august 21, 2020 plan release.pdf · covid-19 (english) / cómo apoyar a tus hijos y familia durante...

August 21, 2020August 21, 2020

Notice to the Community

With the 2020 – 2021 school year right around the corner, Eagle Pass ISD wanted to share some pertinent

information with our parents, students, and staff. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has set forth guidelines

that must be followed to maintain student and staff safety. The Public Health Planning Guidance published by

TEA has, and will continue to evolve as COVID-19 cases rise and fall in our community and state.

While it is not possible to eliminate all risk of furthering the spread of COVID-19, the current science suggests

there are many steps schools can take to reduce the risks to students, staff, and their families significantly. This

guidance document includes four sets of practices ( Provide Notice, Prevent, Respond, and Mitigate ) that will

help minimize the spread of the virus.

Parental Rights & Public Notices

This document serves as notice to the Eagle Pass Independent School District family and community as the

Back to School Action Plan as per TEA guidelines .

Any questions pertaining to COVID-19 procedures should be directed to your child’s campus principal.

Parents are required to be provided notice of their public education enrollment and attendance rights and

responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic using a document published by TEA

Education Right and Responsibilities COVID19 (English)

Derecho y Responsabilidades de la Educación durante COVID 19 (Español)

It is recommended that after-school providers and other programs that operate in conjunction with campuses follow this guidance in coordination with the campus(es) they serve.

Click here to see the complete posted document from Texas Education Agency: SY20-21 Public Health Planning Guidance

of 17 The calendar, timeline, and other information are subject to change based on local and state guidelines or mandates.

The District’s SAFE 2 LEARN Plan will be posted on the district website and will be updated as new procedures and information become available.

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/education_rights_responsibilities_covid.pdf

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/education-rights-responsibilities-during-covid-spanish.pdf

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/SY-20-21-Public-Health-Guidance.pdf

Table of Contents

I. Health and Safety Guidance

A. Social and Emotional Well-Being

B. EPISD Mask Policy

C. Campus and Classroom Sanitation Procedures

D. Social Distancing

E. Students with Health Conditions

F. Screening Procedures for Staff, Students & Visitors

a. Students

b. Teachers and Staff

c. Visitors

G. Conditions for re-entry for Students, Teachers, Staff, and Visitors

H. Identifying Possible COVID-19 Cases on Campus

I. Required Actions if Individuals with LAB-Confirmed Cases have been in school

II. Methods of Instruction

A. Remote Instruction

B. In-Person Instruction

III. Classroom Procedures

A. Attendance

B. Grading

C. Testing

IV. Student Services

A. Special Populations

B. Extracurricular Programs

V. Campus Safety Guidelines

A. Visitors, Drop-off, and Pick-up

B. Restrooms

C. Water Fountains

D. Materials and Supplies

E. Class Transitions

F. Field Trips

of 17 The calendar, timeline, and other information are subject to change based on local and state guidelines or mandates.


VI. Classrooms Configurations

VII. Child Nutrition Safety Guidelines

A. Meals for In-Person Instruction Students

B. Meals for Remote Instruction Students

VIII. Transportation Safety Guidelines

IX. Enhanced Sanitation Program

A. RAPID RESPONSE TEAM (RRT)

X. Implementation Timeline

of 17

The calendar, timeline, and other information are subject to change based on local and state guidelines or mandates.


I. Health and Safety Guidance A. Social and Emotional Well-Being

✓ Together, EPISD and the community can support your child during this challenging time.

Counselors and staff will continue to work closely with families and students to help ease

the stress they may be experiencing. Keeping routines predictable, sharing COVID-19 facts

that are age-appropriate, making time to listen and share feelings, and reaching out to us

for support are all important. EPISD staff is here for you and your child(ren).

✓ You can find additional information on TEA Supporting Your Child and Family During

COVID-19 (English) / Cómo apoyar a tus hijos y familia durante Covid-19 (Spanish) flyer.

B. EPISD Mask Policy

✓ Masks include non-medical and medical grade disposable face masks and cloth face

coverings (over the nose and mouth). Full-face shields may be used in place of a mask to

protect eyes, nose, and mouth whenever a mask is not feasible or whenever the

educational context may benefit from the ability to see an individual’s full face.

✓ EPISD will comply with the governor’s executive order regarding the wearing of masks.

✓ EPISD is requiring the use of masks and/or face shields for all adults and all grade-level

students.

