AACPS Will Reopen For Hybrid Classes; Board Announces Start Dates

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — On Wednesday, the Anne Arundel County Board of Education decided that interested students can start hybrid classes next month. Only those who prefer in-person instruction will head back to school buildings.

Hybrid students in Early Childhood Education and those in Pre-K through fifth grade will flock to schools on March 1. Sixth, ninth and 12th graders who opted in will start on March 8. Registered students in grades seven, eight, 10 and 11 will begin March 22.

Students in all three levels will go to school on Mondays and Tuesdays or Thursdays and Fridays. They will have online classes each of the other three weekdays. Buildings will undergo a deep clean every Wednesday while all instruction is virtual.

Some priority groups will come back even sooner. Here is when these select students will return:

Feb. 11:

• Center of Applied Technology – North
• Developmental Centers (Phase I elementary)

Feb. 16:

• Developmental Centers (Phase II elementary)

Feb. 18:

• Center of Applied Technology – South
• Developmental Centers (Secondary)

Feb. 22:

• Elementary ED Regional Centers (Glendale Elementary School, Odenton Elementary School, Rolling Knolls Elementary School)
• J. Albert Adams at Mary Moss Academy (All grade levels)
• Phoenix Academy (ED elementary students)

Feb. 25:

• Secondary ED Regional Centers (Bates Middle School, Chesapeake Bay Middle School, Chesapeake High School)
• Secondary Autism Classrooms (Old Mill Middle School South and Old Mill High School)
• Phoenix Academy (Alternative education programs and ED secondary students)

Despite blowback from the teachers union, all staff must report to buildings by Feb. 17. Central and satellite office employees will also return around then. Teachers involved in any of the aforementioned priority groups will head to work sooner.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools sent families a reopening survey in January. The form asked parents whether their students would partake in hybrid classes when they became an option.

About 34 percent of elementary schoolers, 36 percent of middle schoolers and 39 percent of high schoolers opted into the hybrid model, AACPS said in a press release. Students who didn't respond or chose to stay home will continue distance learning.

For more information on Superintendent George Arlotto's plan click here.

To see when you'll be eligible for the coronavirus inoculation, read Patch's explainer. Check out our how-to guide to learn how to sign up for the shot. Catch up on the latest coronavirus infection and vaccination metrics in Anne Arundel County by heading to our latest numbers update.

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