Health and Safety Procedures

Prior to the 2021-22 school year, the (CDC) updated guidelines for opening schools for in-person learning, based on current understanding of COVID and the evolving pandemic. Working with state and local agencies, partners, and experts, City Schools developed a plan and procedures that have allowed us to welcome students and staff back to classrooms. These are outlined in detail in our COVID Health and Safety Guide: Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and Best Practices.

Download the guide >

Here is a summary of some of the key procedures now in place.

• Vaccinations are the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community. City Schools has partnered with the Baltimore City Health Department to provide vaccination clinics at schools. Please check the schedule regularly for new dates and locations.
• In-school testing helps identify potentially infected people so that steps can be taken to prevent spread of the virus. Also, beginning in January 2022, eligible students and staff can get rapid tests that may eliminate the need to miss days at school.
  • Note that unvaccinated students are required to be tested weekly, either in school at no cost or by a third-party medical provider by parent/guardian arrangement and potential expense. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated students are strongly encouraged to participate in free in-school testing but can do so only if their parent/guardian agrees on the consent form (English or Spanish).
• Everyone entering a City Schools building is reminded to monitor symptoms and not to enter if they are experiencing symptoms.
• Quarantining and isolation are now reduced in many cases to five days for those diagnosed with COVID and for unvaccinated students who are close contacts of someone who has COVID.
• Physical distancing will be maximized to the extent possible while allowing students to return for in-person learning. 
• In-person events and meetings with families can take place with participants physically distanced and/or capacity of large gathering spaces limited to 50%.
• Ventilation has been improved with high-quality filters and air purifiers to reduce the spread of viruses in the air.
• Cleaning and disinfecting happen daily, with products designed to eliminate viruses. 
• Personal hygiene will continue to be stressed, including teaching students about proper handwashing, use of tissues, covering sneezes and coughs, etc.