As MCPS prepares for a virtual first semester, several stakeholders express frustration regarding the county’s planning process

Montgomery County Public Schools announced on July 21 that the first semester of the upcoming school year will be virtual, meaning that students and staff will engage in an entirely online learning environment from Aug. 31 until at least Jan. 29, 2021. Since then, many teachers, students, and parents have expressed concern about the continued ambiguity surrounding this plan as the first day of school draws closer. Adjusting to a new normal  The first draft of the fully-virtual recovery plan was released to the public on Aug. 4 and dis…