Frederick Douglass High School To Be Closed Thursday, Feb. 14

BALTIMORE, MD — Students at Frederick Douglass High School will have the day off on Thursday, Feb. 14. Officials with Baltimore City Public Schools made the decision Wednesday night.

After a staff member was shot and injured on Friday, students were off Monday and Tuesday, which was the case at all public schools in Baltimore, due to inclement weather.

On Wednesday, students and staff returned to all Baltimore City Public Schools, including Frederick Douglass.

However, school began two hours late at Frederick Douglass High School, and it let out early.

Students started school at 10 a.m. Wednesday; and around 10:45 a.m., Baltimore City Public Schools announced that dismissal would occur at 12:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13. Counseling was available to students and staff, officials said.

According to WJZ, school officials realized that it was too soon for both employees and students to return, since they had not had time to meet with staff alone after the Feb. 9 shooting.

In the incident, police said a 56-year-old man employed as a special education assistant by Baltimore City Public Schools was shot in the torso and hospitalized in critical condition.

The 25-year-old man charged with attempted murder in the case Friday has been denied bail.

On Thursday, only staff are to report, according to Wednesday night's announcement.

The closure will "allow time to plan counseling and support for students," according to Baltimore City Public Schools. "Staff should plan to report on the regular schedule for meetings; counseling will be available."

• Man Charged In Frederick Douglass School Shooting And 2018 Murder
• Baltimore City Public Schools Closed Tuesday
• Staffer Shot, Suspect Arrested At Frederick Douglass
• Baltimore City Public Schools Cancel Classes Monday

Thursday also coincides with the anniversary of the Parkland High School shooting, in which 17 people were killed at a Florida high school in 2018.

Image via Google maps.