✓ It may be impractical for students to wear masks or face shields while participating in some

non-UIL athletic or other extracurricular activities. When it is impractical for students to

wear masks or face shields during those activities, schools must require these students to

wear masks or face shields when entering and exiting facilities and practice areas and when

not actively engaging in those activities. EPISD may, for example, allow students who are

actively exercising to remove the masks or face shields, as long as they maintain at least six

feet of distance from other students, teachers, and staff. However, campuses must require

students, teachers, and staff to wear masks or face shields as they arrange themselves in

positions that will allow them to maintain safe distancing.

✓ EPISD flyers to educate our students and community members. I wear mask because...

(English) panfleto de Uso una mascarilla porque... (Spanish)

C. Campus and Classroom Sanitation Procedures

✓ Campuses will have hand sanitizer at each major entrance (where the highest percentage

of students enter) and in every classroom.

✓ Students, teachers, staff, and campus visitors will sanitize and/or wash hands frequently.

of 17



https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/covid_19-_supporting_your_family_english.pdf

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/covid_19-_supporting_your_family_english.pdf

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/covid-19_supporting_your_family_spanish.pdf

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VCX3UW0aFFp1pq64WtyQ7cs_lZ04Id7U/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FApVEnTqF5S1MYwNt_35VeyQueCMTfK5/view?usp=sharing

✓ All campuses will institute more frequent cleaning practices, including additional cleaning

by janitorial staff, as well as provide the opportunity for children to clean their own spaces

before and after they are used, in ways that are safe and developmentally appropriate.

✓ Campuses will have additional cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces that are touched in

common areas throughout the day. This would include objects such as door handles,

common tables/desks, shared supplies such as art supplies, and high touch devices such as

shared laptops or tablets.

✓ Teachers and students will clean all of the commonly-touched surfaces in classrooms

between different class groups, if the same room will be used by multiple class groups.

D. Social Distancing

✓ When possible, without disrupting the educational experience, students will practice social

distancing.

✓ In classroom spaces that allow it, student desks will be a minimum of six feet apart when

possible.

✓ In classrooms where students are closer than six feet of one another, schools will plan for

more frequent hand washing and/or hand sanitizing and will consider whether increased

airflow from the outdoors is possible.

✓ EPISD teachers and staff will be trained specifically on the protocols outlined in this

document and the practices adopted by the district.

✓ EPISD will limit in-person staff meetings or other opportunities for adults to congregate in

close settings. When those meetings are necessary and cannot be done via electronic

means, everyone must follow the mask protocols in this guidance, remain at least six feet

apart where feasible and consider whether increased airflow from the outdoors is possible

in those settings.

✓ Strict adherence to social distancing policy shall be practiced by all teachers, students, and

staff in every campus and district facility. When numbers do not allow for this distancing to

occur, EPISD will separate all individuals as much as possible and follow TEA guidelines,

such as the use of sanitizer, more frequent hand washing, etc.

E. Students with Health Conditions ✓ Remote instruction options are available for all students. Parents and families know their

child’s needs. EPISD is taking all measures to ensure a safe learning environment. Parents must place their child’s health needs first when selecting which method of instruction they choose, either Remote or In-Person Instruction.

of 17



F. Screening Procedures for Staff, Students & Visitors

a. Students

✓ All students will be required to self-screen or have their parent/guardian screen

for the signs or symptoms for COVID-19 before coming onto campus each day.

Symptoms may include any of the following: Feeling feverish or a measured

temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit, loss of taste or

smell, cough, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, chills, sore

throat, congestion, runny nose, shaking or exaggerated shivering, significant muscle

pain or ache, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.

✓ Parents must ensure they do not send a child to school on campus if the child has

COVID-19 symptoms or is lab-confirmed with COVID-19 , and instead must receive

Remote Instruction until the below conditions for re-entry are met . Parents must

have their students receive remote instruction if their child has had close contact

with an individual who is lab-confirmed with COVID-19 until the 14-day incubation

period has passed.

b. Teachers and Staff

✓ All teachers and staff are required to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms before

coming to work each day using the district supplied screener. The self-screening

will include all teachers and staff taking their own temperature. Teachers and staff

shall report to the school system if they themselves have COVID-19 symptoms or

are lab-confirmed with COVID-19, and, if so, they must remain off campus until they

meet the criteria for re-entry. Additionally, all teachers and staff must contact their

immediate supervisor for further instructions.

c. Visitors

✓ Before visitors are allowed on district facilities, EPISD will screen all visitors to

determine if they have COVID-19 symptoms, are lab-confirmed with COVID-19 or

have had close contact with an individual who is lab-confirmed with COVID-19, if so,

they must remain off EPISD facilities until they meet the criteria for re-entry.

