BEGINNING NOVEMBER 1

COVID Protocols – Color-Coded System

The COVID Dashboard will be updated with a color block for each campus and the district as a whole. In addition, color cards will be posted on the main doors at each campus with the protocols below.

RED – 10% or more of a campus or district count with COVID positive cases

• Virtual/online learning or possible closure

ORANGE – 6% or more of a campus or district count with COVID positive cases

• No parent/visitors allowed
• No indoor group gatherings or assemblies
• Masks highly recommended
• Social distancing enhanced as feasible

YELLOW – 2% or more of a campus or district count with COVID positive cases

• Parents/visitors by appointment only
• Masks recommended
• Outdoor events preferred; indoor events must be below 50% capacity

GREEN – less than 2% of a campus or district count with COVID positive cases

• Masks optional
• Events and assemblies allowed indoor or outdoor, indoor may have capacity limitations – this includes fine arts performances being open to parent/visitor attendance especially evening performances.
• Resume normal parent/visitor campus access (classroom visits by appt., lunch visits allowed; campuses may have a certain section for this)
• Classroom parties may have 1-2 parent volunteers; limited for social distancing. Food items for parties should continue to be individually packaged or served by adults.
• Signage on the door of building entrance and by sign-in sheet – indicating parent/visitor responsibilities and the color-coded sheet with guidance.

Campus/district color will be noted on the dashboard online starting Nov. 1, 2021

Contact tracing will continue for staff and students at the elementary schools, however, we WILL NOT contact trace parents or visitors.

Updated September 27, 2021

Red Oak ISD is now offering remote conferencing learning for students impacted by COVID-19, particularly those positive case students who must remain home for ten (10) days from positive test results or symptom onset, or need to isolate due to confirmed exposure with a positive case at home.

Remote conference learning is only offered while the student is under COVID protocol and is not a virtual learning program. The state currently allows students to receive remote services for up to 20 school days per year; extenuating circumstances can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The district will begin offering Remote Conferencing on Tuesday, September 28, the start of the second grading period, for students who are out on COVID leave.

ROISD Remote Conferencing 2021-2022

• Once a student has a positive COVID test result, the parents/student will receive an email with a link to log on to the remote conferencing facilitator for their grade level.
• Attendance will be taken each day
• Students will have a certified facilitator online helping with homework assignments posted by their regular classroom teacher in Canvas or Seesaw.
• The remote conferencing facilitator is temporary - providing assistance while the student is on COVID leave - and does not change the currently assigned classroom teacher(s).

Students will continue their education, receive assistance with classwork and assignments, and be counted present each day they attend remote conferencing.

Campus principals will be the primary contact for their students/parents participating in remote conferencing – they will contact students who are identified as COVID positive, and work with families who have home COVID issues. Please contact your principal if you have any questions.

Updated August 9, 2021

Health and Safety Measures

ROISD General Health and Safety Guide for the Fall of 2021 

Red Oak ISD will continually update this document when new guidance is released from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and federal, state and local health officials regarding on-campus instruction this fall. Our utmost goal is to limit the exposure of COVID 19 to staff and students to the best of our ability. We appreciate your support and patience as we continue to work through these unprecedented times.

General Information

• Facial coverings are recommended while in classrooms, on student transportation and in group gatherings inside all buildings for all district staff and students
• Parents/Visitors are requested to conduct district visits by phone, virtual or by pre-scheduled appointment, limit visits to campus when possible. Any visitor to ROISD should self-screen prior to coming on campus.
• Students, teachers, staff, and essential campus visitors will be encouraged to sanitize and/or wash hands frequently
• ROISD will continually remind and instruct students on appropriate hygiene practices and other mitigation practices
• Desks or tables will be socially distanced as much as instructionally possible
• All staff and students should self-screen for COVID 19 symptoms prior to entering campus 

ROISD COVID Self-Screening Assessment

No individual should enter a facility if they present any of the following symptoms:

• Chills or Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0^o F
• Loss of taste or smell
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting

Do you currently have any of the above mention symptoms? YES or NO

If you answer YES you are NOT to enter any ROISD facility.

