TEXARKANA, Texas - The Liberty-Eylau Independent School District released procedures for its return to school amid the COVID-19 pandemic Thursday, referencing class options, student social and emotional counseling, mask regulations and more.
L-EISD is planning to return to school Aug. 12, but not without properly acquainting faculty, students and staff with a bevy of COVID guidelines to ensure everyone's safety this fall.
Here are some of the topics that were touched on:
Instruction Methods
L-EISD will have two different class options: traditional instruction and remote asynchronous instruction.
The traditional option will be the basic on-campus schooling system, including in-person teaching methods in classrooms, except with regulations to prevent the contraction of COVID-19 by students and faculty.
The remote option will require students to be online and engaged in class activities daily in order to be counted present and receive passing grades. Remote teaching methods may include pre-recorded videos, program-based tasks to complete individually or pre-assigned work and tests on paper.
Students will have free access to Google G Suite for Education.
Due to those who participate in remote learning needing to be engaged online daily, a strong internet service will be required to complete certain assignments.
For households without consistent internet, Wi-Fi will be made available in the West campus and Radar Dome parking lots at Liberty-Eylau High School.
COVID Regulations for Traditional Learners
Staff will be required to self-screen for symptoms daily, while students' parents and guardians are also expected to screen their children daily, including temperature checks.
Students 10 years and older are to wear face coverings, while all staff on-campus are required to wear them daily.
Frequent hand washing and sanitizing is required by students and faculty, and high-touch areas like restrooms and cafeterias will be disinfected throughout each day.
Bus transportation will be available with similar guidelines, regarding sanitization, mask-wearing and open windows to facilitate better air flow, although parents are encouraged to transport their children personally when possible.
If a student happens to display symptoms of COVID-19 while on campus, a school nurse will assess to determine if the student needs to go home. Said student will need to leave or be picked up 30 minutes to an hour from the point he or she is deemed ill.
In this scenario, other students will be removed from the classroom, so it can be disinfected. Parents of the children who come in contact with an infected student or staff member can be notified via Skyward Family Access.
Any student or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 will be required to quarantine for 14 days and not return to campus until they are cleared by a physician. Students can still participate in online learning while quarantining.
Student Counseling Support
The LEISD counseling department will provide social and emotional learning lessons and activities to students who have gone through COVID-19 experiences or trauma.
They will provide school-based mental health services, behavioral support systems, family engagement and support practices and staff supports.
Food Services
Cafeterias will be open for students who choose the traditional instruction model, and those students will receive daily breakfast and lunch.
Food deliveries will not be made available as long as traditional instruction is available.
Extracurricular Participation
Only students who choose the Traditional Instruction model will be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities including all UIL contests.