What Will Hybrid Classes Look Like In Prince George's County?

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Prince George's County Public Schools released its full plan for hybrid learning. The school system previously announced that hybrid students will return to the classroom next month, but PGCPS's latest outreach effort has focused on the specifics.

Hybrid Schedule

About 32 percent of students will take optional hybrid classes. That means around 42,000 learners will head back to school buildings.

Hybrid instruction starts on April 8 for everybody in:

• Special education programs at any grade level
• Pre-K through sixth grade
• 12th grade

The remaining students can return on April 15 if all goes well with the first round.

Students with last names starting in A through J will have in-person instruction on Mondays and Tuesdays. Everybody else will go in on Thursdays and Fridays.

Students will work from home on the other three days. Wednesdays will be reserved from supplemental lessons and teacher office hours. All students will stay home on Wednesdays.

Coronavirus Outbreaks

Principals will lead each school's response to potential coronavirus outbreaks. They will notify families and staff who may have been exposed to a coronavirus patient or somebody with symptoms of the disease.

Those who test positive must stay home until they test negative and are cleared by their doctor. Anybody with a potential exposure should stay home and monitor their symptoms until they are cleared to return.

PGCPS asked families to keep an eye on their students' symptoms. Anybody who shows signs of sickness should not come to school.

Safety Measures

The school system informed that coronavirus tests will be available, but it has not yet released the full details. More information will be available before hybrid classes start.

Masks will be required on school property, including on the buses. Students with some conditions and disabilities won't have to wear a mask if they have a doctor's note. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available in every building.

Buses will carry a maximum of 21 students per trip. The seat behind the driver must be left open unless the student lives with the motorist. Masks and distancing are recommended at each bus stop.

Pre-K classrooms will have no more than 10 learners. All other grades will be capped at 15 students per room.

Desks will be 6 feet apart "when feasible." Instructors will teach from the front of the classroom so they can interact with virtual learners simultaneously. Lockers will also be off-limits to prevent congregating in the halls.

Schools are encouraged to open outdoor classrooms and eating areas when possible. Buildings and buses will also have their windows open, weather permitting. PGCPS added that it upgraded its air filters, which could stimulate cleaner airflow indoors.

Meals

Schools will offer all hybrid students free breakfast, lunch and dinner, regardless of whether they qualify for free and reduced meals.

Breakfast will be prepackaged, and students should eat it in their classrooms or other designated areas.

Lunch delivery will vary between schools. PGCPS prefers classroom delivery or pickup from mobile carts, but schools may use their cafeteria lunch line as approved. Students still must eat in their classrooms or designated areas, however.

Dinner will be available as students leave the building. Students can also pick up takeout meals to bring home to eat on their virtual days.

Sports

Workouts for fall sports have been allowed since March 10. These sessions are capped at 10 athletes. Practice begins April 6 for spring athletics.

More Information

Additional details are posted in the PGCPS reopening guide. A Spanish translation is available here. Families can also listen to telephone town halls from Feb. 18 and Feb. 27 that explain the procedures.

Upcoming Telephone Town Halls

Three more telephone town halls will answer questions before students head back. Here is the schedule:

• Academics - Virtual Learning and Hybrid Learning: March 22 at 6 p.m.
• Health, Transportation and Operations: March 24 at 6 p.m.
• Student Town Hall: April 6 at 5 p.m.

All families will get a phone call at the time of each event, inviting them to join. Attendees can dial in to (844) 734-8766 if they don't get the call. A Spanish translation will be available via (508) 924-5155.

Coronavirus Vaccine Resources

To see when you'll be eligible for the 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 Prince George's County by heading to our latest numbers update.

RELATED:

• Coronavirus Numbers Ease Up As Business Capacity Expands
• Coronavirus Vaccine: Prince George's County Lays Out Timeline
• How To Get COVID-19 Vaccine In Prince George's County
• Number Of Hybrid Students Announced As PGCPS Prepares For Return
• Hybrid Classes Will Start In Prince George's County

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