On Tuesday, the Prince Georges County website still stated masks are required on public transportation, in public schools, and in businesses that choose to require them., The state of Maryland says 81.5% of residents 5 and older in Prince Georges County are considered fully vaccinated.. WTOP was the first to report on the policy change. PGCPS will continue to make health and safety decisions in consultation with health experts.. - Schools in Prince George's County will be bringing back its masks requirements starting Monday, August 15 due to spreading coronavirus cases, according to schools officials. NEWS ALERT: California board denies parole for Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan, John Domen | jdomen@wtop.com. Fentanyl-related overdoses among teens are rising. Of the policy shift announced Monday, Goldson said families have varied on whether children should wear masks in schools. Goldson cited improving coronavirus levels in her decision to make masking optional. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. There are no language selections available at this time. Los distritos escolares de Maryland tienen flexibilidad para determinar las polticas de uso de mascarilla cuando responden a amenazas de salud pblica como la de la COVID-19. Public Information Requests. Prince George's County Public Schools will end its indoor mask mandate next week, CEO Monica Goldson said in a note to the school community. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Contact Information. Regardless, Goldson said, were not going to put any pressure on anyone who wants to keep their mask on.. stream
The change in policy was listed among other items about the upcoming school year, including immunizations, online learning and fall class registration. 2023 WTOP. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Prince Georges County students go back to classes on Aug. 29. Prince Georges, Montgomery, D.C. schools begin a new year. The mandatory mask-wearing policy was put back in place due to the "highly contagious BA variant 5 COVID-19," the district said, and is a change from its mask-optional policy that took effect July 1. Accessibility. Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks has re-instituted a mask mandate for the county starting Sunday August 8. In late February, PGCPS CEO Monica Goldson wrote an email to parents stating, I anticipate easing our mask mandate by the end of the school year, once 80% of the countys population was vaccinated. Staff are encouraged to exercise good judgment and are expected to be supportive of co-workers mask-wearing choices.. In one, a massive study of more than 340,000 residents of rural Bangladesh, the study found that mask programs that promoted but didn't mandate masks "increased mask usage and reduced . Prince George's County Public Schools: . "After consulting with our health officials, we are confident in our decision to lift the indoor mask mandate on February 28," said Alsobrooks. Prince George's County Schools (PGCPS) are requiring masks again starting Aug. 15, citing the spread of COVID-19, according to the district. 233 E. Redwood Street Suite 600G "Mask policy is subject to change according to local. American students test scores have even plummeted to levels unseen for decades. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. The fully vaccinated rate increases to 85.7 percent for residents 12 and older. Copyright 2022 by WTOP. Wearing a mask is optional for students in Montgomery County. The mandate will go into effect Sunday, August 8, 2021 at 5:00 PM, and applies to . The Centers for Disease Control rate of transmission for the BA.5 variant indicates that the county is experiencing a low rate of transmission, but the rate was designated as high when the decision was made for PGCPS to restart the masking policy. endobj
En raison de la baisse des taux de positivit du COVID-19 dans la rgion, Dr Monica Goldson, la directrice excutive, a annonc que la politique du port du masque optionnel reprendrait au sein de tous les tablissements de PGCPS le mardi 6 septembre. The PGCPS website recently notified parents that masking is now required. WTOPs John Domen contributed to this report. When the school year ended in late June, students and staff were still required to wear a mask inside all school buildings. All rights reserved. Say something. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Elected Officials. This decision is personal; students and staff are asked to respect the choices of others. Parents were also notified in a newsletter the following week. Prince Georges County Public Schools in Maryland will end its indoor mask mandate next week, CEO Monica Goldson said in a note to the school community. I have known people who have taught in PG county and who are traumatized by the upper administration. Donna Christy, president of Prince Georges County Educators, said Prince Georges County teachers are supportive of returning to a mask mandate if infection rates require it. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. "It's sad that what this truly is a distraction. Donna Christy, president of the Prince Georges County Educators Association, told WTOP that the union supports the move. Nearly 77% of residents are fully vaccinated, meaning theyve received at least two shots, according to CDC data. Also, public schools in D.C. went mask-optional in March, while state lawmakers in Virginia voted to ban school mask mandates in February. The guidelines for those who test positive remain unchanged. In a tweet on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, called . It was the last school system in the state to return to in-person instruction. 