Parenting In a Pandemic: Tips to Keep the Calm at Home

Mood Boosting Tips for Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Tips to Help Juggle Parenting & Working From Home During COVID-19

The Fredericksburg Independent School District (FISD) 2020–2021 COVID-19 Guidance was developed in cooperation with campus principals, directors, and central office administrators.

 Mr. Dalen Kirchner, FISD District Safety Coordinator will also serve as the designated coordinator, for the COVID-19 safety in the workplace.  This guide aims to ensure the safety for students and staff, coupled with a top-rated pre-K–12 grade education for all students during a pandemic outbreak.

 FISD campuses agree to follow the guidelines set forth herein.  The campus principal and his/her staff will address issues that may arise at their campus.  The campus administration, directors, central office administrators, and community stakeholders will access this guide to address any challenges that restrict educational experiences due to COVID-19 at any time during the 2020–2021 school year.

 This guide describes the safety procedures that will be implemented, instructional expectations, and daily operations (i.e. transportation and meals).

State and/or local decisions to suspend or limit in-person activities will determine the need for FISD to follow Plan A and B as detailed in this guide; and this may change at any time during the school year.

 Unless otherwise informed by a campus principal, all safety, academic, and operational expectations will be followed throughout the 2020–2021 school year.  The plan FISD will use to start school in the fall for 2020–2021 will be communicated to stakeholders, students, and parents/guardians in a timely manner and will follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)^[1], Texas Education Agency (TEA)^[2], and state government guidelines.

This document refers to “close contact” with an individual who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19. Close contact is determined by an appropriate public health agency. For clarity, close contact is defined as:

• being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on); or
• being within 6 feet for a cumulative duration of 15 minutes;                                  if either occurred at any time in the last 14 days at the same time the infected individual was infectious. Individuals are presumed infectious at least two days prior to symptom onset or, in the case of asymptomatic individuals who are lab-confirmed with COVID-19, two days prior to the confirming lab test.

The key to returning to successful, sustained in-person instruction will be our commitment to health and safety guidelines. In-person instruction will resume on August 24^th.  Students will follow regular schedules and course assignments. FISD supports The American Academy of Pediatrics guidance which strongly advocates for policy considerations for the coming school year that starts with the goal of having students physically present in school. They further state that "Schools are fundamental to child and adolescent development and well-being."

 The District budgeted for the necessary cleaning and sanitization supplies that will be needed to open the schools in August. The Texas Education Agency has also provided additional supplies to school districts. All classrooms will be equipped with plenty of hand sanitizer, and bathrooms will be stocked with soap and paper towels. Parents do not need to send additional cleaning supplies to the campuses. However parents are welcome to send hand sanitizer to school with their child(ren).

 All students will receive instruction during the first week of school on appropriate hygiene practices, and mitigation strategies will be reinforced throughout the school year. We have faith that our students will embrace doing their part to keep their home and school families safe.

Public Health Statement

 As it has always been, the health and safety of our staff and students remain our highest priority. While it is not possible to eliminate all risk of furthering the spread of COVID-19, this guidance document contains information on four sets of practices that minimize the likelihood of viral spread. These protocols and guidelines will be modified based on public health and governmental directives and advancing scientific knowledge on the transmissibility of COVID-19. We also believe that educating our students about proper hygiene techniques and necessary safety measures to prevent the spread will not only keep them safe but will also keep their respective families safe.

 Let’s all work together and do our part to ensure a safe and successful school year for all students and staff. 

Texas Education Agency (TEA) Information as of July 2020

The Governor and Commissioner of Education are committed to Texas schools reopening for students and staff for the 2020-2021 school year.

All school districts in the state of Texas are required to offer both On-Campus learning and Remote Learning for the 2020-21 school year.

TEA has given guidance on four sets of practices that minimize the likelihood of viral spread:

• Provide Notice: Requirements for parental and public notices.
• Prevent: Required practices to prevent the virus from entering the school.
• Respond: Required practices to respond to a lab-confirmed case in the school.
• Mitigate: Recommended and required practices to reduce the likely spread inside the school.

Per TEA:  There will almost certainly be situations that necessitate temporary school closure due to positive COVID-19 cases in schools. Parents, educators, and school administrators should be prepared for this in the event that it occurs, while actively working to prevent it through prevention and mitigation practices. https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/health-safety-discipline/covid/coronavirus-covid-19-support-and-guidance  All plans, including those in this document, will be regularly reviewed and updated based on guidance from TEA.

Fredericksburg ISD Communication

Consistent communication will be more important than ever during 2020-2021. Parents and guardians need to know where they can receive factual information about current situations. Some simple communication guidelines below will ensure that we can communicate effectively with all families as situations arise during the 2020-2021 school year.

