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Important Information About the Coming School Year (FAQ)
Colleagues:
Many of you have shared your questions and concerns following our announcement on Wednesday that we are planning for school to reopen for all students, every day, next year.
Please know that this is a work in progress. We anticipate TEA guidelines will come out next week and give us even more information about what we can and can’t do when classes resume on August 17.
In the meantime, we wanted to let you know as early as possible so you can share your own questions with us.
We are asking you to send your comments, suggestions, and queries to the Fort Worth ISD Let’s Talk platform. That way we will have a record of every concern, be able to more effectively track our responses, and add to the plan.
In the meantime, we want to immediately address some of the questions we have received. We are committed to sharing what has been decided as soon as know. That includes the information that parents will have the ability to choose whether their student will attend.
How will that work?
To effectively plan for next year, we are going to ask our parents to let us know what school environment they will be interested in for their children next year. When they register online starting July 1, parents will make the decision for their student –and the District and campus will plan accordingly.
What will virtual learning look like this fall?
Virtual learning will look different than it did in the spring. While our plan to finish out the spring semester allowed us to keep students progressing with their learning, it was and is not comprehensive enough to replace ongoing schooling.
How will it be different?
Lessons and content to be covered during in-person classes will be the same lessons and content covered during virtual classes.
All teachers will come back to work next school year. Each campus will be unique on how the instruction is delivered according the personnel resources and enrollment of students virtually.
Will all teachers return to school this fall?
All staff will return to schools in the fall to support both in-person instruction and teacher directed virtual instruction. In order to provide in-person and virtual instruction and to keep students safely distanced while in-person, we will need all staff to be active contributors to both instructional delivery platforms. The instruction delivered virtually will be at the same level as instruction delivered in-person.
Will parents be able to change their decision for a student to receive online or face-to-face instruction after the year begins?
We are encouraging our parents to choose an option for an entire semester, but we will work with our families on an individual basis as the need arises.
What happens if a health issue arises in a school?
If a health issue arises in a school, we already have the virtual platform established and students will transition as seamlessly as possible. The District will provide CDC aligned protocol for each campus to follow.
What will the District do about transportation?
A Transportation team is working on this issue as we speak. As we receive updated guidelines we will revise plans.
How will we maintain social distancing among students and staff?
We are evaluating our buildings and redefining classrooms. Depending on how many students can be in an instructional environment, we have to prepare additional spaces in our buildings to become classrooms. When parents register their children online, it will help campuses plan accordingly.
Will we need additional instructors?
All staff members may need to support classroom instruction. Some may monitor virtual lessons delivered by a certified teacher in a different room in the building.
What kind of professional development is now and/or will be available to teachers who want to learn more about online instruction and the virtual classroom?
Online professional development is currently available to Fort Worth ISD teachers and more will be added in the next few weeks. The topics cover a wide range of subjects and can be accessed here.
What will be done at the building level to make the environment safe?
Our protocols for cleaning will change -- dramatically. While our custodial staff has always performed exemplary work, they will now have extra resources and help. Their work schedules will shift, as well. Duties that were formerly performed in the late afternoon or evening will now become part of a campus’s daytime routine, and will occur multiple times while students and staff are present.
How will this work be monitored?
FWISD Division of Operations is committed to ensuring our schools are safe, clean and disinfected. The District has an environmental manager who is:
Monitoring CDC guidelines to ensure the District is following the most current recommendations.
Providing additional training to custodians to instruct and reinforce cleaning procedures to effectively address coronavirus.
Adjusting custodial schedules so more of the workforce is available during the day in order to be constantly cleaning and disinfecting when employees and students are in the building.
The District is using an EPA approved disinfectant to kill the coronavirus which is in compliance or exceeds the CDC guidelines.
- Custodial staff is cleaning and disinfecting door knobs, handrails, and other highly used surfaces during the day and at the end of each day.
- Assuring hand sanitizer dispensers are full and operational
- Restrooms are being monitored throughout the day to ensure they are clean and are supplied with soap and other necessary supplies.
Presently, the deep summer cleaning of our schools is underway, which includes stripping and waxing floors as well as deep cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
Will the District provide Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)?
Yes, PPE will be made available to each campus and District facility including face coverings, gloves, and equipment required for wellness checks.
What happens if an employee has concerns about returning to work?
There are several options available. First an employee with concerns should contact Fort Worth ISD Employee Services at 817-814-2790 or via email emp.services@fwisd.org
When will we receive additional details?
We expect TEA to release additional guidelines next week that will provide details for the district to plan around transportation, cafeteria, and athletics.
Again, we welcome your questions and suggestions and urge you to utilize the District’s Let’s Talk platform to share them with us.