Community groups, including but not limited to PTAs and boosters, that use HCPSS facilities after school hours will not be required to provide vaccination status or undergo testing. These activities are voluntary and not associated with HCPSS activities. The universal masking requirement will remain in place for all facility users.
Because they are voluntary, school sponsored events that occur before and after school and are approved by school administrators may occur with visitors without a vaccine or testing requirement. School administrators will take efforts to ensure other applicable mitigation efforts are implemented. The universal masking requirement will remain in place for all participants.
Because they are voluntary, activities that occur before and after school and are approved by school administrators may occur without a vaccine or testing requirement. Additionally, since after school activities such as concerts, plays and clubs are voluntary, vaccine verification and testing will not be required for spectators. School administrators will take efforts to ensure other applicable mitigation efforts are implemented. The universal masking requirement will remain in place for all participants.
When a student is in quarantine, case managers will contact the parents/guardians to discuss how IEP services can be delivered during the quarantine. The case managers will review your child’s IEP and determine the extent to which the IEP can be implemented as written without in-person instruction. If the IEP cannot be implemented as is, HCPSS is required to either amend the IEP with parent agreement through the ASDM process or to review the IEP through an IEP team meeting.
Obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) remain in effect even when a student with a disability must quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure. HCPSS is required to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to students with disabilities.
Special Education case managers will contact parents to discuss a plan for services through an Alternative Service Delivery Model (ASDM) to provide FAPE under the federal law and meet expectations of the Maryland State Department of Education.
Update: Nov. 8, 2021
The Maryland State Department of Education recently released additional attendance guidance for students who are required to quarantine but who are otherwise able to participate in academic activities.
Yes, students who are not already assigned a device will be given one for use during quarantine. Parents/guardians will receive directions from their child’s school on picking up devices.
Yes, students in quarantine may continue to receive school meals at no cost. There will be no walk-ups available. Meals must be pre-ordered and will be available for pick up on Mondays and Thursdays only, at any HCPSS high school between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Students in quarantine may not pick up meals themselves. Parents/guardians or a designee may receive meals on behalf of students.
When a full classroom is in quarantine, there are several opportunities for them to remain engaged in learning and receive instructional support. Though COVID-related absences are considered excused absences, it is important that students take advantage of these opportunities so they are able to return from quarantine and easily transition back into in-person instruction.
If a student is sent home to isolate due to exhibiting COVID-like symptoms, household contacts (siblings) who are NOT vaccinated should quarantine while awaiting PCR test results. Vaccinated household contacts do not need to quarantine unless exhibiting symptoms.
