Staff Kickoff Day For Wicomico County Public Schools 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28

More than 2,500 employees and community supporters of Wicomico County Public Schools will gather at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center for a Staff Kickoff Day rally starting at 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28.

The James M. Bennett High School Marching Band will play. Speakers include keynote speaker Dr. John Fredericksen, superintendent of schools; Susan Cullen of Delmar Elementary, the 2009-10 Wicomico Teacher of the Year; and Mark Thompson, president of the Wicomico County Board of Education; and Rick Pollitt, Wicomico County Executive. The rally will end with a special musical performance by the school system's rock 'n' roll band, The Edgeucators.

This annual event gives every school system employee - teachers, bookkeepers, principals, cafeteria workers, supervisors, custodians, media specialists and others - an opportunity to come together before the first day of school to get energized for the arrival of students and to hear common messages. Elected officials and representatives of some of the many organizations that serve as partners in public education in Wicomico County have also been invited to attend.

Schools throughout Wicomico County, as well as the Central Office, will be closed early Friday morning so that employees may attend the Staff Kickoff Day rally. Staff members will report to their schools and offices at 10:30 a.m. to continue preparations for the opening of schools on Monday, Aug. 31.