Fully In-Person Classes Could Come This Fall: AACPS

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel County Public Schools hopes to offer completely in-person classes this fall. The goal is to drop the hybrid option and offer fully online instruction for interested families.

"Our teachers make magic happen in classrooms every day," Superintendent George Arlotto said in a public letter announcing the goal last Thursday. "There should be no question that the best instruction happens when teachers and students are together in the classroom."

Arlotto explained his plan two days after the Maryland State Board of Education directed jurisdictions to return to all in-person classes this fall.

AACPS phased in optional hybrid classes in February in March. Most students are still learning virtually, however. Anne Arundel County does not yet permit five days of in-person instruction.

"We have moved forward incrementally as best as we could," Arlotto added. "For some, it has been too slow. For others, too fast. We will continue to consult our health experts and make prudent decisions."

School officials will hold listening sessions in the coming months to ask families for feedback. They want to hear ideas on how to optimize in-person classes.

"One thing is certain: The classrooms we all return to in September and the instruction that takes place in them will not be the same as they were on March 13, 2020," Arlotto concluded. "We have the power to make them even better. I urge you to help us do that."

These plans are tentative and could change based on the county's coronavirus situation.

The current school year ends June 18. Fall classes begin Sept. 8 for grades one through five, six and nine. Everybody else returns the next day.

Coronavirus Vaccine Resources

Anybody 16 or older can now get the coronavirus vaccine at providers across the state. Check out our how-to guide to learn how to sign up for the shot.

Catch up on the infection and inoculation metrics in Anne Arundel County with our most recent numbers update. Head to Patch's immunization page to keep up with Maryland's latest vaccine news.

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RELATED:

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• How To Get COVID-19 Vaccine In Anne Arundel County
• AACPS Will Vaccinate Interested Students, Staff In Their Schools
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• Anne Arundel Ends Rules For Outdoor Dining, Wearing Masks Outside

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