2023-24 School Year Information

Frederick County Public Schools welcomed students back to school on August 23 with a virtual option for families who choose that option. In this informational hub, you will find our School Opening Plan and our response to COVID-19.

2023-24 Opening Plan: Updated August 1, 2023

COVID-19

Frederick County Public Schools continues to follow guidance from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) regarding COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Our strategies align with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We have also collaborated with the Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) in developing our mitigation strategy for the 2023-24 school year. Our routine prevention strategy is as follows and is being implemented to decrease the risk of COVID-19 and other respiratory illness transmission:

Face coverings
Welcomed for all who chose to wear one.
Encouraged as a precaution for individuals with known exposure to COVID-19 in the last 10 days.

Isolation
Encouraged if individuals are sick and suspect they are positive for COVID-19 even if they do not have test results.
Encouraged action based on test results:
Negative test: Return to work/school when symptoms have improved AND it has been at least 24 hours since last fever.
Positive test: Isolate at least five full days after exposure. Face covering encouraged for five days after returning to work/school.

Ventilation
School buildings continue being provided ventilation by introducing outside air through the HVAC systems. Upgraded filter media (i.e., MERV-13) have been installed to the greatest extent possible in air-handling equipment.

Hand Hygiene
Staff and students are encouraged to continue using proper hand washing practices. Hand sanitizer remains available in all classrooms.

Cleaning
High-touch surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected routinely.
Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures will be taken when three or more cases of COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses are reported in a classroom.

Communication
COVID-19 communication will align with how we communicate other respiratory illnesses.
Communication sent to parent/guardians of student(s) if three or more cases of COVID-19 or another respiratory illness are reported in a classroom.
Administrators will work with health specialists to determine when communication beyond an impacted classroom(s) is warranted.