G. Conditions for re-entry for Students, Teachers, Staff, and Visitors:

✓ In the case of an individual who was diagnosed with COVID-19, the individual may return to

school when all three of the following criteria are met:

✓ At least one day (24 hours) has passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use

of fever-reducing medications);

of 17



✓ The individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and

✓ At least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

✓ In the case of an individual who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and who is not

evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, such individual is assumed to

have COVID-19, and the individual may not return to the campus until the individual has

completed the same three-step set of criteria listed above.

✓ 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:

✓ obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an

alternative diagnosis or

✓ obtain an acute infection test at an approved testing location

( https://tdem.texas.gov/covid-19/ ) that comes back negative for COVID-19.

H. Identifying Possible COVID-19 Cases on Campus

✓ Campuses will immediately separate any student who shows COVID-19 symptoms while at

school until the student can be picked up by a parent or guardian.

✓ Campuses will clean all identified areas used by the individual who shows COVID-19

symptoms while at school (student, teacher, or staff) as soon as possible.

✓ Students who report feeling feverish will be given an immediate temperature check to

determine if they are symptomatic for COVID-19.

I. Required Actions if Individuals with Lab-Confirmed Cases have been in School

✓ If an individual who has been in a school is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19, the school

must notify its local health department , in accordance with applicable federal, state and

local laws and regulations, including confidentiality requirements of the Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

✓ Campuses must close off areas that are heavily used by the individual with the

lab-confirmed case (student, teacher, or staff) until the non-porous surfaces in those areas

can be disinfected, unless more than 7 days have already passed since that person was on

campus.

✓ Consistent with school notification requirements for other communicable diseases, and

consistent with legal confidentiality requirements, campuses will notify all teachers, staff,

and families of all students in a school via the Remind app if a lab-confirmed COVID-19 case

is identified among students, teachers or staff who participate in any campus activities.

of 17



https://tdem.texas.gov/covid-19/

https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/regions/2019-nCoV-Local-Health-Entities/

https://www.eeoc.gov/facts/pandemic_flu.html

https://www.eeoc.gov/facts/pandemic_flu.html

II. Methods of Instruction A. Remote Instruction:

✓ All student instruction will be delivered through Google Classroom (this requires an

internet connection at home)

B. In-Person Instruction (on-campus):

✓ Students will report physically to campus and access google classroom lessons. Your child’s

teacher(s) will be providing academic support in the classroom.

✓ All Parents have the option to choose Remote or In-Person Instruction throughout the

registration window for their child.

✓ Any parent that already selected an option (Remote or In-Person Instruction), may change

their child’s method of instruction by logging back into the registration process (txConnect)

and change their answer to question 1 “Preferred Method of Instruction for 2020-2021” in

Section 1 by August 28.

In order to promote a consistent learning environment, all students that select or move to Remote

Instruction must remain in Remote Instruction until the end of the current grading period. Additionally,

students that select In-Person Instruction at the beginning of a grading period may choose to change to

Remote Instruction at any time during the current grading period due to safety concerns or illness.

III. Classroom Procedures A. Attendance

✓ Attendance will be taken each day for both In-Person and Remote Instruction to ensure

that students are actively engaged. During remote instruction, students are expected to

participate and fully engage as communicated by the teacher to receive attendance credit.

✓ The approved daily engagement methods are the following: (1) Daily progress in Google

Classroom; or (2) Daily progress via teacher-student interactions; or (3) Completion/Turn-in

of assignments from student to teacher (via district email or Remind).

✓ Per Texas Education Code (TEC) §25.092, students must attend 90% of the days a course is

offered (with some exceptions) in order to be awarded credit for the course and/or to be

promoted to the next grade. This requirement remains in force during the 2020 – 2021

school year.

of 17



B. Grading

✓ Grading guidelines for remote instruction will follow the same Eagle Pass ISD grading

guidelines utilized for students enrolled in In-Person instruction.

C. Testing

✓ All students are expected to follow state and local testing requirements, whether

participating in Remote Instruction or In-Person Instruction.

IV. Student Services A. Special Populations

✓ Students currently participating in special program services, e.g., special education, 504,

Bilingual/ESL, Gifted and Talented, etc., will continue to receive services whether through

Remote Instruction and In-Person Instruction.

✓ District protocols have been established to evaluate students who have been referred for

special programs.

