Actualización: Volver a Aprender

In this update, you will find information about:

• CDC announcement
• Elementary schools
• Middle and high schools
• WCPS school bus transportation
• WCPS health and wellness protocols

Today, March 19, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance for schools in regards to physical distancing. The guidance now specifies:

• In elementary schools, students should be at least three (3) feet apart.
• In middle schools and high schools, students may be three (3) to six (6) feet apart, depending on the level of community transmission.

WCPS will continue to strive to maintain six feet of distance between students regardless of grade level.

The CDC recommends six feet of distance in the following scenarios:

• Between adults, and between adults and students at all times in the school building.
• When masks cannot be worn, such as when eating.
• During activities when increased exhalation occurs, such as singing, shouting, band, or sports and exercise. Move these activities outdoors or to large, well-ventilated space when possible.

In response to this announcement, Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) is prepared to welcome more students to our schools. More students will also have the opportunity to attend school in their classrooms five days a week.

Please read the information below carefully, noting the appropriate effective dates for these changes. It is very important for parents and guardians to communicate and coordinate with your child’s school if you wish for your child’s school attendance arrangements to change.

All WCPS elementary schools will be open to all students who wish to return to in-person learning for five days a week effective Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Current transportation arrangements through WCPS will remain the same until April 6, 2021, unless you have been notified otherwise.

As of Tuesday, April 6, 2021, WCPS will no longer offer an A day/B day option for hybrid learning in elementary school. By this date, parents/guardians of all elementary students need to determine whether their child will attend school fully in person or fully on distance learning. School staff will be communicating with families to determine if your child will be attending school in person or online.

What Does This Mean for My Student?

My child attends school in person on an A day/B day schedule. Parents/guardians should contact the school in advance if you would like your child to attend in person five days a week beginning March 24. If your child rides a WCPS school bus, transportation must be provided for the student on alternate days. For example, an A day student would ride the bus on A days and a parent would transport the student on B days. Full five-day bus transportation will be available April 6, 2021.

My child attends school in person five days a week. There is no change. Transportation will continue to be provided if your child rides a WCPS school bus.

My child attends school via distance learning. Families may continue to have your child remain on distance learning. If you would like your child to attend school in person five days a week beginning March 24, you must contact the school in advance to make arrangements and provide transportation. WCPS can provide transportation for these students beginning April 6.

All WCPS middle and high schools will be open to all students who wish to return to in-person learning for five days a week on Monday, April 12, 2021. School administrators will continue their efforts with families to return students to in-person learning five days a week.

As of Monday, April 12, 2021, WCPS will no longer offer an A day/B day option for hybrid learning in middle and high school. By this date, parents/guardians of all middle and high school students need to determine whether their child will attend school fully in person or fully on distance learning. School staff will be communicating with families to determine if your child will be attending school in person or online.

What Does This Mean for My Student?

My child attends school in person on an A day/B day schedule. Parents/guardians should contact the school in advance if you would like your child to attend in person five days a week beginning April 12.

My child attends school in person five days a week. There is no change. Transportation will continue to be provided if your child rides a WCPS school bus.

My child attends school via distance learning. Families may continue to have your child remain on distance learning. If you would like your child to attend school in person five days a week beginning April 12, you must contact the school in advance to make arrangements.

WCPS school buses will be strategically loaded to the greatest extent possible to maximize distance between students. In accordance with WCPS health and wellness protocols, students must wear masks covering the nose and mouth.

Transportation staff will use strategies to improve air flow and ventilation on buses. Windows will be down partially or fully, depending on the outdoor temperature. The heating system on the bus will be adjusted to accommodate cooler weather.

On WCPS school buses, students will be seated closer than six feet to one another, and students from different households may be seated together.

WCPS firmly believes the full cooperation of our learning community in following and supporting our health and wellness protocols is crucial to keeping our schools open and our extracurricular programs active. We encourage all community members to practice healthy habits and social distancing to limit community transmission of COVID-19.

You can review all health and wellness protocols on the COVID-19 Response website.