Frederick County Public Schools Getting Ready For the First Day Of Classes

Students are scheduled to return to school on Wed., Aug. 20th.Frederick, Md (KM) Frederick County Public Schools  are expected to open for the new academic year on Wednesday, August 20th. Dr. Eric Louers-Phillip. Associate Superintendent for Public Affairs, says FCPS staff has been spending the summer getting ready. That include maintenance work, deep cleaning the classroom buildings, planning bus routes and making sure the technology is working.Dr, Louers-Phillip says two new school buildings will open for students. “FCPS Facilities Services is actively preparing to open the new Valley and Green Valley Elementary Schools. So that should take place coming up here very soon., and those buildings are looking great,” he says.Meanwhile, construction work is continuing on for the replacement for  Yellow Springs Elementary, and Linganore Creek Elementary School, which was known for a time as Elementary School Number 41.Dr. Louers-Phillips says Frederick County Public Schools will continue to grow based on the enrollment projections. “So as of September 30th, 2025, FCPS is projecting to enroll about 48,867 students,” he says. “We’re always pretty close to our projections. Sometimes it’s a little bit under the projection, and sometimes it’s over.”That’s 700 more students compared to the 2024-2025 academic year, according to Louers-Phillips.The first day of classes is a little over a week away, and Dr, Louers-Phillips says it’s a good time for families to make plans for the upcoming school year. “The wonderful thing about the beginning of the school year is students always have an opportunity to continue the great work they’re doing and reset,” he says. “So we always encourage our families to discuss with their child what they’re excited about, and also to share any concerns that they have and to set goals for the upcoming year.””We also ask families to review school communications. So check for e-mails, text messages or any mailings that may come from your child’s school with important details,” he says. “Some of those details include orientation dates, supply lists and schedules. We also send a systemwide back-to-school guide for families, and we encourage families to look at that.”Before classes begin, Dr. Louers-Phillips says parents should get their children on a school schedule.  “Right now would be a good time to start practicing earlier bed times, wake up times, and morning routines about a week or so before school begins so our young ones are ready for that,” he says.It can happen on the first day of school: a student feels lost or confused in a new environment. Dr. Louers-Phillips says there are plenty of people inside the school building who can help. “Our students can find a trusted adult and staff member in the building who can assist them in getting to the right classroom or the right bus,” he says.And if a student finds he or she is on the wrong bus, they need to speak up. “As soon they’re able, they need to inform the bus driver. And our bus drivers will contact transportation, that office. and they’ll also contact the school. And, of course. that child will taken back safely to that school, and we’ll make sure they get safely to their home,” says Dr. Louers-Phillips.He also says there is also an orientation for students at the beginning of the school year so they know which bus to board when coming to school and going home.For additional information on Frederick County Public Schools go to fcps.org.By Kevin McManus