By Leon Johnson
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Darryl L. Williams and the county executive have announced two new initiatives to help families with childcare and virtual learning.
Williams and County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced the Childcare Subsidies and Academic Support Centers on Thursday as parents, teachers and school administrators reacted to a surprise announcement that Baltimore County Public Schools would begin allowing some students back to classrooms by Nov. 13.
Williams said in an email obtained by The Baltimore Sun that the transition to in-person instruction is not mandatory. The goal would be to first offer in-person instruction to preschool and kindergarten students, along with some students with disabilities, he said.
In a press release, Williams and Olszewski said the purpose of the new initiatives is to provide assistance to the families of children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Olszewski said up to $7 million has been allocated to give eligible families a subsidy of up to $250 per week per child between ages 5 to 12 to cover the cost of care at any childcare provider licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education.
“We have an obligation to support the working families hit hard by this pandemic as they navigate the multi-faceted challenges presented by COVID-19, a struggling economy and remote learning,” Olszewski said. “These programs will provide support for working parents, and our subsidy will ensure that our lowest-income residents can access the care they need to allow them to continue working.”
Williams praised county government and local service providers for creating structured environments to assist students with virtual learning and childcare.
“Simultaneously, BCPS is continuing to develop its plans to bring small groups of students back into our classrooms as early as November,” said Williams who promised to quickly provide a timeline detailing the transition.
School leaders, administrators and union officials expressed concern with Williams’ plan.
Teacher union president Cindy Sexton told The Baltimore Sun, “There are so many logistical questions. Teachers are also concerned about those students and staff who have compromised immune systems or do not wish to go back into a classroom for other reasons.”
Academic support centers will be opened by the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks, the Y of Central Maryland, and other daycare providers in the region to offer full-day, in-person childcare for children from Kindergarten to Grade 5. Efforts will be made to make virtual learning easier as well as provide recreational activities. Social distancing and safety precautions still will be in effect. Food also will be offered.
A few learning centers are in the BCPS elementary schools. They will be operated by local daycare providers, including Hot Spots Extended Care Program and Kids Place Baltimore. Some centers will open as early as Oct. 5, while others will open Oct. 12. The centers will charge $250-$275 per week per child in fulltime care, officials said.
About 54 academic support centers will serve 1,552 students across Baltimore County, officials said.