BALTIMORE COUNTY — Baltimore County Public Schools voted to approve virtual learning for the first semester of the 2020-21 school year.
Classes will begin on September 8.
A draft plan approved Tuesday evening by the Board of Education indicates that students will take part in virtual instruction that will continue through the end of the first semester on Jan. 29, 2021.
Following schedules designed by their schools, students will engage in live, virtual instruction with their teachers four days each week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday), for 2 – 3.5 hours per day.
In addition, all students will have up to three hours of independent work five days each week, and, on Wednesdays, teachers will offer small group instruction.
The amount of live instruction students will receive will vary based upon grade level, effective models for online instruction, and course complexity and enrollment.
Each school will provide extended learning opportunities to occur either before school, after school, and/or on weekends.
During the fall semester, student attendance will be recorded daily, and teachers will follow traditional grading and reporting procedures for student work and assignments. Special education and related services will be provided in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
All students will be encouraged to take movement, lunch, and screen breaks and can request individual support from school counselors.
Elementary students will receive instruction in art, music, library, and physical education. Extra-curricular activities may continue virtually, if possible, as well as sports conditioning.
As it did this spring and summer, BCPS will provide free breakfast and lunch meals for students to pick up in their communities. Exact locations and times will be announced closer to the beginning of the school year.
From December 1-18, BCPS will survey families regarding their interest in continuing virtual learning or opting into hybrid instruction (in-person and virtual learning) for the remainder of the school year.
If it is safe to do so, BCPS will implement a hybrid instructional model from February - June 2021, in addition to continuing to offer full-time virtual learning.
You can read the draft reopening plan here.
