Why doesn't MCPS seem to have a covid plan for the fall?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many threads do we need on this topic? MCPS has a plan. It’s to return in person, full time, 100% masked, following CDC guidelines. This year is not last year. The guidelines are different. In case of positive cases, they will follow the health department guidance, as they are already doing. They already said that they would share contingency plans in case of wider spread of cases n a school at September board meeting.

I beg to differ. These are the latest cdc guidelines for schools:

In addition to universal indoor masking, CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, such as when schools cannot fully re-open while maintaining these distances, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention strategies, such as screening testing.

Screening testing, ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and cleaning and disinfection are also important layers of prevention to keep schools safe.

By my tally, they aren’t maintaining 3ft of distance (all distancing markers removed). They are not layering in screening testing. It is questionable whether they will do any contact tracing. They are eliminating attestation and are not screening for illness before letting kids in the door (requiring students to stay home when sick). They’re not requiring sick students to get tested before returning to school, nor are they planning to offer Covid testing when a student is sent to the nurse. The whole quarantine and isolation plan is a big question mark, but I think the plan is to skip that strategy as well. We all know they are not cleaning or disinfecting in a meaningful way. So no, I wouldn’t say they’re following cdc guidelines. They’re relying entirely on masks, except, you know, when they all take them off to eat in the cafeteria.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think MCPS needs to consider doing cohorts as described in the other thread, alternating A/B/C/etc. weeks for hybrid.
We could get lucky and delta could disappear before Sept. 1 but right now they are predicting it won't reach its peak before sometime in October.

We paid a lot for the technology to be able to go hybrid and virtual. I think we need to give people the option to do that this fall.

I would still choose in person for my kids but I think MCPS needs to come out with a better plan. Their current non plan plan was written before delta.

People have the option to do that this fall: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/virtualacademy/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many threads do we need on this topic? MCPS has a plan. It’s to return in person, full time, 100% masked, following CDC guidelines. This year is not last year. The guidelines are different. In case of positive cases, they will follow the health department guidance, as they are already doing. They already said that they would share contingency plans in case of wider spread of cases n a school at September board meeting.

I beg to differ. These are the latest cdc guidelines for schools:

In addition to universal indoor masking, CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, such as when schools cannot fully re-open while maintaining these distances, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention strategies, such as screening testing.

Screening testing, ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and cleaning and disinfection are also important layers of prevention to keep schools safe.

By my tally, they aren’t maintaining 3ft of distance (all distancing markers removed). They are not layering in screening testing. It is questionable whether they will do any contact tracing. They are eliminating attestation and are not screening for illness before letting kids in the door (requiring students to stay home when sick). They’re not requiring sick students to get tested before returning to school, nor are they planning to offer Covid testing when a student is sent to the nurse. The whole quarantine and isolation plan is a big question mark, but I think the plan is to skip that strategy as well. We all know they are not cleaning or disinfecting in a meaningful way. So no, I wouldn’t say they’re following cdc guidelines. They’re relying entirely on masks, except, you know, when they all take them off to eat in the cafeteria.

MCPS doesn't do contact tracing. The state does that: https://covidlink.maryland.gov/content/answer-the-call/

The attestations last spring were complete nonsense, and cleaning/disinfecting are covid theater.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many threads do we need on this topic? MCPS has a plan. It’s to return in person, full time, 100% masked, following CDC guidelines. This year is not last year. The guidelines are different. In case of positive cases, they will follow the health department guidance, as they are already doing. They already said that they would share contingency plans in case of wider spread of cases n a school at September board meeting.

I beg to differ. These are the latest cdc guidelines for schools:

In addition to universal indoor masking, CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, such as when schools cannot fully re-open while maintaining these distances, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention strategies, such as screening testing.

Screening testing, ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and cleaning and disinfection are also important layers of prevention to keep schools safe.

By my tally, they aren’t maintaining 3ft of distance (all distancing markers removed). They are not layering in screening testing. It is questionable whether they will do any contact tracing. They are eliminating attestation and are not screening for illness before letting kids in the door (requiring students to stay home when sick). They’re not requiring sick students to get tested before returning to school, nor are they planning to offer Covid testing when a student is sent to the nurse. The whole quarantine and isolation plan is a big question mark, but I think the plan is to skip that strategy as well. We all know they are not cleaning or disinfecting in a meaningful way. So no, I wouldn’t say they’re following cdc guidelines. They’re relying entirely on masks, except, you know, when they all take them off to eat in the cafeteria.