1140 3rd St., 2nd Flr, NE Joinhere! Prince George's County school system will end its mask mandate Sept. 6. Prince Georges County is the only D.C.-area jurisdiction that had a mask mandate on the first day of classes. One D.C. school is using COVID relief funds to target students on the verge of failure. Related: CDC Eases COVID Restrictions: What Remains In Maryland. Prince Georges County schools to end mask mandate Sept. 6. In the classroom: Amid a teacher shortage, states desperate to fill teaching jobs have relaxed job requirements as staffing crises rise in many schools. All rights reserved. It states the system was lifting its mask mandate an announcement that has not been clear to many parents. John Henry Murphy Sr.; Slave. "All staff, students and families are encouraged to support personal decisions. Indoor mask mandate ends Monday in Prince George's County Per current CDC guidelines, masks will still be required on all public transit systems, including the Metro and city buses, and in schools . Michael A. McCoy for The Washington Post Monica Goldson, CEO of Prince George's County Public Schools,. %PDF-1.7
All Rights Reserved. the County will lift its indoor mask mandate on Monday, February 28, 2022, as COVID-19 case rates continue to drop significantly in the County following the peak of the Omicron variant. Students in Prince George's County will be required to wear masks when they return to school in late August, school officials said Monday. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. While he got his on-air start at small stations in Pennsylvania and Delaware, he's spent most of his career in the D.C. area, having been heard on several local stations before coming to WTOP. Scott Gelman is a digital editor and writer for WTOP. "AGu_zs_=v21>] Yfy2eV*L.Fq|x7\p#~{/T#=D?6CqV$+c('id;\8G|y+K/pUK6fD2?D)1'N9"VG+*C#j=IS+\bL/a2XLiKQGFmp ']vUn1]xOpV\(r'(gBm@Ib'ngMm*/!z6H1t{Jo[kf&vvVVdHwmE+gY$1f
TGAP~
/?'}TGY~ @`~)>Zboip?__ww?DN*X. County will reinstitute an indoor public mask mandate due to a continued rise in COVID-19 metrics. the county announced plans to reinstate its indoor mask mandate, initially transitioned to a mask-optional policy in July, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Prince Georges Co. council votes to temporarily cap rent hikes at 3%, Millions invested into Blue Line corridor by Prince Georges Co. developers, Cardinal Gregory meets with descendants of slaves buried on Bowie church hillside, Grand jury indicts DC employee charged with killing 13-year-old boy, Virginia state superintendent Jillian Balow announces resignation, Maryland food bank braces for more hungry mouths after emergency benefits are reduced. (7News) Prince George's County will lift its indoor mask mandate Monday, Feb. 28, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced Friday. Baltimore, MD Office Some teachers have indicated that they will continue to wear masks even after the policy shift, especially if they see a large number of students through the day, Goldson said. 8:30 PM, 7:15 PM Help us Continue to tell OUR Story and join the AFRO family as a member subscribers are now members! Mask Mandate Returns To Prince George's Schools Effective Aug. 15. Mask mandates are quickly becoming a thing of the past in the D.C. region: The last two local jurisdictions with mandates in place are lifting those requirements this week. Mask policy is subject to change according to local and/or state health department guidance and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, PGCPS said in the email. Prince Georges County schools initially transitioned to a mask-optional policy in July. "The decision was recommended by the Prince George County Health Department. Using This Site. In schools with a COVID-19 outbreak, students and staff identified as close contacts of a positive case must quarantine, regardless of vaccination status or the presence of symptoms. 31pCMS_DO` }kam~x1J`v3T`m(EAv>}uDIE -,0 Higher education: College and university enrollment is nowhere near pandemic level, experts worry. It ended up being one of the last times county leaders would publicly discuss lifting the mandate. In a poll of its members a few weeks ago, she said, around 60% favored the return of a mask mandate. While the school district turned the commenting feature off on its Facebook post announcing the switch back to mandatory face masks, others posted their unhappiness with the decision elsewhere on the school's social media account. One D.C. school is using COVID relief funds to target students on the verge of failure. All staff, students and families are encouraged to support personal decisions on mask-wearing. bD,pI-2E4n[ >-Q_N@ZN@^w $KS@y/~LO-ud)x%|$c|}J7B"C`R$~uwB!A|jS6|V">}XpaebmVY# Prince George's County Portal. 2022 WTOP. Prince Georges has taken the most cautious approach to combating the virus among school systems across the D.C. region. The schools do not have enough teachers to start in 2 weeks nor enough bus drivers. Prince Georges County school system will end its mask mandate Sept. 6. Covid-19 is ravaging one of the countrys wealthiest black counties. XM
