Update from CCPS & CCHD
January 7, 2021
Joint Statement from Cecil County Public Schools & the Cecil County Health Department
The core mission of Cecil County Public Schools is to serve the students of Cecil County. Beginning Monday, January 11th, we have invited the neediest five percent of our students to return to school for face-to-face instruction. These students are identified by each school's administrative team and, with the exception of the past seven weeks, these students have received face-to-face instruction since September 8, 2020, with no documented instances of in-school transmission. We are confident that schools can operate safely given the small number of students returning to in-person instruction as well as the numerous mitigation strategies we have put into place to protect both students and staff.
We realize that the County's health metrics currently exceed the 5/15 Guideline articulated by the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland State Department of Education. However, these data points are not intended to serve as strict thresholds for school closure or opening. Rather, they are intended to serve as guidance for consideration when making these difficult decisions. The guidance document states, "Each local school system and nonpublic school, in consultation with the local health department, should review the school reopening metrics to make reopening decisions and to adjust in-person educational offerings, as necessary, when the metrics indicate an increased level of risk."
The decision to return the neediest five percent of students is the result of careful deliberation. We take our responsibility for the health and well-being of staff and students seriously and we are confident in our ability to provide these students with critically needed in-person instruction while also ensuring a safe work environment for our staff.
Jeffrey A. Lawson, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Lauren Levy, JD, MPH
Cecil County Health Officer
CCPS Public Information Office
Email: pio@ccps.org
Website: www.ccps.org
Facebook: facebook.com/ccpsmd
Twitter: @ccpsmd