Maryland Together
COVID-19 Response and Path Forward
May 2020
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Strategies for Moving Forward
This document presents a number of strategies and considerations for school systems as communities move forward together to embrace the new normal of conducting school operations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Reopening of, and re-entry into school buildings is dependent on the trends and key data points referenced in the Governor’s “Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery.”
Not all options for school recovery operations fall into one of the phases identified in the Roadmap to Recovery. These guidelines are not designed to be prescriptive and seek to provide local jurisdictions with different ideas and options as they map out their own recovery plans.
The goal with each of the topics addressed is to assist in the articulation of a vision that can be easily communicated to members of the school community. We all want students and educators to feel comfortable and safe returning to school environments.
The best way to do that is to identify solutions that make transitions to and from online learning and a return to some form of in-person instruction, as seamless as possible. We have provided a checklist of items and considerations for school systems as they develop the recovery plan that works for their unique local circumstances. Please refer to Appendix A.
With the understanding that different systems require different solutions, we have identified a number of scheduling models and calendar considerations that can be used to fit the needs of each community. Modifying school schedules and calendars to account for lost instructional time and to ensure ongoing health and safety efforts, such as social distancing is of paramount importance.
