Lubbock Area Schools Aim for Safety, Accommodation in the Fall
As summer draws closer to an end, countless students, parents, teachers, and school staff look ahead to what is sure to be a new and unique Fall semester for everyone. In an attempt to balance the priorities of safety, education, and parental capacity, area school districts are making plans to try and safely accommodate all families.
Lubbock Cooper ISD superintendent Keith Bryant visited with the Lubbock Chamber’s Government Relations committee last week to discuss how Cooper schools were preparing for the new school year during the COVID-19 pandemic. First and foremost, both in-person and online schooling will be made available to all families based on their own personal preferences. According to a survey that Lubbock-Cooper ISD sent out to parents, about three quarters are expected to begin the school year attending classes in person.
If families would like to change their minds and transition from one format to the other, they will be able to do so at the end of each grading period. So whatever decision families make at the beginning of the year isn’t necessarily what they’ll be locked into throughout the entire school year. For students attending classes in person, masks will be required and social distancing will be promoted when feasible.
Both Lubbock ISD and Frenship ISD will give families the choice between in-person and online learning. They will be enhancing cleaning procedures for classrooms and other areas and utilizing “micro-closures” if necessary.
Lubbock ISD has outlined on its website all the changes and precautions families need to be aware of for both in-person and virtual instruction. Among the precautions being taken for students who attend school in person are:
Lubbock Cooper ISD superintendent Keith Bryant visited with the Lubbock Chamber’s Government Relations committee last week to discuss how Cooper schools were preparing for the new school year during the COVID-19 pandemic. First and foremost, both in-person and online schooling will be made available to all families based on their own personal preferences. According to a survey that Lubbock-Cooper ISD sent out to parents, about three quarters are expected to begin the school year attending classes in person.
If families would like to change their minds and transition from one format to the other, they will be able to do so at the end of each grading period. So whatever decision families make at the beginning of the year isn’t necessarily what they’ll be locked into throughout the entire school year. For students attending classes in person, masks will be required and social distancing will be promoted when feasible.
Both Lubbock ISD and Frenship ISD will give families the choice between in-person and online learning. They will be enhancing cleaning procedures for classrooms and other areas and utilizing “micro-closures” if necessary.
Lubbock ISD has outlined on its website all the changes and precautions families need to be aware of for both in-person and virtual instruction. Among the precautions being taken for students who attend school in person are:
- Sanitizing practices, such as frequent cleaning of high touch point areas, desks, and chairs
- Expanded service from GermBlast in addition to our regular cleaning schedule
- No sharing of student supplies or resources
- Hand sanitizing stations throughout the buildings
- Adults required to wear masks
- Students older than age 10 will wear face masks, and when appropriate for younger students
- Social distancing, including developing schedules that limit large groups and modified transportation
- Screening protocols for staff, students, and visitors
- Limited face-to-face staff meetings and professional development
For virtual instruction at Lubbock ISD, here’s what families need to know:
- Virtual instruction has a daily time required for students to be engaged in school work.
- Elementary: 180 minutes daily
- Secondary: 240 minutes daily
- Grading guidelines for virtual school will follow the same Lubbock ISD grading guidelines utilized for students enrolled in face-to-face instruction.
- Students who select virtual instruction will remain in the virtual classroom for a full nine-week grading period.
- A variety of educational platforms will be utilized for the virtual classroom including but not limited to Edgenuity, Google Classroom, Canvas, and Seesaw. Students will be required to navigate the platforms and submit assignments virtually through those platforms.
- Families of younger students will be expected to assist them to access the device, get started daily, and stay on task.
- Lubbock ISD is providing electronic devices. The State of Texas is working on a plan to provide internet access for families who need it. In the meantime, Park-N-Learn sites are available at all Lubbock ISD middle and high school campuses.
Frenship will announce additional details on Friday, July 24 on their website.
The public school system plays an integral role not just in the development of our community’s students, but for families trying to balance careers, safety, and their child’s education. Lubbock, Lubbock-Cooper, and Frenship ISD are doing a great job of planning during an unprecedented time in a way that safely accommodates as many families as possible.
The public school system plays an integral role not just in the development of our community’s students, but for families trying to balance careers, safety, and their child’s education. Lubbock, Lubbock-Cooper, and Frenship ISD are doing a great job of planning during an unprecedented time in a way that safely accommodates as many families as possible.
