On Feb. 9, MCPS will share more information with the Board on the plan for students’ return, including an outline of what parents, students and staff can expect for in-person and virtual learning experiences and a timeline:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2020-2021/community-update-20210205.html
Start Date for the Next School Year
The 2021/22 school year calendar has not yet been decided. The Board will address the 2021/22 school calendar on March 15, 2021.
For more details, click here.
Mr. Rand shared an update at the PTA Meeting last week (Feb. 3) regarding preparations Sligo Creek has been making for possible return to school. He mentioned that March 15 is still the target MCPS is using, not March 1 as stated by Gov. Hogan, and that date is also open to change based on metrics. We'll know more following the Feb. 9 Board meeting mentioned above.
Mr. Rand mentioned that the number of French Immersion (FI) students whose families expressed an interest in having them return to school is higher than academy students (~8-10 students per academy classroom planning to return vs. anywhere from 15-19 kids per FI classroom). The safe numbers per SCES classroom, based on the spacing requirements etc., are ~13-14 kids per room. Thus some FI classes have more students wanting to return than a classroom can contain per COVID safety standards. SCES staff are discussing the potential of an A/B schedule for those classrooms (A kids in one week, B kids in the next).
Some options under consideration include: 1) Support to virtual. 2) Simultaneous learning. 3) Direct to in person. Availability of current staff, consistency of what can be offered for each option, and the need for part time support in the building are all factors in the decision-making.
When asked about the status of HVAC and other safety preparations for return to physical school, Mr. Rand responded that they did a walkthrough and would include status in the school's plan to the Director.
Mr. Rand stated that more information would come soon regarding options and timelines for returning to in-person teaching and learning.
