All Rights Reserved. Goldson reinstated a mask mandate in schools earlier in August because coronavirus transmission levels were high. In one, a massive study of more than 340,000 residents of rural Bangladesh, the study found that mask programs that promoted but didn't mandate masks "increased mask usage and reduced . Fast, informative and written just for locals. The new policy for Prince Georges went into effect July 1. 2022 WTOP. In a tweet on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, called . Joinhere! Soldier. CDC eases school guidance on quarantines, testing, screening. UPPER MARLBORO, Md. 2023 FOX Television Stations, FBI: Explosive found in bag at Pennsylvania airport, man arrested, Elderly couple dead in possible murder-suicide in Fairfax County: police, Airbnb renting out Paris theater that inspired 'Phantom of the Opera', Pot smoking lounge set to open in Montgomery County is first of its kind, Surgeon runs down Philadelphia street to retrieve organ from transport vehicle stuck in traffic, Video shows Amazon delivery driver hitting, killing dog at Maryland home, Richard Montgomery High School student accused of robbing Shell gas station at knifepoint, U.S. Prince Georges County students go back to classes on Aug. 29. It ended up being one of the last times county leaders would publicly discuss lifting the mandate. Prince George's County Public Schools the last system in the D.C. area that required students and staff to wear masks lifted that mandate in early July. Mask mandates are quickly becoming a thing of the past in the D.C. region: The last two local jurisdictions with mandates in place are lifting those requirements this week. As a parent that has a child in PG county schools, I would like it to make it my choice and their choice whether they choose to wear a mask," Facebook user Ray Abrams posted. Mask policy is subject to change according to local and/or state health department guidance and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, PGCPS said in the email. The mandate will go into effect Sunday, August 8, 2021 at 5:00 PM, and applies to . The new policy notes that mask-wearing rules could change based on guidance from local or state health officials, or if there is additional guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DMV news: Most of Prince Georges students are scoring below grade level on district tests. PGCPS will continue to make health and safety decisions in consultation with health experts.. The Maryland school district said Friday that it had returned to a mandatory mask policy in all schools and facilities until further notice due to the easily spread BA.5 Omicron strain. The latest: Updated coronavirus booster shots are now available for children as young as 5. The PGCPS website recently notified parents that masking is now required of Prince Georges County Public Schools (PGCPS) students and employees. In light of the highly contagious COVID-19 BA.5 variant, Prince Georges County Public Schools (PGCPS) will return to a mandatory mask policy in all schools and facilities until further notice, effective on Aug. 15, according to the website. The schools do not have enough teachers to start in 2 weeks nor enough bus drivers. The AFRO provides readers with good news about the Black community not otherwise found. Prince Georges County is the only D.C.-area jurisdiction that had a mask mandate on the first day of classes. Prince George's County Public School (PGCPS) will continue to mandate mask-wearing for all students, teachers and staff, regardless of . Prince Georges schools will be mask-optional for 2022-2023. Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you. Se anima a todos los empleados, estudiantes y familias a apoyar las decisiones personales de uso de mascarilla. While he got his on-air start at small stations in Pennsylvania and Delaware, he's spent most of his career in the D.C. area, having been heard on several local stations before coming to WTOP. School officials say the decision comes in light of the highly contagious COVID-19 BA.5 variant spreading through the county. 5425 Wisconsin Ave Prince Georges County Public Schools the last system in the D.C. area that required students and staff to wear masks lifted that mandate in early July. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. School system CEO Monica Goldson announced the policy change in a newsletter to parents Monday evening, at the end of the first day of school. Prince George's County Public Schools CEO Monica Goldson said she expects students to be required to wear masks at her schools until COVID-19 "no longer exists," WTOP reported Monday. Together they created a platform to offer images and stories of hope to advance their community. WTOP was the first to report on the policy change. The change in policy was listed among other items about the upcoming school year, including immunizations, online learning and fall class registration. "AGu_zs_=v21>] Yfy2eV*L.Fq|x7\p#~{/T#=D?6CqV$+c('id;\8G|y+K/pUK6fD2?D)1'N9"VG+*C#j=IS+\bL/a2XLiKQGFmp ']vUn1]xOpV\(r'(gBm@Ib'ngMm*/!z6H1t{Jo[kf&vvVVdHwmE+gY$1f TGAP~ /?'}TGY~ @`~)>Zboip?__ww?DN*X. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The school. Prince Georges County schools initially transitioned to a mask-optional policy in July. All staff, students and families are encouraged to support personal decisions on mask-wearing. Monica Goldson, chief executive of Maryland's. Like WTOP on Facebook and follow WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article and others. Prince George's. To date, more than 10.5 million children have lost one or both parents or caregivers during the coronavirus pandemic. Lorsqu'il s'agit de rpondre des menaces de sant publique telles que le COVID-19, les districts scolaires du Maryland disposent d'une certaine flexibilit pour dterminer les politiques de port de masque. ,;=d!DEJ\0 Some teachers have indicated that they will continue to wear masks even after the policy shift, especially if they see a large number of students through the day, Goldson said. Donna Christy, president of Prince Georges County Educators, said Prince Georges County teachers are supportive of returning to a mask mandate if infection rates require it. 14201 School Lane The AFRO