Special Education Parent Involvement Survey
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! YOUR OPINION MATTERS!
Parents or guardians of children receiving special education and related services will be mailed the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey from the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services during the week of March 21, 2022. Parents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the postage paid envelope by May 27, 2022. The survey may also be completed online. Please look for details in your survey packet. Your feedback will help guide efforts to improve special education and related services in your local school system. Your voice can make a real difference for your child and many other children across the state of Maryland. To learn more, please visit https://www.mdparentsurvey.com.
GCPS Announces Changes to the Recovery Plan Due to Optional Face Coverings (Masks)
Last Updated on Mar 1, 2022 at 7:43am
As indicated in previous press releases, face-coverings will be optional effective 3/1/2022 for all schools, GCPS buildings, and transportation. As a result of this action, GCPS is reviewing other components of the GCPS Reopening and Recovery Plan that are directly impacted by the face-covering decision and the most recent CDC guidelines. As such, GCPS is proposing changes to the Reopening and Recovery Plan while also emphasizing the strategies that will continue or be enhanced as detailed below. As a general theme, it is important to stress that GCPS intends to focus its efforts around identifying symptomatic individuals and offering testing options for students and staff in addition to a wide array of other mitigating strategies to reduce and/or prevent the spread of COVID 19. GCPS is proposing to change, continue, or enhance the following mitigation strategies:
- GCPS will follow the most recent Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance published on 2/28/2022 that states that universal contact tracing is not recommended for COVID-19.
- GCPS highly encourages parents and guardians to follow the CDC recommendations for contact tracing should their child test positive for COVID 19. It is recommended that contact be made with any individual that has been in close contact with their child while prioritizing individuals who have an increased risk of severe health outcomes.
- GCPS will enforce quarantining for those students who live in the same household as an individual who has tested positive through the GCPS diagnostic testing program due to the high risk associated with household contacts (ex: siblings). An individual who has updated vaccinations and is asymptomatic or provides documented evidence of having COVID 19 in the last 90 days will not be required to quarantine.
- GCPS will explore a notification system through PowerSchool that will notify parents via an email form letter of known possible exposure to promote increased monitoring for symptoms.
- GCPS highly recommends that any individuals returning from quarantine after day 5 follow the CDC guidance specific to wearing a well-fitted face-covering from day 6-10.
- GCPS intends to adjust the Reopening and Recovery Plan to further clarify that face-coverings are optional for extracurricular activities, physical education, music, and any other area that had specialized face-covering rules in place.
- GCPS will place an increased focus on identifying individuals (students and staff) with COVID-like symptoms.
Parents are highly encouraged to have a heightened awareness when monitoring their child for symptoms and keep their child home if symptomatic.
If a student shows COVID-like symptoms at school, they will be sent to the nurse for evaluation. Students who can wear a face-covering while being assessed in the health room will be required to do so.
If the student has an alternative diagnosis or negative COVID test, parents are encouraged to communicate this with the nurse.
Schools will continue to offer diagnostic testing with parent written permission.
Students will be permitted to return to class with an alternative diagnosis or confirmed negative COVID 19 test. A rapid test will be accepted.
Students who display COVID-like symptoms and do not have an alternative diagnosis or negative test will be sent home.
Staff is expected to stay home if they are displaying COVID-like symptoms and get tested.
GCPS will continue implementing isolation for those who have COVID-like illness or who have tested positive for COVID 19. Please reference the currently approved plan for a complete list of requirements specific to isolation. A few reminders are listed below along with one proposed revision specific to participating in high-risk activities upon return from isolation.
Individuals who participate in sports, band, or other high-risk activities such as singing or physical activity, will be unable to participate for an additional 5 days unless the individual can safely wear a face-covering and ensure social distancing of at least 6 feet.
Individuals are permitted to return to school after five full days of isolation if symptoms have improved.
Individuals must be able to wear a well-fitted face-covering for days 6-10 upon return.
Individuals have the option of completing 10-day isolation, should they be unable to wear a well-fitted face-covering for days 6-10.
GCPS will also continue to implement the following mitigating strategies:
Random temperature checks
Teaching and reinforcing handwashing and respiratory etiquette
Social distancing of 3 feet or more to the greatest extent possible
Ensure daily cleaning and disinfecting of spaces
Provide hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes throughout all facilities
Collaborate with the Garrett County Health Department to provide and promote opportunities for vaccination
Encourage all those who can be vaccinated to do so
Ensure enhanced ventilation systems throughout the school district (i.e., Phase 2 of enhancing the ventilation systems is complete)
Provide screening and diagnostic COVID testing ~ Permission forms for diagnostic testing can be found on the GCPS website under the COVID Dashboard
Ask that parents and staff conduct daily health screenings for symptoms and stay home when displaying symptoms or feeling ill
Ensure face-coverings will are available as needed
Garrett County Public Schools is committed to implementing a wide range of strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID 19, including monitoring current data and collaborating closely with the Garrett County Health Department on best practices. Moreover, GCPS will be soliciting feedback on the proposed changes detailed above through specific stakeholder focus groups over the next few days.
Feedback on the proposed changes may also be emailed to reopening.plan@garrettcountyschools.org.
Yough Glades 4th and 5th Grade Virtual Christmas Concert
Directed by: Katelyn Martin
Title I Family Engagement Night Coming Soon!
Plan for Delivery of Instruction for Individual Students in Quarantine or Isolation
Student Work:
When a student is absent due to quarantine or isolation, your child’s teacher will provide work based on the current instruction in the classroom. Teachers may provide work through paper packets, books, assignments in Schoology, online resources or other resources to help your child stay on track while absent from school. The GCPS make-up work policy will be followed should a student be unable to complete work while in isolation or quarantine.
Student Devices & Hotspots:
Students in quarantine or isolation will be given a device to take home. Hotspots are also available for students in quarantine or isolation who have limited or no internet access. If your child is in quarantine or isolation and you need a hotspot, please contact Mrs. Ross at 301-334-3334.
School Liaison:
Yough Glades Elementary School has identified a liaison for each student who is required to quarantine or isolate. Your child’s school liaison is your child’s classroom teacher. The classroom teacher will ensure that your child has the technology and curricular resources necessary to access instruction.
Instructional Support:
Yough Glades Elementary School is working hard to provide instructional support to students in quarantine and isolation. Tutors are available to provide synchronous virtual instructional support through schoology and/or google meets. If you and/or your child have questions regarding the assignments provided by the teacher, please feel free to use the virtual link that is available on the school’s website. Please go to the tuoring google meet links side bar for days and times the staff will be available to help via google meet, as well as the links.
Technology Support: The GCPS Technology Help Desk will be available Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm to help any student who needs assistance with their device or with accessing the internet. Please use the following phone number to contact the help desk directly: 1-888-285-7254. The help desk can also be reached at helpdesk@garrettcountyschools.org
