SEE THE LATEST UPDATES HERE
Since the weather has decided to keep me from my yard work this afternoon I thought I would put out an update to the “Mask Mandates in Maryland Schools: What we know up to this point“. Past updates were on August 2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th, 14th, 17th and 20th. I know I am breaking from my “update every 3 days” model but as noted above I had a little free time on my hands today.
The Maryland school systems I am reporting on today include: Wicomico County, Somerset County and Worcester County.
Wicomico County:
“Face masks are required indoors for all students, staff members and visitors…”
Source: https://www.wcboe.org/
Somerset County:
-Masks are optional indoors and for outdoor activities at this time
See the post and video from Dr. John B. Gaddis, Superintendent of Somerset County Public Schools:
Worchester County:
Regarding face coverings, Worcester County Public Schools in conjunction with the CDC highly recommends universal masking for all teachers, staff, and students in our schools; however, the wearing of face coverings remains optional at this time.
Here is my updated list by jurisdiction
Requiring masks for students and staff:
- Allegany County
- Anne Arundel County
- Baltimore County
- Baltimore City
- Calvert County
- Caroline County
- Charles County
- Frederick County
- Harford County
- Howard County
- Kent County
- Montgomery County
- Prince George’s County
- Queens Anne’s County
- St. Mary’s County
- Talbot County
- Washington County
- Wicomico County
Requiring masks for unvaccinated students and staff
- Dorchester County
Encouraging the use of face masks by students and staff who are not vaccinated or no mask mandate:
- Carroll County
- Somerset County
- Worcester County
Two jurisdictions not mentioned above include Cecil County and Garrett County. Here is what I know so far:
Cecil County does not mention the wearing of face masks in their 2021-2022 reopening plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQBZGhfYDkRgW-zn__m9bZuYwyJVhueueqFUMomlE5c0-nVqri8mYHhwQ-m5-CqzVybVZbbRAthCQIh/pub
There looks to be a potential update on Wednesday:
CCPS continues to monitor the most recent COVID data and conditions in Cecil County and will make an announcement next Wednesday regarding the potential for mask use to begin the school year.
Garrett County notes the following on page 19 in their reopening plan:
At this time, GCPS strongly recommends that all students wear a face covering while at school. This is especially important for those who are unvaccinated.
Garrett County has a special Board of Education meeting scheduled for tomorrow:
The Garrett County Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 to discuss the Fall Recovery and Reopening Plan. The Board will meet in the Board Room at Central Office. The meeting is open to the public and will also be live-streamed for public review.
Looking at vaccination statuses of the various jurisdictions in Maryland as of August 22nd…here is data shared by Howard county Executive Calvin Ball:
Things are still changing quickly and I will continue to watch out for further announcements or updates from other jurisdictions in Maryland. If you see updates always feel free to reach out and let me know.
Scott E
Sources:
- Scott E’s Blog: Howard County Public School System will require masks in school buildings for all students, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status
- WBAL: Face masks to be required in some Maryland schools in fall
- Fox 5 DC: School Mask Mandates: What you need to know in DC, Maryland and Virginia
- AACPS: https://www.aacps.org/2122update
- Calvert County Public Schools
- Carroll County: Carroll County Board of Education keeps masks optional for the start of the 2021-2022 school year for CCPS
- Harford, Kent Counties (CLICK HERE)
- Dorchester County “Unvaccinated students and staff to wear masks in all facilities” (Read More)
- Allegany County and Queens Anne’s County (CLICK HERE)
- Caroline County: https://www.carolineschools.org/ccps-blog/masks-now-required-in-caroline-schools/
- Talbot County: https://tcps.k12.md.us/
- Washington County: http://wcpsmd.com/news/2021-2022-school-year-faqs
- Additional sources noted above in this article
