Five Things You Need to Know About MCPS’ (Spring Semester) Return to In-Person Learning

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Excerpts below from the MCPS article ‘Five Things You Need to Know About MCPS’ Return to In-Person Learning’ (February 24, 2021).

During the February 23, 2021 Board of Education meeting, MCPS staff shared more information about the return-to-school plan.

Here are five things you should know about the MCPS Return-To-School Plan:

1. The timeline and groups of students that will return has not changed. The Board discussed potentially reviewing and accelerating the timeline for return at their March 23 meeting.

2. Safety is our top priority. MCPS has spent more than $15 million to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (masks, sanitizer, gloves, etc.) and make significant improvements to HVAC and safety systems. This includes filter upgrades and installing air cleaner units (65,000 filters have been changed and 5,000 air cleaners have been installed to support existing systems).

3. Free COVID-19 testing will be provided for students and staff. COVID-19 testing will take place at every school and will be available beginning March 15. Staff and students will do the nasal swab test themselves and families will be notified of positive cases in the school. Staff and students can opt out of testing—it is not mandatory.

{Watch this short video on COVID-19 testing in schools}

4. Students will interact and work with teachers daily. While schools will use a combination of instructional experiences to meet the needs of students, students (both in-person and virtual) will engage with teachers and other school staff daily for support and instruction.

5. All meals will be provided. MCPS will continue to provide free breakfast, lunch and dinner meals to all students in schools and at designated food distribution sites.

What’s Ahead

If you would like to see a model of what the safe, in-person school experience will look like, please watch this video. You can also watch the virtual community conversation that was held earlier tonight here. MCPS leaders answered questions submitted by  parents, students and staff about the return-to-school plan. Additional information on the return-to-school plan can be found on the MCPS Recovery website.