In-Person Learning: Grades PreK - 5
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The 2020-21 elementary in-person learning option will serve students who opt to return to campus full-time, with additional safety precautions and procedures in place.
Although our preference would be to see all of our students every day on campus, we understand that there may be circumstances throughout the 2020-21 school year that would present the need to decrease the amount of students on campus, or even shut down the district entirely. In that case, LISD has two contingency plans in place:
- Contingency Plan A - Hybrid Learning: Alternating schedule with both in-person and remote learning for a maximum of a three-week period, per the Texas Education Agency.
- Contingency Plan B - Remote Learning: All students remain at home for remote learning full-time.
Should the need arise to move into one of our contingency plans, LISD will be in close contact with families.
We know families will have many questions when choosing their learning option for the 2020-21 school year. Please reference the resources and FAQs below for more information.
FAQs
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General
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[UPDATED JULY 23] What is the difference between virtual learning and remote learning pathways?
Remote learning is for students on the in-person learning pathway, should the district need to completely shut down due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
VIRTUAL LEARNING PATHWAY
REMOTE LEARNING PATHWAY
PARTICIPANTS
Student/Family opts into the program; May change the selection at the end of each grading period.
LISD is forced to shut down in-person instruction.
IF THE SHUTDOWN IS DISCONTINUED?
Remain in virtual pathway.
Return to home campus and schedule.
INSTRUCTION
Students are assigned an LISD virtual teacher(s).
Instruction would be provided by the same teacher as in-person learning.
ATTENDANCE
Students must participate daily to be counted present; All truancy policies apply.
Students must participate daily to be counted present; All truancy policies apply.
CURRICULUM
Virtual students will have LISD teachers using the Edgenuity with possible extensions, class meetings, etc.
Remote students will continue with their assigned LISD teachers who will use the LISD curriculum to adapt/replicate virtually as much as possible.
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[ADDED JULY 22] I want to choose in-person learning, but if my family is notified that there is anyone on campus that tests positive for COVID-19, we will keep my child home until there are no new cases on campus for 14 days. Is this allowed and how will this work with attendance policies?
All students are subject to the state requirement to be in attendance at least 90% of the time that a class is offered to earn credit. Attendance committees will convene to address situations that arise due to COVID.
Students will not be allowed to move from in-person to virtual learning during a nine weeks grading period.
The district is currently working on additional guidelines for attendance. These will be included in the Student Handbook which will be available to students and parents before the first day of school.
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[UPDATED SEPT. 2] If we choose in-person learning but once the school year starts we decide we want to switch to virtual learning, is that an option?
No, students will not be allowed to move from in-person to virtual learning during a nine-week grading period.
Families will have the opportunity to change their learning pathway (in-person, virtual or virtual plus) choices at the end of every 9-week grading period throughout the school year. Requests for changes should be submitted to your campus anytime before the 7-week mark in the 9-week grading period. The first 9-week grading period ends on Oct. 16, therefore change requests must be made anytime prior to Oct. 2. Families will soon be provided a form to submit their change requests. Learning path changes will go into effect at the beginning of the next 9-weeks.
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Will my child stay in one classroom all day long?
No. Students will not be in their classroom all day. Students will be in their homeroom classroom throughout the day for their core subjects. If students participate in the Dual Language/Spanish Immersion program or have several teachers due to teaming or departmentalization, teachers will travel to the different classrooms and students will stay in their homeroom class. Students will have the opportunity to participate in outdoor recess, scheduled time in the cafeteria, P.E. in the gymnasium, and some time in their Specials classrooms. Individual campus schedules will vary depending on size and student population, but all students will have some scheduled time out of their classroom each day.
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Will my student have the opportunity to participate in recess and/or P.E.?
Yes, students will still participate in P.E. outside, weather permitting. P.E. equipment will be used for one grade level only and will be sanitized before use for the next day.
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[UPDATED SEPT. 2] How many students will be in my child’s classroom?
We have received some questions about class sizes when we return to campuses, given the number of students that have selected virtual learning for the first 9 weeks of school. We want to clarify that, while there may be a smaller number of students learning in-person, there are also fewer in-person learning teachers to accommodate the need for virtual learning teachers. Consequently, in-person class sizes are expected to be about the same size as usual. With that said, every classroom in LISD will be supplied with at least 10-12 desk shields and desks will be spaced out as much as possible.
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Will after-school programs still be available at the elementary level?
Yes, currently LISD’s Extended School Day (ESD) program will be in operation throughout the school year.
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What would happen if my child who is receiving in-person learning needs to go on an individualized quarantine?