Communication with Parents and Students

• As students return to school, registrars should verify that all families have a valid email address.
• Campus administrators will communicate to families that all essential communication will be sent through FISD Blackboard the FISD Parent Notification System.
• Campus administrators are also encouraged to use other tools like social media or a newsletter in conjunction with Blackboard the Parent Notification System of FISD.
• Weekly communication from the principal to parents is recommended.
• It is also recommended that principals set the expectation for teachers to communicate with students and families weekly about each week’s expectations and what students will be learning.

Plan A: Normal on Campus Learning (Safety Procedures in Place)

• Plan A may be implemented during the 2020–21 school year.
• This term will be used during 2020-2021 to refer to students coming to the school buildings to learn and participate in activities. Students will attend school on a regular instructional schedule and will engage in face-to-face learning on campus during school hours.

Elementary students in grades PK-5 will be assigned to grade level classes that will be taught by teachers at their home campus. Secondary students in grades 6-12 will follow their class schedules by transitioning to different classrooms for instruction. Classroom instruction will be designed for mastery of student learning outcomes based on the academic standards called the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for each content area.

Plan B:  100% Remote Learning

• Remote Learning - This term will be used during the 2020-2021 school year to refer to students and parents who have made a commitment to participating in learning from home or another location. Remote Learning will have rigorous standards and highly structured schedules. Students in remote learning will be held to the Fredericksburg ISD grading procedures. Classroom instruction will be designed for mastery of student learning outcomes based on the academic standards called the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for each content area.
• The Instructional Coaches at each campus shall train staff on virtual learning expectations.
• The teacher shall have contact with all students Monday–Friday per TEA guidance. This shall be done through video conferencing (Google Classroom platform with Zoom or Google Meets) or telephone.
• The teacher shall submit a contact log to the campus principal on Friday of each week.
• Google Classroom Learning Management System (LMS) will be used for Secondary Remote Learning coupled with teacher Zoom, Google Meets and/or telephone meetings. A full instructional plan will be determined by the Instructional Coach and principal at Fredericksburg Middle School (FMS) and Fredericksburg High School (FHS).
• Google Classroom-designed curriculum will be used for Elementary Remote Learning coupled with Zoom, Google Meets and telephone meetings. A full instructional plan will be determined by the Instructional Coach and principals at Fredericksburg Primary School (FPS), Fredericksburg Elementary School (FES), and Stonewall Elementary School (SES).
• Teachers shall respond to a parent or student e-mail or telephone call within 24 hours, except on weekends.
• Staff shall be present on campus Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
• Principals shall designate a replacement staff member due to COVID-19 confinement.

FISD will offer on campus-in person instruction as well as options for online learning utilizing the Google Classroom Learning Management System (LMS).  Beginning on July 23^rd, parents will be asked to complete a commitment form and choose either in-person instruction or remote learning.  This enrollment verification will be vital for campuses to make staffing adjustments for each individual instructional model.  Once the parent chooses the remote-learning option, the commitment to learning remotely must be made until the end of the grading period.

Educator, Parent and Student Support

Classroom teachers, students, and instructional coaches need on-going supports during this time.  Campuses will create an On-Site or Professional Learning team by combining the expertise of the principal, assistant principal, interventionists, instructional coaches, the Curriculum and Instruction Department, the Technology Department and Special Services Department to support the campus staff and families of remote learners and the students on-campus.  The district will be providing additional support to families through the COVID-19 District resource website that will go live on July 29^th.  This will allow the district to maintain strong communication with the families of our students, gather feedback, and provide support as needed.  Campus instructional coaches will be designated as Trainer of Trainers (TOT) and experts in delivering initial and on-going campus training on the Google Classroom Learning Management System (LMS).  Professional Learning Community (PLC) practices will provide teachers in different settings with a forum for sharing best practices and support for their peers and students. 

Pre-K – 12^th grade will use the Google Classroom LMS platform and other online tools for posting lessons, resources, assignments, turning in student work and for interacting with teachers.

All students who participate in remote instruction will be allowed to participate in UIL activities.

All grade levels will have opportunities to schedule intervention and support directly from their teacher.  Regular grading policies apply to all virtual learning models.  Students are required to complete assignments commensurate to what is asked of in-person students.  Student engagement in academic work remotely ensures an equivalent to direct content work for in person learning in a normal school year.  As guidance, this direct work with academic content matches or exceeds the following average daily minimums across all subjects:

• Half-day PreK: 90 minutes instructional minutes
• Full-day PreK: 180 instructional minutes
• K-5th Grade: 180 instructional minutes
• 6th-12th Grade: 240 instructional minutes

Asynchronous Instruction refers to self-paced instruction with intermittent teacher interaction.  There is pre-assigned work with formative assessments on paper or on the Google Classroom Learning Management System (LMS).  Students may also watch pre-recorded videos of instruction with guided support.  Asynchronous student expectations include:

• Participating in a daily virtual touchpoint with the teacher, if requested.
• Showing proof of participation in daily virtual instruction by satisfactorily completing assignments to demonstrate evidence of student learning, including video, picture, or activities submitted as lessons and/or completed assignments.
• Communication with the teacher when there is a need for additional assistance or tutoring.
• Designating a work space and work times at home.

