Virus Days

Statewide COVID-19 Closure: Maryland Temporarily Shuts Down All Public Schools

• By David Nagel
• 03/12/20

The state of Maryland announced it’s shutting down all public K–12 schools beginning Monday, owing to fears over the Novel Coronavirus, and told administrators and faculty they need to “immediately prepare for, and put into place, measures for the continuity of educational services during this prolonged period of school closure.”

The closures, for the time being, will take place between March 16 and March 27.

“It is crucial that we take immediate measures to slow the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in school communities around the State,” said State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon, in a prepared statement. “During the time of school closure, all public school buildings and school buses should be cleaned and disinfected to prevent spread of the virus upon the return of students and staff to school.”

Childcare services have not been canceled in the state. According to the Maryland State Department of Education: “Plans regarding childcare services are being developed by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) at this time to ensure that the children of emergency services personnel (particularly those working in healthcare facilities) have access to childcare throughout the prolonged period of school closure. MSDE immediately started working to ensure that vital services, such as the provision of meals to students, will continue to be provided throughout the duration of this period.”

MSDE did not announce plans to shift education online during the closure period. Instead, the agency advised schools that “days previously scheduled for spring break be used for make-up days.”

Find more resources for schools during the COVID-19 crisis here.