From Mr. Flowers
July 8, 2020
District Safety Protocols
OUR Relentless Pursuit To Get Better
HISD Parents/Guardians:
HISD has been working extremely hard in preparation for the upcoming school year. We are doing all we can to prepare. Even though we have not been given return to school guidance from the Texas Education Agency, we are committed to ensuring the health and safety for all so that we do not contribute to the number of new COVID-19 cases.
As we plan, we are committed to:
- Maintain the health, wellness, and safety of the entire school community
- Flexibility for our most at-risk students, staff, and families
- Compliance with social distancing recommendations and PPE as required
- Preparedness for responding to local, state, and federal orders
- Commit to developing re-opening approaches that meet the needs of our students
- Support all staff to adapt and respond to the instructional and operational needs of all stakeholders
- Secure a strong financial and operational future
- Sustain open communication with the HISD community
Campus Protocols
- Daily temperature checks-each campus will have 2 or more “walk through” Infrared Body Temperature Detectors that will allow us to screen incoming traffic with accuracy and effectiveness
- Each campus classroom will have hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes
- Automatic Hand Sanitizer stands will be placed throughout the campuses
- All campuses will have an allotment of PPE and cleaning materials on-site
- Nurses assigned to each campus provide wellness education, monitor health systems, and respond to health issues of staff and students.
- Health screenings will be conducted weekly
- Utilization of outdoor learning when weather permits.
- Reduction of student-movement transitions in buildings
- Physically distancing in classrooms, as feasible
- One-way hallways, as feasible
- Lunches could be in alternative locations, including classrooms
- Masks for both staff and students provided by the district (waiting on guidance from TEA)
- Limited sharing of school supplies/equipment
- Buses-temperature check before entry. Masks may be required on the bus.
- Campuses will be sanitized and disinfected frequently
- Disinfect commonly used surfaces frequently
- We are researching ways for the K-5 students to remain in one classroom throughout the day for instruction.
Once again, as of now, this is our plan for “jump starting” the 2020-2021 school year.
It’s a great time to be a Red Devil.
Mr. Flowers
From Mr. Flowers
July 6, 2020
First Day of School
OUR Relentless Pursuit To Get Better
HISD Parents/Guardians:
As we continue through the summer with "Slow or No" guidance from our state officials, I am reminded of a quote from William Arthur Ward, "the pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist hopes it changes, and the realist sets his sail." So with that being said, HISD is going to "weigh anchor." Many decisions have to be made, some are easy and some are hard, but when it's best for students and teachers, it's easy.
There has been pressure from TEA to start school earlier, however, with the instructional method "expectations" that will be required for remote learning, I believe there is a case to be made to start school later. Teachers are the number one most important factor to student academic success. HISD understands the need to give our teachers the time for organization, training, and support for the remote learning requirements.
I will be presenting to our Board an amended calendar to push the first student day back a week. Our first day with students will be Thursday, August 20th. This calendar change will allow five more staff development days for our Teachers to prepare for the school year. This calendar decision was made early to give parents and teachers time to plan. We appreciate your continued support.
We continue to plan with safety as our priority. I will keep you updated as I know more.
It's a great time to be a Red Devil.
Mr. Flowers