MCPS: Six Things to Know for Friday, March 4, 2022

Here are six things to know for Friday, March 4, 2022, which include information about mask mandates, the COVID-19 dashboard, COVID-19 test kits and the upcoming release of the FY 2022-2025 Strategic Plan website.

1. Mask Policy Decision Expected Soon
   In a recent public statement, the Board of Education said that it is likely to vote to move to a “mask optional” policy for Montgomery County Public Schools. Should this decision be made, MCPS will provide guidance and support to families about a shift to optional masking in schools and offices. We expect our MCPS community to respect others’ mask choices. Read the community message
2. COVID-19 Dashboard Updated
   MCPS has published an updated version of its online COVID-19 Data Dashboard. Working collaboratively with the cross-functional COVID-19 Operations Advisory Team to ensure that stakeholder feedback was incorporated, the dashboard will now include:
   • Reported positive cases for students and staff over the previous 10 days by school, the number of students and staff at each school, and the percentage of the population impacted by COVID-19 for the previous 10 days
   • Total number of positive cases for the previous 10 days for the entire district
   • Total number of active quarantines
   • Total number of active cases and quarantines since Aug. 31, 2021
   • The dashboard will updated on a daily basis
3. COVID-19 Rapid Take-Home Test Kits Being DistributedMCPS continues to distribute rapid COVID-19 test kits to all students and staff every three weeks through March. These kits are an important part of ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus.

   VIDEO: Directions for use of COVID-19 rapid test kit

   Learn more at this website and review the flyers:

   English /  español  /  中文  /  français /  Português /  한국어 /  tiếng Việt /  አማርኛ

   (Reminder: these are nasal (nose) rapid test kits; please refer to the directions included in the kits prior to use)

4. MCPS Strategic Plan Website to be Released Next Week
   The new MCPS strategic plan for 2022-2025 features three main areas of focus:
   • Academic Excellence
   • Well-Being and Family Support
   • Professional and Operational Excellence

   This Board-approved plan will move teaching and learning in critical focus areas to support students in their education.

   Posters
   English /  español  /  中文  /  français /  Português /  한국어 /  tiếng Việt /  አማርኛ 

5. In-School COVID-19 Testing Remains Important

   In-school COVID-19 testing is an important tactic to mitigate spread of the virus. MCPS has in-school random testing for asymptomatic students and rapid testing for students who show symptoms. Parents must give permission for this testing by completing this form. Learn more about in-school COVID-19 testing.

6. In Support of the Families Affected by the Silver Spring Apartment Building Explosion
   All of us at Montgomery County Public Schools are deeply concerned about the welfare and well-being of the families affected by the apartment building explosion in Silver Spring. MCPS staff will work with families needing assistance as they recover from this event. If you wish to support families affected by the fire, please consider making a donation to Making Home Possible. More will be shared in the coming days.