Things to Know Message for
Thursday, March 31

Here are the key things to know for Thursday, March 31. They include important COVID-19 reminders about spring break, a notice that kindergarten registration is now open, upcoming community engagement events and more.

1. Spring Break Begins Monday, April 11
   Remain Vigilant: COVID-19 is Still With Us
   We are all looking forward to Spring Break; we’ll have more time with family and friends, some of us may travel or gather for events. In order to safely return to school on April 19, following spring break, why not build yourself a COVID-19 Spring Break Safety Checklist? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following reminders of things you can choose to do during spring break to help yourself avoid COVID-19.

   • Get vaccinated and stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines, get the booster if you are eligible.
   • Consider wearing a mask, especially in public spaces or if you have increased risk for illness.
   • Stay six feet away from others.
   • Avoid poorly ventilated spaces and crowds.
   • Test to prevent spread to others.
   • Wash your hands often.
   • Cover coughs and sneezes.
   • Clean and disinfect.
   • Monitor your health daily.
   • If you are sick, follow recommendations for quarantine and isolation.
   • Take precautions when you travel.

   It’s up to all of us to take care of ourselves so our community can stay healthy.

2. REMINDER: COVID-19 Rapid Take-Home Test Kits:

   • On Monday, April 18, families are asked to test all MCPS students using MCPS-provided rapid take-home test kits and report positive cases via our online form. If the test is positive, stay home and follow quarantine and isolation guidelines. If your child has COVID-19 symptoms or is sick, stay home. The same guidance is for staff who also are receiving the take-home test kits. Test on April 18, the day before we return to school and report any positive cases.
     Reminder: COVID-19 symptoms are cough, sore throat, fever with a temperature of 100.4 or higher, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of taste or smell and difficulty breathing. Use this helpful student health checklist.

     Distribution:
     MCPS is distributing COVID-19 rapid take-home test kits  through April 6. Check your child’s backpack.

     Directions for Use of COVID-19 Test Kits:
     VIDEO: Directions for use of COVID-19 rapid test kit
     Learn more at this website and review the flyers:
     English /  español  /  中文  /  français /  Português /  한국어 /  tiếng Việt /  አማርኛ 
     (Reminder: these are nasal (nose) rapid test kits; please follow the directions included in the kits.)

   • Testing in Schools: Say Yes to the Test
     MCPS has in-school random testing for asymptomatic students and rapid testing for students who show COVID-19 symptoms. Parents must give permission for this testing by completing this form. Learn more about in-school COVID-19 testing.

   • Vaccinations: Individuals 5 and older are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination. They are free, safe and readily available. MCPS hosts vaccine clinics every weekend. Learn more.

3. Kindergarten Registration Now Open for 2022-2023 School Year
   Registration is open for parents who wish to register their child for an MCPS kindergarten class for the 2022-2023 school year. Children must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2022. For more information about eligibility guidelines, registrations or required documents to complete an application, call 240-740-4006 or visit the MCPS Kindergarten registration website.

4. Community Engagement Officer 2.0 Plan Coming Soon
   The new Community Engagement Officer (CEO) Program will represent an innovative approach to ensuring a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment that benefits all students and staff. This new plan has been informed through collaboration between Montgomery County Police (MCPD) and MCPS and includes community input gathered through focus groups with students, staff, parents and multiple community stakeholder groups. We've had the opportunity to share elements of the plan in several public meetings including with the Board of Education and Montgomery County Council. There will be continued opportunities to gather feedback and assess on an ongoing basis.

5. Putting Our Students First: Community Conversations Set for April, May
   Join Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight for three community conversations, All Together Now: Putting Our Students First, set for April and May. These events will bring together families, students, staff and the community to discuss the district’s strengths, priorities and opportunities for how MCPS can better serve its students.
   The events will be held:

   • Wednesday, April 20, 7 p.m., Gaithersburg High School cafeteria, 101 Education Boulevard, Gaithersburg
   • Wednesday, April 27, 7:30 p.m., Walter Johnson High School cafeteria, 6400 Rock Spring Dr., Bethesda
   • Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m., Paint Branch High School cafeteria, 14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville

   RSVP to attend is encouraged.