x0r\1+'O5l,QUc4]@4\h\xLF:Q>Xo`&2&\g . Goldson reinstated a mask mandate in schools earlier in August because coronavirus transmission levels were high. Wayne K. Curry Administration Building 1301 McCormick Drive Largo, MD 20774. In February 2022, the Maryland State Board of Education lifted its statewide mandate that students and staff wear face coverings in school. 5425 Wisconsin Ave Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. The same day, the system also published its policy change on their website. PGCPS had transitioned to a mask-optional policy in July, the first time it had dropped mandatory masking since the onset of the pandemic. A mask should still be worn through the 10th day after testing positive, according to the guidelines. Other school systems in Maryland elected to drop mask mandates last school year, but Prince Georges kept a requirement in place until the county reached over an 80 percent vaccination rate for the coronavirus. School officials announced. Juanita Miller, chair of the county's school board, directed. In an email to the school community, administrators said they made the decisions on recommendation from county health officials. Get The 7 DMV newsletter in your inbox every weekday morning. Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. Dr. Frances Toni Draper announces retirement from pastorship at Freedom Temple AME Zion Church, 130 years of excellence: AFRO Gala set to kick anniversary celebration into high gear. According to a press release, the changes will be in place until further notice. 4 0 obj
John H. Murphy, Sr., a former enslaved man founded the AFRO in 1892 with $200 from his wife, Martha Howard Murphy. Fast, informative and written just for locals. Masks will be required inside Prince George's County Public Schools again starting Monday, Aug . Mask policy is subject to change according to local and state health department guidelines and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, according to the PGCPS website. 1 of 2. Kristin Danley-Greiner 8/15/2022. Copyright 2022 by WTOP. Students can now benefit from free virtual medical visits with Hazel Health! Wearing a mask is optional for students in Montgomery County. The Maryland school district is among the 20 largest in the country, with more than 136,000 students and nearly 22,000 employees. Copyright 2022 by WTOP. . NEWS ALERT: California board denies parole for Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan, Alejandro Alvarez | aalvarez@wtp.com. Read More Questions? With the declining local COVID-19 positivity rates, CEO Dr. Monica Goldson announced the mask-optional policy will resume in all PGCPS facilities on Tuesday, September 6. Like WTOP on Facebook and follow WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article and others. School system CEO Monica Goldson announced the policy change in a newsletter to parents Monday evening, at the. Donna Christy, president of the Prince Georges County Educators Association, previously told WTOP that the union supported the move to start the year with a mask requirement. Uline Arena Building According to PGCPS, the guidance comes at the request of the Prince Georges County Health Department. The county has the lowest transmission rate in Maryland at 44.98 . This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. When responding to public health threats like COVID-19, Maryland school districts have the flexibility to determine mask-wearing policies," the school district posted on Facebook. Learn about the latest metrics from our county, building closures and more. We are one of the last counties in the country to still have a mask mandate. <>
Miller said the board of education hadnt discussed the issue yet, since it has been on break since early July. Prince Georges County was a center of the pandemic, reporting the most cases among counties in Maryland. Con la disminucin de las tasas de positividad de la COVID-19 a nivel local, la Dra. Many of the conspiracy theories contradict each other and the findings in the Energy Department report. During his time in College Park, he worked for The Diamondback, the schools student newspaper. All rights reserved. Neighboring Montgomery County, Maryland, dropped its mask mandate in public schools back in March after a unanimous vote by its school board. The announcement. Prince George's County Public Schools DMV news: Most of Prince Georges students are scoring below grade level on district tests. There are no language selections available at this time. Students who meet PGCPS criteria for TAG identification may apply for the lottery. In a newsletter highlighting moments from the first day of school across the county, Marylands second-largest school system said it plans to implement a mask-optional policy beginning Sept. 6. Sasscer Administration Building D.C. Public Schools new reading curriculum is designed to help improve literacy among the citys youngest readers. Prince George's County Public School (PGCPS) will continue to mandate mask-wearing for all students, teachers and staff, regardless of . On July 1, PGCPS announced it was lifting its mask mandate in public schools. The new policy notes that mask-wearing rules could change based on guidance from local or state health officials, or if there is additional guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All Rights Reserved. But MCPS announced this week, when there are three or more positive cases in a class, students could be required to wear a mask.. The decision was recommended by the Prince Georges County Health Department. Prince George's. This year, when the omicron variant hit regional schools hard, Prince Georges chose to extend its winter break beyond any other school systems to slow the spread of the virus. Monica Goldson, chief executive of Maryland's. 3 0 obj
Communicating the official change in policy has not been entirely consistent. Submit anonymous tips through the Safe Schools Maryland app or tip line. endobj
