Shelbyville ISD Back to School Letter to Students, Parents, Staff

July 23, 2020 - Dear Shelbyville ISD Students, Parents, and Staff:

We hope this letter finds all of you safe and healthy at this time. Shelbyville ISD’s Administration, Board of Trustees, faculty and staff have struggled with the overwhelming issue as to how do we get back to as normal of a school day as possible for our students, while also keeping our students and staff healthy and as safe as possible. Unfortunately, any scenario that involves people coming together face-to-face carries some level of risk. Our goal is to be able to offer traditional school while minimizing the health concerns. For now, Shelbyville ISD has decided to implement a school calendar that has staff returning to school on August 10th and students beginning school on August 17th. Realizing that some families may not want to send their child(ren) back to school under the current climate, a Home Learning option will be offered to allow some parents to work with their child(ren) at home as their students follow an alternate online virtual curriculum for the 2020-21 school year.

INSTRUCTION

Shelbyville ISD students will have two options to attend school for the 2021 school year: Option 1 Face-to-Face instruction (traditional) at school or Option 2 At-Home Learning (staying home and utilizing an alternate curriculum).  The instructional plan parents choose for their child(ren) will be implemented for the entire six-weeks grading period. No changes can be made until the grading period ends. For parents desiring to keep their child(ren) at home under Option 2 At-Home Learning, you must complete the Instructional Method Survey that was released on July 20, 2020 by August 3, 2020 (please do not confuse this survey with a similar survey that was released on June 30th).

If events force our school district to shut down for an extended period of time during the school year, Shelbyville ISD will switch to a remote learning delivery system for our traditional students. Chromebooks have been issued to all Shelbyville ISD teachers. If needed, students may request to check out a Chromebook or other computing device from their school principal.

Families opting to stay home from school (Option 2) will follow a Remote Asynchronous Instructional Plan (instruction that does not require having the instructor and student engaged at the same time). The At-Home Learning student will be expected to engage in learning for a minimum of 3 hours a day (grades K-5) 4 hours a day (grades 6-12) and assignments will be expected to be turned in on an ongoing basis (like traditional classroom lessons). Please note that this option will be more academically rigorous than what was experienced by many during the most recent school closures due to COVID-19. A SISD staff member will communicate with the student on an ongoing basis. For most classes, the At-Home Learning core subject area curriculum offered by Shelbyville ISD will be the Texas Home Learning 3.0 developed by the Texas Education Agency. In addition, materials from instructional packets and other sources may be utilized. Although the Texas Home Learning 3.0 curriculum and Shelbyville ISD’s traditional classroom curriculum both follow the same teaching-learning goals and standards, the two are not identical and there will be possible differences in what is learned by the students in terms of how, when, and at what level of comprehension. Some elective courses may not be available under the At-Home Learning option. For all students opting for Option 2 Virtual Instruction the following is required: (1) broadband internet access; (2) a digital device (i.e. laptop) to use for a minimum of 3-4 hours each day; (3) printer capabilities as needed; (4) the student must participate in all required coursework and virtual lessons; (5) the student must participate in any additional activities required by the instructor (i.e. tutorial); (6) all work must be submitted in a timely basis; and (7) the student may have to come to school for proctored exams or special assignments.

HEALTH PROCEDURES

For students and staff returning to Shelbyville ISD campuses, numerous health and safety measures are being implemented for the 2020-21 school year. Current guidelines require all staff and age-appropriate students (designated by Shelbyville ISD as students grades 6-12) to wear face coverings while at school. Other measures to maximize the health and safety of our students and staff include:

