Instructional choice window reopens
RRISD families will be able to chose whether to revise their student's instructional format for the second grading period beginning Oct. 1, when campuses email families choice forms.
Families have from Oct. 1-7 to complete the form. Students whose families do not fill out the form will remain in the learning format they had selected for the first nine-week grading period, per a Sept. 30 district release.
Students can continue to opt into virtual learning during the second grading cycle if they do not wish to attend an in-person format.
"Students will still be able to remain in an at-home virtual learning environment and students participating in on-campus learning can switch to at-home learning at any time," the district confirmed in a Sept. 30 RRISD news release.
Potential changes in virtual learning instruction could occur if a significant number of students return for in-person learning, per the release. Changes include schedule adjustments or a new teacher overseeing virtual learning, the release confirmed.
An instructional choice document is available online, which includes campus-level breakdowns on the number of students enrolled in on-campus or virtual instruction.
Elementary school protocols
On-campus instruction for elementary campuses has continued at RRISD with smaller class sizes to help promote social distancing provisions, per the release. Hand-washing and hand-sanitizing protocols, along with the required use of face masks, is enforced for students and staff on elementary campuses, the release said.
Due to the potential of more students returning for on-campus instruction, maintenance of the recommended 45-square-foot distance per student might not be possible in the second grading period, according to the release. Frequent sanitation and cleaning will be administered to help reduce potential exposure, especially on high-touch surfaces.
Middle school, high school protocols
RRISD established learning pods at middle and high school campuses for the first grading period. Under learning pods, students mainly remain in one classroom for the duration of the school day and participate in classes virtually.
Middle and high school students will begin transitioning to certain classes Oct. 19, including: fine arts, athletics, career and technical education courses, physical education and "some classes grouped by academic programming determined by the campus," per the release.
If COVID-19 cases do not trend upward, RRISD will resume a traditional schedule for middle and high school campuses Nov. 9 with students allowed to rotate through their classes. Some variations might occur in the transition back to a traditional schedule due to the number of students who return for in-person instruction, per the release.
Similarly to elementary campuses, maintenance of the recommended 45-square-foot distance per student might not be feasible. All staff and students will be required to wear masks, and frequent cleaning procedures will be enforced, according to the release.
