Effective Thursday, July 1, 2021, mask use is no longer mandatory in Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) buildings, schools or on school grounds. Mask use by students, staff and visitors to CCPS buildings is strongly encouraged, but voluntary on and after July 1.
CCPS staff consulted with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), both the state and local health departments, and Charles County Health Officer Dr. Dianna Abney to discuss this change. Health officials strongly encourage unvaccinated staff and students to continue mask use.
Students and staff who choose to continue mask use must wear cloth face coverings appropriately and comply with the student dress code. Students may be required to wear a mask at the direction of a school nurse or if placed in medical isolation due to a health screening that identifies them as potentially COVID-19 positive.
Since May, CCPS has offered a free preventative COVID-19 screening program for students and staff. The screening is voluntary, but is another safeguard in place to ensure the health of students and staff. Students and staff participating in on-site summer programs are eligible to participate. Learn more about the program here.
In addition to the preventative screening program, CCPS continues to follow its COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that include positive case notification requirements, contact tracing, additional cleaning and sanitizing of schools and buildings, physical distancing and health screenings for students and staff.
The SOP also includes guidelines for students and staff who become sick at school/work. Staff should not report to work if they are sick, and parents/caregivers should not send sick children to school programs or in-person events.
An updated copy of the CCPS COVID-19 operating procedures is posted online at ccboe.com.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,000 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).
CCPS staff consulted with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), both the state and local health departments, and Charles County Health Officer Dr. Dianna Abney to discuss this change. Health officials strongly encourage unvaccinated staff and students to continue mask use.
Students and staff who choose to continue mask use must wear cloth face coverings appropriately and comply with the student dress code. Students may be required to wear a mask at the direction of a school nurse or if placed in medical isolation due to a health screening that identifies them as potentially COVID-19 positive.
Since May, CCPS has offered a free preventative COVID-19 screening program for students and staff. The screening is voluntary, but is another safeguard in place to ensure the health of students and staff. Students and staff participating in on-site summer programs are eligible to participate. Learn more about the program here.
In addition to the preventative screening program, CCPS continues to follow its COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that include positive case notification requirements, contact tracing, additional cleaning and sanitizing of schools and buildings, physical distancing and health screenings for students and staff.
The SOP also includes guidelines for students and staff who become sick at school/work. Staff should not report to work if they are sick, and parents/caregivers should not send sick children to school programs or in-person events.
An updated copy of the CCPS COVID-19 operating procedures is posted online at ccboe.com.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,000 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event. CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).