Education Archives - Page 255 of 296

CDC No Longer Requiring Masks on Buses Operated by Public/Private Schools; Leaves Decision to School System’s Discretion

Published February 26, 2022 at 8:44PM

Effective February 25, 2022, CDC does not require wearing of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs.

Effective February 25, 2022, CDC is exercising its enforcement discretion to not require that people wear masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs. CDC is making this change to align with updated guidance that no longer recommends universal indoor mask wearing in K-12 schools and early education settings in areas with a low or medium COVID-19 Community Level. School systems at their discretion may choose to require that people wear masks on buses or vans.

MCPS: Board of Education to Address Mask Mandate at March 8 Meeting

By MCS Staff

Published February 26, 2022 at 2:08PM

Montgomery County Public Schools confirmed that the mask mandate will be addressed at the March 8th Board of Education meeting.

Last Tuesday, the Maryland State Board of Education voted 12-2 to rescind its statewide mask mandate for public schools, effective March 1. The Maryland General Assembly’s Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee (AELR) met on Friday, February 25, and approved the Maryland State BOE’s decision.

MCPS Reduces Quarantine and Isolation Period for Students Beginning March 1

By Patrick Herron

Published February 25, 2022 at 3:14PM | Updated February 25, 2022 at 4:28PM

Montgomery County Public Schools have updated their quarantine and isolation periods from 10 days to five, effective March 1. Full details below from MCPS:

Beginning March 1, MCPS will be moving from a 10-day isolation and quarantine period for students to a 5-day isolation and quarantine, if certain health conditions are met. This aligns with our requirements for staff, and the recommendations of the CDC, Maryland Department of Health and our local DHHS.

Watkins Mill Graduate Sid Viswanathan Appointed as Truepill CEO

By MCS Staff

Published February 25, 2022 at 9:22AM

Viswanathan co-founded the company in 2016 and previously served as President

Appointment ushers in new growth phase for Truepill following $142M Series D, $1.6B valuation, and launch of innovative suite of COVID-19 solutions

Petition to Save Sherwood High School Music Teacher’s Position Receives Over 1,600 Signatures in a Day

By MCS Staff

Published February 25, 2022 at 8:46AM | Updated February 26, 2022 at 8:59AM

A decrease in enrollment can leave school administrators with tough decisions regarding personnel due to a loss in staff allocations.

The situation seems to have occurred at Sherwood High School with music teacher Mike Maddox, but not without a fight from local parents and students.

Montgomery County Board of Education Waiting Until March 8 to Make Decision on Indoor Mask Requirement

By Patrick Herron

Published February 24, 2022 at 9:57PM

At tonight’s Montgomery County Board of Education meeting, the board announced that they will be holding off on making any changes to the school mask requirement until March 8.

On Tuesday, the Maryland State Board of Education voted 12-2 today to rescind its statewide mask mandate for public schools, effective March 1.

MCPS: 2021-2022 School Year to be Extended, Snow Day Make-up Plan Released

By Patrick Herron

Published February 24, 2022 at 5:48PM

MCPS Superintendent Monifa McKnight sent out a community message on Thursday that details the school system’s snow day make-up plan. Included were the following changes to the school year calendar:

Three instructional days are needed to be made up for MCPS to reach 181 instructional school days, the minimum required by the state of Maryland

Montgomery County Board of Education to Meet Today and Expected to Discuss Mask Policy

By Patrick Herron

Published February 24, 2022 at 11:02AM

The Montgomery County BOE will hold several meetings today, February 24, beginning with a closed session at 1pm. The open session will begin at 3:30pm and include public testimony.

The BOE is expected to take up the school system’s mask policy during the meeting. Earlier this week the Maryland State BOE announced it was lifting its statewide mask policy for public schools, effective March 1, which will allow individual school systems within Maryland to make their own decision on masking requirements.

Group to Hold Rally Tomorrow in Support of Police-Free Schools, Restorative Justice, and Mental Health Support for Students

By MCS Staff

Published February 23, 2022 at 1:50PM

A group known as Young People For Progress will hold a rally at 4:30pm tomorrow (Thursday, February 24th) outside of the Montgomery County Board of Education meeting at the Carver Educational Services Center on Hungerford Drive. The goal of the rally is to urge MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight and school board members to support police-free schools, restorative justice, and more mental health support for students as the most effective way support student wellbeing and safety, according to a press release.

The Board of Education is holding a meeting tomorrow, Thursday, February 24th. The business meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m., and closed session will begin at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 34, Verizon FIOS Channel 36, and RCN Channel 89. Meeting is rebroadcast at 1:00 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday following the meeting.

Councilmember Tom Hucker and Student Member of the Board of Education Hana O’Looney Host Virtual Youth Listening Session on Mental Health Tonight at 5:30pm

By Patrick Herron

Published February 23, 2022 at 10:06AM

Per Montgomery County:

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 18, 2022—Montgomery County Councilmember Tom Hucker invites Montgomery County students to participate in a virtual Youth Listening Session on Mental Health and Wellness on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 5:30 p.m. to share students’ vision of what Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the County can do to prioritize mental health and well-being in schools. The virtual Youth Listening Session, co-hosted by Councilmember Hucker and Student Member of the Board of Education Hana O’Looney, will include students’ perspectives, questions and ideas, and mental health resources.

MCPS: Masks Still Required in Schools and Offices

By Patrick Herron

Published February 22, 2022 at 7:28PM

Earlier today, the Maryland State Board of Education voted 12-2 today to rescind its statewide mask mandate for public schools, effective March 1.

This evening, MCPS released the following community message to remind students, staff, and visitors that masks must still be worn inside MCPS schools and offices: