Day 1 of new school year termed 'good and quiet'

Alexander Colbert was just a little bit confused yesterday to find himself at Solley Elementary School.

"I thought we had to go to school tomorrow," the shy 8-year-old said as he stood by his locker outside Laura Word's third-grade class.

But when his mother got him up and said this was the big day, he ate breakfast and went to school, as did thousands of elementary students, sixth-graders and ninth-graders.

Today, the remaining middle school and high school students return to school, as do all students at Broadneck High School. The high school was closed yesterday because construction crews were installing carpeting in some classrooms.

One of the few exceptions to the schedule was Magothy River Middle School, which opened yesterday for sixth-graders and will open today for seventh-graders. All students report tomorrow.

"It was a good and quiet opening day from our perspective," Ronald L. Beckett, associate superintendent for support services, said.

"Transportation-wise, things went well . . . All the buses made the correct stops, and the youngsters got on and got to school."

About 48,000 of the school system's 73,000 students take buses.

The school system reminded parents to be prepared for possible closings or early dismissals from hot, humid weather and to make backup plans for child care.

"We don't like to think about it when we're opening school, but we do want parents to plan ahead," said Nancy Jane Adams, a spokeswoman for the school system.

About half the county's 117 schools do not have central air conditioning, although it is being installed in each school built, such as the new Solley Elementary.

But with a cloudy and cool opening day, air conditioning was the last thing crossing the minds of students at Solley.

"I was very nervous this morning," said Kayleigh Bryant, 6, a second-grader. "We were going to be at this new school, and I'd get to meet new friends, and I want to fit in."