Face Coverings

Facial coverings are recommended while in classrooms, on student transportation and in group gatherings inside all buildings for all district staff and students

• All face coverings should meet the guidelines as outlined in the ROISD Standardized Dress Menu

Student Health Protocols

• All students are required to complete a daily self-screening for symptoms prior to arriving to school or boarding school transportation

• Facial coverings are recommended while in classrooms, on student transportation and in group gatherings inside all buildings for all district staff and students

• Students are encouraged to clean workspace before classroom instruction begins and ends when appropriate
• Students are encouraged to use hand sanitizer when entering buildings and throughout the day when available
• Students will be seated with as much separation as feasible during the instructional day 
• Students are encouraged to bring disposable items as much as possible to school each day (i.e. water bottles, home-prepared lunches) to limit the possible spread

 School Clinic Protocols

• Minor health needs will be handled in the classrooms as much as possible to reserve the clinic space for students experiencing COVID 19 symptoms or other serious issues
• Students who come to the school health clinic showing COVID 19 symptoms will be required to isolate until their parent arrives to take them home. Parents shall remove the student from campus within 30 minutes of being notified.
• School clinics will be cleaned and disinfected daily

Cleaning Practices 

• Campuses are cleaned throughout the instructional day with an emphasis on cleaning high traffic and multiple touch areas, including door handles, restrooms, large group transition areas, cafeteria between meals
• Hand sanitizer stations are located in multiple areas throughout the campus
• Signage for proper hygiene practices is visibly posted at multiple locations throughout each campus.

In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case or diagnosis of a ROISD student or staff member, the district will send a notification through ParentLink to the staff and parents of the impacted campus by 6 p.m.

Due to the current vaccination guidelines (12 and over eligible), contact tracing will take place at the elementary schools. Parents of students identified as close contact will be directly contacted by a campus administrator with information. Parents will then have the discretion to quarantine their students or have them return with a mask for 14 days.

The reasoning for close contact tracing at ES only is three-fold:

1. Elementary students are typically within their homeroom for the majority of the day, while secondary students rotate through up to eight classes, limiting exposure time.
2. Elementary students are unable to secure the vaccination at this time, while the majority of secondary students are eligible and encourage to acquire the vaccine.
3. Our 2020-21 contact tracing showed minimal number of campus close contacts led to confirmed cases. The vast majority of transmission was at home or away from campus. 

The district will also update the COVID Dashboard on the website each school day.

Updated October 20, 2021

Visitors

BEGINNING NOVEMBER 1

COVID Protocols – Color-Coded System

The COVID Dashboard will be updated with a color block for each campus and the district as a whole.

Limit visits to campus when possible. Any visitor to campus should self-screen before coming on campus. 

Contact tracing will continue for staff and students at the elementary schools, however, we WILL NOT contact trace parents or visitors.

RED – 10% or more of a campus or district count with COVID positive cases

• Virtual/online learning or possible closure

ORANGE – 6% or more of a campus or district count with COVID positive cases

• No parent/visitors allowed
• No indoor group gatherings or assemblies
• Masks highly recommended
• Social distancing enhanced as feasible

YELLOW – 2% or more of a campus or district count with COVID positive cases

• Parents/visitors by appointment only
• Masks recommended
• Outdoor events preferred; indoor events must be below 50% capacity

GREEN – less than 2% of a campus or district count with COVID positive cases

• Masks optional
• Events and assemblies allowed indoor or outdoor, indoor may have capacity limitations – this includes fine arts performances being open to parent/visitor attendance especially evening performances.
• Resume normal parent/visitor campus access (classroom visits by appt., lunch visits allowed; campuses may have a certain section for this)
• Classroom parties may have 1-2 parent volunteers; limited for social distancing. Food items for parties should continue to be individually packaged or served by adults.
• Signage on the door of building entrance and by sign-in sheet – indicating parent/visitor responsibilities and the color-coded sheet with guidance.

