500 New Teachers Prepare for Start of School Year

More than 500 new teachers and a new superintendent will greet students when classes start next week in Anne Arundel County schools.

Teachers from across the county returned to classrooms this week to begin preparations for the start of the 2013-2014 school year.

The new school year officially starts Monday, and more than 79,000 students are expected to attend county schools this year, according to a press release from the school system.

The system's new interim superindentent Mamie J. Perkins began her duties on Aug. 1. Perkins was formerly the superintendent of Howard County Schools.

“This is an exciting time for all of us in education, and there isn’t a single educator anywhere who doesn’t look forward to the first day of school,” said Perkins. “I am very much looking forward to visiting schools next week and to seeing the smiling faces of students, teachers, and all of our employees. I think it’s going to be a great year.”

Also new this year will be the debut of the county’s first middle school Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) magnet program, which launches at Old Mill Middle School South, and the opening of the Phoenix Academy, a modern facility that will provide additional opportunities for special education and alternative education students to excel, according to the release.

Most students in grades one through five, as well as six and nine, will have their first day on August 26. Some schools, listed below, will open starting on August 27 due to construction issues:

• Annapolis High
• Central Middle
• Severn River Middle
• Southern Middle
• Phoenix Academy
• Crofton Elementary
• Lothian Elementary
• Mills-Parole Elementary
• Point Pleasant Elementary