In this update, you will find information about:

• Daylight saving time
• Bus routes starting March 15
• New WCPS COVID-19 dashboard
• ​Return to play update

Daylight saving time begins this weekend! Remember to set your clocks FORWARD one hour on the morning of Sunday, March 14, 2021.

Beginning Monday, March 15, 2021, all WCPS schools will return to our normal dismissal times. This involves extending the current school day for in-person and online students by approximately 45 minutes.

This change will impact school bus routes, particularly in the afternoon. Families should look up their child’s bus route information online. Please review both the morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off times. Simply click the link below, and enter your child’s grade and your home address. The system will provide information about pick-up and drop-off times and locations that will be effective Monday, March 15.

Only students who have been confirmed to return in Stage 4 with their school should use this tool. This system will provide bus information for any address, even if the student is remaining virtual.

Unfortunately, bus capacity is significantly reduced due to physical distancing restrictions. This limits transportation options for some of our students. WCPS Transportation staff is working with schools and families to make appropriate arrangements when possible. For parents who are able to drop-off and pick-up their children at school, please consider doing so. Providing transportation for your child may create an opportunity for another student without transportation to return to in-person learning. If your child currently rides a WCPS bus and that arrangement changes, please notify your child’s school so that bus transportation may be offered to additional students.

If you have questions about your child’s transportation arrangements, please contact your child’s school.

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) continues to be open and transparent with our learning community regarding COVID-19 cases reported in our schools and facilities.

Moving forward, WCPS will be sharing data about positive COVID-19 cases reported in all schools and facilities through a COVID-19 dashboard.

This dashboard will include general information about reported positive COVID-19 test results for all staff members and students who are learning in person. WCPS is limited in information that can be shared with the public due to privacy concerns. Please note WCPS expects parents/guardians and staff to report positive test results to their school and/or the COVID-19 Response Team.

The dashboard will be populated beginning with this week’s reported cases, and moving forward it will be populated with up to three weeks of reports. It will be updated daily.

This dashboard will serve as WCPS’ method of notifying staff and school families when there is a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 that is reported to WCPS. Schools will no longer send phone call messages or emails if there is a case of COVID-19 reported in their building.

The dashboard can be easily accessed online at http://bit.ly/WCPSMDdashboard. The dashboard data is also available in Spanish through a link on the landing page.

WCPS is excited to begin our full interscholastic spring athletics season on Monday, March 15, 2021.

WCPS will continue to follow state and local guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is incredibly important to uphold these guidelines to promote our community’s health, keep our schools open, and keep our athletics teams in play.

Coaches and athletic directors are currently finalizing an inter-county competitive schedule. WCPS will welcome more spectators for outdoor sports in light of Governor Larry Hogan lifting some restrictions on outdoor venue capacity.

Look for more information in a later Return to Play Update.