This story is part of 91欧美激情鈥檚 2026聽Back to School coverage.
Thousands of Prince George鈥檚 County Public Schools employees turned the home of the Chesapeake Baysox into a back-to-school pep rally Monday, as the Maryland district held its first-ever Staff Fest ahead of the new school year.
The event at Prince George’s Stadium was designed to build excitement and strengthen connections across the school system before students return on Aug. 25.
The district’s new superintendent, Shawn Joseph, said the gathering was about building culture and reminding employees of their shared mission, one that includes keeping students and families at the center of everything the district does.
鈥淲e’re going to remind them that we’re here for children and we’re here for families,” Joseph said. “And we need all 22,000 people to be clear that we have an opportunity to transform children’s lives every single day.鈥�
The event featured food, games and giveaways, but many employees said they’re mostly excited about seeing the students again.
鈥淚 miss my kids,鈥� community school coordinator Rochel Jeffrey said.
鈥淪eeing the kids come through the door, ’cause I know that, you know, with the times the way it is now, they’re hungry. They’re ready to eat. They’re ready to learn, and I love it,鈥� Ladon Campbell, a food and nutrition services assistant, said.
Paraprofessional educator Angela Davis Sutton said the event boosted morale, and she was a little nervous but “very excited” about the first day of school.
鈥淚’m looking forward to meeting all the little brains and just giving them everything that I have to make sure that they’re successful for college and life,鈥� Davis Sutton said.
Teacher Monica Mayo-James also said bringing employees together before the first day of school helps create momentum.
鈥淚t boosts teacher morale, and it encourages networking, friendships,” she said.
Carolyn Marshall, a longtime Largo High School substitute teacher, said she’s excited about the first day of school “because I love our kids.”
But the 81-year-old had a warning for students who think they’re going to get away with more when she’s in charge.
鈥淭hey know that I’m a no-nonsense teacher,” Marshall said. “They’re going to learn even if I am a substitute teacher in that classroom. OK? They’re not going to sit there and just do nothing.鈥�
