January 6, 2022
- Regular weekly testing will resume for all students and school staff on January 6. Learn more about our COVID-19 testing program at baltimorecityschools.org/covid-screens
- Given the current surge, we encourage all students to participate in our COVID-19 testing program, even if they are vaccinated. You must opt-in - All students must submit a signed consent form. Download the FILLABLE document in English or Spanish, or pick up a copy from your school. Complete the sections that require personal information and save the document to your computer. The form must be signed and submitted to the student's school by Thursday, January 6. If you are not able to print the form, please contact your school and ask how you can email it to them.
- The Parent and Community Advisory Board (PCAB) will host a special meeting on Thursday, January 13 on Facebook. City Schools will present updates on rapid testing, quarantines for students, and more. Log in and learn how we are keeping students and staff members safe.
- WHEN: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 13
- WHERE: PCAB on Facebook - facebook.com/bcpspcab
- If City Schools temporarily closes a school or transitions to virtual learning for any reason, including COVID-19 or staffing challenges, we will always post the information as an alert on our website homepage.
- Masks are required in all City Schools buildings. Based on our ongoing conversations with health experts, the best mask is a mask that fits well, is comfortable, and that people will wear consistently. At the start of the 2021-22 school year, City Schools provided high-quality masks to staff and students that comply with health guidelines (2 layers of tightly-woven fabric with adjustable straps to ensure a snug fit). In addition, City Schools continues to ensure disposable surgical masks are on-site and available at our schools for students or staff who forget their masks.
- City Schools has openings for Health and Safety Coordinators, positions that support our testing efforts at schools. More information on these vacancies are available at https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/jobs.
ONGOING PREVENTION STEPS
City Schools is taking the following steps to keep students and staff safe:
- Requiring masks or face coverings in all buildings
- Weekly proactive screening and testing of students and school staff (see below)
- Daily, on-site access to testing for individuals that have symptoms
- Upgraded air filters or air purification devices in all buildings
- Daily cleaning procedures using chemicals that sanitize against COVID-19
- Staff members are required to be vaccinated unless they receive an approved exemption
- Coordinating weekly with the Health Department on strategy and advice
- Two days of testing for school staff and high school students upon their return from Winter Break