Montgomery County, Maryland Public Schools Announcement

Montgomery County, Maryland Public Schools Announcement

Montgomery County Public Schools' students will not return to the classroom until Jan. 29, 2021, at the earliest. 

In a letter on Tuesday, Gayles wrote, "based upon the current state of surveillance and epidemiological data, I would not recommend in-person instruction for students inside school buildings at this time. I recommend investing in a virtual instruction model until, at earliest, the completion of the first quarter in November, with consideration for virtual instruction through the first semester."

In an earlier letter on Saturday, Smith wrote that student and staff safety is a top priority and that in-person instruction will not return until state and local officials give a green light.

"Our goal for the 2020-2021 school year is to provide high-quality instruction and learning experiences for all MCPS students, whether virtually or in person," Smith wrote in a letter on Monday. "And while we hope to be able to bring back as many students as possible for in-person instruction on a consistent basis in the coming months, we cannot and will not do so until we have received clearance from state and local officials who continue to review local and national data very closely."

Smith also wrote that fall and winter sports have been canceled outright.

"We will reassess at the end of the first quarter (Nov. 9) to determine if we are able to implement a phased blended model in the second semester (starting Feb. 1, 2021)," Smith wrote. "We will continue to engage with our community as we continue to navigate this incredibly complex situation."

Smith said MCPS will provide an updated reopening plan to the Board of Education on Aug. 6. The update, he said, will include readjustments based on recommendations from local health officials and feedback from students, staff and the community.

Smith also said the district is working on systems to guarantee all students have access to digital devices and the internet when way from school.

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