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Our school motto is “Route 40 students work together to solve problems and make a difference.” Our PBIS mantra is Respectful, Responsible, and Safe. We strongly believe there is no limit to what can be achieved when we work towards this ideal.
GCPS Outlines Process in the Event of a Positive COVID-19 Test
Last Updated on Oct 5, 2020 at 3:22pm
The number of overall cases of COVID-19 in Garrett County, for the most part, has remained low. As we work toward bringing all students back to in-person learning, the school system continues to revise our response guidelines. The Garrett County Public School system understands the important role our response plays in keeping our community safe. Our students and staff are only as healthy as the community as a whole. You can help! Wearing an appropriate face covering that covers your mouth and nose, social distancing, and frequent hand washing is our best defense to keep everyone in our community healthy.
It is our sincere hope that no student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19. As of today, October 5, 2020, no students or staff members have been identified as positive for COVID-19. However, we must be prepared to address each positive case, should one arise.
If a student or staff member is identified as positive for COVID-19, the school or school system will not automatically close.
If a student or staff member is positive for COVID-19, the following steps will be taken:
The ill person will be required to stay home at least 10 days from the day that symptoms first appeared AND until no fever is present for at least 24 hours without medication AND there is an improvement of other symptoms.
The school building or facility will undergo extensive cleaning and disinfecting.
The Garrett County Health Department will notify those who have had close contact with the ill person. Close contact means that the individual was less than 6 feet in proximity for more than 15 consecutive minutes with or without a mask.
Parents/guardians will also receive a letter from the child’s school if a student has been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. The letter will provide directions to parents/guardians on how to proceed.
Garrett County Public Schools will collaborate with the Garrett County Health Department to determine any next steps required by the school system.
Strict confidentiality will be maintained and Garrett County Public Schools will not disclose the identity of any individual found to be positive with COVID-19.
Parents are requested to please notify the principal of their child’s school if they are diagnosed as positive for COVID-19.
Students and staff who become ill while at school will be isolated and sent home to isolate and follow up with a health care provider. The custodial staff will immediately clean and sanitize the classroom and all areas where the ill person has been. The school system will notify parents/guardians and the community when a positive case is identified within the school system. This notification will not include the name of the student, nor will it include the name of the staff member.
Elementary Instruction Update
Last Updated on Oct 5, 2020 at 8:30am
As we continue planning to bring additional students into the buildings for in-person instruction, we are reflecting and evaluating our instructional processes to best meet the needs of students and families. Based on the experiences during the first two phases, we will be making some adjustments beginning October 12th. Please note, the following will occur next Monday, October 12, 2020:
PreK –3rd Grade:
- Students electing to attend school in-person will receive face-to-face instruction in the classroom in the morning based on the hybrid/yellow schedule. Please note that students who were attending school four days a week in the modified red phase will continue to do so.
- Teachers will post their asynchronous material daily for any student who is not attending in person on that specific day.
- Teachers will be available to provide instruction to any student who needs support from 1:30-3:00 p.m. Teachers have the autonomy to structure this time in a manner that best meets the needs of their students and families.
4th & 5th Grade:
- Students who are currently participating face-to-face based on the modified red phase will return to teacher's classrooms on October 12th.
- Teachers have the option to teach face-to-face and live virtually at the same time, at their discretion. Otherwise, they will follow the same model described above for grades PreK-3rd grade. Teachers will communicate their instructional model directly with parents.
- The afternoon time described above for PreK-3rd grade will be available for any student regardless of how morning instruction occurs for 4th and 5th grade students.
- 4th and 5th grade students who elect to return on the hybrid/yellow model will return the week of October 26th.
Resource Classes:
Schools continue to design resource schedules to address increased numbers of students attending in-person. Beginning October 12th, students attending in-person will be provided resources classes in-person. Resource lessons will be posted in an asynchronous manner for any student who is not attending school in-person.
Ongoing Communication:
Principals and teachers will communicate throughout this week information specific to schedule changes and specific procedures related to their schools and classrooms.
Please contact your child's teacher or school principal if you have questions specific to how instruction will look at your child's school. You can also reach out to Dr. Nicole Miller, Director of Early Childhood/Elementary Education at 301-334-7645 or nicole.miller@garrettcountyschools.org.
When you drive by Route 40 you can see a message from our staff!
COVID April 3, 2020 Packet Pick Up and Drop Off
All parents are permitted to travel to schools to pick up and drop off educational materials. Teachers have contacted parents and determined times for the exchange of the materials. Any parent dropping off packets must make sure names are on the child's papers and place them in the grade level boxes outside the main front doors. Please place the lid back on the box to ensure that papers do not blow away. Packets with the child's name will be on the table that is outside the main doors at the time given to the child's teacher as the pick up time. NO ONE will be permitted to enter the building for any reason.
