Prince George’s County Public Schools will conduct all-online classes in the fall, forgoing in-person classes at least through January as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Class will be all-online from Aug. 31 to Jan. 29, CEO Dr. Monica Goldson announced Wednesday afternoon.
Students will get a “full school day of a robust delivery of instruction five days a week,” she said.
Teachers can choose whether they want to be in classrooms or teach remotely.
The district will assess the state of the pandemic on Dec. 1 and decide whether to extend all-online learning or shift to a hybrid model with some school days online and some in person.
Goldson said the district will continue to help families, including with meals, at this difficult time. PGCPS will release a report next week on how the district will support English language-learners, students with special needs and students from low-income families.
The county has been hit hard by the virus, with more infections than anywhere else in the state.
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The district surveyed families on how they want school to be conducted in the fall and a majority — 46% — said they want students to keep learning at home full time. Forty-two percent said they want kids to be in school part time and distance learning part time, and 12% said they want kids in school full time.
Some school nurses in the county said in a letter that there are major gaps in the district’s plans to reopen. They worry that in-person learning could spread the virus.
Families and community members can weigh in on the plan on a townhall phone call Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Go here to register.
Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.
