Will AACPS Return To Online Classes? Leaders Say No But Ask Teachers To Bring Devices Home

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel County Public Schools told teachers to bring their portable devices home daily in case they need to do "remote work of any kind," a report said. Anne Arundel First Alert broke the news, announcing that the school system sent a letter to all employees on Tuesday to inform them of the request.

"We have no plans at this time to convert to virtual instruction and will do so only as a last resort," AACPS Superintendent George Arlotto said in the letter obtained by journalist Holly Basta. "We are seeing more students and staff members directly impacted by cases each day and for them, the ability to learn or work remotely is essential."

Coronavirus concerns returned this week, as the new omicron variant drove another surge in Maryland's health metrics. Tuesday alone saw 6,218 positive tests, which was a single-day high during the pandemic. Hospitalizations have nearly tripled in the past month.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health on Tuesday released 100,000 free at-home rapid COVID-19 tests to combat the spike before Christmas and the New Year. Neighboring Prince George's County Public Schools resumed online classes on Monday to ride out the latest wave of infections.

To read the full letter to AACPS workers, check out the full story on Anne Arundel First Alert.

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