Unite with us to
Save Dora Kennedy French Immersion School
A PGCPS French Language Immersion School in Greenbelt, MD
Overview
During a January 10 Greenbelt council meeting, the DKFI parent community learned of the Prince George’s County Public Schools plan to move DKFI into either the recently vacated Kenmoor Middle School in Landover, MD, or to be collocated with the Robert Goddard Montessori School in Seabrook, MD.
PGCPS claims that this is being done in order to use the current DKFI school building in Greenbelt, MD, as a swing space for the nearby Springhill Lake Elementary School while their current school building is rebuilt.
As you can imagine, the DKFI community was shocked and disheartened to discover this information had been shared with several stakeholders, including the City of Greenbelt and the Springhill Lake administration, but not those most impacted by the major change–our DKFI community.
PGCPS leadership held an in-person Town Hall on Monday, March 11, at the Dora Kennedy French Immersion School campus to address concerns and provide further details on their plans. In this meeting they proposed an alternative solution to the initial proposition to move to the Kenmoor site, in which DKFI would move and collocate with the Robert Goddard Montessori School in Seabrook, MD.
Upcoming Events
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Latest Updates
25 September 2024
Greenbelt City Council Work Session
These comments were made at an in-person Greenbelt, MD, City Council Work Session with Prince George’s County Maryland Public School Board District 2 Member Jonathan Briggs on September 9, 2024. The excerpts included in this video are specific to Dora Kennedy French Immersion School in Greenbelt, MD.
Full Meeting Video Source: https://greenbeltmd.granicus.com/player/clip/1850?view_id=2&redirect=true
23 May 2024
News Article: 1938 Greenbelt High School Building Named Historic Site
The Greenbelt News Review covered the Historic Preservation Commission’s designation of the Greenbelt High School building (currently housing DKFI) and its approximately 12.6 acre environmental setting as a Historic Site.
23 May 2024
DKFI Before/After Care Suspended due to Lack of Adequate Air Conditioning
Parents were notified by the before and after care provider at the school that they are unable to provide care at DKFI until the air handler installation is finalized by May 27 as there is no adequate/existing system capable of adequately providing exchange of air.
PGCPS is planning on using this building for at least the next 4 years, it is becoming apparent that their reactive approach towards the current building is beginning to impact our students. Students, teachers, staff, and parents would benefit from a much more proactive approach to building maintenance.
21 May 2024
Prince George’s County Historical Preservation Commission Meeting
he Prince George’s County Historical Preservation Commission Meeting reviewed the evaluation for the Greenbelt Middle School building (currently housing Dora Kennedy French Immersion) and approved the historic designation for the building.
16 May 2024
News Article: Hearing Set to Determine Historic Status of DKFI School Building
The Greenbelt News Review covered the Prince George’s County Planning Department’s recommendation to the Historic Preservation Commission to designate the Greenbelt High School and its approximately 12.6 acre environmental setting as a Historic Site.
A Historic Site Designation Hearing is scheduled to take place online on Tuesday, May 21 at 6:30 PM.
14 May 2024
PG County Planning Department Recommends DKFI Building for Historic Status
The Prince George’s County Planning Department issued a recommendation to the Historic Preservation Commission for the designation of the current Dora Kennedy French Immersion School building to be designated as a Prince George’s County Historic Site.
The staff concluded that the Greenbelt Middle School building meets four of the nine criteria for designation and issued the recommendation to include the building and its approximately 12.6 acre Environmental Setting.
Document Source: https://www.pgplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/D.1.-Greenbelt-High-School-HSE.pdf
06 May 2024
New Cafeteria/Library Air Handler Installation Begins
PGCPS replaced the air handler for the Cafeteria/Auditorium and the Library. When the installation is completed, this will provide an updated cooling capability only for these spaces, and will not address any of the issues with the HVAC for any other spaces in the school.
29 March 2024
Questions from the DKFI PTA to the PGCPS Executive Board
The Dora Kennedy French Immersion School Parent Teacher Association sent a list of follow-on questions to the PGCPS Executive Board. These questions were collected from PTA members following the 14 March Town Hall meeting, and sought to clarify additional details coming from that meeting.
The responses from the PGCPS Executive Board were received, although not all questions were answered at all, and some responses for those that were did not answer the questions posed.
The DKFI PTA has asked the school board to respond to the remaining questions with a deadline of 29 April, however no response to that request has been received by the PTA.
