With nearly 200 public schools and scores of private schools in Montgomery County, there's bound to be plenty of news. Here are the top school headlines from across Montgomery County's Patch sites from the first week of the 2012-13 school year:

MCPS Talks School Safety, Reacts to Perry Hall High Shooting

KENSINGTON—Montgomery County school officials discussed school safety after hearing about a school shooting 55 miles north in Perry Hall. Read the full story on Kensington Patch.

50 Years: Leggett Helps Rededicate White Oak Middle

COLESVILLE—White Oak Middle School turns 50 this year. On the first day of classes, County Executive Isiah Leggett and school officials rededicated the school. Read the full story on Colesville Patch.

PHOTOS: Gaithersburg High School to 'Go for Gold' in 2012-13

GAITHERSBURG—Trojans principal Dr. Christine Handy-Collins said the school has adopted an Olympic theme for the new school year. Read the full story on Gaithersburg Patch.

Rockville High Evacuated for Report of Smoke

ROCKVILLE—Malfunctioning light fixture blamed for evacuation on first day of school. Read the full story on Rockville Patch.

How Much Did Parents Spend on Back to School Shopping?

WHEATON—Patch talked to parents outside Wheaton Library to find out how much they were spending on supplies, lunchboxes, backpacks and clothes. Read the full story on Wheaton Patch.

PHOTOS: Bethesda Heads Back to School

BETHESDA—Patch stopped by Bethesda's Wood Acres Elementary School where we chatted with students ranging from kindergartners heading to school for the first time to fifth-graders returning for their final year of elementary school. View the full gallery on Bethesda Patch.

PHOTOS: Bells Mill Elementary Goes Back to School

POTOMAC—A photo gallery of Bells Mill Elementary in Potomac on the first day back to school. View the full gallery on Potomac Patch.

MPSSAA Hosts Eligibility, Recruiting Webinar

NORTH POTOMAC—The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association is launching a new initiative to teach parents, coaches and students the ins and outs of college athletics. Read the full story on North Potomac-Darnestown Patch.

Photo of the Day: Back to School, but Not for Pups

CHEVY CHASE—Not everyone was excited about the first day of school on Monday. Little Sparky howled in protest as his human siblings returned to Somerset Elementary School. Check out the photo on Chevy Chase Patch.

Chalk Talk: Germantown Student News

GERMANTOWN—Which Germantown students made deans list or earned degrees? Find out on Germantown Patch.