LEONARDTOWN, Md. (Nov. 26, 2008)—St. Mary's County Public Schools announced today that they will be closed for students on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama. This follows a similar move made by the Charles County schools on Nov. 19.
At its meeting of November 25, the Board of Education agreed with the recommendation made by Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools, to change the school calendar, moving the staff professional development day from Friday, Jan. 16 to Tuesday, Jan. 20. Schools will be closed for students on Jan. 20, while teachers and staff carry out professional responsibilities and participate in staff development. January 16, 2009, will now be a regular day of school for students and staff.
Based on this change, the SMCPS January 2009 calendar is as follows:
-- Jan. 1: Holiday - All Schools and Offices Closed;
-- Jan. 2: Winter Break - No School for Students and 10 & 11 Month Employees;
-- Jan. 5: Schools Reopen - Students in School;
-- Jan. 16: Normal School Day for Students and Staff - End of 2nd Quarter (42 days) and 1st Semester (89 days);
-- Jan. 19: Holiday - Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday - All Schools and Offices Closed;
-- Jan. 20: Professional Day - Professional Responsibilities/Staff Development - No School for Students; and
-- Jan. 28: Report Card Distribution.