It is also worth noting that the video link provided for the February 12 town hall in this document does not resolve.
19 March 2024
College Park City Council Meeting
These clips were taken from the in-person College Park, MD, City Council Meeting on March 19, 2024.
- A clip of Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) administrators discussing plans to move DKFI
- Two clips of discussions surrounding building renovations, specifically lead pipes, and budgets. DKFI currently is one of the buildings affected by lead pipes and has non-potable water.
Full Meeting Video Source: https://college-park.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1475
14 March 2024
Greenbelt News Review Article
Greenbelt News Review covered PGCPS’s new plan to move DKFI from its current location to be collocated with Robert Goddard Montessori school at their current facility.
This information was first shared with the DKFI community at the 11 March 2024 In-Person Town Hall held at DKFI.
11 March 2024
PGCPS In Person Town Hall at DKFI
This is the full video of the in person PGCPS Town Hall held on site at Dora Kennedy French Immersion School in Greenbelt, Md, on March 11, 2024.
This meeting covers updates to the PGCPS future plans for the Dora Kennedy French Immersion School, proposing another option for DKFI to be collocated with the Robert Goddard Montessori School in what they deem a “Permanent” home for both schools.
11 March 2024
Madame Ransome awarded 2024 Greenbelt ACE Educator Award
These video clips were taken from the in-person Greenbelt, MD, City Council Meeting on March 11, 2024, where DKFI Kindergarten Paraprofessional, Madame Kristen Ransome, was presented with the 2024 Greenbelt Advisory Committee of Education (ACE) award
Full Meeting Video Source: https://greenbeltmd.granicus.com/player/clip/1800
26 February 2024
Greenbelt City Council Meeting
These comments were made at the in-person Greenbelt, MD, City Council Meeting on February 22, 2024. Included in this video are:
- A clip of a DKFI parent addressing the Greenbelt City Council about the plan to move DKFI students, staff, and faculty from their current building in Greenbelt, MD
- A motion approve the sending of a letter requesting that the Prince George’s County Historic Preservation Commission designate the Dora Kennedy French Immersion School building a County Historic Site
Full Meeting Video Source: https://greenbeltmd.granicus.com/player/event/1088
22 February 2024
PGCPS Board of Education Meeting
This video contains excerpts from the PGCPS Board of Education Meeting held on February 22, 2024, that show DKFI parents addressing the board with their concerns on the DKFI move.
Full Meeting Video Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uogrHQ_mRo
15 February 2024
PGCPS FY2025 Superintendent’s Proposed Operating Budget Public Hearing
This video contains excerpts from the virtual PGCPS FY2025 Superintendent’s Proposed Operating Budget Public Hearing held on February 15, 2024, that show DKFI parents addressing the board with their concerns on the DKFI move.
Full Meeting Video Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uogrHQ_mRo
14 February 2024
Greenbelt News Review Article
Greenbelt News Review covered the open mic comments at the February 12 Town Hall. This article conveys very well the thoughts and feelings of many DKFI parents, and provides a very well-written overview of the situation as it stands.
13 February 2024
WJLA News Article
WJLA covered the open mic comments at the February 12 Town Hall and interviewed one of the DKFI parents.
12 February 2024
PGCPS Town Hall Hot Mic Moment
This video was recorded by a Zoom meeting attendee after the PGCPS presenters believed the video was no longer being recorded, and no longer viewable by attendees.
PGCPS Town Hall to Discuss the DKFI Move
PGCPS held a virtual Town Hall meeting discussing the Prince Georges County Schools Executive’s plan to move Dora Kennedy French Immersion School in Greenbelt, MD, into the soon-to-be vacated Kenmoor Middle School in Landover, MD.
A recording of the full meeting has been requested from PGCPS, but they have yet to provide a working link.
01 February 2024
Greenbelt News Review Article
A news article was released, detailing the plans, for most of the DKFI community, this was the first time they were hearing this information.
10 January 2024
Greenbelt City Council Work Session
Excerpt from the Greenbelt City Council Work Session on Prince George’s County Public School Building Services and School Boundaries. This clip shows sections of the meeting where city councilmembers and PGCPS administrators discuss moving Dora Kennedy French Immersion school and Springhill Lake Elementary.
Full Meeting Video Source: https://greenbeltmd.granicus.com/player/clip/1786
