Dawn, It's Donna Lowell not Daniel.

Hi Dawn. I did not receive the meetings or invite. Obtained info from Mr. Carothers weekly email. How do I confirm addition to the distribution list?

FAQ is a GREAT idea Mr. Corothers--thank you!

did you make him cohost

If a student gives going back to school in person a chance and then changes their mind and wants to go back to being virtual, is that possible?

Yes, we would just like to know so we know who to expect to see in the building

selection of in person or virtual is good through June. Does this also influence next fall/school year?

And to piggyback on that, if we do pull away, can it be temporary or would we not be allowed to return until everyone is in the building?

We haven't heard anything about next school year

Will Freshman have the opportunity to get an orientation to the building before starting or on their first day (separate from upperclassmen)?

There will be an orientation for students coming in.

Thank you

Will we know which teachers will be in person vs. virtual before 2/26?

Just as in a regular school year, if you know there will be a temporary absence, we would like to know; our planning is dependent on number of students returning so if you are pretty sure your student is returning after a temporary absence, we'd like to know that

We know that teachers across the county are still pursuing ADA accommodations to remain in an virtual teaching setting, so we cannot say exactly which teachers will be returning and which will not

The large majority of teachers are returning. Due to confidentiality, we cannot report on specifics yet.

My child told me that in person will just be doing zoom inside classroom, is that true?

Mr. Carothers will address this during his presentation

Is there any information available yet on the resumption of in-person (“brick and mortar”) internship/work-based experiences?

What upgrades have been done to ensure adequate air circulation, especially in rooms without windows?

Will all students that can drive be able to have parking?

Interior rooms will have air cleaners

That will be addressed by one of the presentation

There are updates on the internships, etc- I do not have the date for return in front of me, but we can get that information out via FAQs

RE Orientation- Will it be offered to students who are freshmen this year and havent had the opportunity to access the facilities this school year?

There will be an orientation for all students

We believe we will have enough parking

Do students not coming by bus still need to be there that early?

No- students who are not arriving by bus are asked to arrive by 8:45

Can students that don't use MCPS transportation come directly to 1st period at 9:00?

Is there a separate schedule for SMCS?

Never minf

When can juniors and seniors apply for parking?

Is there still an open Wednesday?

Is the Ride-On bus running?

SMCS is the same, plus our extended day/8th period- that will be explained soon

ride on bus is running

How about transportation in the bus? How can social distancing be enforced if the bus if full? Are multiple buses planned based on capacity to make sure the students are sitting socially distanced?

If "open Wednesday" = "everyone does virtual" then yes :)

Students will not be required to apply for parking permits at this time. We're waiting for confirmation from Central Office

Is everyone guaranteed a parking spot?

How does the hybrid schedule address scheduling of Club meetings and other extracurricular activities?

will the students need a parking pass to park in the student lot? if so, how/when will the application be available?

Club meetings will still be virtual for now.

MCPS transportation is using information from the parent survey (due Feb 26) to determine number of busses at each stop- capacity will reflect CDC guidelines

then how is lunch going to be handled if students can't leave campus?

Parking permit information will be forthcoming as we receive information from Central Office

If my kid drives to school and we are 30-40minutes away, he will miss the student support period. Is that period mandatory?

Regarding lunch, we are still working on a plan that balances students' needs to socialize with safety precautions

Jie, that period is not mandatory. Being at school for classes at 9:00 is mandatory.

Student support only if they need help or teacher wants to see them

Can students with abbreviated schedules leave early/go home for free periods

Will the in-person students have the same teachers as the virtual instruction students?

how will lunch be staffed? it seems like that length of time will be a management challenge.

As you develop a lunch plan, could you please include direction on whether students who walk can return home for lunch break? Thank you

will students be able to leave campus for lunch

If we have a SMCS student and a non-SMCS student whom we are picking up, is there somewhere that the non-SMCS student can wait during 8th period so we can pick them both up at the same time?

Lunch will be staffed by our staff. Lunch is not open and students will need to remain on campus

STudents with abbreviated schedules - if they currently have an abbreviation in the middle of the day, please meet with the counselor to see if the abbreviation can occur at the start or end of the school day to decrease the number of people coming and going in a school day

Can SMCS student attend 8th period virtually?