B. Extracurricular Programs

✓ EPISD will provide an opportunity for all students in Remote Instruction and In-Person

Instruction to participate in any extracurricular activities. Each program will be evaluated

on a case-by-case basis to determine implementation guidelines. Program sponsors will

provide information to students and parents/families as information is available.

V. Campus Safety Guidelines A. Visitors, Drop-off, and Pick-up

✓ EPISD will limit campus visits to only those essential to school operations.

✓ Parents/guardians may visit their child’s campus if deemed necessary by campus

administration.

✓ In the event of an emergency, parents must notify campus administration and comply with

all screening guidelines prior to arriving at the campus.

✓ THERE WILL BE NO OUTSIDE FOOD DELIVERED TO STUDENTS OR STAFF AT ANYTIME! This

includes parents bringing lunch to their child, restaurant/private deliveries, etc.

of 17



B. Restrooms and Water Fountains

✓ Students’ physical needs are extremely important. Social distancing and hand washing will

remain the priorities during restroom breaks. Sinks and counter surfaces will be wiped

down and sanitized more frequently than usual. Because water dispensers have shared

surfaces, water fountains will not be used to drink from, however, they can be used to refill

water bottles. Students will be expected to bring their own water bottle.

C. Materials and Supplies

✓ Students will be expected to use their own materials and supplies which will be kept in

individually-assigned boxes. Sharing of materials will not be allowed. In instances where

books, calculators, etc., are used by multiple students, proper sanitation protocols will be

enforced.

D. Class Transitions

✓ Systematic dismissal from the classroom and lunch will prevent overcrowding in the

hallways. Campus administration have designed these procedures based on their campus

design and logistics.

✓ Visible in-and-out traffic control barriers/markings such as tape will be displayed to prevent

overcrowding in the hallways.

E. Field Trips

✓ Campuses will refrain from scheduling field trips and other academic/social events until

further notice. Virtual field trips may occur in both face-to-face and remote learning

programs.

VI. Classrooms Configurations

When a classroom has exceeded the number of students that will allow safe social distancing, the

campus will develop a plan for students to be distributed during the same class/period among the

same grade level/subject teachers until the campus Principal reverts the distribution.

of 17



VII. Child Nutrition Safety Guidelines

EPISD Food Service Department (FSD) will provide meals for all currently enrolled EPISD students

following the CDC, TDA, and USDA guidelines. Due to COVID-19, the FSD has made necessary changes

to efficiently serve all EPISD students. No food deliveries will be accepted on campuses due to the

COVID-19 pandemic for students, teachers, nor staff.

A. Meals for In-person Instruction students (student ID numbers are required)

✓ Meals will be served in the cafeteria and/or classroom.

✓ Additional safety and sanitation practices will be implemented for all meals served in the

cafeteria and classroom. FSD and Custodial Department will coordinate on cleaning,

disinfecting, and sanitizing before and after all meal distributions. (Additional lunch periods

are expected.)

B. Meals for Remote Instruction students (student ID numbers are required)

✓ Parents will pick up a grab and go meal(s) at a predetermined site at all campuses.

✓ FDS will serve Grab and Go breakfast and lunch during the curbside distribution on a daily

basis.

VIII. Transportation Safety Guidelines ✓ Buses will undergo a deep cleaning using approved anti-microbial products to ensure that surfaces

stay clean and sanitized for longer periods.

✓ All buses will be equipped with a COVID-19 safety measures chart.

✓ Buses will have signage added that speak to the safety measures as recommended by CDC.

✓ Parents will receive communication regarding guidelines and informing them of operational

adjustments. Routes will be adjusted as needed based on number of students.

✓ At the bus stop, students will be guided to practice social distancing.

✓ Students will be required to wear face coverings on the bus and at the bus stop at all times for

their own protection and that of others.

✓ Bus drivers and aides will wear face coverings such as face masks and/or face shields.

✓ Transportation will have two students per seat with face masks on at all times.

✓ Students will have hand sanitizer available as they enter and exit the bus.

✓ Bus drivers will keep windows slightly open to ventilate air.

of 17



IX. Enhanced Sanitation Program A. EPISD is in the process of assembling the Rapid Response Team (RRT)

✓ The RRT shall be deployed on-site for rapid sanitation of facilities that have staff/student

lab confirmed or suspected COVID19 cases or any other health concerns that require

on-site enhanced sanitation.

✓ The RRT will consist of a ten member team of EPISD personnel.

✓ The RRT members will be equipped with state of the art sanitation equipment (Electrostatic

sprayer).

