The health and safety of our students and staff is our primary focus. We will rely on the guidance provided by the CDC and our local Health Department to make sure students and staff are safe when entering school buildings.
COVID-19 Data
St. Mary's County Public Schools continues to track state-wide, regional, and school system data related to COVID-19 and the SMCPS Recovery Plan. This page provides data related to confirmed COVID-19 cases.
SMCPS COVID-19 Data Dashboard: State-wide and Regional Data
COVID-19 Process For Student Return
Health and Safety Protocols
When students return to school, protocols for health and safety include:
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Hand WashingPromoting frequent hand washing throughout the day, especially before and after meals. |
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Physical DistancingEmphasizing increased spacing in the building and in classrooms with fewer students in spaces, and reducing the number of students/staff congregating as appropriate. |
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CleaningCleaning and disinfecting facilities, buses, with an emphasis on frequently touched areas. |
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Face CoveringsWearing masks during the school day and on buses. |
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Hand SanitizerProviding hand sanitizer and hand sanitizing stations, as appropriate, with at building entrances and in classrooms and shared spaces. |
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TrainingProviding ongoing training on COVID-19 prevention practices, including social distancing and face-covering use. Signage and ongoing communication will supplement and reinforce training. |
Collaboration with Health Department
SMCPS will coordinate its response with the local Health Department. Exclusion, quarantine and return to school for a person with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 or persons with symptoms of COVID-19 like illness is based on CDC and Maryland Department of Health/Maryland State Department of Education guidance and is to be implemented by local school systems in collaboration with the local Health Department.
Additional Resources
Guidance for Use of Cloth Face Coverings in Schools