Spring Break Changes At AACPS Due To Coronavirus

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — All Maryland schools have been ordered closed to students March 16-27 due to the novel coronavirus. Schools will be open March 13 for teachers to spend time reviewing potential educational opportunities for students during the next two weeks. State School Superintendent Karen B. Salmon also declared that school systems will be open for students on days previously designated for Easter/spring break, so Anne Arundel County Public Schools will be open for students on Thursday, April 9, Friday, April 10, and Monday, April 13, to make up some of the days lost to the two-week closure.

“This has been – and continues to be – a time of great and rapid change for all of us,” said AACPS Superintendent George Arlotto in a statement. “Dr. Salmon’s order is focused on the health and safety of our students and staff, a priority we all share. I am confident we will rise to the occasion and make these adjustments so that we continue to help our students achieve awesome things.”

Salmon also canceled all school-related student and staff travel, effective immediately, until further notice. Additionally, she ordered that all schools and buses be cleaned during the two-week period schools are closed.

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Arlotto also announced the following as it pertains to AACPS, barring any further closures:

• All athletics and extracurricular activities are canceled effectively immediately through Sunday, March 29.
• The date of the SAT administration for all juniors is now Tuesday, April 14.

AACPS will formulate a plan to distribute meals to students in need over the next two weeks and announce that plan as soon as possible. The shutdown also may change the last day of class for students. A revised calendar including that date will be presented to the board for approval as soon as possible. When the school system reopens, the following alterations will remain in effect until further notice:

• All out-of-state and international field trips and business-related staff travel are canceled.
• In-state field trips that are not part of core mission of school system instruction are canceled.
• Grandparents Day and similar events that involve the public visiting schools are canceled.
• School assemblies may not take place.
• School performances such as plays, musicals, and concerts will not occur unless they are done without public audiences.
• Awards events with public audiences such as the Excellence in Education Awards scheduled for April 16 and the Anne Arundel County Council of PTAs’ Family Fun Day scheduled for April 25 are canceled.

No decisions have been made on high school proms or graduations, or elementary and middle school promotional exercises. When schools reopen, visitors should remain mindful of and be prepared to answer questions from school staff about recent travel.

Arlotto and school system staff remain in daily communication with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health to receive guidance and advice on issues related to COVID-19. Other adjustments to school system operations will be announced as they are determined.

Read More:

• No Fans At Sporting Events, Field Trips Canceled At AACPS
• Coronavirus Leads AACC To Extend Spring Break, Use Online Classes