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WCPS Spring Update
2023-2024
In this update, you will find information about:
Spring break reminder
Last day of school
Pre-K/Kindergarten enrollment
Class of 2024 graduations
Summer learning programs
Mental Health Fair
Updated viral illness guidance
SPRING BREAK REMINDER
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS from THURSDAY, MARCH 28 – MONDAY, APRIL 1
Thursday, March 28 is a Professional Learning Day for teachers. All schools and the Center for Education Services will be closed Friday, March 29-Monday, April 1 for Spring Break.
Schools will reopen and welcome students back on Tuesday, April 2!
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
The last day for teachers will be Friday, June 7, which is a Professional Learning Day
WCPS SUMMER HOURS
From Monday, June 10 through Friday, August 16, all WCPS schools and the Center for Education Services will be operating on summer hours, with extended workdays Monday through Thursday and all facilities closed on Friday. This contributes to a cost savings by not cooling and lighting the buildings an additional day in the summer months.
Community members who would like to visit a school are encouraged to make an appointment as schools are operating with fewer staff in the summer.
PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT
Now is the time to enroll students in the WCPS free pre-k program and kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year
To be considered for enrollment in pre-k, students must be four (4) years old on or before September 1, 2024. Pre-k is considered optional for four-year-olds, but WCPS makes the program available to families at no cost.
Students who will be five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2024, are required to enroll in kindergarten for the upcoming school year.
CLASS OF 2024 GRADUATIONS
WCPS congratulates the upcoming Class of 2024!
We look forward to celebrating our graduates at ceremonies this spring across Washington County. All graduations are ticketed events. Schools will be sharing more information with families about these ceremonies leading up to the event.
SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMS
WCPS was fortunate to provide engaging summer learning opportunities for the last three years with the support of federal grant dollars. These funds were provided to schools to help students accelerate learning and recover through the pandemic. The grants have been fully utilized, and they are no longer available. WCPS does not have available funding in its budget to continue these programs.
Traditional summer education programs, like Extended School Year (ESY) and high school courses for original credit and recovery credit, will continue to be offered.
Title I schools continue to receive funding to host annual summer learning programs. Schools will be communicating these opportunities directly to families.
MENTAL HEALTH FAIR
Saturday, May 4, 2024, 11AM–2PM at Hagerstown’s City Park
Community members are invited to attend the Mental Health Fair in Hagerstown’s City Park on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Several community agencies and organizations will be sharing information and resources to promote positive mental health and wellbeing. The fair will be held next to the bandshell area, where WCPS will also be hosting “Swingin’ in the Park,” a free concert highlighting the county’s middle and high school jazz bands.
UPDATED VIRAL ILLNESS GUIDANCE
The Maryland Department of Health and Maryland State Department of Education have endorsed updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designed to help people lower risk from a range of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Taking precautions to prevent the spread of illness when you are sick is important to helping keep our school communities safe.