Things to Know for
Thursday, June 23

Here are eight things to know for Thursday, June 23. They include vaccination information for children 5 and under, an update on vaccine requirements for Montgomery County Public Schools athletes, a COVID-19 update, summer meals locations and more.

1. School-Based COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics for Children 6 Months to 5 Years Old Begin this Weekend
   MCPS is partnering with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to begin vaccinating children ages 6 months to 5 years old on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, by appointment only. Parents are encouraged to check with their pediatrician for vaccine availability as the majority of vaccine received in Montgomery County has been delivered to the private sector (physicians and pharmacies). County-operated clinics will offer one type of vaccine at each clinic. When making an appointment, confirm that the clinic offers the vaccine you want. To learn more and make an appointment, visit this website.

2. Student-Athlete COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Update
   Vaccination for COVID-19 is strongly recommended for student-athletes, but is no longer required. This change to the vaccination requirement applies to summer conditioning and the upcoming fall season. The change is due to community transmission levels, vaccination rates and analysis of activities (mostly outdoors). Vaccination requirements are subject to change, pending the latest guidance from the Student-Athlete Medical Advisory Committee for MCPS Athletics, in collaboration with DHHS. There are no changes to the vaccination requirements for school staff and volunteers at this time. Read the full Return to Raise community message.

3. Continue to Report Positive COVID-19 Cases If You Are Participating in MCPS Summer Programs
   If you have a child in an MCPS summer program, please continue to report positive COVID-19 cases via this form. Staff working during the summer months should report positive cases too. The DHHS data dashboard, as well as the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), report our community is at a “medium” level of impact from the virus.

4. Important Update to Synergy ParentVUE System
   Please note that Synergy will be unavailable on June 24th all day starting at midnight for end of year maintenance. During this window of time, Synergy SIS, StudentVUE, TeacherVUE and ParentVUE will not be available. The System will be available by 6 a.m. June 27th. Report cards will be available in ParentVUE and also mailed home on June 27th.

5. Summer School Lunch Free at MCPS Locations
   Students in many summer school or recreation programs will be provided meals as part of the Montgomery County summer food program. The free meals will be served at approximately 175 sites throughout the county every weekday starting June 27 (start dates vary by site). All children 18 and younger, as well as persons with physical and mental disabilities up to 21 years old, are eligible to receive meals. Walk-ins will be able to go to open sites for meal service. See a list of school lunch sites and times.

6. Reminder: Innovative Schools Start July 6
   Arcola and Roscoe R. Nix elementary schools start their 2022-2023 school year on Wednesday, July 6. Arcola has a start time of 9:25 a.m. and Roscoe R. Nix will start at 9 a.m. The MCPS Innovative Schools initiative creates new school learning communities where students have an extended academic year filled with interactive learning, enrichment and social-emotional growth. Innovative Schools started in the 2019-2020 school year.
   

   Arcola Elementary
   Roscoe R. Nix Elementary

7. Help a Student In Need by Donating to Annual GIVE BACKpacks Campaign
   Consider donating to the 11th annual GIVE BACKpacks campaign to support the distribution of backpacks and school supplies to students in MCPS schools. We need your support, now more than ever, as the cost per backpack with supplies has increased to $15 due to supply chain and inflation issues and we have even more students who will need help accessing school supplies this fall. MCPS places orders throughout the summer with a goal of providing as many students as possible with a backpack with school supplies at the start of the school year.
   Learn more and make a donation.

8. Survey About Out-of-School Time Open Until June 30
   Are you aware that there are fun activities and opportunities available for students on non-instructional days? Parents and guardians in Grades 4 through 11 are invited to complete this survey to help improve next year’s program. The survey is open through June 30.

   MCPS piloted the Out-of-School Time program to provide students and families with engaging options for students on days when school was not in session. These in-person and/or virtual activities supported academic skills, physical and emotional wellness, art and digital learning skills.

   Learn more about the Out-of-School Time program.

Montgomery County Public Schools