Hide Transcript Show Transcript

AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH HEALTH EXPERTS FROM AROUND TH STATE, I- HAVE MADE THE DECISION ALONG, I- WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO EXTEND THE CLOSURE OF ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN MARYLAND FOR AN ADDITIONAL FOUR WEEKS THROUGH APRIL 24, 2020. WE DO NOT MAKE THIS DECISION LIGHTLY, BUT WITH THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR COUNTRY WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE COMMUNITIES AT LARGE. I AM WORKING IN CONCERT WITH ALL SUPERINTENDENT INCLUDING MULTIPLE CALLS PER WEEK IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE CONTINUITY OF LEARNING TO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS IN EVERY JURISDICTION ACROSS MARYLAND DURING THIS TIME. WE ARE ALREADY WORKING CLOSELY EVERY SCHOOL SYSTEM TO ADDRESS ISSUES AFFECTING THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO ALL OF THEIR STUDENTS. IT ALSO SHOULD BE NOTED THAT WE WILL BE DILIGENT IN PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO OUR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. LOCAL SUPERINTENDENTS HAVE PROVIDED THEIR PLAN FOR CONTINUITY OF LEARNING DURING THIS PERIOD. MY STAFF AT THE MARYLAND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN REVIEWING THE PLANS AND DETERMINING WHAT RESOURCES THE STATE CAN PROVIDE. MORE INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE COMING DAYS AS WE WORK ON A STATEWIDE PLAN THAT MAINTAINS STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS. LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS WILL BE COMMUNICATING WITH THEIR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES. I SAY MOVE FORWARD WITH IMPLEMENTING THEIR PLANS. WE PLAN TO RESUME THE CONTINUITY OF LEARNING AND WE WILL BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH SUPERINTENDENTS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, AND TEACHERS TO ACTIVATE THAT PLAN. IT IS TOO EARLY TO DEFINITIVELY SAY EXACTLY THE SCHOOLS WILL REOPEN. WE WILL CONTINUE REASSESS THE SITUATION AS WE MOVE FORWARD. WHILE CHILDCARE AND DAYCARE FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE MAY REMAIN OPEN AT THIS TIME, OUR FOCUS ENSURING THAT THERE ARE OPTIONS FOR THE CHILDREN OF ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THOSE IN THE WORKFORCE PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES SUCH AS THOSE IN OUR HOSPITAL FACILITIES AND FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES MAY NEED CHILDCARE TO CONTINUE IN THEIR ROLES. IF ANOTHER PARENT IS ABLE TO STAY HOME WITH YOUR CHILDREN, YOU SHOULD DO THAT. YOUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE HOME WITH YOU. FOR THOSE ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL UNABLE TO PROVIDE CARE, WE HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY TO IDENTIFY LOCATIONS ACROSS MARYLAND THAT WILL PROVIDE CHILDCARE. AT THIS JUNCTURE WE HAVE IDENTIFIED SPACE FOR MORE THAN 1200 CHILDREN OF ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT MARYLAND IN SPACES SUCH AS THE YMCA, THE MARYLAND SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND, PUBLIC LIBRARIES, PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES, AND BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB’S. WE ARE HOPING TO INCREASE HIS CAPACITY TO MORE THAN 2500 SPACES IN THE COMING DAYS. ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL WORKING IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC WHO REQUIRE CHILDCARE ARE IMMEDIATELY ABLE TO REGISTER FOR THE SERVICES THROUGH A FREE HOTLINE CALLED LOCATE. THE NUMBER TO REACH THIS REFERRAL IS 177-261-0060. WE WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE MARYLAND STATE WEBSITE. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR OUR EDUCATORS AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE INCREDIBLE DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT THAT OUR FOOD SERVICES STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HAVE EXHIBITED AS THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO SERVE AND TRANSPORT MEALS TO CHILDREN AT THE 500 PLUS FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES WE HAVE SET UP. AS A REMINDER, FOR ANY FAMILY LOOKING TO PICK UP MEALS FOR A STUDENT, PLEASE VISIT MDSU MMERMEALS.ORG FOR A LIST OF LOCATIONS IN YOUR AREA. APPRECIATE EVERYONE’S COOPERATION DURING THIS TIME AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH L

