The Panda Periodical

Melissa Maestle, Principal

Shane Campbell, Assistant Principal

Frederick Douglass Elementary School

100 W. Cedarmeade Ave.

Winchester, Va 22655

ph. 540-662-7656

August

Week of August 110th - August 14th

8/11 - WELCOME BACK! First Day of School

September

Week of August 31st - September 4th

9/4 - No School - Teacher Professional Development Day

Week of September 7th - September 11th

9/7 - No School - Labor Day

9/10 - Fourth Grade Parent Night

It was so wonderful seeing so many FDES Pandas and their families this past Thursday night for our annual Open House! The building was absolutely buzzing with excitement as students explored their new hallways, found their desks, and met their classroom teachers for the year ahead.

The energy in the gym was especially contagious! All of our incredible specials teachers, dedicated reading specialists, and support staff were gathered there to welcome our families. We were also thrilled to have the WPS Transportation Department on hand to connect with parents and help ensure smooth bus rides for the first day.

We hope our students loved picking up some fun back-to-school swag in the gym, including bubbles, Rubik's cubes, stickers, and slap bracelets. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the start of a brand new year. It was the perfect way to kick off what is sure to be an amazing year of learning and Panda Pride!

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome all of our new and returning Pandas back to the building for the official start of the new school year! We hope you had a restful and fun summer and are ready to jump into another incredible year of learning and growth. Our amazing teachers and staff have been working hard to prepare the classrooms and can't wait to see your smiling faces filling the hallways once again! Let's make it a fantastic year!

Rest up and get ready. We will see you soon!

Please remember these crucial first-day details:

• First Day of School: Tuesday, August 11th

• School Day Starts: 7:30 AM

• School Day Ends: 2:20 PM

Let’s go, Pandas! We believe in you!

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 this year amazing!

Please take a moment to review the Winchester Public Schools Parent-Student Handbook for the upcoming school year! This essential guide covers all of our district policies, daily procedures, and behavioral expectations to help ensure a safe and successful environment for our Pandas. The school district will be updating this document with the most current information right at this link before the first day of classes, so we recommend bookmarking it now to easily reference the latest guidelines as we get back into the swing of things.

We know your schedule is busy, so we’re making it easier to track WPS events. We have launched a live Division News page that captures school and community events in real-time.

Visit the WPS Division News Page

This link is your go-to for dates, deadlines, and division-wide announcements. Be on the lookout for the bi-weekly division newsletter for even deeper dives into community happenings!"