GENERAL

1. How will Crockett County CCSD reopen campuses for the 2020-2021 school year?

Crockett County CCSD plans to reopen and provide direct instruction beginning on August 17, 2020 along with Synchronous and limited Asynchronous Online Learning.

2. What precautions will be in place on campus?

We will implement increased signage around campuses promoting disease mitigation strategies, increased cleaning and sanitation practices, as well as frequent reminders of hand hygiene and social distancing. CCCCSD will comply with all health and safety mandates established by the health department and Texas Education Agency. Classrooms will be arranged to maximize space between students. We encourage students and staff to provide their own PPE. However, in an effort to get school started CCCCSD will have PPE’s available.

3. Will students and staff be required to wear masks?

At the published time of this document, face coverings are mandated by the Governor’s order (Executive Order GA 29) for ages 11 and above. For consistency we will require grades 4 and up to wear face covering.

4. Will CDC social distancing guidelines be observed?

All areas of the campus will be monitored frequently to encourage social distancing. Social distancing will be observed as much as possible, but at times students will be closer than the recommended 6 feet apart. When social distancing requirements cannot be maintained, such as class change times, lunch, etc. students will be required to wear face coverings as per Executive Order GA 29. Signage reminding students and staff about handwashing, social distancing, and infection prevention will be posted throughout the school and in areas mentioned above.

5. What happens if a student or a teacher tests positive for COVID-19? Will the entire classroom have to quarantine and enroll in virtual school? What if multiple classrooms and students/staff are impacted?

When notification of a possible exposure occurs, CCCCSD, in coordination with local health authorities, will begin contact tracing and complete a thorough risk assessment. Based on this assessment, a determination as to whether an entire classroom or multiple classrooms are required to quarantine will be made. Students will have the opportunity to access virtual content during the quarantine period.

6. Will visitors be allowed on campuses?

Visitors will be allowed on campuses on a very limited basis using the guidelines below.

- Visits must be official school business only and have a scheduled appointment

- All visitors are required to wear masks and utilize hand sanitizing stations upon entry

7. Can students bring their lunch?

Yes, students can bring a lunch; however, lunches cannot be brought to the student or dropped off for the student.

8. Can parents eat lunch with their child?

No, eating lunch is not considered school business; therefore, it is not allowed.

9. Will classroom parties be allowed?

Not at this time; however, if the class is allowed to have a party, only pre-packaged food items will be allowed in the classroom. No home baked goods will be allowed.

10. What is considered Close Contact?

This document refers to “close contact” with an individual who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19. Close contact is determined by an appropriate public health agency. For clarity, close contact is defined as: a. being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on while not wearing a mask or face shield); or b. being within 6 feet for a cumulative duration of 15 minutes, while not wearing a mask or face shield; if either occurred at any time in the last 14 days at the same time the infected individual was infectious. Individuals are presumed infectious at least two days prior to symptom onset or, in the case of asymptomatic individuals who are lab-confirmed with COVID-19, two days prior to the confirming lab test

PARENT/STUDENT RELATED

1. What if the parent, guardian or adult student chooses not to receive face-to-face instruction this year because of concerns regarding COVID-19?

There are two choices:

i. On campus face to face instruction as provided normally, and

ii. Asynchronous Instruction which does not require having the instructor and student engaged at the same time. In this method, students learn from instruction that is not necessarily being delivered in-person or in real-time. This may include various forms of digital and online learning, such as live video of instruction and prerecorded video lessons, or tech-based learning tasks that students complete on their own, or pre-assigned work and formative assessments made available to students on paper. The instructional method will address the required curriculum, per TEC 28.002. Synchronous instruction will be required at specific times.

2. What if most families choose the in-person option? Would there have to be changes to accommodate social distancing or will there be a limit of how many students can select the in-person option?

We will continue to work closely with TEA and local health authorities to ensure the safety of our students. We believe we will be able to provide instruction to students in whichever format their families choose. Keep in mind, CCCCSD will comply with all mandates regarding social/physical distancing as well as health and hygiene protocols.

3. What additional safety measures will the district have in place in response to COVID-19?

The district plans to:

i. Increase cleaning regimen in all school areas

ii. Regularly disinfect classrooms, buses, gyms, bathrooms, and other populated public areas throughout the school day as well as during regular cleaning

iii. Provide face masks, hand sanitizers, and gloves if requested by staff or students

iv. Take measures daily before students, staff and visitors enter the buildings, and as students board the school bus

4. How will you address social, emotional, or mental health concerns?

Counselors are available to support students academically, socially, and emotionally and can provide mental health support or resources for families who may be struggling emotionally.

If a student needs to schedule a counseling session, please contact the campus counselor at the email listed below. To ensure staff is equipped to address social and mental health concerns, CCCCSD will continue to host training opportunities including trauma informed care, Mental Health First Aid, and social emotional learning.

