Worcester County Public Schools prepares for start of the school year
WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – The start of the school year is rapidly closing in for Worcester County Public Schools. District officials say they’re confident they’re ready to welcome everyone back safely. But, of course they need to allow for flexibility as the pandemic is ever changing. “We have to manage the needs of our kids, whether it’s socially, emotionally, the learning process, and also protect them and keep them safely in the forefront of doing the things that we need to do,” said Superintendent Louis Taylor.
District officials are putting an optional masking policy in place on campuses. On busses, masks will be mandatory. Seats right behind drivers will be kept closed, and the district is also considering double runs if they need to for distancing. “It can’t be about ‘Should we wear a mask or not be wearing a mask?’ I’m an American citizen like everyone else and we have our own opinions. My focus has to be on the kids that I serve here in Worcester County,” said Supt. Taylor.
Supt. Taylor also says that when it comes to transportation, busses will be available. But parents who are able to drop off and pick up their kids from school are encouraged to do so. “There is a federal mandate that everyone on busses must be masked. So, we are taking some precautions. We are encouraging parents to bring kids it they can. But, if they can’t we certainly will provide the transportation,” said Supt. Taylor.
While masks will be mandatory on transportation, something that the district can’t mandate is vaccinations or testing. However, all school personnel and students will have to answer a health questionnaire every day. Supt. Taylor also says school officials will help facilitate testing and vaccinations for those who want them. “We will go out of our way to make sure that if anyone wants the vaccine we help them, sign them up, and if we had to, I’m sure we would even provide transportation to them to get the vaccination,” said Supt. Taylor. “We provide testing right there to make it easy for our employees and our kids, should they choose to do that, or should they have symptoms.”
When it comes to sports in the district, Supt. Taylor says things are pretty much ready to go. Fall athletes have already returned for practice. The superintendent says coaches have been asked to be mindful of running drills that have the athletes close together. Also, locker rooms and practice facility use is being limited to help with social distancing. “In all parts of our community, all three of our distinct communities, there’s something about our athletics that really bring our communities together,” said Supt. Taylor.
With those protocols in place, some parents say they’re confident their kids will be able to start the school year safely, and end it successfully. “Worcester County has dealt with this the most brilliantly they could have. They sort of always give it a lot of time to think about it, and then come up with a great solution at the end. I’m really happy with the solution they have this year,” said WCPS parent Tony Weeg. “Getting them into school is irreplaceable. That last two and a half years have been rather sad. We had an eighth grader who is now going into her junior year, and her last normal day of school was in eighth grade.”
Meanwhile others say, they’re happy to see the district allowing parents to be flexible when it comes to masking. “Kids who want to wear masks should obviously be allowed do, and kids that don’t want to be allowed not to. But I also don’t want the school to be closed for another year either,” said WCPS Timothy Gordy.
Looking ahead, Supt. Taylor says there will be a large focus put on the less tangible parts of going to school every day. “We’re going to face some learning gaps. We’re going to face things like mental health issues and kids needing support – adults needing support,” said Supt. Taylor. “One thing that I don’t want to take for granted is that we’re out of this situation and kind of put that on the side, because we truly aren’t.”
The first day of school for WCPS is September 7th. To learn more about WCPS’ Responsible Return 2.0 plan, click here.
