All students and staff are expected to self screen for COVID-19 symptoms regularly and individuals who present with symptoms will be separated and sent home.  All staff working in Denton ISD facilities must ensure that they are symptom free.  This includes Connected Learning teachers, who will also be instructing from their home campus.

• Staff is required to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to reporting to work each day. Additionally, they must report to the school system if they have had close contact with an individual who is test-confirmed with COVID-19, as defined at the end of this document, and, if so, must remain off campus until the 14-day incubation period has passed.

1. Fever or chills

2. Cough

3. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

4. Fatigue

5. Muscle or body aches

6. Headache

7. New loss of taste or smell

8. Sore throat

9. Congestion or runny nose

10. Nausea or vomiting

11. Diarrhea

• Parents/guardians are expected to screen their students for COVID-19 symptoms each day prior to sending their student to school.

• Any individuals who themselves either: (a) are test-confirmed to have COVID-19; or (b) experience the symptoms of COVID-19 (listed below) must stay at home throughout the infection period, and cannot return to campus until the school system screens the individual to determine any of the below conditions for campus re-entry have been met: In the case of an individual who was diagnosed with COVID-19, the individual may return to school when all three of the following criteria are met:

i. at least 24 hours have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications);

ii. the individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and

iii. at least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

• In the case of an individual who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and who is not evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, such individual is assumed to have COVID-19, and the individual may not return to the campus until the individual has completed the same three-step set of criteria listed above.

• If the individual has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and wants to return to school before completing the above stay at home period, the individual must either:

(a) obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis or

(b) obtain a negative molecular (PCR) test.  

Parents must ensure they do not send a child to school on campus if the child has COVID-19 symptoms (as listed in this document) or is test-confirmed with COVID-19, and instead should transition to remote instruction until the below conditions for re-entry are met.

• If a student has had close contact with an individual who is test-confirmed with COVID-19 they should participate in remote instruction until the 14-day incubation period has passed. The 14 day quarantine does not begin until the first day after close contact with the positive individual.

• Teachers will monitor students and refer to the nurse if symptoms are present.

• Schools must immediately separate any student who shows COVID-19 symptoms while at school until the student can be picked up by a parent or guardian.

• Schools should clean the areas used by the individual who shows COVID-19 symptoms while at school (student, teacher, or staff) as soon as is feasible.

• Students who report feeling feverish should be given an immediate temperature check to determine if they are symptomatic for COVID-19.

Required Actions if Individuals with Test-Confirmed Cases Have Been in a School

1. If an individual who has been in a school 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). Isolation and closure decisions will be made in collaboration with the Denton County Health Department.

2. Schools must close off areas that are heavily used by the individual with the test-confirmed case (student, teacher, or staff) until the non-porous surfaces in those areas can be disinfected, unless more than 3 days have already passed since that person was on campus.

3. Consistent with school notification requirements for other communicable diseases, and consistent with legal confidentiality requirements, schools must notify all teachers, staff, and families of all students in a school if a test-confirmed COVID-19 case is identified among students, teachers or staff who participate on any on campus activities.

4. Decisions regarding classroom and/or school closure will be made in collaboration with Denton ISD and local health officials.

The use of face coverings will be determined by the rate of community transmission of COVID-19 and the health recommendations associated with each level. The District will rely on guidance from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Denton County Health Department, Center for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) and Denton County Public Health, as well as any executive orders or directives from Governor Greg Abbott, to determine the community transmission level and use of face coverings. Notification will be distributed when the mask guidance changes.

Current community transmission levels can be accessed on the DCPHD website. To review campus reports please access:

https://dentoncounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/eeccb437e4ea4f4087459dc45351055b

Protective measures, including the use of face coverings, will be determined by the level of disease activity of COVID-19. The District will rely on data from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and Denton County Public Health to determine the disease activity level and the appropriate protective measures. The disease activity level categories below are based on the recommendations of local and state health officials. The District will develop a process to alert students, parents and staff of the disease activity level and when face coverings must be worn. Students’ individual needs will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

• Students in grade PK through 5th grade will wear face coverings including in the classroom when physical distancing is not possible.

