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Friday, April 23, 2021, Edition 20
A Message from Dr. Terry Alban
To start this weekly update, we post a Together FCPS graphic. It is there for a reason. As we progress through this global health crisis, it takes all of us working together to achieve our common goals for our students and our community.
We have to do this together.
Let’s recall how far we have come since March 2020, for we have much to be proud. More than 64 percent of students, over 27,000, are part of in-person learning for two or more days per week. And our virtual learners are an integral part of our classroom communities. We did that together. Our students have been participating in extracurricular activities, both in-person and virtually. We have been able to increase the number of spectators at our sporting events and are actively planning for outdoor graduation ceremonies! We did that together.
Schools have not been a widespread source of COVID-19 spread. We appreciate the staff, students and families who participate in the contact tracing and abide by quarantine protocols. That is how we keep each other safe. We are doing this together.
Nearly all staff who wanted vaccinations have received them. Even some of our oldest students (16 and older) are now vaccine eligible. Developing herd immunity is a critical step in seeing requirements for social distancing removed. We are doing this together!
This is tremendous progress, and it is important to acknowledge the hard work and sacrifice that have gotten us this far. And now, we are working to move forward with next steps—returning more students to the classroom five days a week, preparing for extensive summer learning options, and preparing for a return to in-person classroom instruction for five days a week in August.
These steps will require us coming together once more. And I am hearing from multiple stakeholders that we share a common goal—returning our students to classrooms as safely as possible and as quickly as possible.
As directed by the Board of Education, I am collaborating with all three employee organizations to seek agreements so that we can bring more students back for face-to-face instruction and the leadership of all three associations have demonstrated a willingness to listen and problem solve with us.
We have come together as a community before, and I am confident we are going to do it again.
I know how very important it is to have regular, consistent and accurate communication as we work together to finish this school year strong. I promise to continually provide you updates as we move to the 2020-21 finish line, and please know that all that you do every day is appreciated, it makes a difference and I am grateful.
Photo of the week
North Frederick Elementary students participated in a ceremonial Earth Day tree planting April 23 outside of the school.
In The News
In Case You Missed It:
Reminders
Monday, April 26: Chat with the Superintendent: 7- 8:30 p.m. (Google Meet format)
Hybrid 101
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
Hybrid Model:
Video: Concurrent Teaching Model
Videos:
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
FCPS In A Minute: Click here for the video!
Tweet of the Week: Conversation with a high school journalist!