The Gause Independent School District has announced school opening plans for 2020-2021 and like other South Milam ISDs it will be a mix of in-person and online learning.
First day of class is Thursday, Aug. 13.
“The Texas Education Agency has said we cannot ask parents to choose which form of learning they pick for their students until two weeks before the first class day,” Supt. Brad Jones told The Reporter. “So, later this week we are going to do that.” Jones emphasized that
Jones emphasized that whatever option parents choose, attendance will be taken every day and truancy laws will be in effect.
PRECAUTIONS—A s with other school districts, Gause ISD had a lengthy list of precautions in attempt to keep face-to-face students as safe as possible.
Face coverings will be required for students in the fourth through eighth grades. (Gause does not have a high school). Face coverings are also
Face coverings are also required for all staff.
Elementary students will be assigned specific restrooms. A system will be put in place to identify the number of occupants utilizing each restroom “to mitigate the chance of exceeding maximum occupants per social distancing.”
At the elementary, students will also be assigned specific breakfast, lunch and gym times to reduce the number of students in any given area.
DOORS—Entry doors will be designated based on method arrival to school including bus riders, parent dropoff, walkers and students with unique needs.
Entry doors will be propped open to facilitate “no-touch” access to the school.
Classroom doors will also be propped open.
In-between classes, students are asked to travel corridors as far to the right as possible and “when possible” one-way corridors will be established.
Jones said dismissal times “may be staggered to minimize student high-traffic areas, based on mode of transportation.
CLOSING—Protocols are also in place to deal with the school system’s reaction to positive tests of COVID-19 among students and/or staff.
Those range up to the possibility of closing all GISD facilities between two and five calendar days if two or more individuals test positive.
In those cases the entire district would move to a learning-at-home model.
CLEANING—Gause ISD facilities will be cleaned throughout the instructional day with emphasis on high-traffic areas and multiple-touch areas including door handles, restrooms and the cafeteria between meals.
Students riding school buses will be assigned seats and a seating chart will be maintained by the route driver.
All buses will be thoroughly sanitized after each bus trip. Jones said Gause ISD has
Jones said Gause ISD has recently enhanced its Wi-Fi strength at every campus and district facility.
“This will allow families to access Wi-Fi outside of the building where students can connect and complete assignments,” he said.
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