Schools

A Decision on Schools Will Come Tuesday Evening

Schools chief wants to give BGE and road crews time to further restoration work before making a decision.

As of 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the list of schools in Broadneck with power include:

  • Arnold Elementary
  • Belvedere Elementary
  • Broadneck Elementary
  • Cape St. Claire Elementary
  • Magothy River Middle
  • Severn River Middle
  • Broadneck High.

The single county school in the Broadneck area without power is:

  • Windsor Farm Elementary.

According to Anne Arundel County Public Schools spokesman Bob Mosier, the situation is very fluid and school officials won’t be making a decision about opening schools on Wednesday until Tuesday evening—which should give BGE and road crews time to further work on restoration.

Find out what's happening in Broadneckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We are looking at a bunch of things — which schools have power, the situation with traffic lights (as many as 25 major intersections are not working), the ability of buses to get to students, and the ability for staff to get to the schools,” Mosier said.

Mosier added that the system doesn’t need all of the schools to be open in order to open the system.

Find out what's happening in Broadneckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We will be faced with many unique situations. Our charge is to make a decision for the overall school system,” Mosier said.

Another issue could involve the school system’s magnet programs. If the home school is closed but the magnet is open—or vice versa— there could be transportation issues at play.

“The more we expand magnet programs and have non-traditional transportation plans, the more complex it becomes," Mosier said.

Mosier said that whatever the decision comes down to, the school system will do its best to notify parents.

“We will post on media outlets, use Connect-Ed and have an extended message on the main office voice mail at 410-222-5000,” Mosier said. He noted that they have been using the extended phone list for Connect-Ed, calling up to six phone numbers and two emails on each student emergency card. So that even if a family in Cape St. Claire didn’t get a call due to electrical and telephone problems, maybe a grandparent might get the call and alert the family.

“When we reopen schools, we will get buses to as many stops as we possibly can get them to safely. We will attempt to communicate,” Mosier said.

“Everybody needs to be patient and understanding. We’re all navigating a tricky situation together, he said.

At Chesapeake Academy, a tentative opening schedule has been posted on their website:

Wednesday, August 31 New Family Orientation from 10 -11a.m. (CAPTA lunch for new families at Ledo’s Pizza at noon)  

Thursday, September 1

PS-K:                     Staggered visits

Last name A-M:       8:45-9:45 (No AM BASC)

Last name N-Z:       10:15-11:15 (No AM BASC)

Grades 1-5:            Half day (AM BASC only)  

Friday, September 2

PS - K:                   Half day (AM BASC only)

Grades 1-5:            Full day (AM & PM BASC)

 

Note:  No word yet on Anne Arundel Community College.

Be sure and log on to Broadneck Patch Facebook Page and Twitter for any updates as soon as we get them.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Broadneck