No one was “too cool for school” Sept. 5 when students reported back to classes around Charles County.
Members of Thomas Stone High School’s drum line provided a soundtrack during a Welcome Back Celebration at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School. Classmates who lost track of each other over summer hugged hello or exchanged intricate handshakes. Teachers held up encouraging hand-drawn signs and posters as confetti rained down as sixth, seventh and eighth graders headed into school.
More than 26,400 students returned to school Sept. 5, seeing teachers they knew and some new faces. Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) hired nearly 300 new teachers for the 2017-18 school year.
Kindergartners who attended Jumpstart to Kindergarten at Eva Turner Elementary School were familiar with their classrooms, teachers, and friends on the first day. While waiting for their classmates to finish breakfast, kindergartners grabbed a book and started leafing through them. They read to each other or pointed out funny things about the stories they chose. Turner students also met their new principal, Ingrid Williams-Horton, who along with members of the school staff, helped students find their classrooms and greeted them as they arrived.
CCPS’s student population jumped to 26,500 when pre-kindergartners started school Tuesday, an increase of 110 students from last year’s official Sept. 30 enrollment.
At Malcolm Elementary School, the second day was almost as exciting as the first. With some students still getting the hang of it. “Wait. Is this the school I go into,” kindergartner Michael Hatcher asked art teacher Christine Chinault. “Yep, this is the school,” she answered.
Members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office joined Superintendent Kimberly Hill and Principal Michael Meiser at Westlake High School early Sept. 7 to remind students to drive safely. Students received “We Care” fliers reminding them to obey speed limits, wear seat belts and stow phones while driving.
Images courtesy of Charles County Public Schools website
