ParentVUE
Welcome to FDHS
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Greetings Frederick Douglass High School Community!
August 11, 2025
Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year!
We are excited to welcome each and every one of you back to another exciting school year at Frederick Douglass High School, an institution of education and excellence! As we embark on this journey together, we want to extend a special welcome to our new students and families joining our school community for the first time. Your presence enriches our school and adds to the vibrant tapestry of our diverse and dynamic community.
This year, we are committed to fostering an environment where every student feels safe, valued, supported, and inspired to reach his/her full potential. Our dedicated team of educators has been working tirelessly over the summer to prepare engaging and challenging learning experiences that will ignite curiosity and a love for learning in our students.
Parents and guardians, your partnership is vital to our collective success. We encourage you to stay actively involved in your child's education and to communicate openly with us. Together, we can provide the support and encouragement our students need to excel.
As we begin this new school year, let us embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead with enthusiasm and a growth mindset. Let's work together to make this year one of the best yet and to continue to make FDHS a World Class High School!
School Hours
It is imperative that all scholars report to school/class on time and are ready to learn!
- Start Time - 7:30 a.m.
- End Time - 2:10 p.m.
- Classes and instruction begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. and conclude at 2:10 p.m.
- Doors will open for students at 7:00 a.m. Early dismissals MUST be completed by 1:30 p.m.
Additional information can be found on our Bell Schedule page.
Synergy & ParentVUE
If your scholar was enrolled with PGCPS during the 2024-2025 school year, you should have created a Synergy/ParentVUE account. This innovative online tool provides near real-time access to information on assignments, scores, attendance, class schedules, transcripts, graduation status, and more. As a ParentVUE user, you will also enjoy the convenient ability to submit online forms and communicate easily with teachers and staff.
Student schedules will be available in ParentVUE prior to the first day of school.
If you are new to our school system or do not have a ParentVUE account, please refer to the instructions here. ParentVUE Registration
If you have a ParentVUE account, please log in to make sure all of your contact information is up-to-date (phone numbers, email addresses, emergency contacts)
Cellphone Policy at FDHS
As mentioned above, Frederick Douglass High School is an institution of education and excellence and everything else is a distraction, including cellphones. As we strive to create the best possible learning environment for our students, we want to address an important issue that has been affecting our classrooms: the use of cellphones during instruction. While cellphones are a valuable tool for communication and learning, their presence in the classroom can often lead to distractions that impede the educational process. Studies have shown that cellphones can disrupt the focus and concentration necessary for students to fully engage with their lessons. This not only affects the individual student's performance but can also impact the entire class's learning experience. Research suggests that the mere presence of a smartphone can undercut learning.
To address this issue, we are implementing a policy that restricts cellphone use during instruction. Our goal is to foster an environment where students can focus on their studies, interact meaningfully with their peers and teachers, and develop the critical thinking skills they need to succeed. Teachers will provide a signal to students which will indicate when it is an appropriate time to use their cellphones. If there is cellphone usage during a prohibited time, the teacher will;
- 1st-Issue a warning
- 2nd-Provide an opportunity for the student to reflect on his/her behavior
- 3rd- Contact a parent/guardian
- 4th- Contact an Administrator to possibly confiscate the cellphone or remove the student from the classroom and contact the parent/guardian
We care deeply about preparing our students for success. However, this policy will only be effective with the cooperation and support of our parents and guardians. Also, please know that each classroom has a telephone and a call button in the event of an emergency that requires you to communicate with your student. Additionally, your student will be allowed to maintain possession of his/her cellphone as long as it is not being used at a prohibited time.
We know that together, we can maintain a school environment that supports the academic and personal growth of all our students. Thank you for your support and understanding.
Important Upcoming Dates
In-Person New Parent Orientation (All New Students & Rising 9th Graders)
There will be a new parent orientation session on Thursday, August 21, 2025 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.
In-Person New Student Orientation (All New Students & Rising 9th Graders)
For all new 9th grade students and new students to FDHS, there will be orientation on Monday, August 25, 2025 from 7:30 am until 11:10 am. 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 and new students to learn what it means to be an FDHS Eagle.
All students should report to orientation in school uniform.
First Day of School
The first day of school for all students will be Tuesday, August 26, 2025. 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.
Back to School Night
We would like to invite all of our parents and guardians to join us on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 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.
Additional Information
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 sweaters ,light jackets, and/or a black hoodies may be worn OVER uniform shirts. However, hoods may 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, with supporting documentation.
School Supply List
- PGCPS issued Chromebook and charger
- CLEAR Book Bags and Clear Purses ONLY
- General School Supplies-
- Glue sticks
- Pencils
- Black pens
- Highlighters
- Notebook paper
- Graph paper
- TI 84 CE or TI30XIIS Scientific Calculator (Optional) - Algebra I and II
- Teachers will provide a list of specific supplies needed during the first week of
School Hours/Early Dismissals
Classes and instruction begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. and conclude at 2:10 p.m. Early dismissals MUST be completed by 1:30 p.m.
Main Office
The main office hours are 6:45 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 Synergy. 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.
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. Candice Perkins, 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.
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:
- Report to school and all classes on time and ready to learn
- Be engaged for the entire class period and 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,
The Frederick Douglass High School Administrative Team
Mr. Sterling Brooks, Ms. Christy Robinson, Mrs. Cynthia Thomas