Maryland School News and Updates

Five new schools are needed in Anne Arundel County to accommodate increased student enrollment, and the county is looking at a $2.1 billion infrastructure backlog with regard to school facilities, according to an independent updated school facilities study presented to the Board of Education today.

The study placed Edgewater, Tyler Heights and Richard Henry Lee elementary schools at the top of the $1.1 billion Phase I recommendations, followed by Quarterfield and Hillsmere elementary schools. Two new schools – a Crofton high school and a new "Old Mill West" high school – placed sixth and seventh, respectively.

Jeanne Merrill, teacher at Severna Park ElementaryState Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery today announced the names of seven finalists for 2015-2016 Maryland Teacher of the Year including one from Anne Arundel County, one from Howard County and one from Queen Anne's County.

"Maryland teachers are among the nation's finest, and the work of these outstanding finalists represents the sparkling creativity and energy found in classrooms through the State," said Dr. Lowery. "Maryland's teachers offer our students world-class instruction, providing a passport to their future success."

The finalists are: Jennie Merrill, Anne Arundel County; Stephanie Geddie, Howard County; Barbara Sutherland, Queen Anne's County; Ryan Kaiser, Baltimore City; Amanda Portner, Frederick County; Stephanie Marchbank, Allegany County; and Sally Irwin, Washington County.

Merrill is a teacher at Severna Park Elementary School. Geddie is at Laurel Woods Elementary and Sutherland is at Kent Island High School.

As the kids head back to school, it's important to make sure they are safe.

The majority of child abductions occur when the child is traveling to or from school between 2 and 7 p.m., according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Wondering how best to help your kids this school year? Here's a tool that can help! A website called "Be A Learning Hero" offers a roadmap for parents to navigate the changes happening in the classrooms in Maryland and across the country so they can help their children be successful in school.