Will the handling of lunch be explained by 2/23, when they receive their schedule?

Ajith- we are not anticipating making schedule/roster changes, so in-person and virtual instruction students will have the same teachers

Thank you

Cathy, yes, students can attend pd 8 virtually, as they do now

Can’t thank PHS administration and staff enough. I know that MCPS has thrown a lot in your laps with very little time for you to prepare in this ever-changing environment.

will the county provide enough covid vaccine for all teachers and staff before returning-to-school date?

MCPS and the county are working together to provide vaccines to our staff as they become available.

Will we be taught by the same teachers or will teachers be switched within their subjects?

Will students with virtual teachers need to use a Chromebook? Will they be accessible to students who did not collect one at the beginning of the year?

Yes. Please let us know in advance if they need a chrome book.

Thank you!

Caroline- your teacher of record should not change (that's not our current plan and we don't want to have to do that). It's possible that an additional staff member joins your class- for example, if your teacher is approved to stay all-virtual (teach from home), then another staff member will join the in-person learners so the room has an adult in it. But your actual teacher will remain the same.

so are students or teachers changing classrooms?

Both students and teachers will change classrooms

will lessons still be given via nearpod and other virtual platforms?

Is the school planning a temperature testing for students entering the bldg.?

In the case where a teacher isn’t in the class, will there be a regular consistent, qualified individual (TA?) in that classroom? Is MCPS providing funding for a hire in this type of situation?

Yes. The teachers using nearpod will still utilize that tool.

Ajith, on-site temperature testing is not part of the guidance we've received at this time

Can students take their AP exams at school in May?

There has not been an announcement yet on AP. We anticipate this soon and it will be MCPS wide.

Are the AP exams going to be in May or June?

Mark, our goal is to always have a well-qualified adult literally in the room with students, even when the most-qualified adult (the teacher of record is not there). At this point, without knowing exact numbers, we cannot say for sure that someone with content knowledge will be supervising every room. The teacher of record, who will provide the primary instruction, will continue to be a quality instructor.

Will Global Ecology resume field trips for students choosing in person?

Can students try in-person and then decide to switch back to virtual if in-person isn't the right fit?

can a student bring thier own computer or do they need to use a MCPS Chrome book?

Marcy, yes a student can switch if the fit is not there

Owl- no, we don't anticipate receiving permission to do that this school year.

Yes a student can bring their own device

If the time to meet with teachers is before school, how does that work if the student is in-transit?

Will students choosing in-person be given some leeway to adjust to the new model in case it affects their grades during this transition period?

What about band and chorus?

will there be labs in science classes?

will WiFi be sufficient for those returning?

Ajith, The type of graded work should remain largely the same as it has been this year. We are not aware of any modifications to grading for select groups of students.

Anything different for the students that have already had covid?

MCPS Technology has reviewed each school's WiFi capacity and has made upgrades, if necessary

We are still working through what band and chorus will look like for our students.

For Global students (or any students in classes for which it's applicable), will there be opportunities for outdoor/experiential learning on campus since field trips won't be possible this year?

WiFi should be sufficient- we have had 700 magnet tests taken in a condensed section of the campus at once without problem.

We encourage teachers to take their classes outside if the material (and weather) is applicable.

Global - and other- classes will take advantage of the on-campus resources available, like the outdoor classroom in the arboretum, the butterfly garden, the wetlands, as often as possible in a safe manner.

Students will need to bring their laptops or Chromebooks back and forth to school each day, correct?

what protocols will be in place for wiping down desks and tables between classes?

Audra, yes students will need to bring their items each day and then take them home

For Humanities Block classes will the teachers change rooms instead of the students?

Will schedules look the same (4 periods a day), or will there be 7 periods (or 8) a day?

We are currently working on developing efficient protocols for cleaning and disinfecting various locations throughout both buildings

Students and teachers will change rooms based off of the number of students returning

what happens if there is a situation where a class with enough kids in person would require breaking up into 2 different classrooms - or would that be a scheduling adjustment beforehand?

For Phase 2.2, the date is April 26 for in-person return. Can the student contact the school to switch from virtual to in-person in late March or February 26th is still the cutoff date?

