HCPSS Considers Returning To In-Person Learning Feb. 1

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Officials with the Howard County Public School System are considering resuming in-person instruction for the second semester, which begins Feb. 1. To help make the decision, families will be receiving a survey to determine whether families would send their student back to school or continue with fully virtual learning through the end of the school year.

School officials also are asking the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association and state department of education to resume high school athletics Dec. 7. The district declined to start fall practices Oct. 7, a date that was approved by the MPSSAA as announced by the Maryland State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon and Gov. Larry Hogan. The district noted that if the state declines to adopt the Dec. 7 start date, HCPSS will participate in the state's original two-semester plan that begins Feb. 1.

In the meantime, HCPSS coaches are allowed to engage virtually with prospective team members for 60 to 90 minutes one day each week through Jan. 22.

According to HCPSS, starting in-person practices Dec. 7 would allow for longer athletic seasons than the state's two-semester plan and it would include all sports. It also would allow school officials to properly condition athletes and give the school time to adopt and implement health protocols at all schools and athletic facilities.