Updated August 9, 2021

In-Person Learning

OVERVIEW

This will be school as usual with adjustments made at the campus level for the health and safety of all students and staff and to support both methods of instruction. In-Person Learning students will receive direct instruction from teachers, use computers, and engage in the Learning Management System (LMS). ROISD is not currently planning to offer at-home or virtual learning for the 2021-2022 school year.

There will be additional actions taken on campuses for health and safety; such as,

• Increased cleaning and sanitation practices.
• Attention to student separation.
• Staff training in the prevention of COVID-19 prior to the opening of school. 
• Student training in the prevention of COVID-19.
• Compliance with all federal, state, and local health and safety requirements.

Please review the ROISD operational support of in-person instruction and FAQ for details on:

• Health and Safety
• Nutrition
• Transportation

FAQ - IN-PERSON LEARNING

If my student is learning in person but misses a day of school, can he log into the LMS and be present?

No, students who are in-person are required to abide by in-person attendance rules. The student may log into the LMS to keep up with his work, but he/she will still remain absent.

How will social distancing be promoted in cafeterias, gyms, restrooms, and other commons areas?

Signage reminding students and staff about social distancing, hand washing, and infection prevention will be posted throughout the school.

• Elementary classrooms will be assigned specific bathrooms, breakfast, lunch, and gym access times to reduce the number of students in any given area as much as possible.
• Secondary students will be encouraged to follow social distancing guidelines.

Will students be able to participate in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities?

Yes, all students may participate in clubs and/or organizations, as well as athletics, fine arts, and UIL academic events.

What precautions will be in place for athletics, fine arts, and other extracurricular activities?

Safety guidelines are developed for conducting all on-campus workouts, rehearsals, and practices. The district will continue to follow all guidelines provided by UIL, TEA, the county, city, and state. Any additional safety guidelines will be published as they become available.

My child is enrolled in dual credit classes. What should I know as a parent/student?

Dual credit students will follow the policies and decisions of their college. Most colleges are offering online courses for students with similar guidelines.

Will students have recess or the ability to play and socialize with other students?

Elementary campuses may limit the number of students at recess at one time and create different play areas for activities to further reduce student interactions. Students and staff will encourage the use of hand sanitizer and hand washing before and after recess. 

Campuses can have recess as long as they follow weather guidelines. 

Will After the Bell services be offered?

Yes, After the Bell will be available to families and will operate on its normal schedule. 

Will health and safety training be provided for all staff and students?

Yes. All staff members will receive COVID-19 prevention training prior to the opening of school.  All students will receive instruction on health protocols related to minimizing the spread of COVID-19.

How many students will be assigned to each classroom?

Red Oak ISD will follow TEA guidelines for class size. At this time, the class size requirements are the same as a regular school year. The maximum number of students per class varies by grade level and also varies by class at the secondary level.

Will an online learning management system be used to support In-Person students?

The benefit of an online learning management system is to streamline all digital tools and content for a more connected learning experience for students. The district has identified Google Classroom as the LMS tool to support elementary students and Canvas to support secondary students. 

Will computer devices be made available to students who need them?

Yes, devices will be available upon the Parent/Guardian acceptance of the Student Handbook Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Device Responsible Use Guidelines.

Will STAAR/EOC be administered in 2021-2022?

Yes. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has indicated that STAAR testing will still occur during the 2021-2022 school year, in compliance with state and federal legislation.

What happens if a student or a teacher tests positive for COVID-19? Will the entire classroom have to quarantine? What if multiple classrooms and students/staff are impacted? Will students be able to participate in At-Home Virtual Learning during the quarantine?

Students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 will be sent home to recover. Campus/district notification will be sent to parents. Parents will determine whether to quarantine their child or not. 

What happens if my child’s campus is temporarily closed during the school year?

We will follow TEA guidance once provided.

Updated August 9, 2021

Extracurricular & Student Organization Participation

This guidance takes effect immediately, replacing all prior guidance. UIL recommends that public school systems consult with their local public health authorities and local legal counsel before making final decisions regarding the implementation of this guidance.

