Schools are making plans for confronting the COVID-19 pandemic as they prepare to reopen for the fall semester.
Snyder ISD Superintendent Dr. Eddie Bland said the district is considering the option of pushing back the opening by up to three weeks. Students are currently scheduled to return Aug. 12.
“We are seriously considering delaying the start of the school year up to three weeks to make sure we are completely prepared to offer the same high-quality learning opportunities for all of our students, whether learning on campus or through our virtual home-learning platform,” Bland said. “Now with that said, please know that the health and safety of our students and staff and community is a top priority. We’ve worked tirelessly to develop and put into place plans that will do just that.”
According to Bland, in-school learning in Snyder schools will be as normal as the district can make it this fall.
“Whether our students are on campus or learning through our virtual learning platform, they will all follow the same robust curriculum with the same grading standards,” he said. “For our students that choose to attend school on campus, as always, you will be expected to attend school daily. Campuses will follow health and safety guidelines from local and state officials. Eligible students may participate in all athletic and extra-curricular activities. Although transportation is available, families are highly encouraged to transport their children to school when possible. Students will have access to tutoring and student support systems just as always.”
Bland stressed that home learning is not going to be an “easy” option this year.
“I can’t stress this point enough: Our virtual learning this year will be very different from last spring,” he said. “Virtual students will be required to be engaged in learning every school day, and probably should set aside a minimum of four hours of time each day for the virtual coursework. Students will attend classes virtually daily. Students must meet attendance requirements. Standard grading policies will be in place. Coursework will be delivered through a combination of live interactions, videos and self-paced lessons. Students will have access to virtual tutoring and student support systems to meet their academic and social and emotional needs. We plan to have support for you too, parents.”
Plans are underway to make all coursework available to at-home students, but some challenges exist, Bland said.
“Some of the CTE (Career and Technology Education) courses may take some face-to-face time, and we’re working through those processes right now,” he said. “It will require all of us to have some flexibility.”
High school students attending remotely will be able to participate in extra-curricular activities as long as they continue to meet regular eligibility requirements, he said.
Masks will be a part of life for most Snyder students engaged in on-campus instruction, Bland said.
“All staff and students in grades 4-12 will be required to wear face coverings when closer than six feet to others,” he said. “Face coverings are optional for our students in Pre-K through third (grade).”
Daily cleaning and disinfecting, social distancing and daily screening for symptoms including temperature screening for all students and staff will be part of life in Snyder schools this school year, Bland said.
He urged parents, teachers and staff to approach the COVID-19 situation and its effect on education as a life lesson.
“Our students, staff and community, and I mean all of us, are now getting an intensive crash course in two critical life skills: Adaptability and perseverance,” he said.
At a recent school board meeting, Hermleigh ISD Superintendent Cassie Petty presented school board members a rough draft of plans for the school’s fall opening. While acknowledging the plan is still a work in progress, Petty said the school’s administration will have a more complete plan ready by the next school board meeting.
The Ira ISD will meet Monday evening, and COVID-19 plans are a topic of discussion on that meeting’s agenda.
Western Texas College President Dr. Barbara Beebe said the college is now conducting screenings for COVID-19 symptoms on everyone entering the campus.
“We have closed all entrances except the one on College Ave., and everyone will have their temperatures taken (infrared/hands-free),” she said. “If it is below 100.4, they will be given a colored wrist band to wear as a visible sign that they were screened. This includes all faculty, staff, students, visitors, delivery personnel and those going to use the golf course.”
Those whose temperature is greater than 100.4 degrees will be asked to leave and consult with a healthcare professional.
College-run satellites including College on the Square, The Opportunity Center and the Coliseum will also begin screening everyone who enters.