Education

“Dear MCPS Community, MCPS Operating Status Remains Code Green (Normal Operations) and open for Friday, June 9 

We continue to monitor local air quality conditions related to wildfire smoke streaming from Canada. Local data indicate conditions may remain “unhealthy,” advising restricted outdoor activities, especially for “sensitive groups,” for Friday, June 9.Therefore guidance for MCPS schools is to remain open under the same guidelines as the past two days with restricted outdoor activities and cancellation of outdoor recess.   We encourage families to limit time outdoors when students are home, and to take precautions when traveling to and from school, such as wearing a mask when walking or waiting at bus stops.

Last month Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) announced new guidance when responding to medical emergencies in schools for suspected opioid overdoses. The new regulation includes detailed guidance on naloxone (also known by its brand name, Narcan), its use, and access in MCPS schools. Narcan is a potentially life-saving medication that temporarily reverses the effects due to an opioid overdose. The new guidance allows students to carry Narcan in schools and during school-sponsored activities without fear of disciplinary action. Students should continue to seek assistance from school or health room staff in the event of a medical emergency on campus.

This action is part of a series of efforts the school system is undertaking to combat the rise in youth overdose cases across the county. The new guidance allows students to carry Narcan in schools and during school-sponsored activities without fear of disciplinary action. Students should continue to seek assistance from school or health room staff in the event of a medical emergency on campus.

Athletics will operate under guidelines similar to heat index warnings, which include primarily indoor activities and increased monitoring of athletes. Field trips may need to be rescheduled or modified depending on the location and extent of outdoor activity. Adjustments could be made to outdoor graduations and will be communicated by individual schools.

“Dear MCPS Community,

As you may know, unhealthy air caused by smoke from wildfires in Canada’s province of Quebec is affecting much of the northeast and mid-Atlantic areas of the United States, including our area. This influx of smoke has impacted outdoor air quality, which may pose a health risk, particularly to vulnerable individuals such as children, older adults, and those with heart or lung disease.