When Angleton students are first invited back to campus, the district will use a blended learning model, with A and B groups alternating days between in-person and remote learning so that the two groups will never be on school grounds at the same time. The district will prioritize students who are transitioning to a new campus first as it reopens for in-person learning, inviting students in pre-K, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade back to their classrooms first. Following that, the district will begin to invite other students to return to campus. Edwards says that the district’s online learning will be flexible enough that students will be able to transfer between remote and inperson instruction as they choose without waiting for the end of a grading period. “The plan was developed with the idea of keeping kids safe and then opening slowly with small amounts of students transitioning back into schools to allow us to do so,” Edwards says. “I think one of the things about the AISD plan is that we have released a lot of information to help our parents and our community make the best decisions they could.” Once on-campus, students and staff will have daily temperature checks and everyone over 10 years old will be required to wear a face mask, though the district urges that all students wear masks if possible. School start and end times will be staggered to control the flow of students. Social distancing methods and physical barriers will be in place on each campus. Extracurricular activities are currently on-hold in the district, and in the case of a COVID19 outbreak, all students will return to virtual learning. Before school begins, each student in the district will receive a device, which they can use for remote or in-person learning. “We are both nervous and excited about the upcoming school year,” Edwards says. “We are nervous because we understand
the amount of flexibility we will need to have during this pandemic and the changes that will be inevitable to keep our students safe. We are excited at the same time because we believe this provides us with opportunities for growth so we can continue to provide new educational experiences for our students and prepare them for the future ahead.”
Boerne ISD Northwest of San Antonio, Boerne ISD has an enrollment of more than 8,000 students and is led by Superintendent Thomas Price. Boerne had unique circumstances in deciding its in-person opening date, as two of its schools are located in
Bexar County, where an order from the San Antonio Metropolitan Health Department stated that schools were not permitted to open before Sept. 7. The district hoped to open all schools earlier than that, and based on guidance from the Texas attorney general, the district was allowed to open all of its schools on Aug. 12, in spite of the health department’s order. Students in the district have a choice between in-person and remote learning and will be able to make a change from one to the other at the end of each nine-week grading period. The district is emphasizing the community’s social and emotional needs during this time
BOERNE ISD LEARNING OPTIONS PK- 12
SELECTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2020
IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION
BOERNE E-LEARNING
Five days per week
Five days per week
Standard BISD grading policy
Standard BISD grading policy
Monitored daily attendance
Monitored daily attendance
Use of face coverings Physical, social distancing expected Enhanced safety protocols for arrival, transitions, dismissal, and visitors
Real time instruction with use of various forms of digital and online methods
Web camera, microphone, and electronic device required
Enhanced cleaning and sanitation of shared items Modified meal service allowing for distancing
Drive-through meal service available
Special Program services available (Special Education, 504, Bilingual/ESL)
Special Program services available (Special Education, 504, Bilingual/ESL)
Social and emotional support to promote student, staff, and family wellness
Social and emotional support to promote student, staff, and family wellness
May participate in extracurricular activities, following guidelines and safety measures
May participate in extracurricular activities, following guidelines and safety measures
Option to transition to E-learning at the end of the nine-week grading period
Option to transition to In-Person learning at the end of the nine-week grading period
Notice of transition must be received 2 weeks prior to end of grading period
Notice of transition must be received 2 weeks prior to end of grading period
SUMMER 2020
19