Synchronous Instruction refers to live, scheduled, interactive classes with teachers and students in real-time, teacher-supported work time, and scheduled and timed online tests.  Synchronous student expectations include:

• Attending class on time per teacher scheduled time.
• Dressing appropriately when participating in classes.
• Being ready and prepared to learn during class.
• Having a designated work space free from distractions.
• Showing their face on the screen to engage with the teacher and other classmates virtually.
• Participating appropriately in the class with the teacher and other students.

Material Design

FISD staff will implement the TEKS Resource System (TRS) and various other TEKS-based, state adopted instructional materials locally adopted by the district utilizing Clever Single Sign On access integrated into the Google Classroom Learning Management System (LMS).  These resources will work to ensure vertical alignment is maintained and teachers are adhering to standards.  Student’s understanding of the content will be monitored in accordance with the campus assessment calendars to check for mastery of the standards.  FISD will use the TEKS Gap Implementation Tool from TRS to identify potential learning gaps that can be addressed and insert additional prerequisite lessons into the scope and sequence as needed and appropriate for the order of content.

PreK- 2^nd Grade Classes

PreK- 2nd Grade Classes
Core Areas	Students will receive Asynchronous Instruction. It is the only model approved by the Texas Education Agency for this age group. It is based on:   (1)  There must be daily progress in an LMS (Learning Management System) = Google Classroom (2)  There will be daily teacher-student interaction via Google Meets and/or Zoom (3)  The student will complete and turn in assignments through the LMS. (4)  The teacher will schedule one-on-one tutorials, guided learning groups, and intervention time weekly and as needed.
Special Classes	We will not provide direct instruction online for music, art, PE and gifted and talented classes, but the district will provide lessons for these areas. Students may access these lessons after completing work in the core areas. The physical education teacher will provide instructional videos for the home teacher to post. Students are required to have physical education on a daily basis.
Attendance/Grades	Daily attendance will be taken. Being “present” is determined daily by one of three methods: teacher interaction with a student; progress documented in the LMS; and/or an assignment completed and turned in to the teacher.
Parent Commitment	The District recommends that this age-group have significant adult support at home in order to navigate the learning management system.

 

3^rd- 5^th Grade Classes

3rd- 5th Grade Classes
Core Areas	Students will receive Asynchronous Instruction blended with pre- scheduled Synchronous real-time instruction with the teacher based on: (1)  There must be daily progress in an LMS (Learning Management System) = Google Classroom (2)  There will be daily teacher-student interaction via Google Hangout and/or Zoom (3)  The student will complete and turn in assignments through the LMS. (4)  The teacher will schedule tutorials, guided learning groups, and intervention time weekly and as needed.
Special Classes	We will not provide direct instruction online for music, art, PE and gifted and talented classes, but the district will provide lessons for these areas. Students may access these lessons after completing work in the core areas. The physical education teacher will provide instructional videos for the home teacher to post. Students are required to have physical education on a daily basis.
Attendance/Grades	Daily attendance will be taken. Being “present” is determined daily by one of three methods: teacher interaction with a student; progress documented in the LMS; and/or an assignment completed and turned in to the teacher.
Parent Commitment	The District recommends that this age-group have significant adult support at home in order to navigate the learning management system.

 

6^th - 8^th Grade Classes

6th - 8th Grade Classes
Core Areas	Students will receive Asynchronous Instruction blended with pre- scheduled Synchronous real-time instruction with the teacher based on: (1)  There must be daily progress in an LMS (Learning Management System) = Google Classroom (2)  There will be daily teacher-student interaction via Google Hangout and/or Zoom (3)  The student will complete and turn in assignments through the LMS. (4)  The teacher will schedule tutorials, guided learning groups, and intervention time weekly and as needed.
Elective Classes	Elective courses will be offered with Asynchronous instruction. Teachers will post lessons on the Google Classroom (LMS), and students will complete work independently. Elective teachers may schedule synchronous touch points if needed with their students. Elective course selection will be limited.
CTE Classes	CTE classes will be offered asynchronously through the Google Classroom LMS.
Attendance/Grades	Daily attendance will be taken. Being “present” is determined daily by one of three methods: teacher interaction with a student; progress documented in the LMS; and/or an assignment completed and turned in to the teacher.
Parent Commitment	The District recommends that this age-group have moderate adult support at home in order to navigate the learning management system.

