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FCPS Reopening Updates
* Para ver esta información en español, utilice la función “Google Translate” en la parte inferior de esta página.
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Academics
FCPS to Continue Virtual Learning Model. See the press release.
Athletics
Board Approves Return-to-Play Recommendations. See the press release.
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Calendar
Election Day November 3 Is a Non-School Day. See the press release.
Monday, October 5, 2020
School Meals-to-Go
Starting Monday, October 12, 2020, FCPS will add 4 new community drop-off sites for to-go meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 AM-1 PM from a school bus. The new sites will follow the same meal distribution pattern as the other school and community sites listed at www.fcps.org/meals.
The 4 new sites are:
*Golden Mile Giant Eagle Shopping Center Parking Lot, 1275 W Patrick Street, Frederick
*Liberty Road/Kingfisher Drive Giant Shopping Center Parking Lot, 1700 Kingfisher Drive, Frederick
*Westview Promenade Parking Lot, 5223 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick
*Thomas Johnson Drive Weis Shopping Center Parking Lot, 199 Thomas Johnson Drive, Frederick
As of October 12, in addition to breakfast and lunch, FCPS will also offer supper meals at all school and community sites. Due to USDA regulations, supper is only offered on school days.
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Athletics
The following orders regarding athletics were released:
Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Announces Local School Systems May Officially Start High School Fall Sports Beginning October 7, 2020
Amended Directive and Order Regarding Community, Recreational, Leisure, Cultural and Sporting Gatherings and Events, Pursuant to Executive Order No. 20-09-18-01, No. MDH 2020-09-24-01
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
School Meals-to-Go
FCPS adds Meals-to-Go service in Walkersville. See the press release.
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
School Meals-to-Go
FCPS extends free meal service through December 2020, for all children 18 and younger. See the press release.
Thursday, August 20, 2020
School Meals-to-Go
FCPS released information on School Meals-to-Go beginning Monday, August 31, 2020.
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
School Supplies
FCPS published school supply lists for the 2020-2021 school year. More details here.
Tuesday, August 4, 2020 (Updated Monday, August 10, 2020)
Virtual Opening Overview
FCPS has posted the Virtual Opening Overview documents in English and Spanish:
- Frederick County Public Schools' Virtual Opening Overview, August 2020
- Frederick County Public Schools' Resumen de apertura virtual, Agosto 2020
Monday, August 3, 2020
Athletics
MPSSAA Preparing Hybrid 2-Semester Plan for Athletics. More information here.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Reopening Decision
At today’s Board of Education meeting, the Board decided that student instruction for the first semester of the 2020-21 school year, which begins Monday, August 31, will occur in a full virtual format for students enrolled in Frederick County Public Schools as our county and state continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. See more.
Athletics
BOE suspends Athletics and extracurricular activities. See more.
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Surveys
Parent Survey on Draft Reopening Plan. Survey closes Thursday, July 23,2020.
Town Hall Meeting
To our Spanish-speaking community: A los miembros de la Comunidad Hispanohablante de FCPS
Athletics
Voluntary Summer Conditioning and Re-Acclimatization Activities Set to Begin on Monday, July 20, 2020. See full details here.*
* Corrected link: FCPS COVID-19 Parent-Student-Athlete Participation Acknowledgement Statement form
Thursday, July 9, 2020
Town Hall Meeting
FCPS is hosting a virtual Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, 6 - 8 PM on reopening schools. Send questions to FCPSReopens@fcps.org. See full meeting details here.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Reopening Plan
Please see the revised MSDE recovery plan, Maryland Together: Maryland's Recovery Plan for Education June 2020.
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Reopening Plan
The COVID-19 pandemic crisis will continue to impact the operation of schools and educational programs during the 2020-2021 school year. As we plan for the reopening of our schools, FCPS is committed to:
- Prioritizing the safety and health of students, employees, and families.
- Making all decisions through an equity lens.
- Providing high quality instruction and maximizing face-to-face interaction to the greatest extent possible.
- Supporting the social-emotional well-being of students and staff.
- Communicating concisely, accurately, and frequently.
- Engaging stakeholders in the decision-making process as appropriate.
- Deploying resources strategically while adapting to ever-changing conditions and requirements.
- Returning to full operational status as quickly as possible when safe health conditions exist.