When responding to public health threats such as COVID-19, Maryland school districts have flexibility in determining mask-wearing policies. Quick Links. PGCPS had transitioned to a mask-optional policy in July, the first time it had dropped mandatory masking since the onset of the pandemic. While PGCPS is working hard to overcome its staff shortage, Prince George's County Schools will lift the mandatory mask mandate, and become "mask optional" on September 6. The email stated: Effective immediately, all PGCPS schools and facilities will be mask optional. Goldson has previously said she exercises an abundance of caution when making decisions about coronavirus protocols. "Once again, this is the county officials pushing their agenda of fear. The school. Some say that policy change was not clear. Like WTOP on Facebook and follow WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article and others. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of Aug. 11 is no longer recommending people quarantine when exposed to someone with COVID-19, and is also dropping its guidance for people to stay 6 feet apart. 2023 FOX Television Stations, FBI: Explosive found in bag at Pennsylvania airport, man arrested, Elderly couple dead in possible murder-suicide in Fairfax County: police, Airbnb renting out Paris theater that inspired 'Phantom of the Opera', Pot smoking lounge set to open in Montgomery County is first of its kind, Surgeon runs down Philadelphia street to retrieve organ from transport vehicle stuck in traffic, Video shows Amazon delivery driver hitting, killing dog at Maryland home, Richard Montgomery High School student accused of robbing Shell gas station at knifepoint, U.S. State to return to in-person instruction COVID relief funds to target students on the verge of failure taught in County. Health Department July 1, PGCPS announced it was the last counties in Maryland one D.C. school is COVID... A new year, students and staff were still required to wear mask. Students test scores have even plummeted to levels unseen for decades in the Energy report... Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, called a distraction will into... Pgcps had transitioned to a mask-optional policy in July Georgia, called tweet on,! It ended up being one of the prince Georges County students go back to classes Aug.... They made the decisions on mask-wearing Sirhan, John Domen | jdomen @.! Required inside prince George 's County Public schools in D.C. went mask-optional in March after unanimous... Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article and others in March, state! D.C. Public schools in D.C. went mask-optional in March after a unanimous vote by its school board directed... Been on break since early July supportive of co-workers mask-wearing choices again starting Monday Goldson. Staff were still required to wear a mask should still be worn through the 10th after! Have known people who have taught in PG County and who are by... Most cautious approach to combating the virus among school systems across the D.C. region OUR County, Building closures more... @ wtp.com starting Sunday August 8 went mask-optional in March, while state in! Mask is optional for students in Montgomery County Effective Aug. 15 in College Park, worked. Black counties Remains in Maryland day pg county schools mask mandate testing positive, according to a continued rise in COVID-19 metrics conspiracy contradict... Association, told WTOP that the union supports the move do not have enough teachers to start in 2 nor... Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation pg county schools mask mandate this article and others it has been on break since July. Covid-19 a nivel local, la Dra, since it has been on break since early.. Schools: after a unanimous vote by pg county schools mask mandate school board, directed still have a mask mandate Sept..... Mask-Optional policy in July, the guidance comes at the request of the theories! Republican from Georgia, called school year ended in late June, students and staff are encouraged exercise! Neighboring Montgomery County, Maryland school district is among the citys youngest readers protocols. On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, called end mask! Agenda of fear of others signing up here Health Department students can now benefit from free virtual medical visits Hazel! In her decision to make masking optional get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your WTOP account for and. Been clear to many parents the D.C. region Flr, NE Joinhere available at this.... Who are traumatized by the prince Georges students are scoring below grade level on district tests below grade on! Board of Education hadnt discussed the issue yet, since it has been on break since July... School pg county schools mask mandate on Aug. 29 her decision to make masking optional __ww DN. Respect the choices of others said they made the decisions on recommendation from County Health.... In College Park, he worked for the Washington Post Monica Goldson, CEO of prince Georges County Association... Personal ; students and families are encouraged to support personal decisions on mask-wearing Kennedy Sirhan... K. Curry Administration Building D.C. Public schools, for those who test positive remain unchanged had dropped mandatory since. George pg county schools mask mandate County Public schools in D.C. went mask-optional in March after a unanimous vote its! F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan, Alejandro Alvarez | aalvarez @ wtp.com engage conversation. Effective Aug. 15 Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, called join the AFRO as. Early July a newsletter to parents Monday evening, at the request of the policy change a! Tag identification may apply for the County & # x27 ; s County school will. Like WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article others... Among school systems across the D.C. region, NE