 

9^th – 12^th Grade Classes

9th - 12th Grade Classes
Core Areas	Students will receive Asynchronous Instruction blended with pre- scheduled Synchronous real-time instruction with the teacher based on: (1)  There must be daily progress in an LMS (Learning Management System) = Google Classroom (2)  There will be daily teacher-student interaction via Google Hangout and/or Zoom (3)  The student will complete and turn in assignments through the LMS. (4)  The teacher will schedule tutorials, guided learning groups, and intervention time weekly and as needed.
Elective Classes	Elective courses will be offered with Asynchronous instruction. Teachers will post lessons on the Google Classroom (LMS), and students will complete work independently. Elective teachers may schedule synchronous touch points if needed with their students. Elective course selection will be limited.
CTE Classes	CTE classes will be offered asynchronously through the Google Classroom LMS.  See additional information in CTE section below.
Dual Credit Classes	Dual credit classes will be offered in person and remotely through asynchronous and synchronous instruction.
Advance Placement (AP) Classes:	Advanced Placement classes will be offered in person and remotely through asynchronous and synchronous instruction.
Attendance/Grades	Daily attendance will be taken. Being “present” is determined daily by one of three methods: teacher interaction with a student; progress documented in the LMS; and/or an assignment completed and turned in to the teacher.
Parent Commitment	The District recommends that this age-group have limited adult support at home in order to navigate the learning management system.

 

Food Services for Remote Learners 

Wheter or not we can do curbside pick-up for those who choose online learning will depend on lunch times and how many students on campus vs. off campus. 

The Parent's Guide to Google Classroom

Parents' Ultimate Guide to Google Classroom

Student Tour of Google Classroom

Google Classroom Cheat Sheet for Students

Curriculum

The 2020–2021 FISD calendar has been revised with the start date of August 24^th, 2020 and for teachers the remainder of the calendar being the same.  This additional five professional development days will be used to plan for the challenges of COVID-19.  The district calendar can be found on the district website at https://www.fisd.org/

• Attendance expectations will be communicated to FISD by TEA.
• Professional days will be reserved for on-campus planning/training to address needs, as determined by the campus leadership team.
• By the end of the first week of school:
  • Campuses shall determine the number of devices needed to provide equitable technology access, including wireless availability for all students.
  • All students shall be taught how to access student e-mail, memorize student ID, and log into all accounts needed to access digital learning. Students should utilize all necessary technology on a routine basis.

Isolation Protocols

Student or Staff Displaying COVID-19 Symptoms:

• When a student has displayed symptoms of COVID-19, the school nurse will provide a clinical assessment to determine if and when a student needs to be sent home.
• Campus nurses have temporal thermometers that will be utilized on campus, as needed.
• Students who are ill will be separated from their peers and should be picked up within 30 minutes and no later than 1 hour from the time the campus contacted the student’s parent/guardian.
• Other students will be removed from the classroom and taken to an alternate location on campus so the classroom can be disinfected.
• District communication will be provided to the parents of students who came in contact with a COVID-19 positive student or staff member.
• Staff members displaying COVID-19 symptoms will follow district protocols, including isolation from students and other staff members.
• Students or staff with possible symptoms of COVID-19 but a negative test will require a physician letter of an alternate diagnosis to return.
• Students or staff who come into close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and may not return to campus during that time.
• All employee and students shall follow the quarantine guidelines set forth by the CDC.
• Principals will be in contact with employees before school starts to address any concerns.

• Confirmed/Positive Test Results Protocols – Employee/Student

  Isolation protocol & example scenarios note: These TEA protocols are the same as those issued by Department of State Health Services (DSHS) for all employers.

  • #1: If a student shows symptoms at school, immediately separate the student until picked up by parent/guardian.
  • #2: If teacher, staff or student experiences any COVID-19 symptom, he/she self-isolates until the CDC required criteria have been met.
  • #3: If the individual was diagnosed with COVID-19, the individual may return to campus when all three of the following criteria are met: 1. at least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications); and 2. individual has significant improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and 3. at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
  • #4: If the individual has symptoms that could be COVID-19, but does not get evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, the individual is assumed to have COVID-19, and the individual may not return to campus until all three criteria are met:

  •  - At least one day (24 hours) has passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications);

  • - The individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and
  • - At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
  • Ex # 4: If the individual has symptoms that could be COVID-19, the individual is assumed to have COVID-19, and the individual may not return to campus until all three criteria are met:

  •  - At least one day (24 hours) has passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications);

  • - The individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and
  • - At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
  • Ex # 5: If the individual has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and wants to return to school before completing the above stay at home period, the individual must either:
  • a) obtain a medical professional's note cleaning the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis or
  • b) obtain an acute infection test at an approved testing location https://tdem.texas.gov/covid-19/ 

  • Confirmed Diagnosis

    Step 1. Notification

    • District administration will send notification to all campus participants if a positive COVID-19 case is identified among participants (employees or students). For students, such written notification is to be provided to the parents or guardians of the students.
    • District administration must also notify the local health department.

