AUGUST 12 IS AROUND THE CORNER, but it will arrive with schools continuing to be closed due to the national pandemic.
Area school districts are in the process of adjusting to a life where the first few weeks of the 2020-21 academic year will be done online. The decision – at a time where numbers across Galveston County have seen a sharp increase – will also greatly impact whether extracurricular activities will either be held back or stopped completely.
Following is an update on where area ISDs are standing with three weeks left before what was once projected as the opening day of school.
Texas City: The district had originally planned to open on time both in person and online, but a variety of options presented at Tuesday’s board meeting led TCISD to consider readjusting its course.
One proposal would have TCISD pushing its opening day to August 24, with the first three weeks of school online. After schools can safely open, parents would have the option to send children in person or continue with viral courses. The board is scheduled to meet on Monday to officially vote on the new plan.
Dickinson: Classes will begin on August 24, with an additional 10 minutes added to each school day. The district is also collecting data on students who will physically attend class or choose to receive remote instruction. Final commitments for face-to-face or remote instruction will be made when the official registration process begins on August 3.
Santa Fe: Like Dickinson, the SFISD day will have an additional 10 minutes when classes begin on August 13. The district will offer both in-class and online instruction, with both having specific requirements. There will also be strict guidelines for disinfecting all facilities, buses, cafeterias and playgrounds along with health screenings in place for staff and students.
Social distancing for drop-off and pick-ups will be in place, while safety protocols for students and staff with breakfast and lunch services will be implemented. Meals will be provided to qualified students and select virtual learning.
Hitchcock: Registration begins on Monday for each of the HISD campuses, which are scheduled to open its doors on August 17.
Friendswood: The district will present its DRAFT reopening plan to the FISD Board of Trustees on Monday. The plan has both a virtual and in-school path that features maximized social distancing, reduced transition time for secondary (grades 6-12) students and additional lunch periods on a staggered schedule (in-school).
Athletics and other extracurricular activities will be conducted in alignment with guidelines of the University Interscholastic League, which is expected to make its announcement on 2020-21 plans this Monday.
Clear Creek: “We are prepared to welcome children and staff back to school on August 18,” said Greg Smith, CCISD Superintendent of Schools. “Our team has been working around the clock to provide a physically safe and emotionally secure learning environment. I know this time is met with many emotions from excitement to fear, and everywhere in between. My message to our staff, students and family is that it will be okay.”
Galveston: The district will offer on-site learning along with a newly-developed SAIL Program that will offer a flexible schedule with daily interaction required. Both on-site and remote learning students will have free breakfast and lunch available along with social and emotional support if needed.