• Students in 6th through 12th grade will wear face coverings including in the classroom when physical distancing is not possible.

• Students’ individual needs will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

  • Requests for accommodations should be submitted to campus administration.

Campuses will utilize virtual meeting options to limit campus visitors when possible. All essential visitors who enter the building will be required to wear a face covering. Individuals who proceed beyond the reception area will follow specific guidelines for visitors.

Visitor Screening/PPE Requirements

• All individuals, including visitors, entering the building will be required to wear face coverings.

• Individuals proceeding beyond the reception area will be subject to the following guidelines:

  • All visitors will be subject to screening by way of a symptom screening form.

  • Virtual meetings will be available when possible.

  • Visitors and staff will maintain physical distancing for ARD and other meetings in smaller conference areas.

Frequent cleaning and disinfecting will promote a healthy learning and work environment for students and staff.

Daily Campus Cleaning

• Each classroom and restroom will be disinfected daily.

• All high touch areas will be disinfected daily.

• Custodians will wear masks and gloves during work hours.

• The cafeteria will be disinfected between lunch periods.

• Staff will have access to disinfectant wipes to sanitize working surfaces and shared objects after each use and during breaks in instruction.

Additional Cleaning Measure for Covid-19 Positive Cases on Campus

• If a classroom or facility is closed due to COVID-19 spread, disinfectant, which is recommended for use on the virus that causes COVID-19, will be used to defog and disinfect.

• Custodial staff will defog and disinfect classrooms, restrooms, the athletic indoor turf field, weight room and all additional areas in the entire building.

Frequent disinfection and hand sanitization will ensure health and wellness of students and staff.

Hand Washing/Sanitizing Expectations

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer will be available at the main entry to the campus, in classrooms, in the cafeteria and in common areas throughout the campus.

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer will be provided at each campus entrance.

• Staff will be expected to regularly wash or sanitize their hands.

• Requirement for hand washing and/or use of Denton ISD-provided hand sanitizer:

  • Provide hand sanitizer upon entry to classroom and periodic teacher reminders during instructional day.

  • Thorough hand washing upon return from outdoors, before eating, following restroom breaks.

Disinfecting Expectations

• Staff will have access to disinfectant wipes to sanitize high-touch and working surfaces and shared objects regularly.

• Staff will limit the use of shared supplies when possible.

Classroom Configuration

• Group or pair work can be implemented while maintaining physical distancing.
• Elementary classrooms will be provided physical spacing barriers between students.
• Facial coverings will be worn in grades PK-12
• When possible, technology can be utilized when the use of manipulatives is needed. Teachers will consider assigning cohorts of students specific manipulatives in order to reduce the possibility of exposure or consider creating individual bags of supplementary aids and/or manipulatives for student use that could also be sent home in the event of school closure.
• The use of outdoor space for learning will be considered when possible.
• Desks or tables will be socially distanced as much as possible.
• When possible, eliminate communal supplies. Shared supplies will be sanitized between use.
• Remove blankets, pillows, and other shared non-essential items from the classroom.
• Students are encouraged to bring their own technology (tablets, laptops, etc) if possible to minimize the sharing of electronic devices.
• Recommended procedures will be applied to all classroom settings, including special education service locations when possible and appropriate. Students’ individual needs will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Collaborative Work and Projects

• When possible, technology will be utilized when students are involved in collaborative work.
• Group or pair work can be implemented while maintaining physical distancing.

General Classroom Supplies

• Signage will be posted in all classrooms regarding protocols and prevention.
• Multiple locations of hand sanitizer, tissues, and trash cans will be available in several locations to limit student and staff movement.
• Each classroom will have doors propped open for no-touch entry between classes.

