Family Update | Aug. 6
LISD has received many questions regarding the health and safety protocols announced for this school year so we want to provide additional information and clarification. There is no doubt this is an anxious time, especially for families who have elementary children. The change in health and safety protocols from last school year is impacted by guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and requirements that result from the Governor’s orders.
The district is constantly monitoring the situation and is making adjustments as needed, while continuing various health and safety protocols implemented last year. Some examples at the elementary level include continuing with hand sanitizer upon arrival, specific seating arrangements in classrooms, and physical distancing in the cafeteria. The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority.
Below are a few recent updates, as well as clarifications on questions we have received. All of this information can be found in our FAQs at LISD.net/backtoschool.
RECENT UPDATES
COVID Case Tracker
Originally, the decision to not maintain a COVID tracker was due to the fact that a dashboard on school district data was no longer being maintained by the local health department. After further consideration, the district will maintain a COVID tracker. The district is still required to report lab-confirmed cases to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on a weekly basis, therefore LISD will be updating the case tracker weekly at LISD.net/covidtracker. The tracker will include lab-confirmed cases reported to the district.
Remote Conferencing
On August 5, 2021, the TEA issued guidance allowing school districts to provide remote conferencing (or remote learning) for students who are absent due to illness or close contact. Upon initial review, it appears it will be extremely difficult for LISD to provide remote conferencing. TEA guidance specifically prohibits concurrent learning, which means students cannot join their classroom live through remote instruction. The district will continue to analyze the TEA guidance and provide updates soon.
Air Purification in Classrooms
Due to the lack of availability of vaccines for children under the age of 12, the district will utilize air purifiers with H13 True HEPA filtration in every elementary classroom and 6th-grade classrooms. These stand-alone air purification units will supplement current HVAC filtration systems already operating in the classrooms. These air purification units remove 99.9% of particles which allows for the capture of virus carriers. The air will be filtered every 30 minutes. The delivery date will occur shortly after school starts and they will be delivered to each classroom immediately.
CLARIFICATIONS
Why is the district not requiring face masks?
The Governor’s order GA-38 prohibits school districts from requiring the use of masks. We are recommending that individuals wear masks, especially those who are not vaccinated, but we cannot mandate that students or staff wear masks in our schools/facilities.
Contact Tracing/Notification to Families
On August 5, 2021, the updated TEA Public Health Guidance continued to indicate that school districts are not required to conduct contact tracing. Despite this, LISD will continue with our original plan to conduct contact tracing to determine close contacts when the school is notified of a student who is lab-confirmed positive for COVID-19. Campuses will provide notification to families of students identified as close contacts.
Why is there no mandatory quarantine for close contact?
As a school district, we are always concerned about the loss of classroom instruction for students due to absences, however, ultimately it is the parent/guardian’s decision on whether a child should miss school. TEA guidance indicates that parents of students who are determined to be close contacts of an individual with COVID-19 may opt to keep their students at home during the recommended stay-at-home period. As explained above, the district does not foresee that remote conferencing will provide a solution for parents who are opting to keep students home. LISD will continue to review the TEA guidance and provide updates as they become available.
How did the district determine that 5 days of excused absences will be provided for students whose parents choose to keep their child home if they have been exposed to COVID?
An important clarification is that the 5-day excused absence is related to students who are absent when parents chose voluntary quarantine when their child was identified as a close contact, not for students who are absent due to illness. In general, we feel it is fair to excuse 5 school days since LISD is able to provide the rapid antigen test to students (with parent permission) and since there will be at least one weekend involved during the voluntary quarantine period. In addition, parents can absolutely use another medical source to get their tests done. If a parent gets a doctor's note for more than that, it will absolutely be honored.
Reminder: The State of Texas requires students to be in attendance for each class at least 90% of the time or they may lose credit and/or be retained in the grade level.
- High School - students can have no more than 5 absences in a 9-week grading period to meet the 90% requirement
- Middle and Elementary School - students can have no more than 18 absences in a school year to meet the 90% requirement.
- Both excused and unexcused absences count toward the 90% requirement.
Will the district continue the electrostatic cleaning of all classrooms this year?
Yes, LISD will continue this practice that started last year.
Will there be physical distancing in the cafeteria during student lunches?
Since vaccines are not available for children younger than 12, physical distancing will be utilized into cafeteria seating arrangements for elementary schools. This means space to accommodate visitors eating with students is limited, therefore, there will be no visitors allowed to eat lunch with students for the first nine weeks. This practice will be reviewed prior to the 2nd nine weeks.
Why can’t the district gather staff vaccination info?
The Governor’s order GA-35, reinforced by GA-38, indicates that no governmental agency (school districts included) can compel an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and we cannot require documentation regarding the vaccination status for COVID-19.
Why can’t the district mandate staff get the vaccine?
The Governor’s order GA-35, reinforced by GA-38, indicates that no governmental agency (school districts included) can compel an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and we cannot require documentation regarding the vaccination status for COVID-19.
Can I ask my child’s teacher if they plan to wear a mask or if they have been vaccinated?
No. The school district cannot mandate that staff wear masks and it is the individual choice of the teacher whether they choose to wear a mask. The vaccination status of a teacher or staff member is confidential information and will not be provided to parents. Staff have been directed to not answer these types of questions should they be asked.
LISD will continue to be in contact with local, state and national health officials and will provide updates as they become available. The health and safety of our students and staff is our top priority.
For a list of FAQs visit LISD.net/backtoschool.