Welcome to FDHS

Greetings Frederick Douglass High School Community!

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! We hope that this letter finds you and your family doing well and enjoying your summer. As we plan for a new school year, we remain committed to maintaining high standards of learning. The collective experiences and expertise of our teachers, our students’ willingness to engage in learning and the support of our parent community help make FDHS a World Class High School. At FDHS we believe every student and parent/guardian is an important member of the FDHS family.  Thank you for entrusting us with the education of your student. 

Registering for the SchoolMAX Family Portal will be critical to tracking your student’s progress and receiving important school communications and announcements. If you have not registered we encourage you to visit our SchoolMAX Information Page for details about registering. Once you have registered, you can use the PGCPS Family Portal to view grades and attendance for your student and it will allow us to communicate with you through School Messenger.  This will also allow us to send information to you by phone, email, and/or text message.  You can contact Mrs. Pamela Gainous (Pamela.Gainous@pgcps.org) for questions about the SchoolMax Family Portal.

In-Person NEW STUDENT and PARENT ORIENTATION (ALL NEW STUDENTS & RISING 9TH GRADERS)

There will be an orientation session on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. This meeting will consist of information pertaining to the instructional program, School Counseling Center, and student safety.  Highlights will include expectations for student behavior and academics, attendance expectations and procedures, and high school assessments.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION (ALL NEW STUDENTS & RISING 9TH GRADERS)

For all new 9th grade students and new students to FDHS, there will be a half day (3 hour early dismissal) orientation on Friday, August 25, 2023 beginning at 8:00 a.m.  This day will be a great opportunity for students to become familiar with the instructional and extracurricular programs at Frederick Douglass High School, as well as meet their new teachers and administrators.  This is an excellent opportunity for 9th-grade students to learn what it means to be an FDHS Eagle. 

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 

The first day of school for all students will be Monday, August 28, 2023.  Consistent attendance beginning the first day of school is imperative.   Please make sure you alter your summer vacation to adhere to the Prince George’s County Public Schools’ opening day so your child will not be behind instructionally.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Frederick Douglass High School is a uniform school. Students will wear burgundy polo or golf style shirts (no emblem is required) and uniform style tan khaki bottoms. Khaki (tan) uniform style straight or pleated skirts are a uniform bottom option for students. Skirts, dresses, and shorts are no shorter than students’ fingertips when arms are hanging straight down at their sides. Black or burgundy hoodies and/or a black or burgundy light jacket are no longer an infraction; however, the hoods can not be worn on heads. 

The following items are prohibited: khaki bottoms with holes or rips, leggings/spandex, and head coverings (scarves, du-rags, bonnets, baseball hats, etc.) unless for religious or health reasons. 

SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST

• PGCPS issued Chromebook and charger

• CLEAR Book Bags and Clear Purses ONLY

• For Mathematics-
• Glue sticks
• Pencils
• Black pens
• Highlighters
• Notebook paper
• Graph paper
• TI 84 CE Calculator- Algebra I and II
• Other content areas will provide a list of items needed during the first week of school.

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT & Everything Douglass

For the first time in three years, we would like to invite all of our parents and guardians, in person, to join us on Thursday, September 14,  2023, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at FDHS to meet the teachers, administrators, and staff members. Additionally, we will be hosting an Everything Douglass event, on this same day, from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. During this hour you will have the opportunity to meet our coaches, club sponsors, and learn about all other extracurricular opportunities that we offer. 

SCHOOL HOURS/EARLY DISMISSALS

Classes and instruction begin promptly at 7:45 a.m. and conclude at 2:25 p.m.  

Early dismissals MUST be completed by 1:45 p.m.

MAIN OFFICE

The main office hours are 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The phone number for the main office is 301-952-2400. 

TRANSPORTATION

In light of the continued shortage of bus drivers regionally and nationally, the Transportation Office  asks for your patience during the first weeks of school. Please update phone numbers, emails and emergency contact info in SchoolMax. To view your bus stop, use the Infofinder tool. Transportation questions can be submitted online. This school year, all students can also ride TheBus operated by Prince George’s County to school for free with their school ID. No registration is required. View school routes here.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Your support for FDHS is essential to our success. We are grateful for all of our parent volunteers who work under the leadership of Ms. Jennifer Whitaker, PTSO President. We encourage all families to join the PTSO to support the programs that make our school great. Let’s strive to have 100% of our families join the PTSO.  Additionally, please follow the PTSO on Instagram(@fdhseagles), Facebook(FDHSPTSO) and Twitter @fdhsptso.  PTSO questions/inquiries can be emailed to fdhsptso@gmail.com. 

CLASSROOM TEACHERS

Please be sure that the classroom teacher is the first person you email or call regarding your child’s academics. If your concern is not addressed by the teacher, please contact the department chairperson for that subject area. If the matter is still unresolved, please contact your child’s grade level administrator by email or phone. A school directory is forthcoming. 

Our Commitment to You:

• Promote student achievement
• Engage students in being critical thinkers, open-minded, effective communicators and balanced intellectually, socially and emotionally
• Prepare our students for the demands of college, career, continual learning and citizenship

The FDHS Student Keys to Success:

• Be engaged for the entire class period, complete all class activities and assignments
• Restrict visiting social media sites during school hours and be principled and well-behaved during class
• Act as a member of the FDHS family and make good decisions
• Seek academic and social help as needed
• Take pride in FDHS by getting involved!

Respectfully,

Dr. Nichols

Daisy Nichols, Principal
Sterling Brooks, Assistant Principal
Christy Robinson, Assistant Principal 
Cynthia Thomas, Assistant Principal