Poolesville High School

Hello, Poolesville Staff, Parents, and Students,

Good morning.  I want to begin this week by thanking you: our students, staff, and parents.  As things have shifted in the last week as we have navigated so many unknowns, you have all been supportive, flexible, and understanding.  I appreciate all of your questions, suggestions, and advocacy. I plan on using these weekly messages as a summary of where we stand, what we know, and what resources we can provide.  Currently, schools are closed from March 16 to March 27. There will not be any access permitted in the building during this time.  

In the last few days, MCPS has distributed several messages with information and resources.  Your most updated and official area for information is the MCPS Coronavirus website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/coronavirus/.  I have included some other MCPS communications below:

• There was a video PSA from our Student Member of the Board and Dr. Gayles from DHHS.  This video discusses social responsibility for students during this unprecedented event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SB0G-a2VvQ&feature=youtu.be.  This was shared with students on Friday.  
• Please follow the next link for March 12 update after the school closures were announced by the State Superintendent: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/coronavirus-update-20200312.html
• In addition, the update on March 13 included information about instructional resources, food distribution, makeup days, and childcare: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2019-2020/coronavirus-update-20200313.html
• All MCPS athletic contests are cancelled until April 6, the first available date for contests to resume.  Additional considerations and guidance will be communicated in the coming weeks, and I have attached the official memo released from MPSSAA.  
• I have also attached a list of MCPS and community resources available during the COVID-19 school closure.  

Finally, I have received many questions concerning work for students during the next two weeks.  Currently, any work and resources for students during this closure are for enrichment and practice purposes only.  For core classes following the MCPS curriculum (Math, English, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages), there is a site for curriculum-based activities and resources that students can use for practice.  I have included directions below, and they can also be found in the March 13 community message (included above). To access online and print materials, please use the following directions:

• https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/contingency
• Select the desired subject and course.  
• Your child can click the Join Here button to enroll in the course. 
• Your child will need to log in using their MCPS Google Account.  If your child has difficulty logging in, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) site: http://bit.ly/mcpsmd-course-faq. 
• Each myMPCS Classroom course includes a welcome letter and further guidance.  

Students enrolled in AP classes are encouraged to access the resources on the College Board’s AP Classroom.  Students may also complete any enrichment activities supplied by their teacher, but these assignments are for enrichment and practice only and will not be assessed for a classroom grade.  These resources are designed for a short-term closure only, and we will receive additional guidance if the closure is extended. There is not yet a decision for the extension of Marking Period 3.

For next week’s message, I will again provide a summary of resources and communications.  I will, also, communicate any updates throughout the week with any official information as it is released.  Thank you, again, for all of your support and collaboration during this time of so many unknowns and uncertainty.  Please stay safe and healthy, and follow the recommendations being announced by the CDC. I look forward to welcoming all of our students and staff back as soon as we are able.    

Falcons Fly High!

Mark A. Carothers

Principal

Poolesville High School

Mark_A_Carothers@mcpsmd.org

Attachments:
 MPSSAA_Statement_Regarding_Interscholastic_Athletics_3.13.20.pdf (50.7 KB)
 COVID-19_School_System_and_Community_Resources.pdf (162.3 KB)