  • All staff will wear face shields and/or masks while working around others.
  • All students in grades 6-12 will wear face coverings while at school. This measure may be adjusted if it is determined by the appropriate health authorities that the potential for viral spread has been contained.
  • Students in grades Prek-5 will not be required to wear a face covering at this time, but will have the option to wear one if they choose.
  • The district will issue all students a face covering (students may use their own face covering from home).
  • Social distancing will be implemented whenever possible. Larger gatherings of staff and students will be limited as much as possible.
  • Staff and students will be trained on COVID-19 and other disease prevention measures, including proper hand washing and sanitation.
  • All staff members will self-screen, including temperature checks each morning.
  • Students will be asked to self-screen on a daily basis to help monitor possible at-risk symptoms that may occur.
  • Electronic walk-through temperature scanners will screen individuals entering each campus.
  • Classroom teachers will have an infrared non-contact thermometer to utilize for additional temperature checks as needed.
  • Each campus will be cleaned and disinfected before staff and students arrive each morning. Classrooms will be cleaned multiple times a day. 
  • New electronic cleaning misters will be utilized by maintenance staff to clean and disinfect facilities.
  • Hand sanitizer stations will be at entrance/exits of each building. Hand sanitizer will also be provided in each classroom and other rooms when feasible.
  • Signage promoting social distancing, hygiene, and other COVID-19 related precautions will be posted throughout the district.
  • When possible, classroom windows will be open to allow outside air to circulate.
  • Classroom desk shields may be installed in some classrooms.
  • Two additional school nurses have been recently hired to allow each campus to have a campus nurse. Shelbyville ISD’s three-person nursing team will work together to coordinate efforts to promote the best possible health practices for students and staff at each campus building.
  • Visitors will be restricted from entering school grounds during the school day. Approved visitors will be required to wear a face covering and pass a temperature screening before entering a school facility.

SECURITY

  • The guard booth will continue to be manned throughout the school day.
  • Additional security doors, cameras, and locks have been installed at each campus to increase the security capabilities of each building.

FOOD SERVICE

  • All food service personnel will utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including gloves and face coverings while performing duties, and will continue to be trained in best practices regarding health and hygiene.
  • Cafeteria and serving areas will be cleaned on an ongoing basis.
  • To ensure the safety of students and staff, no outside food deliveries will be accepted. Moreover, no visitors will be allowed in the cafeteria for breakfast or lunch.
  • Some school lunch times have been adjusted to lower the number of students in the cafeteria at one time.
  • Cafeteria tables will be spread out and seating reconfigured to promote social distancing as much as possible.

TRANSPORTATION

Families are encouraged to transport their children to and from school if possible. The pandemic presents unique challenges related to bus transportation, included the limited ability to distance students from one another.

  • Bus routes have been reconfigured and an additional bus purchased to limit the number of students riding each bus on a daily basis.
  • All students riding the bus will be required to wear face coverings while on the bus.
  • When possible, windows will be open to allow outside air to circulate in the bus.
  • Students will be assigned to a seating chart on buses and distancing will be promoted as much as space limits allow.
  • Students may only ride in their assigned seat on their designated route on a daily basis. Students requiring a different bus route for extenuating circumstances must have the second seat/route approved during bus pre-registration.
  • All students will use hand sanitizer (located at the bus entrance) before going to their seats.
  • Bus drivers will wear face coverings at all times during a bus route.
  • All buses will be sanitized before each route.
  • Students are expected to comply with all bus riding guidelines at all times.

EXTRACURRICULARS

  • Extracurricular activities including athletics and band will be conducted following UIL guidelines.
  • Non-UIL extracurricular activities will also follow COVID-19 related guidelines issued by UIL.
  • Staff and students will be trained on COVID-19 and other disease prevention measures. Proper hand sanitation and disease prevention methods will be emphasized after each activity.

Your patience and understanding are much appreciated during these unprecedented times. We hope this letter answers some of your most pressing questions about the start of school. Plans are subject to change based on how events unfold. Please contact Amber Swearengen, COVID-19 Coordinator, your child’s campus principal, or refer to the Shelbyville ISD webpage www.shelbyville.k12.tx.us to access the 2020-2021 Return to Learning Instruction Plan and/or the 2020-2021 Covid-19 Health and Safety Plan if you have any questions. Additional information will soon be provided about back-to-school activities including bus rider pre-registration, school registration, and Meet the Teacher. Thanks again and we look forward to working with you and your child(ren) for the upcoming school year…DRAGON PRIDE!

Respectfully yours,
Ray West
Superintendent