    Step 2. Contact Trace

    • The District must identify any individuals who had regular or close contact with the affected participant. The student’s and/or the employee’s confidentiality will be maintained whenever possible, and all involved will remind others of the need to keep personal and medical information confidential.
    • Student Health Services and Risk Management will work with the employee and/or student to determine the last date the employee and/or student was physically present in any district facility.
      • Core group: ➢ Will include the entire class (students, teachers and staff) ➢ May include other teachers and staff (if multiple teachers work regularly with the student or staff member)
      • Extended group: ➢ Anyone who interacted with individuals in core group on a regular basis or came in close contact with core individuals ➢ Extended group should be considered potentially exposed as well and should be screened for symptoms and tested for COVID-19 before returning to school.

    • Step 3. Follow Isolation Protocols (See Confirmed/Positive Test Results Protocols – Employee/Student Above)

      Step 4: Area Sanitation: District administration will contact the facility’s staff to sanitize all areas the student/employee was in within 72 hours from the time of the known exposure.

    • COVID-19 Symptoms

      Any of the following symptoms indicate a possible COVID-19 infection:
    • Temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher when taken by mouth;
    • Sore throat;
    • New uncontrolled cough that caused difficulty breathing (or, for students with chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline);
    • Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain; or
    • New onset of sever headache, especially with a fever. 

  • Member of Household Confirmed Diagnosis

    Report of a student’s/employee’s member of a household having a confirmed diagnosis should be made to campus or department administrator.

    • 14-day quarantine (at home)
    • Closure of classroom, hallway, or building to allow for sanitization.
    • Return to school or work will require the student or employee to not have had symptoms for 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and be symptom-free prior to his/her return or with a release from his/her treating physician.

    Primary Exposure

    A primary exposure would include proximity (within 6 feet) to a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 for a period of more than 15 minutes without a face mask.

  • Report of a student/employee having a primary exposure should be made to campus or department administrator.
  • 14-day quarantine according to the CDC
  • Return to school or work will require the student or employee to not have had symptoms for 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing mediation and be symptom-free prior to his/her return or with a release from his/her treating physician.
  • Even if you test negative for COVID-19 or feel healthy, you should stay home 14 days (quarantine) since symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

    Secondary Exposure

    A secondary exposure would include a person in the employee’s household was in proximity (within 6 feet) of a person with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19-19 for a period of more than 15 minutes without a face mask.

    
    
    • Student/employee may come to school or work.
    • Monitor for symptoms.
    • A self-screening health form is viewable on the FISD website. This information will be electronically distributed to families and staff and will be utilized for any extra-curricular events. Staff will be required to report the self-screening information each day before reporting to work. 
    • https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSUD9a1BSjNdkS_CGj8ugzDXDpEqlZu1uiHUPSJBVBtuII5A/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1
    • If staff, students, or visitors have any symptoms related to COVID-19, contact the school’s front office and DO NOT enter the campus.
    • All employees and students shall follow the quarantine guidelines set forth by the CDC.
    • Campus nurses have temporal thermometers that will be utilized on campus, as needed.
    • Regularly performing a forehead temperature check of otherwise asymptomatic students in school is not recommended by TEA. https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/Covid-19-SY-20-21-Public-Health-Guidance.pdf
    • PPE materials will be distributed to each campus’s administration for staff distribution.
    • Principals will be in contact with employees before school starts to address any concerns.
    • If a staff member tests positive, the Campus Crisis Team will be notified (Campus Crisis Teams consist of the campus Principal, Assistant Principal, Nurses, FISD Safety Director, and the Superintendent).
    • Order of reporting a positive Covid-19 case: district safety director who will then confidentially meet with the campus principal to discuss further actions with Central Office.

