During its March 8 business meeting, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted to make masks optional in all MCPS schools and facilities.
This action follows the state of Maryland’s decision to end its statewide mask mandate in schools and aligns with revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines that no longer recommend universal mask-wearing in schools.
To maintain safety, other COVID-19 mitigation strategies will continue, including in-school rapid and random testing, distribution of take-home test kits, improved HVAC systems and vaccination availability. Mask-wearing in MCPS will become optional indoors, outside and on school buses. Anyone who chooses to wear a mask may continue to do so, and your child may request a mask from their school if they want one.
As a district, we expect our MCPS community to respect individual decisions about mask-wearing. Our staff and students must model kindness, acceptance and inclusivity. MCPS will work with students, staff and families to promote a shared understanding of respecting each individual’s decision as valid.
Below are some parent resources to talk to your family about masks:
Surprise: Students May be Nervous About Ditching the Mask
How to Deal with Bullying Over Face Masks
MCPS Form to Report Bullying and Harassment
MCPS Bullying and Harassment Information