Required Actions if Individuals with Test-Confirmed Cases Have Been in areas where UIL Activities are being conducted

1. If an individual who has been in areas where UIL activities are being conducted is test-confirmed to have COVID-19, the school must notify its local health department, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, including confidentiality requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
2. Upon receipt of information that any teacher, staff member, student, or visitor in an area where UIL activities are being conducted is test-confirmed to have COVID-19, the school must submit a report to the Texas Department of State Health Services via an online form. The report must be submitted each Monday for the prior seven days (Monday-Sunday).
3. If a test-confirmed COVID-19 case is identified among students, teachers, or staff who participated in a UIL competition against another school, the school must notify the opposing school and the officials/contest judges who also participated in the competition.

 Face Coverings and Masks

• Per GA-38, school systems cannot require students or staff to wear a mask. GA-38 addresses government-mandated face coverings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other authority to require protective equipment, including masks, in an employment setting is not necessarily affected by GA-38.
• School systems must allow individuals to wear a mask if they choose to do so.

Students Who Have COVID-19

• As provided in this Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Rule, school systems must exclude students from attending school in person who are actively sick with COVID-19 or who have received a positive test result for COVID-19. Parents must ensure they do not send a child to school on campus if the child has COVID-19 symptoms or is test-confirmed with COVID-19, until the conditions for re-entry are met.  See the DSHS rule for more details, including the conditions for ending the exclusion period and returning to school.
• In addition to the criteria and processes described above, a student who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 must receive clearance from a physician prior to returning to participation in UIL marching band or athletic activities.

Students Who Are Close Contacts

• Schools must follow TEA Public Health Guidancerelated to students who have been identified as close contacts.

Spectators:  Capacity and Visiting Spectators Attendance 

UIL is not currently limiting capacity for spectators at UIL events. If a school is limiting capacity as a local decision, the following applies:

• Schools must allow visiting school fans to attend district contests if home school fans are allowed to attend, unless the schools involved in the district contest mutually agree to only allow home school fans.
• The number of tickets or percentage of allowed spectator space provided to the visiting team should be determined by the DEC. If the DEC has not made such determination, the hosting school shall make a reasonable effort to accommodate visiting fans. 
• For non-district contests, the two schools involved must mutually agree on home and visiting school fans attendance.
• For football, the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules, Section 1250(g)(1) states: “The visiting team has the right to demand one-half of the stadium seats in relation to the 50-yard line in all UIL football contests, whether district games, non-district games or playoff games, unless mutually agreed otherwise by the two schools involved. A visiting team can demand one-half of the reserved seats. A visiting team has a right to split the stadium in relation to the 50-yard line, subject to the end zone situation being equal, unless mutually agreeable otherwise.”
• If a visiting team requests, the home school must provide the visiting school with 50% of the available tickets/seating for the facility. Schools may mutually agree otherwise; however, without mutual agreement from both schools in the game, this rule applies. This applies to both district and non-district football games.

ROISD will follow all UIL Guidelines as well/

Updated August 9, 2021

Cafeterias & Student Nutrition

If allowed and deemed safe for students, cafeterias will be open to serve breakfast and lunch daily. The physical setup for the cafeteria and the schedule will be adjusted to reduce the number of students in the cafeteria at one time. Each campus cafeteria space will be evaluated to ensure social distancing. Some students will be eating in the cafeteria, spaced according to the recommended guidelines, and other students may eat in the classroom if necessary. All school meals will be served by employees, meaning student self-serve tables will not be used. 

To minimize possible outside exposure and to allow for adequate physical distancing for students during meal times, school protocols include no food/gift deliveries will be accepted and non-essential visitors will not be allowed on campuses or in cafeterias.

