In-Person Learning Plan Gets Tentative Approval From School Board

ROCKVILLE, MD — Students in Montgomery County Public Schools may be able to return to their classrooms starting in January under a plan approved tentatively by the school board on Tuesday.

The preliminary plan would first send small groups of students back to brick-and-mortar classrooms on Jan. 12, provided that COVID-19 infections remain stable. They would include certain students in career and special education programs. Larger groups of students would return to school on a part-time basis in three phases, starting Feb. 1.

In the first phase, kindergarteners, first-graders, second-graders, sixth-graders, select freshmen, and students in certain special education and career programs would be allowed to return to school.

The second phase would include pre-kindergarteners, second-graders, third-graders, seventh-graders, and high school sophomores.

The third and final phase would consist of fourth-graders, fifth-graders, eighth-graders, and high school freshmen, juniors, and seniors.

Moving Forward Means Meeting Certain Health Metrics

The gradual return to schools is contingent on the county meeting two public health metrics: the 14-day average of new cases and the 14-day average of cases per 100,000 people.

School board members did not say how long it would take to enter each new phase. But if the plan were to go into action now, MCPS would not be allowed to hold in-person classes.

According to MCPS' health matrix, all students would have to return to virtual learning if the county saw more than 209 cases for two weeks.

With the exception of special student populations, all students would also have to resume virtual learning if the county saw more than 10 to 15 new cases per 100,000 residents.

"As of (Tuesday) morning, our county had an average of 18.1 cases per 100,000," said Derek Turner, the school district's chief of engagement, innovation, and operations. "To put that into context, at our last board meeting sessions on Nov. 6, we had a case rate of 14.8, and at the prior board meeting on Oct. 27, the case rate was 11.9."

Here's a snapshot:

The move to tentatively approve this back-to-school plan came on the same day the county reimposed COVID-19 restrictions to stem the spread of infection.

Under County Executive Marc Elrich's amended executive order — which went into effect at 5 p.m. on Tuesday — public gatherings are limited to 25 people or less, indoor dining is capped at 25 percent, and food service establishments are required to keep a daily record of all dining patrons for contact tracing purposes.

Religious facilities, museums, art galleries, bowling alleys, and retail shops also are required to reduce their capacity to 25 percent or 25 people, whichever is lower.

MCPS Families Can Opt Out Of Plan

A final vote on MCPS' plan is scheduled for Dec. 3.

Until then, parents can complete a survey to specify whether they want their children to stick with virtual learning or move toward in-person instruction. The survey is available online.