“Additional information about Katy ISD’s return to school procedures, including instructional options and safety protocols, will be available to parents and staff on the district’s website the week of July 13,” the statement reads.
The statement also noted parents and guardians will be able to choose to enroll their children in virtual or i-n-person instruction. On June 22, KISD said the first day of school will be Aug. 19, and it made had no changes to the 2020-21 instruction calendar—though instructional start and end times may change to accommodate new safety schedules.
The Texas Education Agency released new guidelines for the 2020-21 school year July 7.
School districts and systems across the state of Texas are required to offer on-campus classes, according to the guidelines. Parents may request virtual instruction for their children if the district offers this option.
“During the first three weeks of school, to facilitate an effective back-to-school transition process, school systems may temporarily limit access to on-campus instruction,” the guidelines state. “As a result, some parents opting for their student(s) to attend on campus may be required to start with remote instruction temporarily.”
Students must attend 90% of the days a course is offered—with some exceptions—to earn credit and proceed to the next grade, per the guidelines. Additionally, districts must comply with statewide mask orders and notify parents and staff of any confirmed coronavirus cases within a school during the upcoming 2020-21 school year, per the guidelines.
Teachers and staff members will be required to self-screen for COVID-19 each day prior to arriving to campus, per the guidelines. Districts can also consider screening students.
“There will almost certainly be situations that necessitate temporary school closure due to positive COVID-19 cases in schools. Parents, educators, and school administrators should be prepared for this in the event that it occurs, while actively working to prevent it through prevention and mitigation practices,” according to the guidelines.
