Dear MCPS Community:
We want to provide you with important updates on our recovery efforts, plans for the fall and guidelines related to quarantine and isolation for students and staff. Here are six things you should know as we head into the weekend and the final weeks of the 2020-2021 school year:
Wednesdays will remain virtual learning days for all students. The Board of Education asked MCPS to look into the possibility of using Wednesdays, which are currently virtual learning days for all students, as in-person learning days. After careful review and consideration, the superintendent has determined that Wednesdays will remain virtual due to the significant impact the proposed change would have
Read the full message here
MCPS has developed a health metrics grid for a phased-in return to in-person instruction. The grid is aligned with CDC guidelines and was developed in consultation with Montgomery County health officials. We remain committed to providing a high-quality education to all MCPS students in the virtual model. We will continue to thoughtfully plan and collaborate with the Board of Education, MCPS staff and the community on our reopening efforts, while keeping safety at the forefront of all we do.
Chromebooks are available for pickup.
Learn More
As part of Comcast’s COVID 19 response, Comcast’s Xfinity Outdoor WiFi hotspots are available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity Outdoor WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser. Please note that these hotspots are not part of the Xfinity residential Wifi network.
Wireless Hotspot Consent Form / Formulario de consentimiento de punto de acceso inalámbrico en español
Status of ongoing monitoring and upgrades to air systems
Staff from the Division of Maintenance and Operations is currently in the process of upgrading the air filters in the mechanical systems of all MCPS schools. This ongoing project also includes installing air cleaners in the facilities that have HVAC systems that require supplemental measures for air ventilation.
Parents/guardians can use this form to submit a question to their student's school. Someone from the school will respond as soon as possible. Due to an expected high volume of requests it may take some time for someone to get back to you.
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Who do I contact if I have questions?
For general MCPS questions, please contact the ASK MCPS information line at 240-740-3000.
If an MCPS-provided Chromebook is not working, contact 240-740-7023 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or email instructionalresources@mcpsmd.org.
Parents and students can send requests to myMCPS_Support@mcpsmd.net in order to obtain or reset their MyMCPS account login credentials. Note that you may be referred back to your school if there is a hold on your account or if your contact information is not in the MCPS system.
If you have a school-specific question, please submit your question here.
How can I get meals for my student(s)?
MCPS is providing free breakfast, lunch and dinner meals for students. MCPS is pleased to collaborate with Manna Food and Women Who Care Ministries to also distribute weekend backpack food sacks throughout the county. For more information, please visit Emergency Meals Information
Who can I contact if I wish to volunteer for countywide efforts?
Please contact the Montgomery County Volunteer Office of Community Partnerships
How can my student get access to a Chromebook while schools are closed?
Use this form or contact your school’s principal via the “Ask A Question” button found on the homepage of every school’s website.
How can I help my child with remote learning?
Tips on how to help your child(ren) with remote learning can be found on the Continuity of Learning webpage.
Can I access MCPS schools and properties before JUNE 15?
Our school buildings are closed and we are asking the community to do their part to practice social distancing and stop the spread of the coronavirus. Playgrounds, fields, basketball courts and other outdoor spaces remain open, but students and adults should refrain from gathering in groups of more than 10 people at these locations.
Where can I go to learn more about available information and resources within MCPS?
Resources and information are posted on both the MCPS coronavirus webpage and the MCPS online learning webpage
How can I enroll my child during this time?
MCPS has launched a new online registration/enrollment process to support families who wish to enroll their children. Families who are enrolling their children in Prekindergarten/Head Start programs and kindergarten for the 2020-2021 school year, as well as new K-12 and international enrollments for the 2019-2020 school year, can complete the process in three ways:
What is social distancing?
Slowing the spread of COVID-19 requires everyone to follow the guidance of health officials. An important piece of this effort is social distancing. This means avoiding gathering in groups of more than 10 and keeping a safe distance from others in a group.
Are there resources available to help students manage stress and anxiety?
MCPS has a number of resources available to support the physical, social and psychological well-being of students. These resources can be found here.
MCPS has also created a series of videos called Mindful Moments. The goal of this series is to deliver simple and effective tools to manage anxiety and stress. These videos, which can be accessed and used at any time, can be found here
MCPS has also launched a video series, “Waymaking,” which highlights mental health and well-being resources for staff and students as families adapt to the evolving changes in daily life. The show is hosted by Dr. Christina Conolly, director of psychological services for MCPS. You can watch the series here.
Are there resources available for students to manage stress and anxiety?
MCPS continues to add a number of resources to support the physical, social and psychological well-being of students during this difficult time. These resources can be found on the BeWell 365 webpage here.
MCPS has also created a new series of videos entitled Mindful Moment. The goal of the Mindful Moment Series is to deliver simple and effective tools for all of us to manage our anxiety and stress. These videos, which can be accessed and used at any time, can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkZwAghwrSytgi1re_2Sr8Dt8poZCHgP5 Other series covering this topic and others for students and families can be found on www.MCPSTV.org and the MCPS YouTube page at www.youtube.com/mcpstv
What are the expectations for online learning?
Our online learning model includes a blend of approaches to learning activities; independent, self-paced work; virtual office hours to check for understanding; and submission of assignments.
Staff and students are being asked to teach and learn in new and unfamiliar ways. We must be patient with each other, understand that the system won’t be perfect and we will need to adjust as we go.
To learn more about the MCPS online learning plan and to access links to the online resources and tutorials, visit the Continuity of Learning website.
When will the 3rd Marking Period end and how will grades be reported?
The third marking period ended on Friday, April 17. Report cards for the third marking period were mailed on April 27.
More information can be found in these community messages:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/coronavirus-update-20200503.html
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/coronavirus-update-20200426.html
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/coronavirus-update-20200418.html
What are the expectations for grading during the 4th marking period?
In elementary school, letter grades will not be assigned for the 4th marking period. The emphasis will be on engaging students in learning experiences and connecting with and engaging as many students as possible.
In middle and high schools, a traditional letter grade system will not be used for the 4th marking period. MCPS is developing a grading and reporting framework for secondary schools, commonly known as “Pass/Incomplete,” for the remainder of the year. More information about grading and reporting can be found on the MCPS website.
How are ACT and SAT tests impacted by school closure?
Up-to-date information is available by checking ongoing Advanced Placement (AP) Updates from College Board.
Online AP courses for students are also provided by the College Board in each course, in addition to myMCPS courses developed by MCPS teachers.
MCPS has created an AP FAQ for Students. The College Board is also providing parent webinars and subject-specific webinars for teachers,
How will students receive necessary Student Service Learning (SSL) hours toward graduation?
When is the last day of school for seniors?
The last day of school for seniors is May 22, 2020.
When will the 3rd Marking Period end?
The third marking period will end on Friday, April 17.
What about the SAT and Advanced Placement exams?
Visit the College Board website here.
How will students receive necessary Student Service Learning hours toward graduation?
Visit this webpage for more information on SSL.
MCPS continues to add a number of resources to support the physical, social and psychological well-being of students during this difficult time. These resources can be found here.
Has MCPS postponed or cancelled any events?
Specific details about any additional events will be communicated to the community at a later date.
National Public Radio collaborating with experts in social work and mental health have developed a cartoon that explores what kids might want to know about the new coronavirus discovered in China. To see the original NPR story visit this link Print and fold a zine version of this comic here. Here are directions on how to fold it.