LEONARDTOWN, Md. – On Monday, August 30, 2021, our doors will open to our students with a normal schedule and face-to-face instruction, five days a week. 

With the return to in-person instruction, we know that the question about wearing masks in schools is on everyone’s mind. As I shared during the August 11, 2021, Board of Education meeting, St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) will make bi-weekly decisions using two weeks of community health data, as posted on the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) Local COVID-19 Data dashboard website. SMCPS will follow the CDC Indicators and Thresholds for Community Transmission of COVID-19 to determine the SMCPS Indoor Masking Requirement.

● When community transmission is HIGH, masks are REQUIRED for all individuals, regardless of vaccination
status.

● When community transmission is SUBSTANTIAL, masks are required for individuals who are not fully
vaccinated.

● When community transmission is LOW or MODERATE, masks are recommended for individuals who are not fully vaccinated.

Data for the previous two weeks will be reviewed and announced for protocols that will be in place for the following two weeks. Beginning Monday, August 16, 2021, face coverings/masks are required indoors at all SMCPS buildings. If the current level of community transmission remains high, we will begin the school year with an indoor mask requirement for everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

Masking requirements apply to all SMCPS indoor settings. State and federal guidance requires that masks are REQUIRED on all school buses, regardless of vaccination status. For outdoor activities, masking is NOT required but those not fully vaccinated are strongly recommended to do so.

SMCPS will allow the following exceptions when facemasks may be removed indoors:
● When actively eating or drinking.

● When presenting to a group, and the group is masked.

● When actively engaged in a sporting or athletic event (e.g., on the court); however, masks would be worn when not actively participating.

● When on stage for a performance, and during the performance itself; however, masks would be worn when not actively participating (e.g., masks would be worn backstage or off stage).

The St. Mary’s County Health Department is offering ongoing vaccination clinics, which can be found on their website – smchd.org/covid-19-vaccine