Starting today, December 1, Frederick County public school students wishing to participate in extracurricular activities must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test.

Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) now requires students participating in an array of extracurricular activities to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID test. The Frederick County School Board narrowly passed the mitigation policy back in October.

The Return to Play Committee explained the new rules:

Who: Students taking part in athletics, performing arts and other extracurricular activities that have interscholastic competition.

What: Must either show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 OR participate in a weekly screening test program.

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The activities that are immediately affected by this decision are winter athletics, extracurricular performing arts (drama productions, choral and music performing groups), Model UN, academic team and mock trial. FCPS will evaluate other extracurricular groups based on the ability to wear a facial covering while participating, engagement in interscholastic competition and whether the activity is conducted indoors or outdoors.

Read the full policy explanation from Frederick County Public School’s Return to Play Committee.