Prince George's Schools Host Workshops On Distance Learning

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — With the first day of school nearing, Prince George's County students and families are wondering how distance learning will affect specialty programs and special education. To address these worries, the school system is hosting a series of workshops.

Specialty Programs

Prince George's County Public Schools initially scheduled one virtual explanatory session for specialty programs, but it reached full capacity. PGCPS responded Tuesday morning by adding a second meeting.

The additional conference will start at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday and last for 45 minutes. Officials will cover these programs:

• Creative, Performing and Visual Arts
• Language Immersion
• Science and Technology
• Talented and Gifted programs

Interested participants can register at this link. Spanish speakers can tune into the moderated panel by calling (508) 924-5155.

The first webinar is also on Wednesday. It will run from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and cover the following specialties:

• Advanced Placement
• Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology
• Career and Technical Education
• Creative, Visual and Performing Arts
• Dual Enrollment
• International Baccalaureate
• Language Immersion
• Montessori
• Science and Technology
• Talented and Gifted

Special Education

Prince George's County schools also understand that distance learning presents challenges for students in special education programs. To alleviate some stress, PGCPS will run four tutorials with advice for these students and their families.

A complete description of each discussion is available at this link. Here is how to access each workshop:

• Empowering Parents and Students for Mastering Distance Learning: Tips for Planning, Organization, and Self Advocacy (Live and recorded)
  • Aug. 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Register here)
  • Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Register here)

• Creating a "Just Right" Learning Environment (Live and Recorded)
  • Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. (Register here)
  • Aug. 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. (Register here)

• Etiquette to Promote Success with Distance Learning (Pre-recorded)
  • Available on Family Support Center YouTube Channel on Aug. 25

• What Non-Public parents Need to Know About Distance Learning and Nonpublic Programming (Live and recorded)
  • Aug. 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Register here)
  • All registrants will receive the email link for this session automatically

Looking Ahead

PGCPS announced on July 15 that it would continue with distance learning. School system CEO Monica Goldson released her plan for virtual classes on July 27.

Students' class schedules will be available on SchoolMax, the system's e-learning platform, on Aug. 21. These virtual schedules will flow much like a typical school day, and students must log on for most of the business day. Schools will adapt their schedules from Goldson's proposal.

The school system announced a sample for what the online schedules could look like. Schools will adapt these schedule as necessary.

Each day will start at 8 a.m. and have four periods. Elementary school students will have live lessons in all four classes. Middle and high school students will get a mixture of live and prerecorded instruction. Whether lessons are real-time or taped, teachers will take attendance during every class.

Wednesdays are scheduled supplemental days for students at all levels. Nobody will have a scheduled class on Wednesdays. Both primary and secondary school students will use the extra time for small-group work and targeted help.

Students who still have their Chromebook from the spring should continue using it. All other students can pick up their laptop the week of Aug. 24. Instructional packets and school supplies will also be available for pickup on those days.

Classes begin on Aug. 31. Distance learning will continue until at least Jan. 29, which marks the end of the first semester.

Goldson will update the county on her plans for the second semester on Dec. 1. If she deems in-person schooling safe and appropriate, parents will have the chance to opt into a hybrid model for the final two marking periods.

Under the hybrid option, students would attend in-person classes twice per week and continue with online classes for the remaining three days. If implemented, the hybrid model would start on Feb. 1, which is the first day of the third marking period. Students can continue with full-time distance learning if they choose.

Regardless of their decision, families must fill out a form between Dec. 1 and Dec. 18 telling PGCPS which method their student will follow. The school system will not offer fully in-person classes until at least the 2020-2021 school year, Goldson said.

"We all want to have our children and our staff back in buildings the way that we used to," Goldson said. "Unfortunately, we are not at a time where I feel comfortable that we can move forward with excellent delivery of instruction and keeping our children safe with them physically being in our buildings ."

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• Classes Will Be Online Until 2021, Prince George's Schools Say
• Maryland BOE Reaches Decision on Fall Classes
• It’s Unsafe To Return To School This Fall, Maryland Teachers Say
• Prince George's Schools Considers 3 Options For Classes This Fall
• In-Person Graduation Becomes A Reality In Prince George’s County

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