In the wake of the post-tropical storm known as Sandy, Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) announced the first quarter marking period will be extended to Nov. 7, two class days later than the previously scheduled Nov. 2 deadline.
Because Sandy's effects cancelled classes for two days, delayed openings on Wednesday and left 17 schools without electricity, teachers will have an additional three days to complete testing and assessments to end the marking period.
"Obviously our decision to close schools on Monday and Tuesday has impacted the plans of many teachers heading into the end of the first marking period, which had been scheduled for Friday," said Superintendent Kevin Maxwell in a letter sent home to parents. "In order to accommodate the testing and assessments that must be completed, we are shifting the end of the first marking period."
AACPS spokesman Bob Mosier said no other marking periods will be affected by the change and that report cards will all be distributed on the same days as previously scheduled—Nov. 16 for the first marking period.
Despite the adjusted marking period conclusion date, schools will still have a previously scheduled two-hour early dismissal to give teachers time to input grades and complete comment sheets for report cards, Maxwell's letter said.
"We believe this schedule adjustment will allow teachers and students to maximize instructional and assessment opportunities as the first marking period draws to a close," Maxwell said in the letter.
As Wednesday afternoon, seven schools still did not have electricity.
- Deale Elementary
- Georgetown East Elementary
- Lothian Elementary
- Magothy River Middle
- Severn River Middle
- Southern Middle
- Tracey’s Elementary
Correction: This article has been adjusted to show the marking period was pushed back two class days, not three, since schools are closed on Election Day.
