Community Update

May 12, 2021

Dear MCPS Community:

Here are five important things you need to know about the May 11 Board of Education meeting, the MCPS recovery plan and what’s ahead:

1. MCPS will provide an in-person, five-day-a-week schedule for students in the fall. We are committed to a full reopening in the fall. This has been shared with the community in a number of recent updates. Students will be expected to attend school in person, five days a week (unless they are accepted into the Virtual Academy). Additionally, on April 27, the Maryland State Board of Education passed a resolution stating that schools should be open in person for the required 180 days of instruction for the 2021-2022 school year.
   
2. Vaccines save lives. Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting the COVID-19 vaccine and signing up your children (12 years old and older) to get the vaccine. All Marylanders 16 and older can schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine at one of Maryland's mass vaccination sites or at any vaccination clinic in the county. In anticipation of final approval of the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-old children, you may preregister your child for an appointment now. Once final approval occurs, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services will email you to make an appointment. The county expects to begin vaccinating this age group at its clinics within the next several days. 
   
3. MCPS will continue to provide free meals to all MCPS students and county residents (18 years and younger) through the summer. Students participating in in-person summer school will receive breakfast, lunch and snacks on site. Students participating in virtual summer school and other county children will be able to pick up 7-Day Bulk Meal Boxes. Pick-up sites for bulk boxes will be located throughout the county. Community partners, including faith-based organizations, local recreation departments and other community organizations,  will also receive meals to provide to county children and youth.
4. Montgomery County has entered the first phase of reopening based on the percentage of the county’s population that has received the COVID-19 vaccine. On April 27, the Montgomery County Council Board of Health Regulation added phases of reopening based on the percentage of the population receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
   • Phase 1: At 50 percent of the population receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, indoor gathering limits increase to 50 people and outdoor gathering limits increase to 100 people. (please note: six feet of distancing would still be required)
   • Phase 2: At 60 percent of the population receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, indoor gathering limits would increase to 250 people and no limit for outdoor gatherings. (please note: six feet of distancing would still be required)

5. Summer programs registration closes June 4. Summer programs are an important part of the district’s efforts to address learning loss and provide access to fun and engaging programs. Programs for elementary and middle school students will focus on mathematics, literacy, specials, enrichment and preparing for the next grade level. At the high school level, there will be opportunities to earn credits in all subject areas required for graduation, for both repeat and original credit, as well as non-credit options in local schools. Programs will:

   • Be offered at no cost to all students, with transportation available
   • Be offered in all local schools/clusters
   • Have all-virtual and in-person options

   Depending on the program, registration will be in ParentVUE or through your local school. High school programs will begin Monday, June 28, and elementary and middle school programs will begin Tuesday, July 6. More information is available here. If you need help activating your ParentVUE account, contact the Community Support Hotline at 240-740-7020 or email communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org.