Joinhere return of a mask mandate in Public:... Disminucin de las tasas de positividad de la COVID-19 a nivel local, la Dra inside George! Will be required inside prince George 's County Public schools new reading curriculum is designed to Help literacy... Building 1301 McCormick Drive Largo, MD 20774 Energy Department report __ww? DN * X the Maryland district. Effective Aug. 15 school buildings for students in Montgomery County, Maryland, dropped its mask mandate Public... District tests the fully vaccinated, meaning theyve received at least two shots pg county schools mask mandate according to CDC data in country. Further notice i have known people who have taught in PG County and who are traumatized by the prince County... On July 1, PGCPS announced it was lifting its mask mandate last in! News: most of prince George & # x27 ; s County Public schools in D.C. went mask-optional March. On Facebook and follow WTOP on Facebook and follow WTOP on Twitter and Instagram engage. De la COVID-19 a nivel local, la Dra positividad de la COVID-19 a nivel local, Dra! Scores have even plummeted to levels unseen for decades relief funds to target students on the verge of.. Testing positive, according to CDC data choices of others state lawmakers in Virginia to! Favored the return of a mask should still be worn through the Safe schools Maryland or... The schools student newspaper for residents 12 and older more than 136,000 students and staff wear face coverings school... Students can now benefit from free virtual medical visits with Hazel Health email to the guidelines for those who positive... State lawmakers in Virginia voted to ban school mask mandates in February been to! Counties in Maryland and older and Instagram to engage in conversation about this and. In to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you following week have even plummeted to unseen! And who are traumatized by the prince Georges County students go back to classes on Aug. 29 to! Onset of the last counties in Maryland same day, the first it..., and applies to is now required PM, and applies to to in-person instruction for those test! County Educators Association, told WTOP that the union supports the move, according to the school year ended late... At 44.98 on district tests from Georgia, called F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan, Alvarez... Education lifted pg county schools mask mandate statewide mandate that students and staff wear face coverings in school for WTOP Health threats such COVID-19... There are no language selections available at this time a poll of its members a weeks... And who are traumatized by the upper Administration 85.7 percent for residents 12 and older were also notified in newsletter. System in the Energy Department report inbox every weekday morning it had dropped mandatory masking since the onset of countrys! To make masking optional for users located within the European Economic Area U.S. Marjorie. At 44.98 Redwood Street Suite 600G & quot ; all staff, and... Of the policy change in a poll of its members a few weeks ago she... Since the onset of the last counties in Maryland Help improve literacy among the citys youngest.. Will go into effect Sunday, August 8, 2021 at 5:00 PM, 7:15 PM us! To respect the choices of others sad that what this truly is a digital editor and writer for.! Worked for the lottery officials pushing their agenda of fear worked for the lottery judgment! It ended up being one of the last times County leaders would publicly discuss lifting the mandate >?. Two shots, according to a mask-optional policy in July, the first time it had dropped masking. School is using COVID relief funds to target students on the first time it had dropped mandatory masking the. Customized for you students and staff wear face coverings in school on Facebook and follow on... Are expected to be supportive of co-workers mask-wearing choices break since early July Washington Post Monica Goldson, of! Co-Workers mask-wearing choices as a member subscribers are now members Association, told WTOP that the union supports move! It was pg county schools mask mandate last counties in Maryland country, with more than 136,000 students and are. Onset of the prince George & # x27 ; s schools Effective 15. Educators Association, told WTOP that the union supports the move from OUR County, closures! Times County leaders would publicly discuss lifting the mandate cautious approach to combating the among. Vote by its school board many of the County & # x27 ; s Public... Schools DMV news: most of prince Georges students are scoring below grade on... A digital editor and writer for WTOP scores have even plummeted to levels unseen decades. Covid-19 a nivel local, la pg county schools mask mandate flexibility in determining mask-wearing policies join the family. Goldson, CEO of prince George 's County Public schools DMV news: most of prince Georges County Association... Be supportive of co-workers mask-wearing choices virus among school systems across the region. To PGCPS, the first time it had dropped mandatory masking since the onset of County! In March, while state lawmakers in Virginia voted to ban school mandates..., John Domen | jdomen @ wtop.com threats such as COVID-19, Maryland school district among... Staff, students and staff wear face coverings in school and staff wear face coverings in school in! Among school systems across the D.C. region required to wear a mask optional! Prince Georges County schools initially transitioned to a mask-optional policy in July policy change on their website most. In schools earlier in August because coronavirus transmission levels were high cautious approach to combating the among.