Return to Learn Update

In this update, you will find more information about:

• Distance learning student schedules

• Devices for all students

• School supplies

• WCPS meal service to children

• Athletics update

• SAT testing

• Reminder of August 4 Board of Education presentation

• Updates in the works

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) has developed student day schedules during distance learning. We hope this information will help families prepare for August 31st as we start the 2020-2021 school year.

Please note these schedules may vary slightly from school-to-school to meet the needs at each school. Principals will be sending more specific information about school schedules over the next month.

The student learning day will run from 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Teacher/Parent Communication Time

Teachers will be available to communicate with parents to address questions and concerns during this time each school day. Parents may expect to receive responses to their questions during this time.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lunch

Students will have a longer lunch period to allow enough time for children to visit one of the 19 meal sites across the county.

Students will engage in approximately two (2) hours of real-time, online instruction with their teachers throughout the day with time for breaks. Teachers will divide this time as appropriate with periods of small-group work.

Students will engage in approximately three (3) hours of real-time, online instruction with their teachers throughout the day with time for breaks. Teachers will divide this time as appropriate with periods of small-group work.

Students have six classes every day. All six classes are live online and 35 minutes long. The school day will run from 9:00 a.m. - 2:10 p.m.

For most students, one of the six classes is an academic skills class during which students will be provided with additional support and/or enrichment.

Students have one hour for lunch to allow enough time for children to visit one of the 19 meal sites across the county.

Students have 6 classes every day. All 6 classes are live online and 35 minutes long. The school day will run from 9:00 a.m. - 2:10 p.m.

Students have one hour for lunch to allow enough time for children to visit one of the 19 meal sites across the county.

Students have two academic classes on A-days and two academic classes on B-days. They have two Career Technology Education (CTE) classes every day. All four classes are live online and 70 minutes long. The school day will run from 9:00 a.m. - 2:25 p.m.

Students have one hour for lunch to allow enough time for children to visit one of the 19 meal sites across the county.

Students have eight classes every day. The classes are all 35 minutes long. The academic classes are live online every day, and the arts classes are a mix of live online classes and hands-on activities/assignments depending on which program a student is in. The school day will run from 9:00 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.

The last class each day is ensemble; students may not have ensemble every day.

Students have one hour for lunch to allow enough time for children to visit one of the 19 meal sites across the county.

Every student enrolled in a Washington County public school will receive an electronic device for the 2020-2021 school year. Students in pre-k through fifth grade will be provided an iPad, and students in middle school and high school will be provided a Chromebook.

Additional devices were purchased for students and staff with the federal CARES Act funding, which is provided to the school system through the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund.

WCPS will provide as many devices to students as possible before the school year begins. This technology is currently in high demand, and some deliveries will be made after the first day of school. Families will receive information from their child’s school about school year materials pick-up.

If school supplies, books, or materials are needed for the school year, principals will contact families with more information in the coming weeks.

It has been a priority of WCPS to continue to provide access to school meals through the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Food Services staff is operating meal sites at 19 different locations across Washington County this summer. WCPS is actively engaging state and federal stakeholders to continue to provide this service while students are engaged in distance learning at the start of the school year. Stay tuned for further details.

Meal sites are open on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday through August 27, 2020. The operations schedule may change for the start of the school year. Two days of meal bags are provided on Mondays and Thursdays. One meal bag is provided on Wednesdays. Each meal bag includes breakfast, lunch, and a snack. These meals are available to all children 18 years old and younger.

Student athletes are currently participating in conditioning activities, which are being held in small groups of 15 students or less per coach. These sessions are all held outdoors, and participation is voluntary.

The conditioning activities are aligned with the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) recommendations and the local Return to Play Committee. The MPSSAA has not made a state-wide determination to continue fall competitive sports.

We are anticipating additional information from MPSSAA and/or the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) regarding athletic, and this information is subject to change.

WCPS will not offer any testing sites for the August 29 administration of the SAT. Future SAT testing dates in the county will be announced at a later date.

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) staff will be presenting the Return to Learn plan to the Board of Education on August 4, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. during the public business meeting. This meeting can be viewed live on the WCPS Facebook page, the WCPS website, and the WCPS cable channel (channel 99 for Antietam Broadband customers).

WCPS staff is working through several details to get the 2020-2021 school year off to a positive start for students, families, and staff. Look for updates in the future about the following topics.

• WCPS is currently exploring several options to provide adequate internet service to support distance learning in all student homes

• We fully understand the challenges that daytime working families face with distance learning. We are identifying solutions to assist students and families during the evening hours.

• WCPS is determining how we can support WCPS students in distance learning through partnerships with home daycares and centers.

Our goal is to provide our learning community with timely and relevant updates as we approach the school year. Look for more information next week. Stay safe, and be healthy!

Email: COVID-19@wcps.k12.md.us
Website: www.wcpsmd.com
Location: 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD, USA
Phone: 301-766-2800
Facebook: facebook.com/wcpsmd
Twitter: @wcpsmd