20-21 SISD School Plan
Smithville ISD Fall 2020 Instructional Reopening Plan is available via the link below.
Smithville ISD is committed to providing rigorous, TEKS-based instruction to all students whether they attend school in-person or select a virtual learning setting. We recognize that this may be a challenging year, but we are embracing the opportunity to expand and maximize learning for all students. In the link below you will find information for both the in-person and virtual learning opportunity that SISD will offer along with the link to the SISD 2020-2021 Instructional Programming Form. This form was included in the Virtual Learning Plan that was released on July 21st; if you filled out the form at that time, you do not need to fill it out again. Your answers to the Instructional Programming Form will assist administration in planning for the 2020-2021 school year. This form must be filled out for each of your children no later than Sunday, August 9th. Completing the Instructional Programming Form by this date will allow each campus to appropriately assign staff to meet the diverse needs of our students. Beginning August 10th, parents will have limited opportunities to change between learning settings. Parents will be offered the opportunity to change learning settings after the 3rd week of instruction, as well as after each 9 week grading period. Procedures for changing learning settings and deadlines to do so are provided at the end of this document. The following implementation plan is subject to change based on future COVID-19 Governor executive orders and Texas Education Agency guidance.
(Updated July 30, 2020)
(Actualizado el 30 de julio de 2020)
Please fill out the SISD 2020-2021 Instructional Programming Form using the link below. You will need to fill out the form for each child in your household. All forms are to be completed by Sunday, August, 9th.
Detailed information regarding the available learning platforms is outlined below, please read each section carefully before making your decision.
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Letter from Superintendent to Parents
July 29, 2020
Parents,
As many of you may know on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton gave guidance that local health authorities could not “close” schools. Without the health authority’s closure, Smithville ISD will now follow the SISD Board adopted 2020 - 2021 Academic Calendar which has a start date of August 24, 2020.
Smithville ISD respects the individual needs of our families and will work to support them in the best possible manner in these uncharted times. In preparation for the start of the school year, parents will have an opportunity to determine the instructional setting that best meets the needs of their children.
In order to plan for the start of the school year, we need to know how your children will receive their instruction. The options are 1) in-person on their respective campus or 2) by virtual means. On Thursday, July 30, 2020, you will receive a link to the Instructional Planning Form to provide SISD with information for planning purposes. The document contains detailed information regarding how in-person and virtual learning will take place.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work together in the best interest of our students and staff.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Burns, Superintendent
Link to SISD 20-21 Instructional Programming Form https://forms.gle/oMUxZqXM75hEjaMn9
TEA Link: https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/tea_information_for_leas_on_providing_internet_to_students.pdf
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Smithville ISD
Safety & Security Operations
During COVID-19 School Closure
In Smithville ISD the health and safety of our students and staff is of utmost importance. To that end, the following procedural safeguards are being put in place until further notice. The safeguards follow guidelines established by health authorities at the state & federal level.
Instruction-Student Activities-Travel
- Instruction of students will be home-based until further notice. Resources to support instruction will be developed by SISD staff and communicated to parents via web, phone and digital communication.
- All extracurricular school activities are suspended until further notice.
- All district sponsored travel, both for students and staff, is suspended until further notice.
Child Nutrition
- Student meals will be provided through pick-up service from two Smithville ISD locations. Information regarding this operation will be distributed to the Smithville ISD community via web, phone and digital communication.
Building Access
- Only mission critical personnel will be onsite during the school day. All other personnel will work from home as directed by their supervisor.
- School buildings will not be accessible to students, or parents, during this time except as determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Anyone entering a district facility will be subject to having their temperature checked before access is granted. Anyone with a temperature over 100.4 degrees will be denied access and directed to return home.
- No more than 10 people will be given access to any district facility at one time. This number will be strictly enforced.
- Wash hands frequently using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
- Cover your cough and sneeze into your elbow at all times.
- Always maintain a 6’ distance between people.
- Masks will be worn in district buildings when more than 1 person is present.
Sanitation/Cleaning
- All school facilities received a deep cleaning during spring break.
- GermBlast provided extra sanitation services to all campuses during spring break.
- All district facilities will continue to receive cleaning and disinfecting services provided by the district’s contracted service provider.
In order to protect the health and safety of all students and staff in Smithville ISD every effort will be made to adhere to the above procedural standards until such time as they need to be amended, or suspended. Smithville ISD will continue to work with the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management, the Texas Department of Health, the Texas Education Agency and other applicable agencies to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and keep people safe and healthy.