Dear Shady Side Friends,

Welcome to the 2024 - 2025 School Year! I’m thrilled to have the privilege of serving as Principal of your incredible school! If you have not had the opportunity to visit our beautiful campus, I invite you to stop by and see the wonderful changes that have taken place!

We have a beautiful new mural in our front reading garden painted by local artist, Cindy Holden! It is spectacular! We also have a wonderful new parking lot behind the building! Keep this in mind when we have events! This parking lot has reduced the need to park in the street!

When you visit, you will also notice new sidewalks around the entire building replacing the old, crumbled ones that were under water whenever it rained!

For those of you visiting our website from outside the Southern Anne Arundel County area, welcome! Shady Side Elementary School is located alongside the beautiful Chesapeake Bay in rural, Southern Anne Arundel County, locally referred to as, South County. As you make your way from Baltimore, Washington, or Annapolis down the winding country roads leading to Shady Side, you will feel the stress melt away!

We hope you find our website helpful! You will also find answers to many of your questions on the Anne Arundel County Public Schools Homepage at aacps.org. If you still have questions, please know that we are here to assist you. My door is always open, and I look forward to the opportunity to greet you and answer any questions.

Sincerely,

John Barzal
Principal
Shady Side Elementary School