FCPS has convened four work groups of key stakeholders to develop components of the reopening plan that align with the guidance provided by the Maryland State Department of Education and the Center for Disease Control. That guidance can be accessed through the links below:
http://marylandpublicschools.org/newsroom/Documents/MSDERecoveryPlan.pdf [please see above for the latest plan]
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools.html
The Logistics Work Group is focusing on safe operational procedures for transportation, meals, and use of the buildings. The Instructional Work Group is examining scheduling options, instructional options, and the effective use of resources to support learning. The Special Services and Student Support Work Group is identifying strategies necessary to ensure each and every student receives the support needed to be successful for the school year. The Employee Relations and Communications Work Group is focusing on changes in policy and regulation due to the pandemic crisis that impact staff and students as well as developing a communication plan to keep all stakeholders informed. In addition to these work groups, a Parent Advisory Group has been formed to provide feedback to each work group as plans are developed.
In July, we will share opportunities for the community to provide feedback on the draft Reopening Plan. This pandemic crisis has taught us that conditions can rapidly change and our plans must be fluid so that we can adapt to changing guidance and mandates to ensure public health and safety. We will post the draft plan and additional resources on the FCPS website. Please continue to check in frequently for the latest updates.
FCPS Virtual Opening Overview
FCPS Final Plan for Reopening and Advancing Forward
- Download FCPS' Final Plan for Reopening and Advancing Forward, July, 2020 (Revised October 5, 2020)
- Step-by-Step Approach to Reopening
FCPS Resumen de apertura virtual
BORRADOR Plan de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Frederick para reabrir y avanzar
- BORRADOR Plan de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Frederick para reabrir y avanzar, Julio de 2020 (Septiembre de 2020)
FCPS COVID-19 Return To Play
- FCPS Extracurricular, Co-curricular and Athletics Return-to-Play Update - Video - October 15, 2020
- Board Approves Return-to-Play Recommendations - FCPS Press Release - October 8, 2020
- Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Announces Local School Systems May Officially Start High School Fall Sports Beginning October 7, 2020
- Amended Directive and Order Regarding Community, Recreational, Leisure, Cultural and Sporting Gatherings and Events, Pursuant to Executive Order No. 20-09-18-01, No. MDH 2020-09-24-01
Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
FCPS Communications
- Board Approves Return-to-Play Recommendations - FCPS Press Release - October 8, 2020
- Interscholastic Athletics at FCPS - FCPS Press Release - September 24, 2020
- Voluntary First Semester Conditioning and Skill Based Practice Seasons - FCPS FindOutFirst - August 18, 2020
- Extra-Curricular and Co-Curricular Activities - FCPS FindOutFirst - August 6, 2020
- MPSSAA Preparing Hybrid 2-Semester Plan for Athletics - FCPS FindOutFirst - August 3, 2020
- Message from Kevin Kendro, Supervisor of Athletics and Extracurricular Activities, Wednesday, July 29, 2020 - Frederick County Public Schools
- BOE Suspends Athletics and Extracurricular Activities - FCPS FindOutFirst - July 29, 2020
- Voluntary Summer Conditioning and Re-Acclimatization Activities - FCPS FindOutfirst - July 14, 2020
* Corrected link: FCPS COVID-19 Parent-Student-Athlete Participation Acknowledgement Statement form - Important FCPS Athletics Update - FCPS FindOutFirst - June 22, 2020
- Sports and Extracurricular Activities - FCPS FindOutFirst - June 16, 2020
Incoming freshmen, students new to FCPS, and students who did not participate in a sport last school year must provide documentation of a sports physical dated April 1, 2020 or after.
*All students will be required to have a sports physical dated April 1, 2020 or after to participate in 2020-2021 fall, winter and spring sports. Fall sports are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 12, 2020.
Frederick News Post
- FCPS workouts will be able to continue - August 7, 2020
- FCPS fall sports postponed until January 2021 - July 30, 2020
- FCPS issues more 'Return to Play' guidance for fall sports - July 15, 2020
- FCPS committee aims for July 13 sports restart - June 23, 2020
- FCPS forms Return to Play committee with hopes of summer workouts, fall season - June 16, 2020
Return to Play Committee
RTP Committee's Guiding Principle: The health and safety of FCPS student-athletes, coaches and all other athletic-related stakeholders will drive all decision-making of the RTP committee.
