Start In Person Instruction on 3/1 per Governor Hogan's Order

We were dismayed to learn at the recent BOE meeting that MCPS continues to reference an opening date of March 15, despite Governor Hogan's clear call for March 1, and that one of the three plans for return involves students staring at Chromebooks with teachers providing instruction remotely via computer screen. We are now discovering from information shared by MCPS principals and educators that this indirect screen model is the main model being considered for elementary-, middle-, and high-schools, and even for special needs groups, throughout the county. Social media posts suggest it is being chosen because it is what teachers prefer, and some have stated it is part of the ongoing bargaining negotiations. This is absolutely unacceptable, and it borders on a dereliction of duty.

Millions of students across the U.S. are in classrooms safely being instructed directly by teachers. If schools can be safe in all areas of the country, there is no reason to think that Maryland is less capable than Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Colorado, Florida, or any other state. Those states and countless others have students in both virtual and in-person direct modes and they have figured out how to creatively teach both populations. Montgomery County children are part of only 25% of U.S. students who remain hostage to failed virtual learning, and now MCPS is talking about continuing that same inferior virtual platform--just in a new location. We are tired of the excuses. On January 21 Governor Hogan and Dr. Salmon stated that school closures are no longer about public health, and should open immediately. Our students have suffered long enough, with former dates and commitments delayed far too many times.

MCPS has had a year to plan for student return. We demand that the commitment of live, in-person instruction, directly from a teacher, not a screen, be met by March 1. As residents of Montgomery County, we expect no less than what other students across the country are receiving.