Sneak-a-Peeks Start Thursday as Schools Gear Up for Monday Opening

It is time for back to school, with area elementary schools beginning their “sneak-a-peeks” set for Thursday and Friday. Three elementary schools in the South River Cluster were impacted after the Anne Arundel County Board of Education’s redistricting in the spring. About 80 students from Riva were moved from Central Elementary to Davidsonville Elementary; about 30 students were moved from Central Elementary to Mayo Elementary. If your student was moved, your family should have received a letter from the Board of Education outlining the change.

Students in 1st through 6th grade and 9th graders return to school on Aug. 27. Students in grades 7-8 and 10-12 return to school on Aug. 28. Kindergarten and pre-K students begin school on Sept. 4. Parents of kindergarten and pre-K students should look for a letter from the school that assigns a date and time for parent-teacher conferences the week of Aug. 27.

Sneak-a-peeks on Thursday, Aug. 23

Davidsonville Elementary. Principal Jean Marie Hofstetter said that they have had a couple of new hires due to increased enrollment from redistricting. Hofstetter said that earlier this summer there was a family meet and greet for families coming in from the new Riva communities. “Sneak-a-peek” will be held on Thursday, Aug. 23 starting at 2:30 p.m. where teachers will be standing by to greet students.

Deale Elementary: Principal Colleen Harris is back from maternity leave. She said that no new teachers were hired, but two teachers were transferred to her school. Enrollment this year is 290 (so far). There will be 14 classes total. The “sneak-a-peek” will be on Thursday Aug. 23 at 2 p.m. Back to School night is set for Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m.

Lothian Elementary: The school will hold their “sneak-a-peek” on Thursday Aug. 23 starting at 2:30 p.m.

Shady Side Elementary: New principal Geoffrey Casey came to the school in late June and has had eight weeks to settle in. He and former principal Deborah Short (who was transferred to Benfield Elementary) made four hires over the summer, one in PE, two in third grade and a part-time Special Education teacher. “Sneak-a-peek” is Thursday, Aug. 23 from 2 to 3 p.m.

Tracys Elementary: “Sneak-a-peek” is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 23 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Sneak-a-peeks on Friday, Aug. 24:

Central Elementary: After redistricting, Principal Jan Haberlein said that she lost three homerooms, which did not impact class size. Five teachers left (Wilson, Keddy, Luckatich, Chesek, Oren and Day). New hires for special education include Jennifer Lowe and Serena Simmons. Beth Burke will be the new reading resources teacher. Parents who ordered school supplies from the PTA vendor “Toolbox,” will be ready for pickup on Friday, Aug. 24 at the “Sneak-a-peek” from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Edgewater Elementary: The school was unaffected in redistricting. They will host their “sneak-a-peek” on Friday Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Mayo Elementary: Principal Kirk Greubel had two retirements: Enid Ghast and Helen Nelson. In addition, two additional homerooms and a third grade teacher have been hired. Mayo picked up about 15 students from redistricting. Parents and students will have an opportunity to come check out classrooms and pick up school supplies ordered through PTA. The “sneak-a-peek” is set for Friday, Aug. 24.

“We’re expecting a great year. Our kids wonderful staff returning and excited about the new teachers coming in,” Greubel said.