- *Mr. Kevin Kendro, Supervisor of Athletics & Extracurricular Activities, FCPS
- Dr. Daniel Lippy, Director of School Management, FCPS
- Mrs. Kathleen Schlappal, Instructional Director of High Schools, FCPS
- Dr. Randall Culpepper, Deputy Health Officer & Director of HCC, Frederick County Health Department
- *Dr. Nima Hendi, Pediatrician, The Pediatric Center of Frederick
- *Ms. Jenifer Waters, Health Service Specialist, FCPS
- Mrs. Tracey Kibler, Principal, Governor Thomas Johnson High School
- Mr. Fred Punturiero, Transportation Director, FCPS
- Ms. Deb Huffman, Use of Facilities Coordinator, FCPS
- Mrs. Kimberly Hirshmann, (Secondary) Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Specialist, FCPS
- Mr. John Karos, Marching Band Director, Tuscarora High School
- Mr. Larry Phillips, Custodial Services Manager, FCPS
- *Mr. Preston Anderson, Lead FCPS Athletic Trainer, Pivot Physical Therapy
- Mr. Howie Putterman, Athletic Director, Tuscarora High School
- Mr. Keith Bruck, Athletic Director, Catoctin High School
- Mr. Mike Chavez, Coordinator of Athletics, Extracurricular Activities, Facilities and Campus Improvement, Gov. Thomas Johnson High School
- Mr. Kurt Stein, Head Football Coach, Oakdale High School
- Mrs. AJ Stuart, Head Field Hockey and Girls Tennis Coach, Urbana High School
- Mr. Emonte Hill, Head Boys Basketball Coach, Frederick High School
- Mr. CJ Ecalono, Head Girls Cross Country, Girls Indoor Track and Field and Girls Outdoor Track and Field Coach, Urbana High School
- Mrs. Michelle Hill, Special Olympics MD Unified Sports Coordinator, Frederick County
- *Mrs. Theresa Wisner, Administrative Secretary, Athletics & Extracurricular Activities, FCPS
* Member of FCPS’ Sports Medicine Advisory Committee
Town Hall Meeting, Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions were raised during the FCPS Town Hall meeting held on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. See below to read questions that were asked in Spanish through email during the meeting.
The final decision regarding which option will be approved comes from the Board of Education (BOE). We are currently getting feedback from the community on the hybrid model. The BOE will be listening to the feedback and looking at data to make the decision at an upcoming BOE meeting. Our BOE could decide and, if the health circumstances change, the state superintendent could make a decision that would change things, and we have to be ready to comply or shift gears. The BOE will approve the plan at either the July 29 or Aug 5 BOE meeting. As soon as we know the answer, we will notify the community.
There was a lot of feedback given to FCPS by the community and staff as to how to improve distance learning. This summer, our curriculum workshops are focusing on distance learning as, whether we use the all virtual or hybrid model, there will be a lot of reliance on technology to enable instruction to occur. Teachers have had increased training in Schoology and the use of Google Meet and screen casting tools. They will be able to create more videos to go out to the students, do real-time instruction and put materials into Schoology that will keep information organized for students. Teachers will be able to access additional resources that FCPS is creating in summer workshops to allow them to focus more on providing feedback to students.
We have been seeking guidance from the state and local health departments on what the protocol should be. We have not received specifics at this point. We will work with the health department should an outbreak occur. There have also been questions about quarantine. We will rely on the health department for guidance here as well.
Yes, families will be put in the same schedule for school-day attendance.
FCPS has developed procedures to respond to students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 or develop symptoms of COVID-19-like-Illness (CLI). In response to laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 or incidences of CLI, FCPS collaborates with the Frederick County Health Department and follows the Decision Aid: Exclusion and Return for Laboratory Confirmed COVID-19 Cases and Persons with COVID-19-like Illness in Schools, Child Care Programs, and Youth Camps developed by the Maryland Department of Health and Maryland State Department of Education. FCPS has developed procedures to respond to students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 or develop symptoms of COVID-19-like-Illness (CLI). In response to laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 or incidences of CLI, FCPS collaborates with the Frederick County Health Department and follows the Decision Aid: Exclusion and Return for Laboratory Confirmed COVID-19 Cases and Persons with COVID-19-like Illness in Schools, Child Care Programs, and Youth Camps developed by the Maryland Department of Health and Maryland State Department of Education.
