More than a week after Hurricane Irene blew through Maryland, power has been restored to all public schools in Baltimore, Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County.
For the first time in weeks, five remaining schools in Baltimore County will throw open their doors Tuesday, along with Guilford Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore and Marley Glen Special School in Anne Arundel.
"There were one or two that we were uncertain about, but they had power restored by Monday afternoon," said Charles Herndon, spokesman for Baltimore County Public Schools.
The long-delayed re-opening means that for the first time since the hurricane, every elementary, middle or high school in the region will be open and operating on a normal schedule. Irene played havoc with the schedules of educators, parents and students, as schools lost, gained, and in some instances re-lost power from day to day.
"I imagine there's a collective sigh of relief from parents across Baltimore County," Herndon said.