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2021-2022 School Year Update

Posted January 4, 2022

To our WCPS school families,

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) has been following community COVID-19 metrics through the winter break period. We want to update families with how we intend to move forward in the school year.   

Growing research indicates the value of in-person instruction in meeting the academic, social-emotional, and basic needs of students. WCPS began the school year with the goal of maintaining in-person instruction while providing a safe learning environment. That continues to be our top priority. 

Without question, WCPS will continue to make adjustments through the pandemic, especially as our community experiences higher transmission rates. This may result in a variety of changes, such as staff covering for other staff, combining classes, canceling events, or delaying or canceling bus routes. We ask everyone in our learning community to be flexible and patient if adjustments are necessary. 

WCPS continues to use a variety of strategies to prevent the spread of viral illness in schools, including but not limited to:

Universal masking. WCPS follows the State’s emergency regulation requiring all individuals to wear face coverings over the mouth and nose inside all school buildings.

Testing in schools. Student or staff who become sick with symptoms of COVID-19 during the school day can be tested (with parent consent for students). Individuals should not come to school for the purpose of getting tested.

Physical distancing. Space between students is maximized to the greatest extent possible. 

Enhanced cleaning protocols. Staff clean and disinfect classrooms with state-of-the-art equipment and cleaning solutions. Each classroom has air purifiers that clean and disinfect circulated air.

Encouraging healthy habits. All schools are equipped with a supply of hand soap and hand sanitizer, which is available in multiple locations. Students are encouraged to wash their hands throughout the day. Students and staff who are sick should stay home.

WCPS encourages our school families to take precautions beyond the school environment to prevent the spread of COVID-19, keep schools open, and keep extracurricular activities running.