Covid Update from Central Office

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I can’t find it on their site. Is this fake?

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/schools/mcps-ditches-5-threshold-for-reviewing-whether-to-suspend-in-person-classes/

[Anonymous]

Atleast it means they are not putting everyone in virtual..

[Anonymous]

The factors they are listing for considering whether schools should go virtual are the same factors they listed previously; they just are now saying that they won’t automatically consider them when a school goes 5% positive. But if we were to believe them, they already did a case-by-case evaluation on the 11 red schools on Tuesday and decided they needed to go virtual based on these factors. Will be interesting if they change now and send those schools back on Monday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the update! I prefer case-by-case basis. I applaud how MCPS is handling this, although I think this announcement should have gone out Wednesday night with the updated covid count.

+1

[Anonymous]

They "Pivoted".

[Anonymous]

Wait I thought it already wasn't automatic and they were already consulting with DHHS? Or were they lying about that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like the update! I prefer case-by-case basis. I applaud how MCPS is handling this, although I think this announcement should have gone out Wednesday night with the updated covid count.

+1. Keep schools open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The factors they are listing for considering whether schools should go virtual are the same factors they listed previously; they just are now saying that they won’t automatically consider them when a school goes 5% positive. But if we were to believe them, they already did a case-by-case evaluation on the 11 red schools on Tuesday and decided they needed to go virtual based on these factors. Will be interesting if they change now and send those schools back on Monday.

They said an update on those schools would be communicated on Sunday. I bet they go back.

[Anonymous]

Everyone trying to avoid virtual missed 3 instructional days this week by not being virtual.

[Anonymous]

I read this to mean they will only go virtual if staff cases demand it.

[Anonymous]

They are just muddying the waters further. This is terrible communication. Terrible policy to make everything less transparent instead of more -- especially when parents are concerned about the numbers being reported at their schools.

Further, why would any parent continue to test and report if nothing is going to be done? Why would I condemn my child to missing instruction and having to suffer sub-par virtual while his class moves forward? No thanks!

[Anonymous]

What are they doing to do to help families that do not feel comfortable with in-person? I feel like they should at least offer live streaming and allow those who want to be virtual to be virtual with the caveat that teachers will not be available to re-teach material etc. if their choice to be virtual is optional.

[Anonymous]

Like many on this thread, I think a school-by-school approach is the right choice.

HOWEVER, it's so hard to watch this huge, well-funded, bureaucracy continue to trip over it's own shoelaces again and again and again.

Veering in panic from approach to approach is not what we as parents or the BOE should expect from someone who is gunning for the Superintendent job.

Can we not get ONE person at the senior level with the ability to look at a calendar, look at trend lines, and make a plan?

[Anonymous]

I can confirm from Central Office that all 11 virtual schools will resume in-person learning on Monday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Special Note from MCPS Central Office

Dear MCPS Community,

We are writing to inform you of a change in how decisions will be made regarding whether schools will transition from in-person to virtual learning due to positive COVID-19 cases. We have heard from families, students and staff and recognize that the pandemic’s changing landscape continues to generate concern for many community members. These modifications result from clarifications from the state of Maryland on the appropriate use of thresholds for transitioning to virtual learning – and bring MCPS into closer alignment with how large school systems across the country are keeping schools safe amidst similar COVID-related challenges. We appreciate our community’s patience and perseverance as we navigate these dynamics.

The state of Maryland does not currently recommend any automatic trigger or threshold for the suspension of in-person learning. Therefore, MCPS will no longer use a threshold of 5% or more of unrelated students and staff in a school who test positive in a 14-day period to consider a transition to virtual learning. The 11 school communities that are currently engaged in virtual learning will receive more information by Sunday afternoon regarding next steps.

Moving forward, MCPS and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will examine schools on a case-by-case basis to determine if any particular school needs to transition to virtual learning for a designated period of time. Factors considered will continue to include the number of students and staff who have tested positive; the number of students in quarantine; the number of staff absent for COVID-related reasons; and the level of spread of the virus in the school.

Robust mitigation measures—including masking, distribution of KN-95 masks, enhanced ventilation, high vaccination rates and increased access to testing—are in place and contribute to keeping schools safe. Identifying COVID-19 cases remains an important step for slowing the spread of the virus. Any student who tests positive will be required to isolate for 10 days from the date of the positive test or 10 days from the onset of symptoms, whichever comes first.

By early next week, take-home rapid test kits will be distributed to all students and staff. These easy-to-use tests will reveal the prevalence of the virus in each school community. They will quickly identify positive cases, allow COVID-19 positive individuals to isolate, and further reduce the spread of the virus in schools and offices.

Parents are asked to help students administer these tests at home and to submit whether their child has tested positive or negative using the MCPS COVID-19 Reporting Form. It is important for parents to report all results, both positive and negative, when using the rapid test kits distributed in schools. (Parents should continue to report positive results from tests students receive outside of school, as well.)

We recognize that there is a great deal of concern about the rise in COVID-19 cases in our schools and community. Please know that we understand these concerns and are committed to maintaining a safe environment for students and staff.

Sincerely,

Monifa B. McKnight, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent of Schools

James Bridgers, Ph.D.
Acting Chief Health Officer
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services

This is driving parents, teachers and students crazy. Thresholds and color codes and one week later, its no longer used.