      Safety Expectations

      At Home - Screening

  • • Per TEA guidelines school systems must require teachers and staff to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms before onto campus each day.
    • Per TEA guidelines parents must ensure they do not send a child to school on campus if the child has COVID-19 symptoms (as listed in this document) or is lab-confirmed with COVID-19, and instead should opt to receive remote instruction until conditions for re-entry are met.
    • Per TEA guidelines before visitors are allowed onto campuses, school systems must screen all visitors to determine if the visitors have COVID-19 symptoms (as listed in this document) or are lab-confirmed with COVID-19, and, if so, they must remain off campus until they meet the criteria for re-entry.
    • A self-screening health form is viewable on the FISD website. This information will be electronically distributed to families and staff and will be utilized for any extra-curricular events. Staff will be required to report the self-screening information each day before reporting to work. 
    • https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSUD9a1BSjNdkS_CGj8ugzDXDpEqlZu1uiHUPSJBVBtuII5A/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1
    • If staff, students, or visitors have any symptoms related to COVID-19, contact the school’s front office and DO NOT enter the campus.
    • All employees and students shall follow the quarantine guidelines set forth by the CDC.
    • Campus nurses have temporal thermometers that will be utilized on campus, as needed.
    • Regularly performing a forehead temperature check of otherwise asymptomatic students in school is not recommended by TEA. https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/Covid-19-SY-20-21-Public-Health-Guidance.pdf
    • PPE materials will be distributed to each campus’s administration for staff distribution.
    • Principals will be in contact with employees before school starts to address any concerns.
    • If a staff member tests positive, the Campus Crisis Team will be notified (Campus Crisis Teams consist of the campus Principal, Assistant Principal, Nurses, FISD Safety Director, and the Superintendent).
    • Order of reporting a positive Covid-19 case: district safety director who will then confidentially meet with the campus principal to discuss further actions with Central Office.

• COVID-19 Symptoms for Screening

  Visitors

  • Visitors will be allowed on a campus for educational purposes only at the discretion of the campus principal.
  • Visitors will be required to hand sanitize, self-check temperature before leaving home, and follow all CDC self-regulating screening guidelines.

  Masks

  • Schools are required to comply with the governor's executive order regarding the wearing of masks, per TEA guidance. 
  • Protective measures, including the use of face coverings, will be determined by an Executive Order by the Governor.
  • Masks will be worn by all students above age 10 and staff throughout campus as long as the Governor’s orders are in place. (For students who do not bring a mask from home, a disposable mask will be provided to the students and teachers by FISD).
  • Masks will be distributed based on the percentage of students and staff in the district.

  Information about the use of masks as a safety precaution will be distributed to staff, students, and visitors along with a self-regulating safety guide.

  Daily Campus Cleaning

  • Each classroom and restroom will be disinfected daily and throughout the day with approved CDC cleaning products especially all high touch surfaces.
  • Bleach will also be a preferred cleaning product.
  • Custodians will wear masks and gloves during work hours.
  • Desks, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces will be disinfected after movement of student groups. (Teachers will have access to disinfectants to sanitize high-touch services and shared objects regularly.)
  • Use of hand sanitizer and hand washing by students, staff, and visitors is strongly encouraged, especially before and after movement of student groups—one pump of sanitizer is sufficient. Although hand sanitizer will be provided on each campus, it is strongly encouraged that students bring hand sanitizer from home.

  Water Fountains

  
  
  • The water fountains in each school will be closed. Students will need to bring their own water bottles to school. 
  • Schools will have processes in place for students to safely refill their water bottles throughout the day so students stay well hydrated.

    Hand washing/Sanitizing Expectations

    • Hand sanitizer will be available at the main entry to the campus, in classrooms, in the cafeteria and in common areas throughout the campus.
    • Staff will be expected to regularly wash or sanitize their hands.
    • Requirement for hand washing and/or use of Fredericksburg ISD-provided hand sanitizer: Provide hand sanitizer upon entry to classroom and periodic teacher reminders during instructional day.
    • Thorough hand washing after physical activity, before eating, following restroom breaks.

FISD Response to Positive Cases of Covid-19 on Campus

 (Determined prior to Guidance from TEA and subject to change)

• If more than 2% of students at an elementary campus are active positive Covid-19 cases the campus will be closed for a period of up to 5 days and students will temporarily transition to remote learning during that closure
• If more than 2% of students in grades 6-8 are active positive Covid-19 cases the campus will close for a period of up to 5 days and students will temporarily transition remote learning during that closure
• If more than 2% of Fredericksburg High School students are active positive Covid-19 cases the campus will be closed for a period of up to 5 days and all students will temporarily transition to remote learning
• If more than one campus must close due to active positive Covid-19 cases the entire district may be closed for a period of up to 5 days and all students will transition to remote learning
• FISD may make the decision to temporarily close an individual classroom based on a concentration of positive Covid-19 cases
• Classroom and campus closures of in-person instruction could be impacted by staff availability

Arrival

• Early bird arrivals are strongly discouraged. Any students dropped off before the building is open will not be allowed inside the building and must stay socially distanced from other students while waiting for the building to open. Any exceptions would need to be specifically arranged with campus administration. The building principals will communicate to parents the times that the schools will be open.
• Arrival protocols will be established to maintain physical distancing.
• Students will go directly to their homeroom/first period class or designated location upon arrival.
• Lockers will be assigned and accessed only at times designated as appropriate on each individual campus.
• Parents will NOT be permitted to walk students inside the school building.
• Separate entrances will be utilized for different groups of students (i.e. grade level, drivers, bus riders, etc.), and each group of students will be directed to a designated location prior to the start of school.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be placed at entrances and exits.
• There will be bus procedures, based on campus specific needs.

