January 14, 2021 For Immediate Release
BALTIMORE — Today, Baltimore City Public Schools announced the expansion of in-person learning options to students in kindergarten through 5th grade as well as 9th-grade students and high school seniors. The program will be open to all traditional K-5 students who attend an elementary/middle school or all 9th and 12th-grade students who attend traditional and transformation high schools.
Since September, City Schools has continually expanded optional in-person learning opportunities for prioritized groups of students across the district. The district knows there are groups of young people who desperately need the support they can only receive in person, growing numbers of our families want this option, and has proven it can be done safely.
Families may decide whether to participate in in-person learning or remain in virtual learning. Families with students attending charter and contract schools, should visit their school’s page to see plans for in-person learning.
This effort will launch in three phases:
- Kindergarten through grade 2 begins Tuesday, February 16
- Grades 3-5 begin Monday, March 1
- 9th grade and 12th grade begin Monday, March 1
To express interest in participating in in-person learning, families should directly contact their schools.
Participating schools will also offer opportunities for families to visit, learn more about the program, and review the PPE and safety measures in place. A Virtual Family Town Hall about second-semester in-person learning will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, January 21 on Facebook and Twitter (@baltcityschools) as well as City Schools TV on YouTube.
City Schools has taken a cautious, phased-in approach based on our health experts’ advice, and more than 2,000 students have benefitted with instruction that fits their needs. Since in-person learning opened on September 28, there have been no transmission cases at our in-person learning sites and one case of transmission at a meal site. To learn more about our Health and Safety Procedures, including air ventilation efforts, visit our Health and Safety Webpage at https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/safety-procedures.