Will a student have to bring their own device to school?

Caroline, the schedule will remain the same as it is now (4 pds each day)

4 periods a day. Very similar as the virtual schedule.

Students can bring their own device or if they need a device we are happy to provide one to them

Blocks of classes may rotate teachers instead of students moving- they will use the block of time to fit students' needs as makes sense with different lessons

And will Wednesdays be the same as they are right now (no classes, asynchronous)?

Wednesday will be the same right now

What will the FIT time be used for in person?

Students will attend the club meetings virtually during FIT time.

If a student drives to school and isn’t attending a club meeting, are they dismissed to go home after 7th period?

Student dismissal time is 2:30 unless they have an abbreviated schedule

How will students stay socially distanced in the classrooms?

if student has siblings at other MCPS schools, can A/B rotation be coordinated?

Great question!

Desks have been spaced at least 6-feet apart, consistent with CDC guidelines

Ms. Herman - On Friday will dismissal still be 2:30 if students aren't doing anything for FIT.

Mr. Griffith, student dismissal time for each in-person day is 2:30 unless the student has an abbreviated schedule

Owl, great question- that's worth asking us after we announce the breakdown by alphabet. Exceptions will be dependent on space available in that specific student's schedule. Marcy, "Loftus" is going to be right on the cusp, so keep your fingers crossed it works out! :)

What is Lunch going to look like?

mr Carothers will address lunch later in the presentation

Our building services staff have been trained on specific cleaning protocols during COVID times

If they have band and have an instrument do they have to carry the instrument all day?

Students will need to carry their supplies with them throughout the day. We will not issue lockers at this time.

In the event that an in-person student or teacher becomes ill at school, what is the protocol?

On Friday afternoons, where will in-person students go to log-on for virtual clubs? Their last classroom of the day?

What do emergency situations look like? (specifically lock downs and tornadoes where we have to be in close contact for a while)

Caroline- they'll look similar- we'll have reduced people in the building (est. 25% of students at any given time) so we will not be as packed in as we have been.

can kids bring thier own lunch?

Mr. Dove, we are waiting on guidance from MCPS regarding the process if a student or staff member is ill

Students are welcome to bring their own lunch

Can they go outside to eat? The risk goes down significantly outdoors.

What will gym classes look like

Maybe students could choose from a number of designated lunch spots that are chaperoned, which would allow them to choose who they sit with.

We would like to allow students the option to eat outdoors- we're working on plans that balance supervision, safety, nad socialization

Can students who drive use their cars as their lockers for lunch, equipment, etc?

Will they need PIN to buy lunch at school?

Caroline, PE classes will be outside as often as possible and will continue to focus on personal fitness without a lot of equipment. The weight room will not be in use.

The county is encouraging outdoor instruction and classrooms, so it would follow that outdoor lunch would align with their plans.

consider students eating lunch in their car?

any guidance for getting medications to the nurse for those kids who may need them? ie. insulin or epi pens

^ good question

Cyndi- we haven't heard specifics about that yet- great question for our planning! (I think we'll be told about that topic, but we haven't heard yet.)

Will all the bathrooms have hooks on all doors to hold backpacks since no lockers and so much to carry to reduce contact of surfaces?

Our restrooms currently have hooks installed to accommodate personal items

when is orientation?

Sandi, we do not have a date as of yet. As soon as we have one we will communicate that to our community

So many logistical challenges and things to consider. Thanks for all the information and planning and all your work and the the work of the teachers.

I know you don't have every answer right now, but this has been very helpful and transparent. Thank you!

How can we as parents best support the teachers and staff?

Has the HVAC systems in school be upgraded to bring in outside air rather than re circulated air?

Thanks to all the PHS staff for all their efforts

thanks much

Thank

Thank you for this presentation.

Thank you for all the time, information, and planning - we understand that this is a huge logistical challenge, while guidelines are constantly changing. Appreciate all you do for our students!!

Our HVAC system currently brings in outside air throughout the day. Our unit ventilator filters have also all been changed to new high-efficiency ones

We will walk this with you and your children and we will get through this together! Thank you for your support and please know that we care!