• ROISD cafeterias will be cleaned and disinfected daily 
• ROISD serving and eating areas are cleaned between uses
• Mobile lunch distribution stations may be used as needed at designated campuses to minimize cafeteria lines, increase the speed of service and enhance social distancing
• Students must properly wear ID at breakfast and lunch to ensure efficient scanning of ID for payment and minimize touching of ID by multiple staff
• Students must follow social distancing signage displayed on the walls and floor markers
• Students may be directed to eat in various locations throughout the building, including classrooms, to maximize social distancing
• Meal payments must be made by students or parents in advance by mail, in a designated area away from the cafeteria serving line on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, or by using the My School Bucks online payment system
• Parents who pack a lunch for their student should pack items that are easily opened by the student to avoid the handling of their food by others

Updated August 9, 2021

Social & Mental Health

Addressing the mental health and social-emotional development of all students, staff, and community by following best practices in the areas of:

• School-based mental health services
• Behavioral support systems
• Family engagement and support practices
• Staff supports
• Other key systems and supports

Social-Emotional Learning

• Social-Emotional Learning lessons and activities to support students related to COVID-19 experiences, trauma, and school closure
• Counseling support will be accessible to all learners

Family Support

• Provide families with information on how to access resources for mental health and wellness

Updated Aug. 9, 2021

Transportation

• Facial coverings are recommended while in classrooms, on student transportation, and in group gatherings inside all buildings for all district staff and students.
• ROISD will attempt to assign bus seating, with no more than two (2) students per seat, except in some cases elementary students residing in the same household.
• ROISD recommends the use of hand sanitizer and will have it available as students enter the bus.
• Buses will be thoroughly cleaned after each bus trip, focusing on high-touch surfaces such as bus seats, steering wheels, knobs, and door handles.
• ROISD recommends families drop students off, carpool, or walk with their students to school to the extent possible to reduce the possible COVID 19 exposure on school transportation.

Updated August 9, 2021

Providing families with clear and concise communication through the following outbound channels:

• E-mail
• Website
• Campus Newsletters
• Social Media channels
• District App

 Communication Tools and Channels

• Parents will receive e-mails from Red Oak ISD, sent through the Blackboard ParentLink;  E-mail addresses will be collected from Skyward Family Access.
• Information about Return 2 Learn and Back to School 2021 will be posted on the Red Oak ISD website. The website will include:
  • Health and safety protocols
  • A list of frequently asked questions
• Campuses will share campus-specific information with parents via email, newsletters, and other campus communication tools.
• Regular updates will be posted on Red Oak ISD’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram).

Updated August 9, 2021

This information is related to when a student and/or staff shows COVID-19 symptoms during the school day. All staff and students should self-screen prior to coming to campus and SHOULD NOT come on campus if they have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.

If symptoms appear before arriving on campus, students should contact their attendance office via email or phone to report their absence and that they are showings signs of COVID-19.

Depending on the information provided in the phone call or email, a student’s parent may be contacted by the school to gain further information related to the absence.

ROISD CAMPUS ISOLATION PLAN

If a student or staff member presents COVID-19 symptoms during the school day:

• Symptomatic staff and/or student will be required to apply a face covering if they are not currently wearing one, and report to the designated isolation area on their campus.
• The individual will remain isolated with assigned staff to be monitored and receive any medical care if needed, until they leave campus. Parents need to arrange for pick-up within 30 minutes of the notification from the campus of a symptomatic student.
• Assigned staff must wear appropriate PPE and will utilize proper hygiene protocols for the duration of the isolation.
• Isolation areas will be disinfected appropriately.
• The classroom where the student/staff member was located while becoming symptomatic will be disinfected.

Updated January 14, 2022

Text Version

Updated August 9, 2021

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, a public health worker may call you to check in on your health, discuss who you have been in contact with, and ask where you spent time while you may have been infectious and able to spread COVID-19 to others. If you are not doing so already, you will also be asked to stay at home and self-isolate.

Contact tracing is part of a public health process used in response to a confirmed COVID-19 or other infectious diseases. If an individual who has been in a school is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19, the school must notify the Texas Department of State Health Services (TXDSHS), in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including confidentiality requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).