The Houston Independent School District has developed a plan to deliver quality education during the upcoming 2020-2021 school year while ensuring the health and safety of our students, families and staff.
With this in mind,all students will begin the 2020-2021 school year virtually on September 8, 2020.
Virtual instruction for all students will continue for six weeks through Friday, October 16, 2020. On Monday, October 19, 2020, face-to-face instruction for all students will begin. However, this date is subject to change based on COVID-19 conditions across the City of Houston and recommendations from local, state, and federal health officials.
Because it’s important for parents to have the ultimate choice on determining what is best for their child, parents will have the option to opt out of face-to-face instruction entirely for the fall semester and school year.
All parents will be asked to complete the 2020-2021 Parent Introduction to Virtual Learning Online Course by August 28, 2020. The course will be available on July 31, 2020.
Once the transition to face-to-face instruction begins, all HISD students and employees will be screened before entering any HISD building. They will also be required to wear appropriate masks, hand-wash routinely, and adhere to physical distancing requirements. Additionally, it will be mandatory for nurses, custodial staff, food service workers, and special education staff to wear gloves.
These protocols were developed in part by the HISD Communicable Disease Plan Task Force, a group of key employees, educators, parents, community members, and health care officials. The task force was charged with reviewing safety guidance from local, state, and federal health and education officials. The district also considered feedback from parent and teacher surveys distributed over the summer.
During virtual instruction, to ensure learning is uninterrupted, the HISD Academics team developed an Instructional Continuity Plan. The plan provides a robust framework that expands on the current HISD @ H.O.M.E. at-home learning platform and provides additional guidance and support for any future extended periods of closure.
We are confident this is the best course going forward to ensure both the educational success of our students and the health and safety of our school communities. And as we get updated guidance from state and health officials, we may implement changes to this plan.