An official dedication ceremony will be held at Frederick Douglass Elementary School on Thursday, Oct. 11 for a chance to reflect on the past, present and future of the new building.

Principal Timothy Martino said that even though the school has been open for only seven weeks, it will provide a chance for the local community to come together and focus on those three facets.

Guest speakers will include former principal Fred Drummond, who attended the originial school back in the 1960s. Superintendent Edgar B. Hatrick and a number of school board members will also be in attendance. 

"During the last seven weeks, the energy has been amazing," Martino said, adding that there has been a lot of support from the surrounding community. The elementary school is currently home to 646 students ranging from preschool to the fifth grade.

"We're really getting our instructional practices moving forward, full speed ahead," Martino said. "What we hope for this year is what we hope for every year - that we build strong learners who are high achievers, who feel comfortable, emotionally and physically safe at a school, and that they really move forward each year that they are here."

Martino said that the event is open to to all parents and alumni that are interested in attending. Everyone is asked to wear a blue or yellow shirt to show their school spirit.

The event will take place inside the school's gymnasium beginning at 9 a.m. Tours of the new building will follow. Frederick Douglass Elementary School is located at 510 Principal Drummond Way, SE.