Joe’s Commentary: Where have All the Kids Gone?

A Texas school district's greatest asset is its students and from the articles I have read in the past few days, many districts have lost some of their students (compared to 2019). It is too early to draw conclusions about enrollment -- unless you are the superintendent or CFO and are counting the money. 

Fort Worth ISD Delays Start of In-Person Class After 11-Hour Meeting, Protests

Hundreds of parents chimed in Tuesday night as Fort Worth ISD took another stab at deciding when to send kids back to the classroom. This comes after voting just last week on a date for in-person learning. In a meeting that went until 4 a.m., the board took a series of votes on everything from upholding last week's vote to open school October 5, to pushing it back to the end of October with different outcomes with each vote. view article  

Sara Leon: The Legal Brief: New Title IX Regs Apply to Employee Complaints of Sexual Harassment

On May 4, 2020, the Department of Education (“DOE”) issued new Title IX regulations, which direct how educational institutions receiving federal funds must address reports of sexual harassment and sexual assault involving both students and employees. view article  

Sara Leon & Associates: THE LEGAL BRIEF: PRACTICE AREAS

At SL&A, we offer a full array of legal services for our school law clients throughout Texas. We strive to deliver a high-level of client service through teamwork, calling upon our attorneys’ decades of public and private experience to provide practical solutions and advice for all school needs. view article  

Parents weigh in on Fort Worth ISD’s plan for in-person learning

Fort Worth ISD's superintendent recommended that students who choose to can return to in-class instruction starting Oct. 5. The district's school board was presented plans for the return to in-person learning on Tuesday afternoon. Parents also got to weigh in. One week after Fort Worth ISD students started back-to-school learning virtually, the school board is already talking about what to do next. view article  

Four Killeen ISD students test positive for COVID-19 as of Monday

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Pflugerville ISD begins in-person learning while staying flexible about the future

Here in Central Texas some public schools are just now beginning to welcome students back to the classroom for in-person learning. And they're taking every precaution to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Austin ISD just started class 100% online last week, but Pflugerville ISD students started back on August 13 and they're already four weeks into the school year. view article  

Deadline extended for Fort Bend ISD parents deciding between virtual or in-person learning

The deadline has been extended for Fort Bend Independent School District parents deciding if they want their children to continue virtual learning or head back to the classroom. This comes as a special board meeting scheduled for today was canceled. Ft. Bend ISD Superintendent Charles Dupre said board members wanted to give more parents time to decide. view article  

Austin ISD’s first day of school was all virtual

First-grade teacher Karen Preston is all about meeting her students. "I love it because I love getting to know the kids," Preston said. While excited for the first day of school, Preston said teaching online does have its challenges. view article  

Dublin ISD Sees Smooth Start a Month Into Classes

The Dublin ISD in Erath County was one of the first districts in Texas to go back to school. The year started back on Aug. 4 with the majority of students in the classroom and a small group opting to learn at home. Now a month later, the superintendent tells NBC 5, it's been a smooth start. view article  

Majority of Waco ISD students registered so far pick remote learning

The Waco Independent School District and its charter school partner, Transformation Waco, could see more than half of their students start the school year Sept. 8 via remote instruction, according to registration numbers provided by both entities. view article  

Lubbock ISD confirms first COVID-19 case at Mackenzie Middle School

Mackenzie Middle School has confirmed the first case of COVID-19 at the school. Mackenzie Middle School release a statement to parents confirming the case of COVID-19 on August 26, 2020. view article  

Comal ISD students are back in class

The Coronavirus pandemic has all districts adapting and getting very familiar with technology. Roughly 12,000 CISD students, or 41%, are learning remotely. view article  

Bryan ISD discusses protocols for extracurricular activities as district gears up to reopen

School districts across the Brazos Valley will be heading back to school in the next few weeks but many are dealing with new protocols as the pandemic continues into the new school year. One area that many districts are dealing with is extracurricular activities. KBTX spoke to Bryan ISD’s Fine Arts Director, Patrick Corbett about how the district’s protocols are adjusting to fit the needs and safety for those who choose to participate. view article  

Chambers county, Barbers Hill ISD at odds regarding the district’s reopening plan

David Lothridge of Mont Belvieu represents many if not the majority of the parents in Barbers Hill Independent School District. He said the children need to be back in school. Nearly every parent with children in the district that KPRC 2 came across Thursday was in favor of sending kids back to school for in-person instruction with no delays. "You can learn more in class than on the computer," Lothridge added. view article  

Vidor ISD reverses decision, will allow online-only students to be part of UIL activities

For 17 to 18 percent of students who attend Vidor ISD, UIL activities are now an option this school year this. Superintendent Jay Killgo and board members met Monday night to vote on allowing students who chose virtual learning the opportunity to participate in UIL activities. "It's a difficult choice, it really is," Killgo said. view article  

August 0308:57 AM

 

• Student Athletes & Students COVID-19 Responsibility
• Worker’s Compensation & COVID-19
• Student and Athletic Accident Coverage & COVID-19 

What we know about Conroe ISD’s on-campus instruction

Conroe ISD has released its plans for in-person instruction for students. Although district officials have said this plan could change due to announcements from the Texas Education Agency and Gov. Greg Abbott, it presents several new requirements for students at all levels. view article  

Local school district to stagger reopening; area teachers fight return to classroom

The return to learning will be virtual for all students in the Marlin Independent School District--at first. During a special meeting of MISD's state-appointed Board of Managers Monday afternoon, the new superintendent announced the district is planning to stagger the start of in-person learning for students whose parents decide to send them back to campus instead of continuing remote learning when the school year begins. "We have a comprehensive look regarding our 2020-2021 re-entry plan," said Dr. Darryl Henson, Superintendent of Marlin Schools. view article  