Individual elementary and secondary students can transition to a temporary “remote learning” educational model. The students will continue to receive lessons via a combination of asynchronous (at your own pace) and synchronous (virtual face-to-face) learning from their classroom teacher. The length of the individual quarantine will be based on health guidelines provided by state and local agencies. LISD is waiting for further direction at this time.
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Will grading policies change if the district needs to move to complete remote learning?
Based on TEA guidelines, school grading policies for remote student work must be consistent with those used before COVID-19 for on-campus assignments. Any virtual environment, by choice or by governmental decision, will follow the same grading guidelines as in-person learning, as set forth in our handbook and academic guides. In turn, the grading policy in place on the campus will continue in a virtual environment and will not move to other systems such as pass/fail. This is also covered in this additional TEA guidance.
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Programs of Choice
Discovery Academy
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What is the status of the Pre-K Tuition Based Discovery Academy?
The Pre-K Tuition Based Discovery Academy will continue to be open in the same manner as all other campus classrooms. If a Discovery Academy family chooses to participate in virtual learning, they will receive the half-day, 90 minute curriculum. The PreK virtual learning tuition daily rate will be reduced by 50% less than the monthly, in person rate for families who would like this option. Parents who no longer wish for their child to participate should contact the Early Childhood Department at ecprograms@lisd.net to withdraw from the program.
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What will be the start date for Discovery Academy students?
The first day of in-person learning for all Discovery Academy classes and Employee Pre-K at LJJ is Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Linked HERE is the full calendar for Discovery Academy and Employee Pre-K at LJJ. Virtual Learning for PreK - 12 will begin Aug. 19, in alignment with the official LISD first day of school and the start of all virtual learning for all families who choose it, PreK - 12.
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The Discovery Academy Handbook states that a family can request to be released from the full-year obligation for extenuating circumstances. Will COVID-related concerns be considered an extenuating circumstance throughout the school year?
Families wishing to unenroll their child due to COVID-related factors may do so at any time. To unenroll, email ecprograms@lisd.net and the campus attendance clerk at their school as soon as possible to notify both parties. Those choosing to unenroll by Aug. 3, 2020 will receive a registration fee refund of $125 of the $200 registration. Registration fees will no longer be refunded after Aug. 3 though a family may still choose to unregister at any time. Depending on the time of year when unenrollment happens, a final adjusted tuition payment may be required. Future tuition payments will be halted at the time of withdrawal.
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Will the program still operate from 6:50 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.?
The extended day hours will continue to be 6:50 - 5:30 daily for Discovery Academy and Employee PreK at LJJ. All children must be picked up by 5:30 daily. A late fee of $1 per minute is charged for late pick-ups after 5:30. Children must be dropped off by the start of the instructional school day and picked up on or after the end of the school’s instructional school day.
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Since instructional time for Discovery Academy ends at 3:00 PM (or slightly later with the extended release time) but the program is open until 5:30PM, what will the pick-up procedure be if parents are not allowed in the building?
Parents will continue to use the side door doorbell entry at the school to alert the staff they are there to pick up their child. They will have to wait at the door and their child will be brought to them at the door.
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Will Discovery Academy still have daily rest time? If so, will children have assigned nap mats that are not shared and will their nap mats be socially distanced?
Full day pre-k students will have a daily rest time. All efforts will be made to space children’s nap mats out as much as possible during rest time. Student’s rest time items (small blanket from home, etc) will be minimalized and kept separate from other children’s things. Nap mats will be assigned to individual children and labeled to insure they are not shared. Nap mats will be sanitized on a routine basis and bedding will be sent home weekly to be cleaned.
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STEM ACADEMY
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[ADDED JULY 16] With the "banking" of 25 minutes, will the STEM academies be extended an additional 25 minutes?
As LISD STEM Academies already extend 25 minutes beyond regular elementary school hours, the STEM academies will not be adding minutes. Start time will be 7:45 a.m. and end time remains at 3:25 p.m.
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In-Person Learning Health & Safety Precautions
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[ADDED AUG. 4] If there is a confirmed COVID positive case in my child's classroom, will that class be relocated?
Class relocation and sanitization needs will be addressed on a case by case basis. If it is determined that additional cleaning and sanitization is needed, campus administration will work to relocate that class while the classroom is disinfected before the class returns to that specific classroom.
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[ADDED AUG. 4] If a teacher or student is confirmed COVID positive, will the entire class transition to a mandatory quarantine?
Quarantine decisions will be made on a case by case basis, depending on several factors (including direct contact, class size, etc.) in each individual classroom. If there is a positive case reported in a classroom, that does not necessarily mean the entire classroom will transition to a mandatory quarantine. Campuses will work with teachers and families to determine any additional quarantine measures that need to be taken.
