Back to School 2020!

Olton ISD has spent many hours and days discussing and considering its own "why." Realizing its purpose for existence is especially important when confronted with challenges. Olton ISD will continue its mission of creating pathways for every child regardless of the circumstances. Please join us as we move forward!

"Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records."

William Arthur Ward

It is important that we are able to have knowledge of your intentions so that we can plan accordingly to make great instructional plans for your child! Please complete this survey by Friday, 7-31-2020, at 12:00 PM.

If you have selected a Flexible or At-Home learning Model, please also complete this survey.

Why did the school start and end dates change?

• Our district staff has determined that we need more time to prepare for high-quality, safe, and effective instruction and procedures in the district. With that need, we have determined that it is best to prolong our start date to provide ample time for preparation.
• In order to keep professional development days for staff to better adapt to our new learning formats, it was necessary to extend the year by 1 week in order to keep to our required number of instructional minutes (75,600).

Facebook: facebook.com/www.oltonisd.net

Olton ISD is driven by its Why. We are planning to create the most effective, safe environment for our students, regardless of their learning path choice. We firmly believe that learning on the campus is the most effective method of instructional delivery and support as well as positive social and emotional interactions. Some families and their circumstances may lead families to believe that learning from home may be the best option for them and we respect that decision.

During the 2020-2021 school year, families may select between three distinct learning models. In-Person Learning (on campus), At-Home Learning, and a Flexible Model will be available for students throughout the school year.

• Student Choice: Students may opt for a different learning model for a six weeks period. Once a student selects a specific learning model, the student will remain with that model throughout the entire six weeks. Currently, students who choose the At-Home Learning only model will not be eligible to participate in some extracurricular and on-campus activities. A list of extracurricular events that can be participated in through a remote environment will be provided.
• Students who wish to participate in extracurriculars and some CTE related courses, but participate in most class instruction in a remote learning model, will still be required to be present at the campus at some times in the day. This is called the Flexible Model.
• Career Technology Education and Electives: Ensuring that the state mandated curriculum (TEKS) is taught with fidelity, OISD may require students to participate in on campus instruction for that portion of the day where their presence is required for practice and demonstration of mastery of skills (Flexible Model). OISD will notify students and parents which courses may require their presence on campus for that component of their education if the student selects the Flexible Model.
• Students who choose the At-Home Learning Model will not be able to participate in or enroll in courses or extracurricular activities that require their on-site presence.
• All students may be required to be monitored by a school-provided test proctor during selected activities. Distancing measures commensurate with student choices will be implemented to the best of the district's ability.
• We will continue collaborating and reviewing the evolution of the virus as well as requirements, schedules, policies, and procedures to implement a quick and seamless transition.

This is meant to provide a visual representation of how each learning format compares to one another based on student choice.

• Login: students will continue to use district-provided logins through the Google Applications that are currently being used. More information regarding login, applications, and interactions will be delivered at a later date.
• Student Chromebooks: Olton ISD will provide to every student a chromebook and, when practical and applicable, should be taken home each night and used each day for learning. Teachers will be in contact with homes to give more guidance and details regarding the use of chromebooks.
• Student/Teacher Conferences: students engaged in on-campus learning should expect to receive the same support and guidance from staff in a face to face fashion as before. Students engaged in At-Home learning will receive guidance from their teacher regarding conferencing sessions outside of scheduled class participation times.
• Parent/Teacher Conferences: unless the situation suggests that it is necessary for parents and teachers to meet in-person, these conferences will be conducted through some type of virtual manner in order to continue to limit face to face interactions.
• WiFi Access: our teachers have been in communication with administration and we are making plans to ensure students in homes without internet access are able to check out a hot-spot to that their continuity of learning is not interrupted. Additionally, students are always welcome to sit outside their campus and access WiFi.

The conditions, guidance, and procedures surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic are continually evolving. While Olton ISD is making plans to return to school, we will take care to observe guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Texas Education Agency, and state and local health officials.

We will keep you updated on Olton ISD's procedures as new guidance emerges!