knows what its like to endure challenging times. "The decision was recommended by the Prince George County Health Department. DMV news: Most of Prince Georges students are scoring below grade level on district tests. The decision comes as some school systems have considered reviving their mask mandates as coronavirus variants have led to rising case numbers. American students test scores have even plummeted to levels unseen for decades. She said that she personally hasnt received a lot of feedback from community members yet on the issue. Some children who are learning English have struggled to keep up in classrooms because the masks prevent them from seeing their instructors mouths form words. PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD Face masks must be worn in all schools and district buildings . Read More Questions? Students will return to school in Prince George's County on August 29. Prince Georges, Montgomery, D.C. schools begin a new year. Prince George's County Public Schools announced Friday that masks will once again be mandatory at all schools and facilities starting on Monday. Read Across America activities - student dressed as book character parade; During Black History Month, staff at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School celebrate Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 1140 3rd St., 2nd Flr, NE (7News) Prince George's County will lift its indoor mask mandate Monday, Feb. 28, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced Friday. They should isolate for five days and may end isolation after that time if they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication and their symptoms are improving. The updated Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook addressing the policy change reads: The mask-optional policy enables individuals to choose whether to wear a mask in schools and offices. In a poll of its members a few weeks ago, she said, around 60% favored the return of a mask mandate. While the school district turned the commenting feature off on its Facebook post announcing the switch back to mandatory face masks, others posted their unhappiness with the decision elsewhere on the school's social media account. Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, 2023, Prince George's County Public Schools, Website Accessibility Requests and Feedback Form. Chevy Chase, MD 20815. "Once again, this is the county officials pushing their agenda of fear. The county has the lowest transmission rate in Maryland at 44.98 . Prince Georges County schools to end mask mandate Sept. 6. On Tuesday, the Prince Georges County website still stated masks are required on public transportation, in public schools, and in businesses that choose to require them., The state of Maryland says 81.5% of residents 5 and older in Prince Georges County are considered fully vaccinated.. Great stories teach, transport and transform! Wearing a mask is optional for students in Montgomery County. American students test scores have even plummeted to levels unseen for decades. School officials announced the decision on Facebook Friday. The guidelines for those who test positive remain unchanged. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, 2023, Prince George's County Public Schools, March is National Irish American Heritage Month, NUMBER OF SCHOOLS FOR 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR, BOE: Parent and Community Advisory Council (PCAC) Meeting, 3rd Quarter Progress Reports Released Online, Website Accessibility Requests and Feedback Form. <> Report a Website Problem /QuickLinks.aspx. On July 1, PGCPS announced it was lifting its mask mandate in public schools. Con la disminucin de las tasas de positividad de la COVID-19 a nivel local, la Dra. Officials in Prince George's County have announced that students will start the 2022-2023 school year with masks on. Other school systems in Maryland elected to drop mask mandates last school year, but Prince Georges kept a requirement in place until the county reached over an 80 percent vaccination rate for the coronavirus. All staff, students and families are encouraged to support personal decisions on mask-wearing, the message to parents said. The mandatory mask-wearing policy was put back in place due to the "highly contagious BA variant 5 COVID-19," the district said, and is a change from its mask-optional policy that took effect July 1. Fast, informative and written just for locals. Plus I wouldn't be surprised if the facilities are not prepared for students. To date, more than 10.5 million children have lost one or both parents or caregivers during the coronavirus pandemic. Also, public schools in D.C. went mask-optional in March, while state lawmakers in Virginia voted to ban school mask mandates in February. PGCPS continuera prendre des dcisions en matire de sant et de scurit en consultation avec des experts de la sant. the County will lift its indoor mask mandate on Monday, February 28, 2022, as COVID-19 case rates continue to drop significantly in the County following the peak of the Omicron variant. Sasscer Administration Building This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. D.C. Public Schools new reading curriculum is designed to help improve literacy among the citys youngest readers. Maryland Gov. Now they're the first to bring it back. Regardless, Goldson said, were not going to put any pressure on anyone who wants to keep their mask on.. OFFICE OF THE PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANGELA D. ALSOBROOKS PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: August 5, 2021 . See something? Copyright 2022 by WTOP. Guidelines from the CDC recommend that schools enforce universal masking when virus levels are high, although most school districts across the country have abandoned masking requirements. PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. The Maryland school district said Friday that it had returned to a mandatory mask policy in all schools and facilities until further notice due to the easily spread BA.5 Omicron strain, which has spread farther and faster than its predecessors and fueled a rise in community transmission rates across the country. Wayne K. 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