow two calendars, Largo (PGCPS) and PGCC. We note which campus is affected.
| Date | What it means for your scholar |
|---|---|
| Tue, Oct 13 | PGCC closed (College Professional Development and Enrichment Day). No college classes. Largo open. |
| Fri, Oct 16 | PGCPS closed for students (professional development). PGCC open: scheduled college classes meet. |
| Mon, Oct 19 | P-TECH Class Leader Conference, 6:30–8:30 PM. A parent must bring the learner on site. |
| Mon, Oct 26 | PGCC advance registration for Spring 2027 opens for returning students. |
| Fri, Oct 30 | End of Quarter 1. PGCPS early dismissal. |
| Mon, Nov 2 | PGCC Spring 2027 registration opens for all students. |
| Tue, Nov 3 | PGCPS schools and offices closed (Election Day). PGCC open. |
| Wed, Nov 11 | PGCPS closed for students. Parent-Teacher Conferences — please plan to meet with us. PGCC open. |
| Tue, Nov 24 | Last day of PGCC Term 1 (15-week) and Term 4 (7-week) classes. |
| Nov 25–29 | PGCPS closed Nov 25–27 (Thanksgiving Break). PGCC: no classes Nov 25; college closed Nov 26–29. |
| Dec 1–7 | PGCC final exams for Term 1. Last PGCC bag lunch of Semester 1 is Thursday, Dec 3. |
| From Dec 21 | PGCPS Winter Break begins Dec 21. PGCC closed Dec 21–Jan 3. |
Every Week in P-TECH IT
- Weekly Grade Drop: Thursday by 2:00 PM. Every scholar uploads their Canvas grade PDF for each PGCC course by 2:00 PM every Thursday, so professors can post grades and everyone knows where they stand by Friday morning. Please remind your scholar.
- Module tests: scholars work through modules in order with no skipping ahead. Each module test has one counted try, and 85% passes. A missed test opens a Study Path; at least 25 minutes of tracked study unlocks the second try.
- After-school learning hours: Tuesday–Thursday, 2:30–6:30 PM (never Monday or Friday) with Mr. James (Room 105) or Mr. Buma (Room 102).
- Study companions and course sites: every course in one place at ptechlargo.com/courses.
- Check Canvas together weekly. You will also receive a weekly progress email from our team.
- Program GPA: 3.2. If your scholar is struggling, reach out early. We would much rather help in October than in December.
Your P-TECH IT Team
Coordinator, P-TECH IT at Largo High School
tomisha.king@pgcps.org
(301) 808-8880
Thank you for everything you do to help your scholar show up ready. Reply any time; we read every message.
In pride and excellence,
Mr. Carlton A. James
P-TECH Facilitator
[0] 301-808-8880 Ext.84130
carlton.james@pgcps.org