If additional cleaning and sanitization is needed, campus administration will work to relocate that class while the classroom is disinfected before the class returns to that specific classroom.
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[UPDATED AUG. 4] Will I be contacted if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in my child’s class or school?
Based on current TEA guidance, LISD will notify families and staff of any lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 cases on campus. This notice will be provided by phone and/or email via the district’s Skylert messaging system.
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[ADDED JULY 27] Will students use the locker room and dress out during PE?
Initially at the start of school, students will not use the locker room or dress out for PE. This guideline will be reviewed periodically and adjusted when appropriate. -
[ADDED JULY 27] Can secondary students socialize and use restroom facilities during passing period?
In order to encourage physical distancing and avoid crowding, passing periods will be staggered and students will be directed to go straight to their next class without stopping at the restroom. Teachers will allow students to use the restroom and get water as needed during class time. -
[ADDED JULY 21] What are LISD’s protocols for safety drills?
To date, emergency drills remain a legal requirement for school districts. However, instead of campus-wide drills, smaller groups of students and staff (classrooms or wings) will conduct drills at different times to allow proper social distancing. For some drills, a classroom discussion and/or small demonstration of safety procedures may occur to limit close contact. Documentation of completed drills will continue to be reported to LISD’s Safety and Security Department.
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[UPDATED JULY 16] Will students and staff be required to wear face coverings at all times?
All students and staff will be required to wear face coverings in all common areas unless consuming food or drink or speaking to a large group while observing appropriate physical distancing. Students and staff will also be required to wear face coverings in the classroom when physical distancing is not possible.
Protective measures, including the use of face coverings, will be determined by the level of disease activity of COVID-19 and will be determined based on guidance provided by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and local health officials from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Denton County Health Care Services and Denton County Public Health. The district will alert students, parents and staff of the disease activity level and when face coverings must be worn. Disease activity levels can be found here: https://www.lisd.net/Page/24343 -
Will LISD provide face coverings for students and staff?
Due to limited supplies, students and staff are requested to provide their own face coverings. However, each campus will provide face coverings for students and staff only as needed when an individual does not have their own.This also allows individuals to choose a specific covering for personal comfort.
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Will there be any consequences for students or staff who refuse to wear face coverings or wear them improperly?
LISD will address face covering requirements first as a teaching and learning opportunity. Students will receive reminders, reteaching, and redirection as needed. Consequences will not be applied unless students engage in willful, ongoing defiance of staff directions.
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Will LISD require daily screenings of students and staff?
Staff will be required to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to reporting to work each day. Parents/guardians are expected to screen their students for COVID-19 symptoms each day prior to sending their student to school. Teachers will monitor students and refer to the nurse if symptoms are present.
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What happens if there is a COVID-19 spike and schools need to shut down?
If LISD needs to completely shut down for a period of time, the district will move into contingency plan B, which will require all remote learning. Remote learning will include a combination of asynchronous (at your own pace) learning and synchronous (virtual face-to-face) learning. The length of the shutdown will be based on health guidelines provided by state and local agencies.
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[UPDATED JULY 22] What would happen if my child’s entire class or campus needs to go on quarantine?
If a class must close down due to quarantine or quarantine is required for some students, based on the guidelines that Health Services will use, then that class or group of students would switch to remote learning with the teacher following a remote schedule with students using WebEx and the students would still be able to be counted as present. The length of the group quarantine will be based on health guidelines provided by state and local agencies. LISD is waiting for further direction at this time.
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What are the health criteria (individual students and/or city/county statistics) that would lead to a school closure?
At this time, the district has not been provided specific guidance on this. We will look for guidance from city, county and state officials when defining thresholds for school closures.
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Will CDC social distancing guidelines be observed on campuses?
Campus operational guidelines will encourage and support social distancing where possible through classroom arrangements, learning design, and changes to arrival/dismissal, cafeteria and common area use, and other adjusted procedures. LISD does not expect that students will be able to remain 6 foot from one another or from staff for the duration of the school day.
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Has LISD considered keeping students in one place and rotating the teachers?
Yes, the district has weighed the feasibility of keeping students in the same classroom all day, along with many other strategies being considered or implemented across the country and around the world. The District is currently planning the master schedule for campuses, which directly impacts the movement of students and teachers. At the elementary level, it is possible for specialized content teachers to move to students. This is not feasible in circumstances that require specialized classroom equipment or instructional settings. It is also problematic due to the large number and diversity of courses offered at the secondary level.