2021-22 COVID-19 FAQ

Last Updated- 08.31.21

We will make every effort to address your questions relating the Return to School Plan (RIPICS).

SUBMIT QUESTIONS

Taylor ISD's COVID-19 Decision-Making Priorities

Carefully consider the social and emotional well-being of students and staff.
To the greatest extent possible, keep students in school in a safe learning environment.
Establish a community of clear, honest communication

Our decisions are driven by local health conditions. You can find those here.

Health and Safety

Will the campus provide rapid testing to close contact or symptomatic students?

Yes. Any parent may allow their child to be tested after completing this form.

Will there be a point when the district may consider temporarily closing a classroom or campus?

The district will continue to monitor cases and will work to keep classrooms open as long as possible. If 8% of students in a grade level are currently positive with the COVID-19 virus, the grade level will be moved to remote learning for at least one week.

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

Wearing a mask is recommended in Taylor ISD and strongly recommended in settings for elementary students not yet eligible for vaccinations. Per the Governor’s orders, schools cannot make masks mandatory. Staff members that visit multiple schools are strongly encouraged to wear masks to reduce risk of transmission.

When there are positive cases in a classroom, how is the school preventing the spread of the virus?

When more than one positive case takes place in a classroom, the students considered a close contact will be offered a "rapid test" through our clinic to determine if they are also infected. In an elementary school, this will be the entire class. Additionally, classrooms with more than one positive case will be separated from other classrooms in the building to prevent the spread across a grade level.

How will classrooms and schools be cleaned to ensure a healthy environment?

Cleaning protocols will be maintained by school and custodial staff. This includes wiping down commonly used surfaces. All areas will be sprayed with disinfectant and deep cleaned each afternoon. Routines will be established to ensure students use hand sanitizer and wash their hands.

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

Only those that are close contacts, within 3 feet of the positive individual within the last 48 hours, may need to quarantine. The campus administrator, in coordination with a district supervisor, makes the final recommendation to the parent. Those vaccinated and those wearing a mask will not need to quarantine.

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.

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

Parents are asked to screen their children at home and not send their child to school if they are exhibiting the following symptoms (list symptoms). Schools will also screen students for symptoms upon entry.

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 someone already had COVID-19 or was vaccinated 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 does not need to quarantine unless they exhibit symptoms.

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.

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

If a family member tests positive, members of the household are recommended to quarantine for 7 days IF they exhibit symptoms. Those without symptoms and those vaccinated do not need to quarantine.

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.

Will parents be notified of positive cases at the schools?

Families will be notified by email if there was a positive case in their child’s classroom. Those at risk of close contact will be notified through a personal phone call.

If a student is quarantined, how will their absence be recorded?

Students quarantined due to COVID-19 or exposure to COVID-19 will receive an excused absence.

Will visitors be allowed to enter the building?

No. Not until Williamson County Public Health is at Phase Green or Yellow. Currently, we are at Phase Red (the highest). When we are at Phase Green or Yellow, Visitors are required to temperature scan and screen for COVID-19 symptoms before entry into the building. Parents wishing to have lunch with their child will need to pre-arrange the visit through the campus front office.

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.

Educator Needs

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

Staff members that are quarantined due to COVID-19 will be required to use their personal/sick leave. Up to six days of personal leave will be covered by the district if the employee provides documentation of a positive test result. The employee is responsible for initiating the request to Human Resources.

If a staff member is a close contact, can they still report to work?

Staff members that are close contacts to a COVID positive individual are recommended to stay home unless they are fully vaccinated OR have been sick with COVID in the last three months OR wore a well-fitting mask for the duration of time they were in close contact. Staff members that do not meet this criteria MAY return to work if they complete a Rapid Test at the start of each day, every other day, until the end of day 10.

How will the campus respond if there are multiple cases within a classroom?

Classrooms with multiple cases of COVID will continue to stay in school as long as possible. Those positive for COVID will be quarantined until symptoms subside, but no shorter than 10 days from the beginning of symptoms OR a positive result. Those remaining in class will be offered a rapid test (with parent permission) to help with school conditions. Classes with multiple cases will be isolated from the rest of the campus for 10 days, to the greatest extent possible.

Student Learning

Will virtual learning be offered for students?

Virtual learning is being offered on a limited basis for grades Kindergarten through 6th grade. Please contact your school's principal for more details.

Will Taylor ISD provide technology for students quarantined?

Taylor ISD is providing every student an IPad or laptop this year. Upon need and request, the district will issue electronic devices to students.

How will my child learn at home if they are quarantined?

At the elementary level, students will make up their work at home much like any other illness. Teachers will work with families to support make-up work options both at home and on campus to ensure learning needs are met. At the secondary level, students will have access to online learning resources from home.

How are we addressing student reconnection and social skill needs?

As we prepare for launching a new school year, we are carefully considering the social and emotional needs of our students, staff, and families. Beginning this year, campuses are utilizing a process for building relationships with students and families that encourages relationships and establishes a safe, engaging learning environment for all children.