The PGCPS website recently notified parents that masking is now required. Goldson has previously said she exercises an abundance of caution when making decisions about coronavirus protocols. Together they created a platform to offer images and stories of hope to advance their community. PGCPS had transitioned to a mask-optional policy in July, the first time it had dropped mandatory masking since the onset of the pandemic. the County will lift its indoor mask mandate on Monday, February 28, 2022, as COVID-19 case rates continue to drop significantly in the County following the peak of the Omicron variant. Prince George's County will lift its indoor mask mandate on Monday, Feb. 28, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced Friday. 233 E. Redwood Street Suite 600G When responding to public health threats like COVID-19, Maryland school districts have the flexibility to determine mask-wearing policies," the school district posted on Facebook. Kristin Danley-Greiner 8/15/2022. To date, more than 10.5 million children have lost one or both parents or caregivers during the coronavirus pandemic. Related: CDC Eases COVID Restrictions: What Remains In Maryland. The PGCPS website recently notified parents that masking is now required of Prince Georges County Public Schools (PGCPS) students and employees. Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, 2023, Prince George's County Public Schools, Website Accessibility Requests and Feedback Form. WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM, Prince Georges Co. council votes to temporarily cap rent hikes at 3%, Millions invested into Blue Line corridor by Prince Georges Co. developers, Cardinal Gregory meets with descendants of slaves buried on Bowie church hillside, Grand jury indicts DC employee charged with killing 13-year-old boy, Virginia state superintendent Jillian Balow announces resignation, Maryland food bank braces for more hungry mouths after emergency benefits are reduced. While the school district turned the commenting feature off on its Facebook post announcing the switch back to mandatory face masks, others posted their unhappiness with the decision elsewhere on the school's social media account. The updated Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook addressing the policy change reads: The mask-optional policy enables individuals to choose whether to wear a mask in schools and offices. Marshals Service involved in fatal shooting in Southeast DC, Southeast triple shooting suspect identified by police. Some say that policy change was not clear. When responding to public health threats such as COVID-19, Maryland school districts have flexibility in determining mask-wearing policies. "All staff, students and families are encouraged to support personal decisions. PGCPS had transitioned to a mask-optional policy in July, the first time it had dropped mandatory masking since the onset of the pandemic. the county announced plans to reinstate its indoor mask mandate, initially transitioned to a mask-optional policy in July, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Prince Georges Co. council votes to temporarily cap rent hikes at 3%, Millions invested into Blue Line corridor by Prince Georges Co. developers, Cardinal Gregory meets with descendants of slaves buried on Bowie church hillside, Grand jury indicts DC employee charged with killing 13-year-old boy, Virginia state superintendent Jillian Balow announces resignation, Maryland food bank braces for more hungry mouths after emergency benefits are reduced. Like WTOP on Facebook and follow WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article and others. Wearing a mask is optional for students in Montgomery County. Prince Georges County Public Schools will reopen on Aug. 29. All staff, students and families are encouraged to support personal decisions on mask-wearing. XM x0r\1+'O5l,QUc4]@4\h\xLF:Q>Xo`&2&\g . Copyright 2022 by WTOP. Wayne K. Curry Administration Building 1301 McCormick Drive Largo, MD 20774. It ended up being one of the last times county leaders would publicly discuss lifting the mandate. DMV news: Most of Prince Georges students are scoring below grade level on district tests. Higher education: College and university enrollment is nowhere near pandemic level, experts worry. "After consulting with our health officials, we are confident in our decision to lift the indoor mask mandate on February 28," said Alsobrooks. Elected Officials. All Rights Reserved. <> <>/Metadata 79 0 R/ViewerPreferences 80 0 R>> (veradavidovacuz/unsplash), AFRO endorsements for the 2022 midterm elections, A time to dance: Rev. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. Departments and Offices. On July 1, PGCPS announced it was lifting its mask mandate in public schools. "Once again, this is the county officials pushing their agenda of fear. Nearly 77% of residents are fully vaccinated, meaning theyve received at least two shots, according to CDC data. In a poll of its members a few weeks ago, she said, around 60% favored the return of a mask mandate. 8:30 PM, 7:15 PM PGCPS continuera prendre des dcisions en matire de sant et de scurit en consultation avec des experts de la sant. Using This Site. "PGCPS will continue to make health and safety decisions in consultation with health experts." Read More Questions? Chevy Chase, MD 20815. UPPER MARLBORO, Md. Now they're the first to bring it back. Officials in Prince Georges County have announced that students will start the 2022-2023 school year with masks on. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Like WTOP on Facebook and follow WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article and others. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. WTOPs John Domen contributed to this report. The public school system of about 128,000 students was the last in Maryland to keep a mask requirement in place, even as other jurisdictions dropped them earlier in the spring. Maryland did not reimplement a statewide mask mandate during the pandemic, but some jurisdictions took precautions. Of the policy shift announced Monday, Goldson said families have varied on whether children should wear masks in schools. The fully vaccinated rate increases to 85.7 percent for residents 12 and older. Montgomery County Board of Education drops mask mandate for schools. All rights reserved. Uline Arena Building Fentanyl-related overdoses among teens are rising. They should isolate for five days and may end isolation after that time if they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication and their symptoms are improving. - Schools in Prince George's County will be bringing back its masks requirements starting Monday, August 15 due to spreading coronavirus cases, according to schools officials. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. The school. D.C. Public Schools new reading curriculum is designed to help improve literacy among the citys youngest readers. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. This year, when the omicron variant hit regional schools hard, Prince Georges chose to extend its winter break beyond any other school systems to slow the spread of the virus. College scholarships are available for Class of 2023 seniors! It states the system was lifting its mask mandate an announcement that has not been clear to many parents. The decision was recommended by the Prince Georges County Health Department. School officials indicate they reserve the right to change the masking mandate at any time. The change in policy was listed among other items about the upcoming school year, including immunizations, online learning and fall class registration. UPPER MARLBORO, Md. American students test scores have even plummeted to levels unseen for decades. Home. During his time in College Park, he worked for The Diamondback, the schools student newspaper. She said that she personally hasnt received a lot of feedback from community members yet on the issue. Goldson reinstated a mask mandate in schools earlier in August because coronavirus transmission levels were high. He is a reporter and photographer focusing on politics, political activism and international affairs. NEWS ALERT: California board denies parole for Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan, Alejandro Alvarez | aalvarez@wtp.com. 2023 WTOP. Submit anonymous tips through the Safe Schools Maryland app or tip line. Lorsqu'il s'agit de rpondre des menaces de sant publique telles que le COVID-19, les districts scolaires du Maryland disposent d'une certaine flexibilit pour dterminer les politiques de port de masque. Officials in Prince George's County have announced that students will start the 2022-2023 school year with masks on. Joinhere! Juanita Miller, chair of the county's school board, directed. Highlighting Kenmoor Middle School counselor Dr. William Clay and Heather Hills Elementary School counselor Monique Bartley, NBCT, Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan, 7:00 PM Scott Gelman is a digital editor and writer for WTOP. WTOPs John Domen contributed to this report. Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, 2023, Prince George's County Public Schools, March is National Irish American Heritage Month, NUMBER OF SCHOOLS FOR 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR, BOE: Parent and Community Advisory Council (PCAC) Meeting, 3rd Quarter Progress Reports Released Online, Website Accessibility Requests and Feedback Form. 2022 WTOP. The same day, the system also published its policy change on their website. Se anima a todos los empleados, estudiantes y familias a apoyar las decisiones personales de uso de mascarilla. %PDF-1.7 Site Map. Copyright 2022 by WTOP. 6, Residents Budget Hearing For FY2024 Cycle Will Be March 13, 3 Bowie Area New Open Houses Coming Up Soon. PGCPS will continue to make health and safety decisions in consultation with health experts.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The latest: Updated coronavirus booster shots are now available for children as young as 5. Wearing a mask is optional for students in Montgomery County. All rights reserved. The mandate extends to all indoor public locations at all. PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD Face masks must be worn in all schools and district buildings . Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of Aug. 11 is no longer recommending people quarantine when exposed to someone with COVID-19, and is also dropping its guidance for people to stay 6 feet apart. School officials say the decision comes in light of the highly contagious COVID-19 BA.5 variant spreading through the county. Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. In the classroom: Amid a teacher shortage, states desperate to fill teaching jobs have relaxed job requirements as staffing crises rise in many schools. The new policy notes that mask-wearing rules could change based on guidance from local or state health officials, or if there is additional guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. OFFICE OF THE PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANGELA D. ALSOBROOKS PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: August 5, 2021 . This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Bradley Beal hits season high as Wizards fight to the finish in Atlanta, For Ovechkin in winter, a deadline sell-off makes sense this spring, Commanders cut Carson Wentz and Bobby McCain, clearing cap space, coronavirus booster shots are now available for children as young as 5, 10.5 million children have lost one or both parents, students test scores have even plummeted, ACT and SAT testing have rebounded modestly, Prince Georges students are scoring below grade level, D.C. Public Schools new reading curriculum. Prince George's County is the only D.C.-area jurisdiction that had a mask mandate on the first day of classes. The guidelines for those who test positive remain unchanged. The Centers for Disease Control rate of transmission for the BA.5 variant indicates that the county is experiencing a low rate of transmission, but the rate was designated as high when the decision was made for PGCPS to restart the masking policy. The vaccination rate in the county for residents 5 and older is 81.5 percent, according to state health department data. The email stated: Effective immediately, all PGCPS schools and facilities will be mask optional. In the classroom: Amid a teacher shortage, states desperate to fill teaching jobs have relaxed job requirements as staffing crises rise in many schools. According to PGCPS, the guidance comes at the request of the Prince Georges County Health Department. A mask should still be worn through the 10th day after testing positive, according to the guidelines. School system CEO Monica Goldson announced the policy change in a newsletter to parents Monday evening, at the. Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. Contact Information. One D.C. school is using COVID relief funds to target students on the verge of failure. 3 0 obj WTOP has obtained a short. The Maryland school district said Friday that it had returned to a mandatory mask policy in all schools and facilities until further notice due to the easily spread BA.5 Omicron strain, which has spread farther and faster than its predecessors and fueled a rise in community transmission rates across the country. Help us Continue to tell OUR Story and join the AFRO family as a member subscribers are now members! In a newsletter highlighting moments from the first day of school across the county, Marylands second-largest school system said it plans to implement a mask-optional policy beginning Sept. 6. bD,pI-2E4n[ >-Q_N@ZN@^w $KS@y/~LO-ud)x%|$c|}J7B"C`R$~uwB!A|jS6|V">}XpaebmVY# Updated: 10:30 AM EDT August 5, 2021. PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. By NBC Washington Staff Published August 12, 2022 Updated on August 15, 2022 at 11:22 am. In light of the highly contagious COVID-19 BA.5 variant, Prince Georges County Public Schools (PGCPS) will return to a mandatory mask policy in all schools and facilities until further notice, effective on Aug. 15, according to the website. Prince Georges County public schools are requiring masks again ahead of the new academic year, citing the spread of a highly contagious COVID-19 Omicron subvariant. All Rights Reserved. For Read Across America Week, check out our many resources that encourage a love of reading. Monica Goldson, chief executive of Maryland's. Prince Georges County schools initially transitioned to a mask-optional policy in July. Public Information Requests. Quick Links. With the declining local COVID-19 positivity rates, CEO Dr. Monica Goldson announced the mask-optional policy will resume in all PGCPS facilities on Tuesday, September 6. Staff are encouraged to exercise good judgment and are expected to be supportive of co-workers mask-wearing choices.. Los distritos escolares de Maryland tienen flexibilidad para determinar las polticas de uso de mascarilla cuando responden a amenazas de salud pblica como la de la COVID-19. 2023 WTOP. PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. Other school systems in Maryland elected to drop mask mandates last school year, but Prince Georges kept a requirement in place until the county reached over an 80 percent vaccination rate for the coronavirus. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. All staff, students and families are encouraged to support personal decisions on mask-wearing, the message said. All staff, students and families are encouraged to support personal decisions on mask-wearing, the message to parents said. READ MORE: Prince George's County recommending mask-wearing in indoor public places as COVID-19 cases rise. 2023 FOX Television Stations, FBI: Explosive found in bag at Pennsylvania airport, man arrested, Elderly couple dead in possible murder-suicide in Fairfax County: police, Airbnb renting out Paris theater that inspired 'Phantom of the Opera', Pot smoking lounge set to open in Montgomery County is first of its kind, Surgeon runs down Philadelphia street to retrieve organ from transport vehicle stuck in traffic, Video shows Amazon delivery driver hitting, killing dog at Maryland home, Richard Montgomery High School student accused of robbing Shell gas station at knifepoint, U.S. This decision reverses one from July, which made mask wearing optional in Prince George's County schools. 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