Website: https://www.cdc.gov/

• Any individuals who themselves either: (a) are lab-confirmed to have COVID-19; or (b) experience the symptoms of COVID-19 (listed above) must stay at home throughout the infection period, and cannot return to campus until the school system screens the individual to determine that the following conditions for campus re-entry have been met.
• At least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications
• The individual has improvement in symptoms
• At least ten (10) days have passed since symptoms first appeared
• In the case of an individual who was diagnosed with COVID-19, the individual may return when all three of the previously mentioned criteria are met
• 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 an 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 (a) obtain a medical professional's note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis or (b) receive two separate confirmations at least 24 hours apart that they are free of COVID-19 via acute infection tests at an approved COVID-19 testing location found at https://tdem.texas.gov/covid-19/
• Students or staff who come into close contact with a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and should contact the school for evaluation of meeting the return to school criteria
• District communication will be provided to staff and students who come into contact with anyone who tests positive for COVID-19
• Olton ISD will immediately sanitize all areas that had exposure from someone who tested positive. In the event that this cannot be done before the start of the next school day, OISD may need to close for a day to complete this process.
• Any student requiring quarantine will transition to At Home Learning for that period of time.

Will health and safety training be provided for all staff and students?

• Yes. All staff members will receive COVID-19 prevention training prior to the opening of school. All students will receive instruction on health protocols related to minimizing the spread of COVID-19 at the start of the school year.

Will my child have to wear a face covering?

• OISD will continue to follow governor orders. Currently, students are required to wear face coverings if they are in grades 4-12.
  
  
• Because wearing face coverings in certain situations and locations is a requirement by the Governor, it will be necessary to mandate all designated students and employees wear a face covering when in specified locations and under specified rules. If a student refuses to wear a face covering when instructed, the student will be enrolled in a learning format more suitable to their choices.

How many students will be assigned to each classroom?

• At this time, class size requirements are the same as during a regular school year. Social distancing will still be implemented when possible.

Will there be an attendance requirement for At-Home students?

• Yes, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will require daily attendance and daily participation in the At-Home Learning or Flexible models. Students will be required to participate in online classes daily and traditional attendance requirements and rules apply.

May a student opt for paper packet learning for the 2020-2021 school year?

• No. To ensure the instructional continuity and equal access to high quality instruction, OISD will offer a digital platform for homework, assessments, and other related tasks.

Will cafeterias be open and will school meals be served?

• School breakfast and lunch will still be provided. We are still in the process of determining the best method of ensuring students are fed and are kept safe. More guidance will be provided at a later date.

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

• Yes. Campuses will seek to minimize the number of students in one place at one time

Will I be able to come to the cafeteria to eat with my child?

• Until guidance and precautions that are being taken are able to be loosened, we will not be allowing visitors to eat in the cafeteria. We are exploring other possibilities to make eating with your child, on campus, a possibility.

Will bus transportation be provided for students?

• Yes, transportation will continue to be provided. Parents are encouraged, however, to transport their children to school if possible. Family members will be seated together on the bus to maximize spacing.

Will students be able to participate in extracurricular activities?

• Students who are engaged in On-Campus learning will be able to continue normal participation in their extracurricular activity. Students who are engaged in At-Home Learning will not be eligible for extracurricular participation other than those that can be completed in a digital environment (list will be provided). Students in a Flexible Model Environment will be eligible to participate in all extracurricular activities, including those that will require their presence for participation. As a reminder, students may not change their learning method until a new grading period (six weeks) begins.

Will students be able to have field trips and off-campus activities?

• There is currently no guidance on this question at this time.

Can students change their commitment from In-Person to At-Home learning after the start of the school year?

• Due to the scheduling complexities inherent in these two options, parents will be asked to make a commitment for at least one full six-weeks grading period. Special circumstances that affect a family will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the campus principal.

Will an ARD/504 meeting be required if At-Home Learning is chosen?

• ARD and 504 meetings will be scheduled on a case-by-case basis. For students served in special education, the schedule of instructional and related services should be accurately documented in the ARD/IEP to reflect the supports and services the student requires for FAPE. A parent/guardian may request an ARD or 504 meeting at any time.

Will STAAR/EOC be administered in 2020-2021?

• Yes, current guidance and planning from TEA indicate that students will be required to take the STAAR/EOC exam.