On Friday, September 29, 2023, between 6 and 8 p.m., City Schools will be updating our technology infrastructure. This maintenance may cause intermittent service disruptions to all City Schools' technology services. This includes any systems that require internet access and cloud-based services. Please plan accordingly.
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UPDATE: COVID testing, service, or support ends June 13, 2023
As of June 13, 2023, City Schools will no longer provide COVID testing, service, or support to schools or offices. All COVID-related concerns should be addressed by the Baltimore City Health Department.
A list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) with information about the latest COVID response updates can be found in the FAQ on this webpage.
If you have additional questions, please contact the COVID response team via email at COVIDresponse@bcps.k12.md.us or call (443) 984-1200.
Testing during the 2022-23 school year
Students are required to participate in COVID testing. City Schools has a free, convenient, and effective in-school testing program to respond to coronavirus infections and help keep school communities safe.
- Diagnostic tests for students with symptoms
- Testing for students exposed to known COVID cases
Important: Parents/guardians must complete and return a consent form for all students.
Download the consent form, and submit it to your school. (English l Spanish)
Note: Please complete this form and email it to your student's school principal or print it out and submit it to the front office.
Based on the latest guidance from federal, state, and local health authorities, students or staff who have had close contact with a COVID-positive person will no longer have to miss important time in school.
Rapid antigen tests are available for students who believe they may have been exposed to COVID, whether inside or outside of school. If you believe that your student was exposed to COVID, simply call their school and request "test to stay" testing at the school. Your child will be provided with an in-school or take-home rapid test so they can remain in school. Anyone who tests negative can stay in school. Please note, your child will be required to mask for 10 days after exposure.
* A student is a close contact if they have been within three feet of a person with COVID for 15 minutes or more.
COVID testing for the 2023-24 school year
Browse below to find more detail about COVID testing requirements and practices, as well as recent updates to in-school testing. Can’t find the answer to your specific question? Email healthandsafety@bcps.k12.md.us.
Do schools have asymptomatic pooled COVID testing?
No. Consistent with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective December 20, 2022, there is no asymptomatic pool testing in City Schools.
Do schools have symptomatic COVID testing?
No. Consistent with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effective June 13, 2023, there will be no (symptomatic) testing within City Schools.
Will take-home COVID tests be available at schools or the district office?
Take-home tests will be offered to symptomatic students and staff until state testing supplies are exhausted.
After test supplies are exhausted, City School will no longer offer take-home rapid tests.
Do I still need to quarantine for 5 days, if I test positive for COVID?
Follow CDC guidelines. See link here.
Also, following CDC guidelines (here), if you test postiive for COVID and isolate for 5 days, you still need to mask on days 6-10 when you return to work or school.
Are parents required to self-screen their children before sending them to school?
Parents are encouraged to continue to self-screen their children before sending them to school. Students should never be sent to school with a fever or COVID-like symptoms without administering a COVID test.
Are students, staff, visitors, and contactors still required to self-screen for COVID symptoms before entering the District Office or school campuses?
No, self-screening is not required to enter the district office or school campuses. But, if you are experiencing COVID-like symptoms, masking is strongly encouraged. We also recommend you seek help from your health care provider.
How do I report results of a take-home COVID test or a positive test?
Please email COVIDresponse@bcps.k12.md.us or call the COVID response team at (443) 984-1200 to report all positive COVID cases.
Will City Schools’ point-n-click reporting system still be an online resource to enter and report COVID positive cases?
No. After June 13, 2023, we will discontinue the point-n-click reporting system.
Will City Schools’ Public Facing - COVID Dashboard continue to track the number of positive cases with City Schools?
No. City Schools’ Public Facing - COVID Dashboard will no longer be available.
Does City Schools require COVID vaccination for students and staff?
No. But, COVID vaccination is strongly encouraged.
Is a negative COVID test required for field trips?
In-state day field trips: No. But, a negative COVID test is strongly encouraged. Also, if a student/staff member is feeling sick or has a fever they should stay home.
Overnight field trips: No. But, a negative COVID test is strongly encouraged. If a student/staff member is feeling sick or has a fever before departure, they should stay home. If they are feeling sick during the trip, they should wear a mask.
Out-of-state field trips: No, But, a negative COVID test is strongly encouraged. Also, if a student/staff member is feeling sick before departure, they should stay home. If they are feeling sick during the trip, they should wear a mask.
Out-of-country field trips: Please review CDC guidelines on international travel. See link here.
Are students and staff required to wear a mask in City Schools?
No. Masks are optional.
Students and staff are encouraged to wear a mask under the following conditions:
- If you have known exposure to COVID (close contact)
- If you are recovering from COVID
- If you develop COVID symptoms while at school/work