✓ Personal protective equipment for all team members

✓ The RRT will follow the TEA Public Health Planning Guidance.

of 17



X. Implementation Timeline In response to our community’s needs, on Monday, August 3, in a Special Board Meeting, the EPISD Board of Trustees voted to delay the start of the 2020-2021 school year to August 31 st .

Eagle Pass ISD is committed to the safety of all our students and staff. Now more than ever, safety is everyone’s responsibility. In all that we do on a daily basis, we must find ways to keep ourselves and those around us safe.

As we continue to prepare for the return of our students, we want to notify all EPISD families of the instructional choices we will offer. It is critical to inform families about any pertinent information you need to make the best decision for your child.

EPISD, following the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Public Health Planning Guidance, will be in a transitional period to reduce the number of students receiving In-Person Instruction during the first four weeks.

EPISD will be providing two methods of instruction for all our students during this transitional period:

✓ Remote Instruction

✓ In-Person Instruction

EPISD is recommending for all families to select Remote Instruction for the first four weeks of the

2020-2021 school year.

August 17 th - August 28 th Parent/Guardian Select Method of Instruction

Remote Instruction :

✓ All student instruction will be delivered through Google Classroom (this requires an internet

connection at home)

✓ Your child’s teacher(s) will be providing academic support via Google Classroom.

In-Person Instruction (on-campus) :

of 17



✓ Students will report physically to campus and access the same Google Classroom lessons as

Remote Instruction students. Your child’s teacher(s) will be providing academic support in the

classroom.

All Parents have the option to choose Remote or In-Person Instruction throughout the registration window for their child.

Any parent that already selected an option ( Remote or In-Person Instruction ), may change their child’s method of instruction by logging back into the registration process (txConnect) and change their answer to question 1 “Preferred Method of Instruction for 2020-2021” in Section 1 by August 21 .

In order to promote a consistent learning environment, all students that select or move to Remote Instruction must remain in Remote Instruction until the end of the current grading period. Additionally, students that select In-Person Instruction at the beginning of a grading period may choose to change to Remote Instruction at any time during the current grading period due to safety concerns or illness.

August 19 th Chromebook/iPad Priority Requests

First consideration for Chromebook/iPad will be given to students that do not have a device at home.

Starting on August 19, EPISD families may submit a request for a Chromebook or iPad. Requests may be submitted through the Chromebook/iPad Priority Request Form.

Chromebook Check-Out Priority Distribution

EPISD Campuses will start priority Chromebook Check-Out for any student that does not have a device at home based Learning Device Availability question on the online registration.

All Campuses will develop a distribution schedule based on their student needs and logistics.

Students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian when picking up the device at the student’s campus curbside location.

of 17



First day of school August 31 st

In order to facilitate a safe and effective back-to-school transition process, during a period up to the first four weeks of school, EPISD may limit the number of students participating in In-Person Instruction.

EPISD encourages all students to participate in Remote Instruction for the first four weeks of school.

School will begin for students that selected one of the two methods of instruction (Remote Instruction or In-Person Instruction).

Students that selected Remote Instruction and wish to change to In-Person Instruction, must remain in Remote Instruction until the end of the current grading period.

EPISD will be extending the range of our WiFi access in all buildings, allowing our students that do not have internet access the opportunity to connect to the internet and access instructional materials. No personal devices will be permitted to connect at this time.

EPISD will purchase mobile WiFi as an additional solution for students that do not have internet access at home. EPISD will strategically place mobile WiFi access points around the community at predetermined locations for our students to connect and access instructional materials.

Hotspot Check-Out Date to Be Determined

Due to vendor supply limitations, hotspot distributions will be determined at a later date. Parents will be informed as soon as hotspots become available.

All campuses will develop a hotspot distribution schedule based on their student needs.

Priority for hotspots will be given to students based on the 2020 - 2021 EPISD Income Survey.

Students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian when picking up the device at the student’s campus curbside location.

of 17



September 28 th Possible Extension of Transition Period

The transition period, which limits the number of students participating in In-Person Instruction, may be extended by an additional four weeks by the EPISD Board of Trustees.

Students will remain in Remote Instruction unless one of the following applies:

An enrolled student receives Special Education Services through a specialized program such as Life Skills.

An enrolled student has no internet connectivity at home.

An enrolled student is a child of an essential worker (law enforcement, fire department, EMS, healthcare personnel, active duty military).

An enrolled student is a child of a single parent or two working parents and childcare is unavailable.

An enrolled student is a child of an Eagle Pass ISD employee.

of 17



august 21, 2020 plan release.pdf · covid-19 (english) / cómo apoyar a tus hijos y familia durante...

Documents