The Howard County Public School System announced in a letter to the community this morning that an alarming increase in Covid-19 cases (300 positive tests in the last 3 days) has led the school system to suspend the following activities through January 15th, 2022.
HCPSS will re-evaluate on January 7th, 2022 to determine if an extension is necessary.
Per MCPS:
November 19, 2021
On the heels of the Howard County Public School System approving one additional early release day each month from December through May, Anne Arundel County Public Schools Superintendent George Arlotto announced that he will formally recommend adding three early dismissal days for students to allow staff and students personal time to focus on their individual wellness.
Dr. Arlotto and his staff have been having discussions about the initiative for several weeks. The changes would require the Board of Education to alter the current school year calendar.
Dr. Monifa B. McKnight, Interim Superintendent of MCPS, released the following statement Tuesday afternoon:
“Dear Parents, Students and Community Members,
The Board of Education passed a resolution today to close all schools and offices on November 24, the day before Thanksgiving. The day is traditionally a half day for students and staff at Montgomery County Public Schools.
Interim Superintendent of Schools Monifa McKnight released the following message:
The Board of Education invites you to participate in a virtual town hall to share your thoughts on what characteristics are essential for the next superintendent.
Focus Questions
Per Montgomery County:
Greetings,
The Howard County Public School Board of Education voted 8-0 in favor of a motion to “add in one additional 3-hour early dismissal each month for all students beginning December 2021 through May 2022.” The purpose of the calendar modification is to “provide school-based staff with additional time to address increased staff workload and to support employee well-being.”
According to HCPSS Board of Education Member, Vicky Cutroneo, the new early dismissal dates include:
Wootton High School Principal Kimberly Boldon sent the following letter to students and families on Tuesday evening after police were called to the school to investigate an alleged incident that occurred in the boys locker room involving the school’s Varsity football team.
I want to assure you we have taken all of the required steps, in collaboration with MCPD and the MCPS Department of School Security and Emergency Management, to ensure our students’ safety and well-being. We will have additional follow up with the members of our football team and their families, including discussions about our safety and security procedures. A team of psychologists and counselors will also be on campus in the coming days to provide support as needed.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Interim Superintendent Monifa B. McKnight and Dr. James Bridgers, Acting Health Officer, Montgomery County, will discuss important changes to guidelines for COVID-19 quarantines in MCPS schools.
An update on plans to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to 5- to 11-year-old children, when authorized in the coming days will also be discussed.
The Montgomery County Board of Education invites you to participate in a virtual town hall to share your thoughts on what characteristics are essential for the next superintendent.
The first virtual town hall will take place on Saturday, October 30th at 10am. Two more virtual town halls will take place on Thursday, November 4th and Wednesday, November 10th (both at 7pm).