CHARLES COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Superintendent James E. Richmond and his leadership staff boarded school buses on Monday for the first day of classes.

CCPS spokeswoman, Katie O’Malley-Simpson told The Bay Net that Richmond and his staff traditionally visit schools around the county on the first day of classes to make certain schools are opening smoothly.  This year, Richmond wanted his staff to have the added experience of riding the buses.  

“The first part of the school day for most students is the bus ride. I want staff to ride buses in order to reinforce how important school bus safety is as well as meet and greet our bus drivers and students,” Richmond said.

Wade Elementary parents and kindergarteners on
the first day of school. 

The Superintendent rode to La Plata High School, then to North Point High School and finished off at the newly opened Davis Middle School.  Deputy Superintendent Ron Cunningham rode from Hunters Brooke to Lackey High School, then to Smallwood Middle School before finishing at Gale Bailey Elementary. 

Asst. Superintendent of Instruction, Judy Estep rode from Port Tobacco to Craik Elementary.  Asst. Superintendent for Finance Paul Balides rode to Higdon Elementary.  Asst. Superintendent for Human Resources Keith Hettel went to McDonough; and Asst. Superintendent for Supporting Services, Chuck Wineland rode to Matula Elementary.

Seven other administrators, in addition to Richmond and his executive staff, rode buses to schools on Monday.

This was also the first day that every elementary school in the county held full-day kindergarten classes.  The Maryland Department of Education mandated in 2001 that all elementary schools should have full-day kindergarten programs in place by the start of this school year.

CCPS began its full-day kindergarten program ten years ago at Mt. Hope-Nanjemoy.  CCPS felt that the community entering that elementary school could really benefit from additional academic early intervention. 

Other schools with higher numbers of students in reduced financial circumstances began their full-day kindergarten programs three years ago.  CCPS phased in its full-day kindergarten program over the course of three years to spread out the cost of it.

Although each elementary school now has full-day kindergarten programs, they don’t necessarily have the space for them.  The Board of Education will receive the final plans for additions to the last four schools who need additional classroom space to accommodate the program. 

Right now, core classroom space is occupied by the kindergarten, and the upper grade levels are meeting in relocatable trailers.  CCPS intends the additions to allow the upper grades to return to permanent classrooms.

Mt. Hope-Nanjemoy’s and Gale-Bailey’s additions are expected to cost $4.8 million. T.C. Martin’s addition comes in at $7 million and Barnhart’s at $2 million.  All four projects are expected to be complete by spring 2009.

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