Superintendent Darryl Williams says plans are in the works for the extended closure of Baltimore County Public Schools.

Baltimore, MD - Mar.  26, 2020 - Despite schools being closed due to the new coronavirus, students in Baltimore County will continue learning. Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Darryl Williams reported staff would be finalizing plans starting over the next week to ensure all students have access to materials and resources.

"Beginning April 6, 2020, there will be new learning available for students," Williams said in a statement Wednesday night. His comments came hours after the state superintendent of schools announced schools would be closed at least through April 24 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Starting tomorrow and the days following, our central office and school-based administrators will share specific details with our staff and families about the 'Continuity of Learning' plan," Williams said. "And we will finalize our process to ensure that students and staff have access to these materials and resources during the week of March 30th."

Virtual and print-based learning materials will be made available to students in Baltimore County so that resources are available to all. In addition, Baltimore County Public Schools will distribute meals at 50 sites for students to ensure they have three meals each weekday.

"Our commitment is to help our staff and families navigate through this unusual time," Williams said. "Additional updates will be provided as soon as possible. Again, we thank you for your continued support and look forward to sharing more details as we move forward."

Below is the entire statement from Williams on the continuity of learning plan:

March 25, 2020

Good evening, Team BCPS students and families, staff and community members,

First, we want to thank you for all you have done and continue to do for the students of BCPS during these unprecedented times! So many of you have turned this experience into a moment to highlight your passion, commitment, and love for our school system and community.

Today, the State Superintendent, Dr. Karen Salmon, announced the extended closure of schools through April 24, 2020. As a result, BCPS will begin to implement a "Continuity of Learning" plan to provide students with continuous learning through this closure. This plan will provide all students with both virtual and print-based learning pathways depending on their access to technology. There will be professional learning opportunities for instructional staff and administrators to support this "Continuity of Learning" plan beginning Monday, March 30, 2020.

And we will finalize our process to ensure that students and staff have access to these materials and resources during the week of March 30th.

Beginning April 6, 2020, there will be new learning available for students. Starting tomorrow and the days following, our central office and school-based administrators, will share specific details with our staff and families about the "Continuity of Learning" plan.

In addition, during this extended closing, we will continue to operate our meal distribution sites through Friday, April 24. There are now 50 sites around the system where we are providing breakfast, lunch and dinner grab and go meals to thousands of BCPS students each day.

Our commitment is to help our staff and families navigate through this unusual time. Additional updates will be provided as soon as possible. Again, we thank you for your continued support and look forward to sharing more details as we move forward.

Sincerely,

Darryl L. Williams, Ed.D.

Superintendent