School opened today – Wednesday, Aug. 20. Buses lined up, children of all ages entered schools. When they did they found new teachers, new principals, fresh paint and hundreds of smiling faces.

 In St. Mary’s County, in accordance with a program initiated by Superintendent, Dr. Michael Martirano, Ed.D., every public school was visited by board members and dignitaries as a show of support to teachers, school administrators, students and parents. On the whirlwind tour of school facilities, Martirano divided up willing participants into teams so as to not disrupt first day programs any more than possible.

 TheBAYNET.com accompanied one such team on visits to two schools: Chopticon High School and Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary School. The team accompanied consisted of Mr. Brad Clements, Dr. Michael Martirano, Mrs. Zina Thomas, Mr. William Mattingly, Board Chairman, and Del. John Wood, Jr.

Garth Bowling

 

 During the tour, Martirano indicated that he is a proponent of year-round schools, but that there are many variables that have to be address for his vision to become a reality. Board Chairman Mattingly echoed those sentiments, “I think we are headed toward year-round schools for many reasons.”

 When the team visited Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary School, they arrived before student buses, giving the team an opportunity to visit at length with teachers, eager to greet students on the first day of school.

 While chatting with Dent principal, Barbara Eddy, Martirano talked about the fact that St. Mary’s schools

Superintendent Martirano chats with Dent  Principal Eddy about St. Mary's 100 percent  achievement in the APY.

 However, nearly 84 percent of Maryland schools met the APY targets. “We as a school system are absolutely elated with these magnificent results, said Martirano.

 Then the buses arrived and Dent teachers started another school year to many smiling faces, a few tearful mothers dropping off children for the first day of school, and more than a few students that hesitated, before being greeted by staff and teachers who welcomed them into school.

Dent Principal Eddy  assists a new student  off the bus.