December 18, 2025, Westover, MD — Somerset County Public Schools (SCPS) will send home school-issued devices with students ahead of winter break as a precautionary step in the event inclement weather impacts the return to school in January.
Secondary students will bring their devices home on Thursday, December 18, and elementary students will do so on Friday, December 19. Devices are being sent home to ensure students are prepared for virtual instruction if weather conditions make in-person learning unsafe when schools are scheduled to reopen on January 5.
SCPS has implemented a plan to use virtual instructional days whenever feasible during inclement weather. This approach allows teaching and learning to continue without adding additional make-up days to the end of the school year.
All students have a school-issued laptop or tablet. Families are encouraged to ensure devices are returned from break charged and ready for use, along with any necessary chargers. Schools will provide additional guidance to families on how to prepare students for virtual learning days, should they be needed.
If inclement weather prevents safe transportation or in-person operations, SCPS will announce a virtual instructional day through its normal communication channels, including phone, text, email, the SCPS website, and social media.
Families are encouraged to review the Virtual Day Plan, and monitor official SCPS communications for updates as the return from winter break approaches.