Dismissal

• Campus will designate staggered dismissal groups. Staggering the groups of walkers, car riders, bus riders, or grade level will help manage student movement in the building and decrease the risk of potential crowding outside at dismissal time.
• Sanitizer stations will be placed at each exit and students will be encouraged to sanitize hands prior to exit.
• There will be bus procedures to encourage social distancing based on campus specific needs.

(Open House, Fish Camp, Football, Registration Days, Field Trips, etc.)

• CDC guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19 will be followed for community and on-campus gatherings. (Currently, no large gatherings are permitted per the Governor’s order.
• In large gatherings, participants shall social distance and wash hands often for 20 seconds.
• Campuses will increase the use of virtual experiences when appropriate.

• Fredericksburg ISD will maintain its outstanding safety record of transporting students to and from school with the same care as past years. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, additional health and safety measures will be implemented.
• Bus drivers shall take each student’s temperature before he/she enters the bus. A student showing a temperature above 100° degrees who does not have an adult present will be seated in the front of the bus. The student will remain outside the campus upon arrival. A parent or guardian will be contacted to pick the student up immediately.
• Bus drivers and students will wear face protection, and hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance of every bus.
• Bus drivers will be required to wear gloves each day.
• Buses will be sanitized after every route is completed, focusing on high-touch services.
• The chemical used is Vital Oxide or Chlorine dioxide.
• The sprayer is a cordless/portable electrostatic sprayer that provides an electrical charge to the solution allowing it to wrap all surfaces with a fine mist that, when it dries on the surface, eliminates the virus.
• To support contact tracing, students will be assigned seats, and a seating chart will be maintained by the bus driver.

Front entrance desks

• Each campus will have plexiglass (or protective barrier) between the secretary and any visitors that enter into the building.

Classroom Configurations and Procedures

• Desks or tables will be socially distanced as much as instructionally possible.
• Students will use hand sanitizer upon entering the classroom.
• Student materials and supplies will be placed in close proximity to students to reduce movement in the classroom.
• When possible, eliminate communal supplies. Shared supplies will be sanitized between use.
• Reduce the use of large table seating in classrooms and replace with desks when possible. If tables are used, limit the number of students per table and identify which seats are to be used to provide as much social distancing as possible.
• To the extent possible, keep doors open between classes to minimize contact with doors and door handles by students and staff entering or exiting classrooms.
• The recommended procedures will be applied to all classroom settings, including special education services locations when possible and appropriate. Students’ individual needs will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Classroom Instructional Adjustments

• When possible, technology can be utilized when the use of manipulatives is needed. Teachers will consider assigning cohorts of students’ specific manipulatives in order to reduce the possibility of exposure or consider creating individual bags of supplementary aids and/or manipulatives for student use that could also be sent home in the event of school closure.
• Whenever possible, students and staff will maintain consistent groupings of people to minimize the spread of the virus. Additionally, supplemental services will be grouped by grade level when possible.
• The use of outdoor space for learning will be considered when possible. Students should continue to maintain 6 feet distance. Classroom groups working outside will maintain at least 12 feet of social distance from other classroom groups.

Collaborative Work and Projects

• When possible, technology should be utilized when students are involved in collaborative work.
• Group or pair work can be implemented while maintaining physical distancing.
• It is recommended that students who work in pairs or groups wear a face covering.

Special Education Return to School Guidance

Parents are encouraged to send students to school with masks even if the students are reluctant to wear them. Fredericksburg ISD will follow the governor’s order for face coverings. District staff will work with students on wearing masks as part of daily lessons.

• When appropriate, students will be provided face shields instead of facemasks.
• Hygiene routines will be taught, modeled and practiced in all self-contained classrooms.
• Any students or staff involved in a restraint will be provided the opportunity to wash/sanitize any exposed skin immediately after the restraint.
• Specialized equipment will be sanitized between each use. There will be adequate supplies to minimize the sharing of high touch materials or limit use of supplies of equipment to one group of students at a time.
• Procedures and protocols will be put into place to address locker rooms. Protocols will be in place for disinfecting of equipment, students changing clothes, students showering, distancing of students, etc.

Career and Technical Education

Career and Technical Education classes will follow industry-based safety guidelines as appropriate to the equipment and course content.

