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Thursday, February 4, 2021, Edition 10
A Message from Dr. Terry Alban
On Wednesday, January 27, we welcomed instructional staff back into our buildings in preparation for the anticipated return of our students to our classrooms on February 16.
FCPS custodial and maintenance staff worked diligently to ensure we were welcoming our school-based staff back into a safe environment. Their efforts are greatly appreciated and extremely important for the successful implementation of the hybrid learning model.
The warehouse team has received and stored masks, hand sanitizer, paper desk coverings, and cleaning supplies. Administrators can order additional supplies as needed for the schools. Staff should check with administrators if there are any questions related to the availability of these items.
Our bus drivers are receiving the supplies they need to clean and disinfect our buses. They have already started the routine cleaning of their buses and even helped to assemble mobile carts for classrooms.
Food Nutrition Services workers have not missed a beat in meal preparation and delivery! By January, they had served over 1.25 million meals to our students and families since the pandemic closed schools last March. What an incredible accomplishment!
Our instructional staff are busy as they continue to provide virtual instruction while also preparing to adjust to the requirements of hybrid learning. Their flexibility in adapting to this new mode of teaching is greatly appreciated.
It is encouraging to see key health metrics trending in a positive direction in Frederick County. The positivity rate in our community has dropped from nearly 11 percent at the beginning of January to 5.8 percent at the end of January. The cases per 100,000 have dropped from nearly 60 to 31 in three weeks. These trends are important as part of the data monitoring that occurs as we finalize plans for our students’ return. Frederick County Health Department Officer Dr. Barbara Brookmyer and I also monitor positive cases and outbreaks that occur in our schools.
Remember to check the FCPS Dashboard to see the specific information for your school. The cases are updated every Monday and reflect any new cases from the week before. Additionally, we also follow the latest research studies and any modified guidelines or directives from the CDC or Maryland Department of Health.
I am pleased to announce that FCPS staff have started being vaccinated! The Frederick County Health Department has moved into Group 1B for vaccinations and focused on persons ages 75 and over as directed by the Maryland Department of Health. However, the Maryland Department of Health recently announced that at least 100 doses per week must focus on those in education, including public schools, private schools, daycare providers, and higher education.
We are grateful that 335 doses were allocated to FCPS last week and 300 more this week.
We have excellent plans in place for our hybrid model thanks to the hard work of staff from virtually every department and all of our schools. As our staff and students return to the buildings, it is critically important that everyone follows the safety guidance outlined by the CDC, which includes wearing face coverings, maintaining social distancing and frequent hand washing. These prevention strategies will be key to minimizing the spread of COVID in our community and in our schools.
When all of us work together, we can make a difference for all of us!
Hot Topics
Update: Board approves memorandum of understanding with FCPS unions Update: FCPS announces resumption of high school winter sports Update: Board issues statement regarding hybrid reopening plan Video: A day in the life of a middle school student during hybrid learning Video: A day in the life of an elementary school student during hybrid learning
Reminders
Wednesday, February 10: Asynchronous Learning Day
Monday, February 15: Schools and offices closed. Presidents Day.
Tuesday, February 16: First Scheduled Day for FCPS Hybrid Learning
Resources
Personal safety:
Wear a Face Covering:
Video: The COVID Cover Up FCPS Face Covering Guidance in School Buildings
Safe schools Video: Safe Schools: Cleaning and Disinfecting Video: Safe Schools: Ventilation and More
Coronavirus data tracking FCPS debuts health metrics dashboard
Maryland Department of Health Coronavirus Dashboard - Schools Data MD COVID Alert Service
Mental health resources FCPS Mental Health Matters
Highlights
Tweet of the Week: Principal Karl Williams discusses how Hillcrest Elementary is giving back to the community
Release: FCPS to Host 40th Science and Engineering Fair
FCPS In a Minute for January 22: Celebrating King Award winners, update on Rock Creek School's new building
Release: Nominate an FCPS School Counselor for FCPS School Counselor of the Year
Frederick County Public Schools 191 S. East Street Frederick, MD 21701
Visit www.fcps.org
301-644-5000 Phone
301-696-6961 Fax
superintendent@fcps.org