All Eanes students, who have opted for on campus learning, will be allowed to return to campuses on Sept. 21.
The school board voted Tuesday to allow students who would like to return to campus to do so on Sept. 21, but elected to keep the transition resolution, which gives the district the option to extend its transition period (remote learning) for an additional four weeks, in tact. The resolution was approved by the board in August. Remote learning will still be available to those who want it.
Board members said that the resolution gives the district the flexibility to put the phased-in plan back into place should they need to, but still allows all students, who want to be, back on campus.
“I agree with keeping the waiver, if that on Sept. 21 we can open (our campuses) to all students that want it, and it allows us to keep the flexibility should we need it,” said board member Ellen Balthazar. “In the 21 years I have been on the board, I can name two times that the TEA has given us local control. And if we rescind this resolution it’s like we are telling them we don’t care. I think if we are able to do what we want to do and open schools and keep flexibility I think there is a big argument to be made with regard to local control.”
Eanes, which is home to nearly 8,000 students, began the school year on Aug. 19 in a remote format. On Tuesday, up to 25% of students, who have been identified as most at-risk, including special education students, English language learners, those experiencing homelessness and students of teachers, were allowed back on campus, an estimated 1,900 students across the district.
Superintendent Tom Leonard said the first day back on campus since March was a success, and that students and teachers were following social distancing protocols and procedures.
“I was thrilled to walk through buildings today and see every kid and every teacher wearing masks,” he said.
Parents have pleaded for weeks with the district to open campuses to students, including during an open forum Tuesday. Many said they believed schools should open to all students, adding that online learning was not effective. And as the area has seen a decline in COVID-19 cases, the disease linked to the coronavirus, and hospitalizations, a weekly average positivity rate of 4.6% as of Tuesday, the plea to open schools grew.
Leonard said after talking with local public health officials and campus staff, the district said that on Sept. 21, when 50% of students were expected to return, that it could accommodate all students who wanted to return. According to district data, that is equivalent to about 59%, or 4,724 students across campus.
“We basically believe when we go to the next phase-in (50%) it’s basically going to be anyone who wants to come in,” he said.
The board did express some concerns about the few campuses that will be over the 50% threshold. Most of the district’s campuses will sit around 50%, but four campuses will be above 60%, including Bridge Point elementary (69%), Forest Trail elementary (61%), Hill Country Middle School (62%) and Westlake High School (63%).
Leonard said local public health officials gave superintendents the discretion to make that decision based on the risk stage the area is in, and taking into consideration that some students will be absent on some days, which will decrease the percentage. As of Tuesday, the Austin-Travis County area was in stage 3 risk.
When students return to campuses, district staff said face coverings, social distancing in classrooms and other commons areas, and directional signage will be part of the school day. Students and teachers are being asked to self monitor for coronavirus symptoms, including fever, shortness of breath, sore throat and chills.
School nurses will also be monitoring for these symptoms and will follow protocols to send children home, if they do. Molly May, chief student support officer for the district, said if the child is showing some of the symptoms it does not necessarily mean the child has the virus. Nurses cannot determine if the child has the virus, but said they will send students home if they are sick.
“It is not the nurses job to determine if a student has COVID, but to follow protocol to keep everyone as safe and healthy as they can,” May said.
Deep cleaning of buses, school campuses and other district facilities will be implemented every morning and evening. Hand sanitizing stations have also been installed in each classroom and in designated areas on campus. Playscapes will also be disinfected each day.
At least 100 teachers and 143 staff members have medical documentation that allows them to work remotely, district staff said they are doing everything they can to provide both students and teachers with the resources they need to learn.
Leonard said campus principals will conduct webinars soon to better inform parents about the day-to-day routines and protocols on campus.
“I did hear some real positives from parents and staff when principals did webinars late last week,” he said. “The parents really want to hear from the teachers, principals, assistant principals, those people because that is what gives them confidence and self assurance.”
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