Physical Education (P.E.) Classroom

• Whenever possible, physical education classes will be held outside to allow for maximum physical distance between students.
• Any activities bringing students into close physical contact will be avoided.
• Visual markers will be on the gym floor and bleachers as reminders of social distancing rules.
• Procedures will be implemented in the locker rooms to limit social distancing.
• Equipment will be disinfected after each class period.
• Sanitizing areas and access to handwashing will be provided.

Recess

• Recess activities shall maintain their class cohort and maintain social distancing from other classmates, including 12-feet between groups.
• Campuses will consider limiting the number of students per recess group. Staggered schedules can be utilized when needed.
• All students and staff will be required to use hand sanitizer before entering the playground and upon exiting the playground.
• Brain breaks will be implemented as needed, at the discretion of the campus/teacher.
• “Mask breaks” will be implemented as needed.

Specials

• PE classes will be conducted outdoors whenever possible. Appropriate social distancing measures will be followed.
• Students will use their own art supplies.
• Music, Computer and PE equipment will be sanitized and wiped down after each use.

Collaborative Meetings/Common Areas

In order to provide the safest environment possible in our common/collaborative spaces, while promoting disease prevention and mitigation, the following guidelines will be implemented. Common areas include spaces that are used for meetings and collaboration. This includes computer labs, flexible spaces, teacher lounges, campus libraries, conference rooms and other meeting rooms.

Meeting Spaces/Administrative Spaces - Reception, Offices, Conference Rooms

• Campuses will develop schedules and protocols for the use of common areas, including how to disinfect space between use.
• When possible, meetings will be conducted virtually. However, if the need arises to meet in person please follow campus guidelines:
  • Facial coverings or masks will be utilized when required by the governor’s order.
  • Shield guard will be installed at the reception desk.
  • Hand sanitizer will be provided in front office spaces.
  • Distances of 6 feet will be provided between all occupied seats and workspaces.
  • Visual reminders will be displayed for social distancing throughout common areas.
  • Informational graphics and markers will be posted to help with 6 feet social distancing.
  • Limit the sharing of materials/supplies.

Flexible Learning Spaces

• The number of students in these areas will be limited as driven by available space and social distancing guidelines.
• Common spaces and supplies in these spaces will be disinfected frequently.

Library

• Visual reminders will be added and furniture rearranged to help students maintain social distancing while in the library.
• Students and staff will wash/sanitize hands upon entering and after visiting the library.
• High touch surfaces (i.e. table tops, chairs, door handles) will be disinfected regularly.
• Occupancy will be limited.

Elevators

• Only students and staff with a physical impairment or the need to move large/heavy equipment will be able to use the elevator.
• No more than 2 people will ride in the elevator at the same time.
• Masks will be worn when on the elevator.

Restrooms

• Proper handwashing technique will be taught to all students and consistently reinforced.
• Elementary Consideration: The scheduling of whole class restroom breaks is recommended to eliminate co-mingling of students across various classes and to ensure teacher monitoring of social distancing guidelines.
• A system will be implemented to identify the number of occupants utilizing each restroom to mitigate the chance of exceeding maximum occupants per social distancing.
• After a restroom break, students will be required to wash their hands with soap or use hand sanitizer before reentering the classroom.

 

• Students and staff will follow disease mitigation safety protocols for face coverings.
• Lockers will be assigned and accessed only at times designated as appropriate on each individual campus.
• Staggered releases from each class will be organized when possible to limit the number of students in the hallway during transitions.
• When transitioning between classes, students will travel corridors as far to the right as possible.
• Visual markers will be developed to help students maintain physical distances and adhere to established campus traffic flow in hallways.
• Traffic patterns will be established throughout the campus that separates individuals to the greatest extent possible.
• Where possible, one-way traffic throughout campus corridors will be established.
• Classroom doors will be propped open to reduce high touch areas.
• Access to hand sanitizer will be provided throughout the campus.

On Campus Student Activities

• Any school wide events that are approved to be held on campus need to adhere to social distancing requirements outlined by Fredericksburg ISD, TEA and UIL. (Examples: grade level pep rallies, assemblies, performances, etc.).
• School wide events will be live streamed and/or occur virtually when possible.
• Assemblies will be virtual or take place with social distancing measures.
• Meet the teacher, open house, parent conferences, etc. will be held with social distancing measures.
• To limit larger gatherings, campus club meetings should be held virtually when possible. If meeting in person is required, groups should utilize larger meeting spaces or multiple meeting opportunities will be provided. 
• Parent events and fundraising information is pending.
• After school club information is pending.

Outdoor and Off-Campus Activities

• Field trips will require district approval.
• Campuses will limit students from leaving campus after school prior to travel or start of extra-curricular or co-curricular activities when possible.
• Student participation in academic contests (Math and Science Team, Robotics, Academic Pentathlon) will only be attended if specific guidance is provided by an authorized entity.