In this update, you will find information about:

• Third marking period grades
• COVID-19 testing in schools
• Last day of school for students
• School meal site changes
• School help hotline

Third Marking Period Grades

Middle school and high school student grades will be posted to ParentVUE and StudentVUE on Friday, April 9, 2021.

Elementary school student grades will be posted to ParentVUE and StudentVUE on Monday, April 12, 2021 by 1:00 p.m.

Parents and guardians will receive report cards in the mail the week of April 17, 2021.

COVID-19 Testing in Schools

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) is launching a diagnostic COVID-19 testing program in all schools, which will begin Tuesday, April 6, 2021. These tests are reserved for students and staff who may become sick during the school day. Families should continue to keep sick children home if they are not feeling well and visit a community testing site.

Students will not be tested unless a parent or legal guardian gives permission. In the near future, each school will provide families with an electronic consent form that should be completed and submitted to the school for each child. Paper forms are also available at the school. Schools must have the completed consent before a COVID-19 test can be performed on a student. School staff will contact a parent or guardian if a student becomes symptomatic or ill at school to notify the parent that a test will be administered. 

Trained Meritus Health staff who work in WCPS health rooms will administer the tests. All tests are performed with a nasal swab. Testing will occur under a canopy outside the school or in an identified isolation room within the building. If a parent or guardian cannot be present during the test, an additional WCPS staff member will support the student.

If a student or staff member is showing symptoms of COVID-19 during the school day, an initial rapid test will be administered. If the result is positive, testing is complete. If the rapid test results are negative, a second test will be administered and the sample will be sent to a lab for analysis. Results will be shared with health room staff, who will contact the parents or legal guardians and the WCPS COVID-19 Response Team. Because the student is symptomatic, the student will be sent home immediately after testing is complete, regardless of the rapid results. The student may return to school if the second sample concludes the student is negative for COVID-19. Students who test positive will be provided further direction for quarantining.

Any student or staff member who is identified as a close contact to another person who tested positive can also be tested through this program, provided the contact occurred during school activities. These individuals can be tested at the school before being sent home to begin their quarantine period. 

The State of Maryland is providing the test kits and paying for the laboratory services. 

Families who are interested in providing advance consent for their child to be tested should look for an email from the school in the coming days. You will receive an electronic consent form (Google Form) to complete. 

Last Day of School for Students

The last day of school for students this school year is Monday, June 7, 2021. This will be a half day of school with a two-and-a-half hour early dismissal. Students will be in session this day in order to reach the 180 days of instruction that are required of all local school systems by Maryland law. 

Final report cards will be mailed to homes after grades are entered and reviewed. 

WCPS has announced the academic year calendars for the 2021-2022 school year and the 2022-2023 school year. You can view them at the links below. 

2021-2022 School Calendar

2022-2023 School Calendar

School Meal Site Changes

WCPS meal sites located at schools will be closing after meal distribution on Thursday, April 1, 2021. 

Children who visit the meal sites on April 1, 2021, will receive two meal kits for Thursday and Friday. April 1 is a Professional Day for staff, and students will not be in session for school. 

Beginning Tuesday, April 6, 2021, WCPS will continue to serve free meals to children at the following locations in Hagerstown:

• Cortland Manor - 12806 Little Elliott Drive  11:00 -11:30 AM
• Otterbein Church - 108 East Franklin Street -  Noon - 12:30 PM
• Children in Need - 131 W. North Avenue -  11:00 -11:30 AM
• Noland Village - 1048 Noland Drive -  Noon - 12:30 PM

Meal kits include a free breakfast, lunch, and dinner and are available at these four community sites each Monday through Friday. These meal sites will be closed when school is not in session for students (including this Friday, April 2 and Monday, April 5). Food is available for any child 18 years old or younger who is present at the site. 

Look for announcements about our annual summer meal program that will begin in June!
 

Technology Help Hotline

WCPS has operated the Technology Help Hotline and the School Help Hotline to support students and families through distance learning. WCPS will now provide the Technology Help Hotline only during the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Individuals needing assistance with a WCPS-issued device can call 301-766-8990 to speak with a WCPS staff member to troubleshoot any issues over the phone or determine if the device needs to be returned to the school for repair. A replacement device can be provided to the student if the repair process cannot be completed at the school. 
 

WCPS students will not be in school for spring break from Thursday, April 1 - Monday, April 5, 2021. Enjoy the break!