Advertisement Maryland public schools closed for four more weeks amid coronavirus pandemic Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The closure of Maryland public schools amid the coronavirus pandemic has been extended for four more weeks.|| Late-breaking coronavirus updates | Maryland's latest numbers ||Maryland school Superintendent Karen Salmon announced Wednesday morning that schools will remain closed until at least April 24.Maryland public schools students have been out of school for almost two weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic. Maryland closed all public schools on March 16. Lessons were sent home in packets and online.Johns Hopkins Medicine: Schools are closed. Now what? Activities you can do with your child"We don't want to close down school for the rest of the year like some other states have done, but we don't want to bring kids back if they're not safe next week either," Hogan said.The superintendent and the Board of Education came to the decision after meeting Tuesday by telephone conference call. One of the major concerns is how to develop home lessons online."I am working in concert with all local school system superintendents, including multiple calls per week, in order to provide the continuity of learning to all of our students in every jurisdiction across the state of Maryland during this time," Salmon said. "Local superintendents have provided me with their plans for the continuity of learning during the additional closure period.""I know they've been working on how we get more up to speed on distance learning and being able to do more things online," Hogan said.Yara Cheikh, a Baltimore County mother, said she's concerned about families who may not have access to computers or the internet. In short, it boils down to an issue of equity."I recognize the need for the school closure, but we have 51,000 children who live in poverty in Baltimore County. We need direction, we need support and they need access to the same things that other children have across the county," Cheikh said.Salmon said it's possible that there could be an extended school year.The state teachers union, the Maryland State Education Association, sent a statement to 11 News, saying: "This is a tough decision, but the right call for the safety of our students, educators and state. The months ahead will be challenging, and we will work to make the best of them. It's heartbreaking to know that so many children will miss out on field trips, art projects, athletics, performances and the everyday enjoyment of being with friends and learning new things together."We know that virtual learning is less beneficial for students than in-person learning, and we need to do all we can to address equity issues for students without access to technology and for students entitled to special education services."We must make sure that food insecure children receive meals and that all school employees, including hourly employees, continue to receive their pay so that they can support their families. Educators have stepped up since the first day schools were closed and will continue to do all we can to support our students as we work together to overcome this crisis."Teachers in Baltimore County and across the state said they're not sure about next steps in terms of how they'll prepare lessons over the next four weeks."The whole plan going forward, it's still very uncertain and teachers are confused about what that will look like," said Cindy Sexton, president of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County. "It's a whole new world, whether we are going to do it digitally. What about the kids who don't have access? So it's another set of concerns that will come up once we get the plan from BCPS."College students in Maryland aren't going back to the classroom for the rest of the semester. Some are still waiting to find out when they can move their stuff out of their dorms. The Residential Life Department at the University of Maryland, College Park, said Wednesday that it is postponing all in-person move-outs from residence halls until further notice. Coronavirus - What you should knowThe following information is from the CDC:What are the signs and symptoms?The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.FeverCoughShortness of breathReported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.How does COVID-19 Spread?Person-to-person spreadThe virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.Can someone spread the virus without being sick?People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.Spread from contact with infected surfaces or objectsIt may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.How easily does coronavirus spread?The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas.How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping.Prevention and treatmentThere is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:Avoid close contact with people who are sick.Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.Stay home when you are sick.Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website.For information specific to healthcare, see CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings.These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.PHNjcmlwdCBpZD0iaW5mb2dyYW1fMF9kZWIyNWMzOC03OGU3LTQyOTgtODIxYS1kYzlmOWJlM2Y4ZWEiIHRpdGxlPSJNYXJ5bGFuZCBjb3JvbmF2aXJ1cyBjYXNlcyIgc3JjPSJodHRwczovL2UuaW5mb2dyYW0uY29tL2pzL2Rpc3QvZW1iZWQuanM/bERkIiB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPjwvc2NyaXB0Pg==W2lmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vZDJjbXZicTdzeHgzM2ouY2xvdWRmcm9udC5uZXQvZW1haWwvcHJvZF9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1c19pZnJhbWVfYXJ0aWNsZS5odG1sIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjQxNCIgc3R5bGU9IndpZHRoOjEwMCU7Ym9yZGVyOm5vbmU7b3ZlcmZsb3c6aGlkZGVuIiBzY3JvbGxpbmc9Im5vIiBmcmFtZWJvcmRlcj0iMCIgYWxsb3dUcmFuc3BhcmVuY3k9InRydWUiXVsvaWZyYW1lXe+7vw==