The Panda Periodical

Melissa Maestle, Principal

Michael "Todd" Fannin, Assistant Principal

Frederick Douglass Elementary School

100 W. Cedarmeade Ave.

Winchester, Va 22655

ph. 540-662-7656

• Students will practice their first fire drill and lock down drill this week. (PK and K do not participate in this lock down drill)
• September 2nd - Schools closed for holiday
• September 3rd - No school for students - teacher PD day

This year, we are experiencing a significant increase in the number of families using the car rider line. To ensure this process is as efficient and safe as possible for everyone, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Consider Bus Transportation: If your child can take the bus, please opt for that option to help reduce congestion.
• Pull Forward: When dropping off your child, please pull your car as far forward as possible to minimize the number of vehicles waiting on the road.
• Remain in Your Vehicle: Do not exit your car. Our staff will assist your child with getting out of the vehicle.
• Prepare for Quick Exits: As you enter the parking lot, have your child unbuckled, with backpacks and lunches ready, and say your goodbyes. This will help them exit the vehicle quickly when it’s their turn.
• Encourage Independence: If your child is capable of walking safely down the sidewalk, they can exit the car without waiting for a staff member to open the door.
• Practice Patience and Respect: Please be patient and considerate of other families. Unacceptable behavior or unsafe driving will not be tolerated.

Remember that using the car rider line is a privilege. Families who do not follow these guidelines or fail to cooperate with FDES staff will lose the privilege of using the car rider line for the remainder of the year.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Arrival

• If your child is a bus rider, make sure they are at their stop on time
• If they are a car rider, arrive at school a close to 7:30am as possible
• Car rider parents - be sure to follow directions of FDES staff to ensure a smooth and efficent drop off
• Both car rider and bus parents - be sure you have attached the transportation tag provided at Back To School Night onto your child's back pack.
• Students arriving to school after 7:50am are tardy

Dismissal

• If your child is a car rider, be in the car rider line by 2:30pm and follow the directs of the FDES staff
• If your child is a bus rider, be at their assigned stop 5 minutes before their scheduled drop off time
• If for any reason you need to change your child's PM transportation you must let the front office know before 2:00pm.
• Do not send your child's teacher a message. You must call the front office!

If you would like to receive weekly food bags from Bright Futures, you need to complete the bright green form and send it with their child to school.

We are excited to let you know that all public schools in Virginia, including ours, will start using

the new Virginia Language & Literacy Screening System (VALLSS) as part of the Virginia

Literacy Act. This tool will help us find and support students in kindergarten through third grade

who might have trouble learning to read.

Click the link below for information on how you can learn more!