The Panda Periodical
08/24/26 - 08/28/26
Melissa Maestle, Principal
Shane Campbell, Assistant Principal
Frederick Douglass Elementary School
100 W. Cedarmeade Ave.
Winchester, Va 22655
ph. 540-662-7656
At FDES, we believe in celebrating positive choices and creating a supportive, safe environment for every student. Our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) plan is built around our beloved Panda mascot and a core set of values we call Panda PRIDE.
We expect our FDES Pandas to show their PRIDE anywhere and everywhere they go—from the classroom and cafeteria to the playground and school bus!
Here is what it means to show Panda PRIDE:
P - Patience: Be willing to wait your turn.
R - Respect: Be kind and treat others nice.
I - Integrity: Being honest with yourself and others.
D - Determination: Work hard towards your goals.
E - Excellence: Be the best you can be and do the best you can do.
By modeling and recognizing these behaviors, we help our students build strong character and a welcoming school community. Let's work together to show our Panda PRIDE all year long!
- If your child is a bus rider, be aware that exact pick up and drop off times may vary during the first week or two of school. Please help us by getting your child/children to the bus stop early and being patient.
- If your child is a car rider, plan to drop them off as close to 7:30 a.m. as possible. The car rider line can get long and it does take longer to get students out of cars and into the building during the first few weeks. We ask that you be patient and follow all directions from FDES staff. If you do not have the time to wait in the car rider line, we encourage you to have your child take the bus. See the flier below for expectations of the morning car rider line.
No car rider drop off should take place in the bus loop.
Dismissal can be a busy time of the day, especially during the first few weeks of school. Please help us make this process as safe and efficient as possible by following the procedures and keeping your child's dismissal routine as consistent as possible.
A few things to remember:
- Transportation changes are not permitted after 1:30pm. If you need to change your child's dismissal routine for the day let the main office and your child's teacher know ASAP.
- If your need to meet your child at a bus stop, be there early and be patient.
- If your child is a pk-1st grade car rider, they will be picked up on the car rider side of the building.
- If they are a 2nd-4th grade car rider, they will be picked up on the bus loop side. Cars should wait on the side until busses have exited and they are told to pull through by FDES staff.
- If you do not have your car rider tag - you will need to park and show your ID to the main office before we can release your child to the car rider line.
Hello and welcome back to school, FDES families! I am so excited to join the team this year to care for your amazing students. While I am new to school nursing, I have been a nurse for 12 years after earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania. Outside of the clinic, I love to read and spend time with my husband, our twin boys, and our two dogs! If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns about your child’s health, please reach out to me via email at flaugha@wps.k12.va.us during school hours.
To help us kick off a safe and healthy year, please review these important Back-to-School Health Reminders:
Medication Drop-Off: All prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications require appropriate parent/provider authorization. Parents must personally bring any needed medications directly to the clinic. All medicine must be in its original, clearly labeled bottle (OTC medications must be unopened).
When to Stay Home: Please keep your student home if they have a fever (100°F or higher), vomiting or diarrhea, significant respiratory symptoms, or a contagious illness. A good rule of thumb: if your child feels too unwell to comfortably participate in school activities, they need to rest at home!
Healthy Habits: Encourage your students to wash their hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, drink plenty of water, eat a nutritious breakfast, and bathe regularly.
Mental & Emotional Wellness: Starting a new school year can be overwhelming, particularly for our preschoolers and kindergarteners. Encourage your child to talk to a trusted adult when they feel worried or frustrated. At home, please keep an eye out for any noticeable changes in their sleep, appetite, mood, behavior, or school performance.
Let's work together to make this a fantastic and healthy year for our Pandas!
Are you looking for a wonderful way to support our students, teachers, and school community? Consider joining the Frederick Douglass Elementary School PTO! Our Parent-Teacher Organization plays a vital role in organizing enriching events, supporting classroom needs, and building a strong, inclusive community of families and educators. Your ideas, time, and enthusiasm make a huge difference in enhancing our Pandas’ educational experience.
We welcome all voices and look forward to a fantastic year together. If you are interested in joining, learning more, or have any questions, please contact our PTO President, Amy Kump, through her email: amykump828@gmail.com. Let’s make FDES an amazing place!