MCPS doesn't do contact tracing. The state does that: https://covidlink.maryland.gov/content/answer-the-call/

The attestations last spring were complete nonsense, and cleaning/disinfecting are covid theater.

I agree with these points but I’m not the one who wrote the cdc guidelines, which include these layers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many threads do we need on this topic? MCPS has a plan. It’s to return in person, full time, 100% masked, following CDC guidelines. This year is not last year. The guidelines are different. In case of positive cases, they will follow the health department guidance, as they are already doing. They already said that they would share contingency plans in case of wider spread of cases n a school at September board meeting.

I beg to differ. These are the latest cdc guidelines for schools:

In addition to universal indoor masking, CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, such as when schools cannot fully re-open while maintaining these distances, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention strategies, such as screening testing.

Screening testing, ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and cleaning and disinfection are also important layers of prevention to keep schools safe.

By my tally, they aren’t maintaining 3ft of distance (all distancing markers removed). They are not layering in screening testing. It is questionable whether they will do any contact tracing. They are eliminating attestation and are not screening for illness before letting kids in the door (requiring students to stay home when sick). They’re not requiring sick students to get tested before returning to school, nor are they planning to offer Covid testing when a student is sent to the nurse. The whole quarantine and isolation plan is a big question mark, but I think the plan is to skip that strategy as well. We all know they are not cleaning or disinfecting in a meaningful way. So no, I wouldn’t say they’re following cdc guidelines. They’re relying entirely on masks, except, you know, when they all take them off to eat in the cafeteria.

MCPS doesn't do contact tracing. The state does that: https://covidlink.maryland.gov/content/answer-the-call/

The attestations last spring were complete nonsense, and cleaning/disinfecting are covid theater.

I agree with these points but I’m not the one who wrote the cdc guidelines, which include these layers!

The point is that contact tracing is happening.

The CDC guidelines do not call for attestations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many threads do we need on this topic? MCPS has a plan. It’s to return in person, full time, 100% masked, following CDC guidelines. This year is not last year. The guidelines are different. In case of positive cases, they will follow the health department guidance, as they are already doing. They already said that they would share contingency plans in case of wider spread of cases n a school at September board meeting.

No, they aren't following CDC guidelines as they aren't doing 3 feet distancing, masking, etc. All they are doing is masking. They are not saying what the plans are as they don't want parents opinion.

3 feet whenever possible

[Anonymous]

Mcps will announce their plan 24 hours before school starts /s

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh please, Hogan not the problem here. This falls squarely on MCPS. If they do have a plan, they need to communicate it. If they don’t, that’s even worse. -NP

This is MCPS fault for sure. Look at other counties in MD for comparison. For example Washington County posted their plan on 7/15/21:
http://wcpsmd.com/news/schol-reopening-plan-accelerate-learning-wcps

and it's based on state (MSDE) requirements. MCPS could have done the same if they were managed better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did I miss a meeting or announcement? What is the plan for testing? For lunch? For encouraging vaccinations? How will they handle travel and quarantine and informing people of positive cases? Shouldn't there be a comprehensive district wide plan for all these things?

MCPS has a plan.

A more accurate thread title would be, "Why doesn't MCPS's plan have the things I want in it?"

Link to their plan please? I'd like to read it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did I miss a meeting or announcement? What is the plan for testing? For lunch? For encouraging vaccinations? How will they handle travel and quarantine and informing people of positive cases? Shouldn't there be a comprehensive district wide plan for all these things?

MCPS has a plan.

A more accurate thread title would be, "Why doesn't MCPS's plan have the things I want in it?"

Link to their plan please? I'd like to read it.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2020-2021/Community-Update-20210526.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh please, Hogan not the problem here. This falls squarely on MCPS. If they do have a plan, they need to communicate it. If they don’t, that’s even worse. -NP

This is MCPS fault for sure. Look at other counties in MD for comparison. For example Washington County posted their plan on 7/15/21:
http://wcpsmd.com/news/schol-reopening-plan-accelerate-learning-wcps

and it's based on state (MSDE) requirements. MCPS could have done the same if they were managed better.