‘This is an issue of health’: Teachers union demands Austin ISD offer only online classes in August

The union for Austin Independent School District employees is asking the district and the state not to send employees back to school buildings in August. Union members say it is unsafe for employees and children to be in classes together. During an online news conference Wednesday, Education Austin President Ken Zarifis said the union is asking AISD to commit to online learning only for the first nine weeks of the semester, while monitoring Covid-19 cases in the city. He also asked that increased pay for employees like cafeteria workers and other support staff continue. view article  

Alief ISD will begin 2020-21 school year online due to pandemic

Alief Independent School District Superintendent HD Chambers says school officials have decided to begin the school year online. Chambers said he doesn’t want any student to lose out on their education because of the pandemic but the thought of how to bring students and teachers back to the classroom safely keeps him up at night. view article  

Petition calls for the renaming of 4 Abilene ISD schools named after Confederate leaders

A new petition is calling for the renaming of four Abilene ISD schools that are named after Civil War Confederate leaders. The petition, directed toward the Abilene Independent School District, it's superintendent Dr. David Young and the Board of Trustees, is aiming for 100 signatures. view article  

Spring ISD holds virtual graduation for class of 2020

Spring ISD held its virtual graduations Saturday, during which district officials gave encouraging words to the graduating seniors who overcame their high school struggles. The online ceremonies, an option for those not wanting to go out during the COVID-19 pandemic, were held a week before the district’s scheduled in-person graduations at Planet Ford Stadium. Rhonda Newhouse, Spring ISD Board President, was one of many members of the district to speak during the virtual graduations and told graduates part of what has made graduation special for her was the chance to look out and see the faces of all the graduates. view article  

Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Announces 2020 Summer Meals Program

Beginning June 3, Curbside Grab and Go meal service will continue under the National School Meal Program through July 28. At the specified locations, distribution of five breakfast and five lunches is available to any child age 18 or younger every Wednesday. NO applications are needed for summer meals but the child must be present. view article  

Fitch Rates Mesquite ISD, TX’s Series 2020A-C ULT Bonds, ‘AAA’PSF/‘AA+’ Underlyng

Fitch Ratings has assigned an 'AAA' rating based on the Texas Permanent School Fund (PSF) guarantee and a 'AA+' underlying rating to the following unlimited tax (ULT) bonds for the Mesquite Independent School District (ISD), Texas: : view article  

Forney ISD releases statement on racist video circulating social media

Forney ISD officials revealed today that they are aware of a video circulating social media of students taking part in underage drinking that has been deemed racists. In the snapchat video clip obtained by inForney.com, five students are shown toasting one another with bottles of liquor as they recite a chant in unison that ends with a racial slur. view article  

Nederland ISD, LU report new coronavirus cases

Lamar University and Nederland Independent School District both confirmed Wednesday that employees had tested positive for the coronavirus. The NISD employee was last on campus on May 20 and self-reported a positive test according to a statement. view article  

Joe’s Commentary: Scenarios for Reopening our Schools

It seems reasonable to expect that schools would be allowed to reopen in a similar way as businesses. An Austin ISD task force is developing a range of scenarios for reopening considerations. One is the possibility of only having 25% of students return to in-person-learning at the same time.  This would allow schools to develop some very interesting schedules.

Terrell ISD, community celebrate military-bound seniors unable to attend graduation

The Terrell Independent School District and Terrell community came together to celebrate two military-bound seniors who would be unable to attend graduation ceremonies due to their scheduled leave for basic training. "Terrell ISD and the Terrell community have a long standing respect and reverence for our veterans and active duty men and women," read a statement from the district today. "It was our honor to celebrate these young men and give them the opportunity to receive their diploma in their cap and gown before leaving for basic training." view article  

Student Voice: The Joys of Reading in Quarantine. At a Time Dominated by Technology, I’m Getting Lost in Books

   Talia Natterson is a sophomore at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences, a private school in Los Angeles, California. She writes for her school publication, Crossfire. 

May 1508:25 AM

 

When schools reopen in the fall, they will look very different than the schools children left in the spring. There will likely be masks, temperature checks and extra space between desks. Nearly 1 out of 5 teachers may not be able to return to school buildings. And looming over schools will be the potential for additional closures forcing students back to remote learning.

Fort Bend ISD focusing on what school will look like in fall

Fort Bend ISD launched its extended learning program, which is designed to keep young students engaged during the summer, at three of its elementary schools this week. view article  

Teachers of the Year surprised, celebrated by Port Arthur ISD

Third grade teacher Skylar Slaughter and seventh grade teacher Zelma Nico are the elementary and secondary “Teachers of the Year” for 2020-21 in the Port Arthur Independent School District. Slaughter is an English and language arts, or ELAR, teacher at Staff Sgt. Lucian Adams Elementary and Nico is a math teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. view article  

Tomball ISD cancels end-of-year celebrations; graduations still tentatively set for July

Despite announcing April 24 all end-of-year celebrations would be canceled for the school year, Tomball ISD's tentative graduation plans for July are still on, said Allison Suarez, TISD director of communications and marketing. view article  

How Dallas ISD Is Changing Its Grading During the Pandemic

Dallas ISD is in a precarious position when it comes to grading. About 86 percent of its student body is classified as economically disadvantaged, more than 25 percent higher than the state’s average. Its population of limited English speakers is almost half, more than double the state’s. There are significant challenges when it comes to making sure all of its students are receiving adequate learning despite the disruption from the pandemic. More than 12,000 hot spots were purchased for students who lacked access to internet. All of these things affect grading, especially when these kids don’t have a school to go to. view article