Student Life
RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM
MSD Student Life has returned to pre-pandemic operations on both campuses.
Current guidance from the U.S. Fire Administration allows for 113 square feet per person in determining the number of occupants per room for both campuses.
Residential Child and Youth Care Practitioners will monitor student health and potential symptoms daily. The school nurse will be contacted if any COVID-19-like symptoms are suspected. Nurses are available on site and on call. In the event of an emergency, staff will call 911.
Air purifiers are stationed in each dorm room and common areas.
ATHLETICS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
MSD's interscholastic athletics and extracurricular programs have returned to full-capacity in-person operations for the 2023-2024 school year. Participation in interscholastic athletics and extracurricular activities benefits students academically, physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially. Athletic and extracurricular activities allow MSD students to stay connected with their classmates, teammates, coaches, sponsors, and school in a controlled and responsible manner.
The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association's Guidance aligns with MSD procedures and protocols. Students, staff, and visitors are expected to follow current guidelines and mitigation strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
MSD has developed a COVID-19 and Voluntary Extracurricular Activities Waiver of Liability form in which families agree to take responsibility for their child(ren)'s participation in and potential COVID-19 exposure risks during these optional and noncredit extracurricular activities.
— ATHLETICS
Student-athletes, staff, visiting teams, officials, and spectators must follow the procedures and protocols outlined in the most current version of the Return to Play Guidelines. This plan aligns with guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Maryland State Department of Education, the Maryland Department of Health, local health departments, the Maryland Public Secondary Schools of Athletic Association, the Frederick County Public School Athletics, Howard County Public School System Athletics, and the Maryland School for the Deaf.
The Return to Play Guidelines is available online at www.msdathletics.com/returntoplay/.
— AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
MSD's After-School Programs (ASP) has returned to its pre-pandemic operations for the 2023-2024 school year. ASP is offered to elementary, middle, and high school students from Mondays through Thursdays.
Students will be asked to sanitize their hands before entering ASP common areas and before and after playing on the playground. MSD will utilize outdoor spaces and may consider limiting the capacity or adjusting activities to encourage distancing when needed.
Students showing or reporting symptoms at any time during ASP will be brought to the Student Health Center for evaluation. If the school nurse determines that the student has COVID-19-like symptoms, the student's family will be contacted for immediate pick-up, and the principal's office will be notified for communication purposes.
ASP is provided on the Columbia campus for elementary and middle school students from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, with pick-up scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ASP is offered on the Frederick campus for elementary and middle school students from 3:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Thursday, with pick-up scheduled from 4:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The after-school program for high school students is available from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
— EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Extracurricular activities has returned to pre-pandemic normalcy on both campuses. Safety protocols and guidelines are the same for both campuses and will be followed to ensure the health and safety of participating students and staff. MSD may consider a limited capacity or adjustment of activities as needed. Any extracurricular activities that involve going off campus, including travel to another state or country, must be approved by the department head and campus principal. All parties involved will be required to review activity plans to ensure the safety of participants. Approval and scheduling will be contingent upon health metrics and safety recommendations.