Maintaining 6-feet of social distance is the priority, and when that is not possible masks should be worn. This guidance can change, so stay tuned as the plan is fluid.
Child-sized face masks will be on every bus. Schools will also receive a supply. FCPS has also ordered 50,000 adult masks. These have not arrived yet, but have been ordered.
Shields are not an alternative to masks, but some have been ordered for specific situations such as teaching phonics and modeling how to get your mouth ready to make a sound. (FCPS has ordered face shields for pre-K - grade 3 teachers only.) In these cases, the mask can be removed and the shield used. It is better to have the cloth face covering in most situations.
We know the importance of wearing masks, and we want to work with families and keep students safe. Wearing a mask is a social responsibility. Our schools will be looking at the most effective ways to follow up on these types of situations. Some schools may choose to have a school counselor reach out to the families. Schools will have a supply of masks available in case it’s as simple as a student forgot the mask.
This was discussed; however, that means the sibling on the end seat is closer to the next seat. FCPS is planning 1 student per seat, max of 22 on a bus with no siblings next to each other.
We cannot reroute buses overnight. If a student changes the decision, it could take up to two weeks.
We will likely have more flexibility at the elementary level. We will err on the side of kids. As an example, we need to make sure there is transportation and classroom space for them.
More information to come. This will need to be explored further.
Right now, we plan for PE to be outside. Music and Art may also work outside and could also be in the classroom. Outside would be better since the priority is to minimize movement throughout the building.
Yes, if not possible outside.
Schools may need to consider spaces for daycares in schools. It is uncertain at this time if gyms will be needed; however, principals will keep in mind that the gym or a classroom may be used for this purpose.
The primary responsibility will be to tend to virtual learning.
Yes, we may be able to combine so a student who is scheduled to be at school can participate in a virtual class.
Yes, there is a possibility we can run one virtual group for multiple schools. This will be an example of the collaborative planning and creative solutions high school principals will work together on.
We will continue to address this on a case-by-case basis. This can only occur when our buildings are open to the public.
Yes, paper packets are acceptable.
Unless guidance from the federal government changes, recovery services are required to be completed within the year that the decision was made. Similar to when we are in typical brick- and-mortar learning, when there are vacant service provider positions, the services are postponed until the positions are filled. The Office of Special Education is revisiting the current special education staffing model to align it to the varied requirements of virtual vs face-to-face instruction and the hybrid model, as well as to meet regulatory compliance mandates and recovery service needs.
Food and Nutrition Services will provide guidance by the end of July.
Yes, FCPS intends to provide supplies for each classroom. Teachers are not obligated to use them, but the materials will be provided.
Specialized programs and special schools will be consulted. The system will continue to think about support for schools without specialized programs but with significant needs.
We are encouraging students to bring water bottles from home; however, water fountains will be available for use. Hopefully students will have their own water bottles available.
Yes. Although there are issues with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, the current need outweighs the impact. Every elementary classroom will have hand sanitizer dispensers. Custodians are working to replace any that are not working. We have ordered 1,800 additional dispensers for secondary schools who do not have them already in their classrooms.
Yes, that is the recommendation. It will be better to have an additional custodian on hand when students and teachers are in the building.
Frequently Asked Questions - Translations
The following questions were asked in Spanish through email during the FCPS Town Hall meeting held on Wednesday, July 15, 2020.
Families will have a weekly plan and we will provide materials as soon as possible.
This meeting will be translated and the video posted on the FCPS website sometime the week of July 20, 2020. When questions and answers are posted, they are translatable using the “Select Language” drop-down box at the bottom of the page on the fcps.org website.
There will be two options: 1. full virtual instruction and additional one to one support or 2. hospital teaching if required. The option chosen will be based on individual cases.
We will maintain the State of Maryland guidelines: social distancing and masks. We are still working on the set up of the classrooms.
Families will have the same days schedule for all the children in the household based on the high school students’ schedule.
We are currently working with daycare providers in the area to support families.
We are still working on this; the CTC program will be virtual as much as possible and we think internships will be still available depending on the program.
Transcripción en español de la reunión (Town Hall) de FCPS
A continuación, encontrará la transcripción en español de la reunión de FCPS celebrada el miércoles 15 de julio de 2020.
También puede descargarla aquí.