Important Community Update

Board of Education to Take Final Action on Return Plan Dec. 15

Dear Parents, Students and Staff,,

On December 3, the Board of Education voted to delay its final action on the district’s framework for the return of students to in-person learning to its Dec. 15 meeting. On Nov. 10, the Board tentatively approved the framework that outlines the district’s plan to bring some students back for in-person instruction beginning Jan. 12, 2021, if health metrics are met. MCPS has proposed that the initial return focus on students in specific special education and Career Technology Education (CTE) programs. Larger groups of students will begin phasing in on Feb. 1, 2021. The Board has asked MCPS to reevaluate its metrics for reopening, as well as the proposed sequence for students to return. They have asked the district to explore a strategy that prioritizes the return of our youngest learners sooner.

MCPS has also extended the family preference survey deadline to Monday, Dec. 7. In this critical survey, parents can indicate their choice of having their children remain in the virtual learning model or engage in in-person learning experiences. If you have not completed the survey, please do so today at www.mcpsfamilypreference.org. If you have questions about the survey, contact mcpsinfo@mcpsmd.net. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you do not complete the survey by December 7, your child will remain in the virtual-only learning model.

It is important to note that how instruction will be delivered once we return to buildings will be different for students, given capacity restrictions and staff availability. Parents will receive more information about school-specific plans in January. Survey responses will be used to develop community and grade level-specific models.

As MCPS continues its planning for the return of students, we remain committed to doing so in a manner that is safe for students and staff. COVID-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future and we must continue to re-imagine how we operate as a system to meet the needs of our students. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation as we work through these complex details.

Montgomery County Public Schools