2918 ARTICLE 77

time of beginning and closing each term shall be regulated by the county
board of education; provided, that the financial reports of the schools of
the State shall be made up and rendered to the thirty-first day of July,
inclusive of each and every year; and provided, further, that there shall
be no Change in or encroachment upon the holidays and vacation set forth
and established in the following paragraph:

The months of July and August shall be vacation throughout the whole
State, and the following days shall be holidays, viz:; Thanksgiving Day,
and the day after; from Christmas Eve to the first day of January, in-
clusive; and from the Friday before Easter to the Monday after Easter,
inclusive; and a holiday on general election days. On Washington's Birth-
day, the schools shall devote a portion of the day to exercises.bearing on
the life and services of "The Father of Our Country"; and on November
11th, known as "Armistice'Day," the schools shall devote a portion of the
day to exercise bearing on the World War and the participation of the
United States and the State of Maryland in said war and on "Memorial
Day," the schools shall devote a portion of the day to exercises bearing on
the war between the States and the participation of Maryland in said war;
"Memorial Day" and "Arbor Day" shall be observed at such a, time and
in such manner as the State Board of Education may direct.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 82. 1920; ch. 381.

85. It shall be the duty of every principal, head-master, dean or other
person in charge of any grammar school, high school, normal school, private
school, preparatory school, college or university in the State of Maryland,
giving an academic course, who have morning afternoon, or evening exer-
cises or other gatherings, to open such exercises or gatherings, on at least
one day of such school week, whether morning, afternoon or evening, with
the singing of the "Star. Spangled Banner"; provided, that nothing in this
section shall apply to professional schools.

Chapter 8. Teachers' Certificates, Salaries and Pensions.

An. Code, 1924, sec. 83. 1912, sec. 53. 1904, sec. 52. 1888, sec. 48. 1872, ch. 377. 1904,
ch. 584. 1914, ch. 85. 1916, ch. 506, sec. 53.

86. No person shall be employed as county superintendent, assistant
superintendent, supervisor, principal or teacher unless such person shall
hold a certificate issued by the superintendent of public education and for
the grade required for the position, but any county of the State may require
as a condition of employment a higher standard for a certificate of a
similar kind and grade than is required by the State. Provided that all
teachers', certificates and diplomas in force on April 18, 1916, shall continue
in force for the full time for which they were issued or are valid, and shall
remain valid for the grade and position for which issued. Provided, that
no renewal or extension of such certificates shall be granted under this
section by the State superintendent of schools, nor shall the renewal or
extension of any certificate by a county superintendent expiring between
the time this section goes into effect and September the thirtieth, 1916, be
for more than one year. Provided also that no certificate issued by a county
superintendent of schools between April 18, 1916, and September thirtieth,
1916, shall be valid for more than one year. Provided further that no
certificate heretofore issued shall be valid after April 18, 1916, for appoint-
ment to the position of county superintendent, assistant superintendent,