Actualización: Volver a Aprender​

Mise à Jour: Revenir pour Apprendre

In this update, you will find information about:

• New return date for students
• Winter sports season
• Support during distance learning
• Transportation Location Change (TLC) forms
• ​COVID-19 Response website

Community COVID-19 health metrics continue to increase, and Washington County is leading the state in both positivity rate and cases per 100,000. Due to these statistics, Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) is extending the date when in-person classes may resume.

As of the writing of this message, the State of Maryland posted the following metrics for Washington County:

• Positivity rate: 17.32%
• Case rate per 100,000: 93.73

Washington County’s community health metrics continue to climb well beyond the recommended guidelines for reopening schools to students determined by the State of Maryland. In addition to the metrics, WCPS must also consider the ability to operate schools with adequate staffing.

Washington County also continues to outpace the state average and neighboring counties in our COVID-19 metrics. See the graphs below that follow the trend of cases in our community. These represent community metrics from November 13, 2020 (when WCPS paused the Return to Learn Plan) to present.

WCPS believes students will be most successful when they are learning in our schools with their peers and educators. We are optimistic that our community’s collective efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will contribute to declining health metrics in the days and weeks ahead. We are committed to working through the pandemic with our learning community for the benefit of students.

WCPS would like to provide opportunities for winter student athletes to safely compete in their respective sports. These opportunities are also dependent on community health metrics.

Modified in-person practices may begin no sooner than Saturday, January 23, 2021. With this schedule, the first eligible competition date will be Friday, February 12, 2021.

In the meantime, winter sports teams will continue to conduct practices virtually. Coaches and athletic directors will communicate with student athletes and families regarding practice and competition arrangements closer to the time of in-person activities.

This scheduled start date is subject to change based on community health metrics and other related considerations.

WCPS would like to remind families how we are supporting students while distance learning continues.

Mental Health Support - WCPS understands distance learning is impacting students in different ways. If your child is struggling with social, emotional, or other concerns, please reach out to your child’s school counselor for assistance. You can find contact information for all counselors by clicking here.

Academic Support - WCPS strongly encourages families to explore opportunities for additional academic support during distance learning. If your student needs or would like assistance in any academic courses, please contact your child’s teacher or the school principal.

WCPS Meal Sites - WCPS continues to serve all children 18 and under at 22 grab-and-go meal site locations across our community. Children will receive a free breakfast, lunch, and dinner in each meal kit at each visit. Sites operate Monday - Friday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Locations will be closed on Monday, January 18 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Click here for more information about WCPS Meal Sites.

Technology Help Hotline - WCPS staff are available Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. to assist families through technical issues with students’ WCPS devices, like iPads and Chromebooks. Contact the Technology Help Hotline at 301-766-8990.

School Help Hotline - Staff are also available to help students after the school day with questions about assignments, applications, and websites on Monday - Thursday from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. You can reach a School Help Hotline at the following numbers:

• Elementary: 301-842-8976
• Middle: 301-842-8677
• ​High: 301-857-1059

*Please note assistance through the Help Hotlines is available in multiple languages.

WCPS Distance Learning Family Portal - Visit this website to find several resources for students and families to be successful in distance learning.

Schools continue to make preparations to return students for in-person learning. Parents or guardians who indicated they would like their child to return in Stage 4 may need to complete a Transportation Location Change Form (TLC). It is necessary to complete this form if your child will ride a WCPS school bus and needs to be picked up or dropped off at an address other than your home address, for example a childcare location.

One form should be completed for each student. Each child may have a maximum of two consistent A.M. pick-up locations and two consistent P.M. drop-off locations. To complete the form, click here.

WCPS has developed a website that includes information about all of our health and safety protocols for students and staff during COVID-19. You can also find other community resources that may be helpful in navigating the pandemic.