Thank you so much. This is so challenging and the staff is handling it so well

Parents - it is not too late to join the PTSA. Go to this link to sign up! https://www.poolesvillehighschoolptsa.org/join-ptsa

Thanks Mr. Carothers and the entire PHS staff for your diligent and courageous efforts throughout this pandemic. We know the safety and education of our children are your highest priority and it is evident from this presentation.

Can we recommend each student that is able to bring a costco sized container of lysol wipes do so for each classroom to be sanitized between classes?

For the 10th grade, April 26 is only 8.5 weeks before end of the school year which means only 4 weeks in the building. Is the April 26th date set in stone or is there a chance that date will change?

It would change if the health metrics change.

I know this is specific to track, but will there be two outdoor seasons rather than an outdoor and an indoor season?

What does updated physical mean? Can it be the same physical form submitted in the fall?

Sorry if someone already asked but how will PHS handle charging laptops and chromebooks during the day?

thank you for all the logistics. For the questions to which there are no answers, lunch, parking etc, will you have more clear answers before the time that we need to make our decision by? this seems imperative.

Audra, we do have charging stations coming, though we ask that devices come fully charged

The MCPS warehouse is planning on sending all schools power strips and chargers to be used in classrooms for charging devices

It is my understanding that you can be virtual for school and still participate in in person sports. Will practice start times allow for virtual students to attend, given their drive time to the school?

Mark, we will do our best- we are awaiting guidance in some instances and the number of in-person learners will also determine some specifics. We won't be holding back information; as we know it, it will be shared.

What is the mask policy while exercising

When does Fall sports end?

Is Tennis sports starting Feb 27th or is that dependent on level of participation?

will there be a season for winter sports, like swimming?

Bring. It. On.

when do you sign up for spring sports in the portal?

Will there be any recognition for seniors in other seasons (winter was mentioned) who will not be participating due to lack of a physical?

It is my understanding that you can be virtual for school and still participate in in person sports. Will practice start times allow for virtual students to attend, given their drive time to the school?

Thanks so very much, Ms. Grubb.

Thank you Ms. Grubb, emailed couple Qs to you

If going with Plan B, what will be done about weather?

there is no information on this at this time.

Mr. Stahlberg, right now we are in the early stages of planning. We are working with our senior sponsor and our senior officers along with MCPS.

Can you confirm decisions for plan A, B or C are made by school? Or is the choice of plan A, B, or C made by MCPS?

Can you clarify the cap and gown situation? there are several parents that have already purchased these though Jonstens

At the very end before we go, for those of us who couldn't be let into the room at the start, can you just hit the big dates (especially the restart) one last time?

Melanie, we are still in the process and waiting on MCPS then we will get the ones that purchased through Jostens will get refunded.

This meeting will be posted on the PHS PTSA website for refrence.

I saw weight room wasn't open for PE. Will the weight room be open for football?

The weight room will not be open at this time.

THe weight room will not be open for use at all.

Thank you!

Maryalice, we are still waiting on final approval from MCPS then we will need to reach out to seniors to get the information for all to be ordered

Thank you for all your hard work!

Thank you very much!

I sent Mrs. Van Yuga photos of my child from various school spirit days that I took with my cell phone.

thanks for all the hard work, Mr. Carruthers and staff/pta!

It's very appreciated!!! Thank you!

Helen Trainor ROCKS!!!!!!! the Staff is so appreciative!

always appreciate the communications from PHS staff and PTSA. thank you 😊

Thank you for taking the time to provide this presentation and to answer our questions. I know that this is a Herculean task to plan and prepare for in-person instruction and continued virtual instruction.

Thank you very much for the presentation!

Right now, in MCCPTA, there is a resolution waiting to be voted on which would eliminate the SRO program

Thank you for all the hard works from the teachers, staffs, and PTA1

Are Senior yard signs available?

the PTSA is working on yard signs (though word is MCPS may be providing), senior signs on the commons and a senior car parade. more details will come.

I'm doing a presentation on behalf of the cluster tomorrow to describe our SRO experience. I will advocate to keep the program but recognize the problems other schools have with arrest data.

Thanks to the PTSA and school administration for all your hard work!

thank you PTSA!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!!

Thank you!

Thank you!

THANKS!

Thanks!

Thank you!