2021-22 Return to School Plan

ESSER Summary of Fund use and NOGA Refer to TEA Required Notices

Last Updated- 06.17.21

We will make every effort to address your questions in this Frequently Asked Questions page. Click the arrows on the right to reveal the responses.

SUBMIT QUESTIONS

Health and Safety

How will schools protect staff and students from COVID-19 risks?

Social distancing to the greatest extent possible (up to three feet) will be implemented throughout classrooms and common areas. Extra sanitation precautions will continue throughout the year to protect students and staff. Protective barriers may still be used in classrooms and office areas.

Who gets quarantined when a positive case occurs in a classroom?

If contact tracing indicates a student was beyond 3 feet of the positive individual within the last 48 hours, they may not need to quarantine. The campus administrator, in coordination with a district supervisor, makes the final determination.

How is "close contact" with an infectious individual defined?

This document refers to “close contact” with an individual who is test-confirmed to have COVID-19. The definition of close contact is evolving with our understanding of COVID-19, and individual scenarios should be determined by an appropriate public health agency. In general, close contact is defined as:

being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on); or
being within 3 feet for a largely uninterrupted or sustained extended contact period throughout the course of a day of approximately 15 minutes; however, additional factors like case/contact masking (i.e., both the infectious individual and the potential close contact have been consistently and properly masked), ventilation, presence of dividers, and case symptomology may affect this determination.

Either (a) or (b) defines close contact if it occurred during the infectious period of the case, defined as two days prior to symptom onset to 10 days after symptom onset. In the case of asymptomatic individuals who are test-confirmed with COVID-19, the infectious period is defined as two days prior to the confirming test and continuing for 10 days following the confirming test.

Will the district require the use of masks for on-campus instruction?

Masks will be optional for students and staff members after May 31st. Any individual may wear a mask if they choose, as long as it is not disruptive or distracting behavior. Personal choices about wearing a mask are to be respected at all times by staff, students, parents, and visitors. Those that are not vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear a mask.

If someone already had COVID-19 and was exposed to another individual with a positive case, do they need to quarantine?

A person that has medical documentation of being previously COVID-19 positive within the last 90 days does not need to quarantine, unless they exhibit symptoms.

What happens if the family member of a teacher or student tests positive?

If a family member tests positive, members of the household must quarantine for 10 days. The family member may return to school after 7 calendar days if they have a negative COVID test on Day 5 or 6 of quarantine.

How will schools screen for student and staff wellness before they enter school?

Students and staff will no longer be required to complete temperature checks or complete a self-screener. Visitors will continue to be screened for temperature at school and building entrances. Parents are asked to screen their children at home before school and keep children at home if they show symptoms.

As a reminder, symptoms for COVID-19 include at least one of the following:

Fever of 100F or above,
cough
sore throat,
shortness of breath/trouble breathing,
chills,
muscle aches,
loss of taste or smell,
nausea, vomiting or diarrhea,
and new headache.

If you or your student are symptomatic, please stay home.

If I am vaccinated and exposed to a positive case, do I still need to quarantine?

A vaccinated person with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 is not required to quarantine if they:

Are fully vaccinated by being at least two weeks since the date of their 2nd vaccination dose.
Have remained asymptomatic.

Can I bring my student's lunch to school if they forget it?

Parents will be allowed to drop off a lunchbox for a student. The lunch will need to be in a sealed ziploc or a lunchbox. We still will not be accepting any fast food options.

How long does someone need to be quarantined?

Anyone exposed to an individual that has tested positive (within 3 feet for 15 cumulative minutes) must quarantine for 10 days total. Those exposed may return to school after 7 calendar days if they have a negative COVID test on Day 5 or 6 of quarantine. Otherwise, quarantine lasts for 10 calendar days.

How do I prove that I've been vaccinated to avoid a potential quarantine?

For students and staff, proof of vaccination must be submitted to the campus nurse. Vaccinations are a family's choice and although we encourage them, they are not required by the district. Taylor ISD will continue to publicize opportunities for vaccinations to help protect our students and staff.

Will social distancing on busses continue?

Students on school buses will return to normal seating arrangements. To the greatest extent possible, seating will be limited to allow appropriate space between studetns.

Educator Needs

If a teacher/staff member is quarantined, are they required to use personal/sick leave?

If the principal determines a staff member can reasonably perform their essential job duties from home that do not require the use of a sub, the use of sick/personal leave may be avoided. Staff members should place their personal health and the health of their family as a priority when deciding to teach from home.

Student Learning

Will virtual learning be offered for students?

The Texas Education Agency has not extended the ability for school districts to provide remote instruction to students since the Texas Legislature did not pass any bills supporting it. Due to this, all students will be returning to in-person instruction in August. Students that are "medically compromised" may qualify for homebound instruction by contacting their campus with qualifying documentation.

Will Taylor ISD provide technology for students participating in remote learning?

Upon need and request, the district will issue electronic devices to students in Grades 4-12. Parents and students will be required to sign a lending agreement which may require a deposit. Students who are issued such devices must adhere to the district’s acceptable use policy throughout the period of use.

How will teachers address any potential learning needs from the school closure last spring?

An ongoing effort by the district and campus will be needed to address the learning needs of children throughout the district. Parents with concerns about their child's learning should contact their campus teacher or principal for responses. Please allow 24-48 hours for an adequate response time during this incredibly challenging time for our teachers.