CAROZZA THANKS GOVERNOR HOGAN AND HIS ADMINISTRATION FOR PRIORITIZING RETURNING TO IN-PERSON LEARNING

Senator Mary Beth Carozza today thanked Governor Hogan and his Administration for their calls for Maryland school systems to return to in-person hybrid instruction no later than Monday, March 1, if not sooner. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Carozza has remained committed to ensuring that students are able to safely return to in-person learning as soon as possible, and supports the vaccination of teachers and school personnel in Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

“This call for our schools to return to in-person hybrid instruction by the beginning of March, if not sooner, is outstanding news, and I know it can be done safely and effectively,” Senator Carozza said after reviewing the new guidelines issued by the Maryland Department of Health and Department of Education to help ensure safe, in-person learning. “I have heard from countless parents and guardians in my district who would like to see their children back in a classroom so they may receive the best education possible. I also agree that based on the science, there is no public health reason to keep students out of schools. It is past time for our students to return safely to in-person learning.”

Carozza also supports the $781 million in additional funding from the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act to assist Maryland schools and students as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding will be used to help reopen classrooms, assess and address learning loss, provide targeted tutoring, and other initiatives to help students.

“The science speaks for itself,” said Senator Carozza. She noted the American Academy of Pediatrics reports that children absolutely need to return to in-school learning for their healthy development and well-being, and so safety in schools and in the community must be a priority.