The administration dismissed students from class Thursday at 11:03 a.m., following the Harford County Public Schools’ decision to close “due to deteriorating conditions caused by Tropical Storm Nicole,” according to HCPS.org, the Harford County Public Schools’ official site.

Baltimore, Carroll, and St. Mary’s counties also closed early due to inclement weather.  Kent and Queen Anne’s councils have cancelled all after-school activities, according to WBAL.com.

After learning that the public schools would be dismissed early and that St. Margaret was going to close at 12, principal Paul Barker said that “there was no question that we needed to close.”  The administration decided to close the school immediately because roads were starting to flood and the safety of student drivers was at risk, according to Barker.

Athletic director Larry Dukes added that all practices were canceled for the day, although the cross country team was still scheduled to leave for the trip to Lehigh, Pennsylvania, later this afternoon.

Following the mod four announcement cancelling school and after-school activities, students packed up immediately leaving the hallways desolate within 10 minutes.

“I’m glad we’re getting out.  I want everyone to be safe,” math and science teacher Susan Kraft, class of ‘74, said.  “I’m surprised [about school being cancelled], but I’m happy and I hope everyone gets home safely.”

Spanish teacher Jane Michael said that maybe HCPS felt pressured to close schools like the adjacent counties but that they “have to keep your safety as their first priority.”  She added that water started coming into her basement this morning.

Spanish teacher Ed Maynard, class of ‘93, said that his Bel Air home also flooded.  A drain by the door leading to his basement had filled with leaves.  When it started raining, the water started rising and had nowhere to go, so it started leaking into his house.  “My whole back section of the basement has standing water in it [as of this morning].  Also, I don’t have any power so it’s tough to see what the damage is.”

At JC, numerous leaks were reported by students and teachers.  According to maintenance repairman, Mike Ustaszewski, class of ‘72, the wind was blowing so hard that rain blew into the women’s locker room.  English teacher Dick Paaby noticed water stains forming in a corner ceiling tile of his room and a puddle on the floor.  “I went upstairs to see if it was coming from Mr. Hughes’s room, but it wasn’t,” Paaby said, concluding that it must be due to the rain.

Ustasezewski tried to remain positive about the situation: “[Flooding] happens only once in a blue moon, but it’s how you find where the leaks are.”

As of 1:30 p.m., school is still in session for tomorrow.  However, Barker said that if conditions continue through tomorrow, JC would follow the Harford County Public School’s decision regarding closure or delay.  “I wouldn’t be at all shocked [if we closed] just because there are parts of the county that are low-lying.”

**Update, 6:20 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010: JC will follow the Harford County Public Schools’ decision to open two hours late on Friday, Oct. 1.**

Additional reporting by Joey Hoff.

Jenny Hottle can be reached for comment at [email protected].  Taylor Schafer can be reached for comment at [email protected].

Gallery photos by Joey Hoff, Jenny Hottle, and Taylor Schafer.