BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — Baltimore County leaders are considering plans to establish learning support centers for its neediest students during the fall semester, since schools are slated to open only virtually until the end of January 2021.
Since all Baltimore-area public school systems are delaying a return to school buildings due to public health concerns about current levels of coronavirus infections and an anticipated spike in cases in the fall, the county issued a request for information in August from childcare providers to gauge how much it would cost to provide a space for children whose parents are unable to stay home during school hours.
They would like to see who would be interested in taking in kids from kindergarten to 6th grade during the fall and, potentially, the spring semesters.
The hours would be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the county is hoping that each place could supervise remote learning, provide recreational activities, meals and transportation.
Harford County Public Schools is doing something very similar with the learning centers, where they will be using their own schools to allow parents to drop off their kids during the day and have someone there to supervise while they learn.
At the moment, it is not clear when Baltimore County will make a decision on how many learning centers will be available to parents or when and where parents can sign up for them.
Correction: An earlier version of this story stated this plan was being considered by Baltimore County Public Schools, that was incorrect. Baltimore County leaders are considering learning hub centers.
