Thousands of students set to return to school as staff prepares for 2019-20 year

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By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(Aug. 29, 2019) Thousands of Worcester County students have not much more than a weekend of summer vacation left, as Tuesday marks beginning of the school year for the county’s educational institutions.

Approximately 6,800 students will be taking classes in Worcester County Public Schools this year, necessitating a system with nearly 1,200 employees, 58 percent of whom are teachers according to a 2019 annual report. School officials said there are 673 educators, including 52 newly hired teachers.

Public school students are expected to finish the school year on June 16, with June 17-23 identified as make-up days in the event of inclement weather.

Several changes were made at the system’s administrative level as of July 1. At the central office, Denise Shorts assumed the role of assistant superintendent and chief academic officer following Dr. John Quinn’s resignation, according to a statement from Worcester County Public Schools. Nicole Selby became the coordinator of student, family, and community connections.

At the school level, former Buckingham Elementary School Principal Dr. Karen Marx transitioned into a new role as principal of Snow Hill Elementary School. Former Snow Hill Middle School Principal Dr. Christina Welch will take her place as the leader of Buckingham Elementary School. Former Snow Hill Elementary School Principal Dr. Mary Anne Cooper started as principal of Snow Hill Middle School.

“These changes are another step in the right direction for Worcester County,” Superintendent Lou Taylor said in May. “We have such a talented group of educational leaders here. I am confident that each of these promotions and transfers will lead to greater educational opportunities for our students.”

For more information about Worcester County Public Schools, call 410-632-5000, or visit the school district’s website at worcesterk12.org.

Private school students also will be back in classes on Tuesday. Diane Brown, marketing and public relations associate for Worcester Preparatory School in Berlin, said 475 students are enrolled this year. The school employs 54 teachers, and 11 educators are new hires.

Brown said a couple of changes were made to Worcester Preparatory School’s administration. Dr. Sara Timmons was appointed as the new head of the lower school and Mike Grosso was named acting head of school, while officials are searching for a permanent replacement.

There are 173 school days during Worcester Prep’s school year, according to Delaware and Maryland law for Independent Schools. The year will end on June 5 for the lower school, and the middle and upper schools will finish on June 9.

For more information about the educational institution, call 410-641-3575 or visit the website, worcesterprep.org.

Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, a private institution at 11242 Racetrack Road in Ocean Pines, has about 210 students in attendance, according to Amanda Evans, Most Blessed Sacrament’s director of admissions and advancement. There are 20 teachers at the school and three new teachers were hired for the upcoming school year.

Evans said no administrative changes were made ahead of the 2019-20 school year.

Students in prekindergarten-three through eighth grades are expected to finish on June 12 as part of a 180-day school year.

Contact Evans at 410-208-1600, to learn more about admissions. For more information, visit the school’s website at mostblessedsacramentschool.com.