I looked at the plan. It's 63 pages long, and covers the usual items like what do to if a student tests positive (page 41) but even minute details like proper procedures for special ed students who wear diapers. It's fairly comprehensive, and they had it ready nearly a month ago.

MCPS hasn't released anything. It's this kind of nonsense that makes me furious at MCPS management. Blame sits squarely at the top.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did I miss a meeting or announcement? What is the plan for testing? For lunch? For encouraging vaccinations? How will they handle travel and quarantine and informing people of positive cases? Shouldn't there be a comprehensive district wide plan for all these things?

MCPS has a plan.

A more accurate thread title would be, "Why doesn't MCPS's plan have the things I want in it?"

Link to their plan please? I'd like to read it.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2020-2021/Community-Update-20210526.html

A single page that doesn't even list procedures when someone tests positive? Give me a break.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did I miss a meeting or announcement? What is the plan for testing? For lunch? For encouraging vaccinations? How will they handle travel and quarantine and informing people of positive cases? Shouldn't there be a comprehensive district wide plan for all these things?

MCPS has a plan.

A more accurate thread title would be, "Why doesn't MCPS's plan have the things I want in it?"

Link to their plan please? I'd like to read it.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2020-2021/Community-Update-20210526.html

A single page that doesn't even list procedures when someone tests positive? Give me a break.

"Why doesn't MCPS's plan have the things I want in it?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many threads do we need on this topic? MCPS has a plan. It’s to return in person, full time, 100% masked, following CDC guidelines. This year is not last year. The guidelines are different. In case of positive cases, they will follow the health department guidance, as they are already doing. They already said that they would share contingency plans in case of wider spread of cases n a school at September board meeting.

I beg to differ. These are the latest cdc guidelines for schools:

In addition to universal indoor masking, CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, such as when schools cannot fully re-open while maintaining these distances, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention strategies, such as screening testing.

Screening testing, ventilation, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, staying home when sick and getting tested, contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and cleaning and disinfection are also important layers of prevention to keep schools safe.

By my tally, they aren’t maintaining 3ft of distance (all distancing markers removed). They are not layering in screening testing. It is questionable whether they will do any contact tracing. They are eliminating attestation and are not screening for illness before letting kids in the door (requiring students to stay home when sick). They’re not requiring sick students to get tested before returning to school, nor are they planning to offer Covid testing when a student is sent to the nurse. The whole quarantine and isolation plan is a big question mark, but I think the plan is to skip that strategy as well. We all know they are not cleaning or disinfecting in a meaningful way. So no, I wouldn’t say they’re following cdc guidelines. They’re relying entirely on masks, except, you know, when they all take them off to eat in the cafeteria.

MCPS doesn't do contact tracing. The state does that: https://covidlink.maryland.gov/content/answer-the-call/

The attestations last spring were complete nonsense, and cleaning/disinfecting are covid theater.

I agree with these points but I’m not the one who wrote the cdc guidelines, which include these layers!

The point is that contact tracing is happening.

The CDC guidelines do not call for attestations.

OK! But realistically, they are choosing to use the guidelines as like a menu of options, rather than attempting to adhere to all or even most of the recommended mitigation measures. Example: Cdc recommends testing. We know they “can” do testing because they did in the spring. This year we know they are choosing not to test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did I miss a meeting or announcement? What is the plan for testing? For lunch? For encouraging vaccinations? How will they handle travel and quarantine and informing people of positive cases? Shouldn't there be a comprehensive district wide plan for all these things?

MCPS has a plan.

A more accurate thread title would be, "Why doesn't MCPS's plan have the things I want in it?"

Link to their plan please? I'd like to read it.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/publicinfo/community/school-year-2020-2021/Community-Update-20210526.html

A single page that doesn't even list procedures when someone tests positive? Give me a break.

"Why doesn't MCPS's plan have the things I want in it?"

I think it's very reasonable to want to konw how schools plan to handle reports of positive tests.