Laurel Elementary's First Relocation Day Rolls Out Smoothly

It was a surprisingly orderly scene outside Laurel Elementary School, as 500 students--parents in tow--were grouped and boarded onto a fleet of bright-yellow schools buses.

The rows of buses were lined up to transport all 500 students to Greenbelt Middle School, where classes will be temporarily held until renovations at Laurel Elementary are completed.

Arriving students and parents were directed to the Laurel Armory – Anderson & Murphy Community Center, just across the street from the school. There they were greeted by teachers, staff and PGCPS officials, who directed students while answering anxious parents' questions. Aided by signs and armbands, students were quickly grouped by grades and assigned to individually-numbered buses. 

School renovations have been underway throughout the summer, but construction was not completed before school opening. School officials said they were taken by surprise following an inspection last week.

"We were expecting to occupy the building, but on Thursday the Fire Marshall said 'no,' " said Duane Arbogast, PGCPS Acting Deputy Superintendent. "We had less than two days to make the transition to a temporary location."

Officials quickly located temporary class space at the old Greenbelt Middle school, now vacant following the completion of the New Greenbelt Middle school (which also opened today)

Contacting parents began immediately after. "We personally called every family on Friday," said Arbogast.

Arbogast said Laurel Elementary teachers worked throughout the weekend to setup for the sudden relocation. The City of Laurel also stepped in to help. "The city deserves kudos for cooperation," said Arbogast. "We are thankful to churches, [other] local school, and especially the Armory," said Arbogast.

Despite the sudden change, students, parents and teachers seemed to take it in stride. "The change is going very well," said Laurel Elementary Principal Melinda Lee.

"I'm excited for the new year, and the new school renovations" said 5th grade teacher Jennifer Yermal, as she directed student "traffic" inside the Armory. 

School officials hope the relocation by bus will continue for not more than two weeks. In the interim, students will continue to meet each morning at the Laurel Armory before boarding buses. Pre-K students also are being temporarily relocated by bus, to Scotchtown Hills Elementary (in Laurel).

For more information on the relocation, contact Laurel Elementary at 301-497-3660 or 301-513-5067.