Answer to the question “will Rockdale ISD students be back in a classroom next month to start the 2020-21 school year, or study at home?” is “yes.”
Both learning options will be in play when classes resume Aug. 13 but the plans have a lot of moving parts, according to Supt Dr. Denise Monzingo, who announced the district’s strategy Thursday evening.
“We know there will be some changes and we want to work with parents and guardians as we get into this school year,” she said. “I know they’ve never done this before and we at the schools have never done this before either.”
“Please feel free to call us at 512-430-6000,” she said. “We have certainly tried to address everything, but parents/guardians may have insight on an issue we have not thought of.”
CHOICE—The bottom line is that parents/students will be able to choose whether to begin school on-campus or on-line to start the school term. After that it’s pretty much up to what the state, through the Texas Education Association, comes up with.
Parents/guardians were notified Thursday to make a commitment to one of the learning options for at least one six-weeks grading period.
Those decisions were due Monday, but the district has sent out another plea extending the period, according to Dr. Monzingo.
Students must still register for the 2020-21 term and online registration is available for returning students via the Skyward Learning portal on the Rockdale ISD website, www.rockdaleisd.net.
Students who do not have a commitment in place by 8 a.m. Aug. 10 will be placed in on-campus learning.
SAFETY—The prime concern, of course, is safety in this time of pandemic and the reopening plans are saturated with protocols and precautions.
“Although there are no strategies to completely eliminate transmission risk in schools, we are committed to keeping transmission as low as possible in order to safely continue school,” Dr. Monzingo said.
That starts at home. Parents must not send a child to school if they have COVID-19 symptoms (see box with this story) and students will be monitored at school for such symptoms.
Staff members are required to self-screen for symptoms every day before reporting to work.
Face masks are being required in many situations, students are being expected to wash their hands, or sanitize, frequently, with sanitizers available throughout the campuses.
No visitors will be allowed on any campus without an appointment.
Social distancing guidelines will be in effect, where applicable.
CLEANING—Another prime concern is cleaning of campuses. The new guidelines state:
• Each classroom and restroom will be disinfected daily.
• All high touch areas will be disinfected daily.
• Cleaning cloths will be changed for each classroom and common area to maximize room to room cleanliness.
• Custodians will wear masks and gloves during work hours.
• The cafeteria will be disinfected between lunch periods.
• Staff will have access to disinfectant to sanitize working surfaces and shared objects after each use and during breaks in instruction.
BUSES—Transportation will also be affected. School hours for campuses will be changed and staggered to allow for minimum occupancy on buses.
Other bus issues include:
• When possible, the district encourages families to drop students off, carpool, or walk with their student to school to reduce possible virus exposure on buses.
• All buses will have a hand sanitizer station mounted at the front of the bus. Each person entering the bus will be required to apply hand sanitizer as they board the bus.
• Drivers will check each student’s temperature using a no-touch, forehead thermometer upon boarding the bus every day on the morning route. Students with a temperature over 100 degrees will be separated on the bus from other students. The front seats of the bus will be cleared, the student will be required to put on a mask, and the student will be transported to school where the student will be under the nurse’s care for evaluation.
• Drivers/monitors will be provided with a mask to wear at all times while transporting students. When dealing with a suspected sick student, the driver will wear a provided face shield in addition to the mask.
• It is recommended that all students (for whom it is developmentally appropriate) wear a mask on the bus.
• When the temperature is acceptable, windows will be open to allow for circulation of fresh air. Fresh air vents on top of the bus will be open at all times.
• Buses will be thoroughly disinfected after each route. Windows will be open throughout the day-in between runs for additional ventilation.
READ THEM-You can read the high points on the 2020-21 plan in the boxes at the top of the page.
The entire plan, as presented by Dr. Monzingo Thursday, is 14 pages in two documents.
You can read it all by visiting https://www.rockdaleisd.net/cms/One.aspx?portalld=26739556&pageld=27257….
COVID-19 Symptoms
The Rockdale ISD does not want you to send your student to a campus classroom if they display any of the following symptoms “in a way that is not normal for them”:
Feeling feverish or a temperature equal to, or greater than, 100; loss of taste or smell; cough; difficulty breathing; headache.
Chills, sore throat; shaking or exaggerated shivering; significant muscle pain or ache; diarrhea.
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