- Leanna Childress: Ozona High School Counselor

- Taylor Cervantez: Ozona Middle School Counselor

- Sarah Gonzalez: Ozona Elementary School Counselor

5. Will we still have parent night, open house, assemblies, or concerts?

At this time, large events will occur in a virtual setting or in small in-person gatherings that comply with CDC guidelines.

6. Will we still have athletics?

We will follow directions from the Texas Education Agency [TEA] and the University Interscholastic league [UIL].

7. Will buses run?

Yes, transportation will continue for eligible regular bus route students; however, parents are strongly encouraged to bring and pick their children up from school.

8. Will social distancing be observed on buses, and how will seating arrangements be determined?

As we cannot guarantee 6-foot social distancing on our district transportation, it is recommended that parents bring and pick their children up from school or use an alternative method. Students will be instructed with specific safety protocols. The bus driver and students will use hand sanitizer that will be provided. School buses will be cleaned and disinfected twice daily.

9. What precautions will be in place for extracurricular activities?

Safety guidelines have been developed for conducting workouts, rehearsals, and practices. The district will continue to follow all mandated guidelines provided by TEA, UIL and the state.

10. Will students have recess or the ability to play and socialize with other students?

We are awaiting guidance from the TEA on recess activities. However, we anticipate students will have recess time with restrictions that reinforce social distancing.

11. Will students remain enrolled at their school if they choose virtual school?

Yes, students will remain enrolled at their home school.

12. Will meals be provided for students who select virtual school?

Options are being explored for providing meals to qualified students who select virtual school. There are currently no state or federal regulations that allow districts to serve meals to students who are not present on campus, although guidelines are expected in the near future.

13. Are immunizations required for virtual school?

Yes. At this time the Texas Department of State Health Services has not waived the vaccine requirements for students.

14. How will virtual school be different from at-home learning during the closure last spring?

Students who select virtual school will be required to attend and participate in class daily, and instruction will be led by a teacher. Virtual school this year will be a full course load of instruction and assignments that is equivalent to what students who are attending school in-person will be required to complete. It will be the responsibility of the parent and student to ensure Asynchronous Online Learning meets the same expectations as in-person learning which includes completion of all assignments, daily communication with teacher and daily time commitment. Teachers delivering virtual instruction will receive additional training and support in digital teaching strategies and using online curriculum. Both in-person and Asynchronous Online Learning will utilize the same grading system. Students being served through a special programs virtual instruction will affect accommodations and services provided.

15. Who will be required to take State assessments?

Students participating in both in-person and Asynchronous Online Learning will be required to participate in state (STAAR/EOC/TELPAS, etc.) testing.

16. Will packets be available for instruction if we do not have access to a device or internet?

No, packets will not be considered instruction as we move into the 2020-2021 school year. The district is working on ways to increase WIFI access throughout the community. Chromebooks or Ipads may be available for student check out.

17. Can a student be counted absent from Asynchronous Online Learning?

Yes. In the Asynchronous Online Learning instructional method, student engagement is measured daily, and attendance is assigned based on the student’s completion of that day’s engagement measure. Students who do not complete the daily measure of engagement are to be counted absent for that day, and that absence cannot be changed to present if the student completes the engagement measure on a later date.

18. Under the Asynchronous Online Learning instructional method, if a student decides to complete the entire weeks’ worth of work on Monday, can the student’s attendance be coded to show perfect attendance for the week?

No. In the Asynchronous Online Learning instructional method, student engagement is measured daily, and attendance is assigned based on the student’s completion of that day’s engagement measure. Students who do not complete the daily measure of engagement are to be counted absent for that day, and that absence cannot be changed to present if the student completes the engagement measure on a later date.

19. Will the 90% minimum student attendance for class credit rule be in effect for the 2020– 2021 school year?

Yes. The minimum attendance for class credit rule of TEC, §25.092, will be in effect for the 2020–2021 school year, and TEA will not be issuing waivers for LEAs to exempt themselves from the rule. Students are required to attend at least 90% of their classes (with some exceptions) to receive credit and be promoted. Remote attendance will count in the same manner as on-campus attendance in satisfying this requirement.

20. What are the requirements for attendance?

1. 1. Minimum attendance for class credit will be in effect for the 2020–2021 school year, and TEA will not be issuing waivers for LEAs to exempt themselves from the rule. Students are required to attend at least 90% of their classes [TEC, §25.092] to receive credit and be promoted. Remote attendance will count in the same manner as on-campus attendance in satisfying this requirement. A day of attendance credit is equal to 240 minutes of instruction.

21. How is student daily attendance earned?

a. Attending school on campus

b. Home Learning, and

i. Participating in daily instruction from a teacher

ii. Contacting a teacher to gather instruction

iii. Completing and turning in assignments on expected days

22. Will truancy laws be in effect during the 2020–2021 school year for students receiving remote instruction due to COVID-19 related closure or health concerns?

Truancy laws will apply to students who fail to attend school either in-person or virtually.