Specialized Classrooms

• When appropriate, students will be provided face shields instead of facemasks for safety when there is an increased risk of burn or injury.
• Specialized equipment will be sanitized between each use. There will be adequate supplies to minimize the sharing of high touch materials or limit use of supplies of equipment to one group of students at a time.
• Procedures and protocols will be put into place to address locker rooms by maintenance and operations. Protocols will be in place for disinfecting of equipment, students changing clothes, students showering, distancing of students, etc.
• Career and Technical Education classes, including those at the LaGrone ATC, will follow industry-based safety guidelines as appropriate to the equipment and course content.
• Special education classrooms and service locations may have additional protective barriers in place to support a safe environment for our students.

Physical Education Classroom Protocols

• Whenever possible, physical education classes will be held outside to allow for maximum physical distance between students.
• Any activities bringing students into close physical contact will be avoided.
• Procedures will be implemented in the locker rooms to ensure physical distancing.
• Equipment will be disinfected after each use.
• Activities requiring multiple students to touch or handle the same equipment will be avoided.
• Sanitizing areas and access to handwashing will be provided.

Common Areas 

In order to provide the safest environment possible in our common/collaborative spaces, while promoting disease prevention and mitigation, the following guidelines will be implemented:

Meeting Spaces

• If meetings must be held in person, all social distancing protocols will be implemented.
• Facial coverings will be required
• Limit the sharing of materials/supplies. 

Administrative Spaces - Reception Areas, Offices, Conference Rooms, Mail Rooms

• Facial coverings or masks will be utilized.
• Please stand behind the shield guard installed at the reception desk.
• Hand sanitizer will be provided in front office spaces.
• Distances of 6 feet will be provided between all occupied seats and workspaces.

Flexible Learning Spaces

• The number of students in these areas will be limited as driven by available space and social distancing guidelines.
• Common spaces and supplies in these spaces will be disinfected frequently.

Elevators

• Only students and staff with a physical impairment or the need to move large/heavy equipment will be able to use the elevator.
• No more than 2 people will ride in the elevator at the same time.
• Masks will be worn when on the elevator.

Restrooms

• Students must wash hands and then use hand sanitizer before entering the classroom.
• Increased disinfecting will occur throughout the school day.
• Each campus will comply with health agency recommendations and social distancing. 

Library

• Visual reminders will be added and furniture rearranged to help students maintain social distancing while in the library.
• Students and staff will wash/sanitize hands upon entering and after visiting the library.
• High touch surfaces (i.e. table tops, chairs, door handles) will be disinfected regularly.
• Occupancy will be limited.

Transitions

• Students and staff will follow protocols for face coverings.
• Classroom doors will be propped open to reduce high touch areas when possible.
• Traffic patterns will be established throughout the campus that separates individuals to the greatest extent possible.
  • When transitioning between classes, students shall travel corridors as far to the right as possible.
  • Where possible, one-way traffic throughout campus corridors will be established.
• Staff and signage will be posted to reinforce physical distance expectations.

Arrival

• Parents will conduct routine screening of their children prior to school arrival observing for the following symptoms:
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
• Entry doors will be designated. Entry points for LaGrone ATC buses and other midday arrivals will be designated to facilitate social distancing.
• Designated entry doors will be propped open for no-touch entry. Any open doors will be continuously monitored by staff to stop unauthorized access and to monitor for threats.
• Entry protocols will be established to maintain physical distance.
• Sanitizer stations will be placed at each entrance and students will sanitize hands upon entry.
• Lockers will not be assigned - students will carry all needed materials and lunch with them.
• Parents may not accompany students into the building.
• Early student arrivals are strongly discouraged. Any students dropped off before the building is open will not be allowed inside the building. Any exceptions would need to be specifically arranged with campus administration.
• All staff will be utilized for duty to maintain a line of sight in hallways and distancing of hallway cohorts.
• There will be bus procedures, based on campus specific needs.

Dismissal

• Dismissal times will be staggered to limit the number of students in hallways and exit areas at any given time.
• Sanitizer stations will be placed at each exit and students will be encouraged to sanitize hands prior to exit.
• Parents picking up students during the day will call ahead so that students can be sent or accompanied to parent vehicles upon arrival.
• Sibling connections will be done outside the building.
• There will be bus procedures, based on campus specific needs

Breakfast/Lunch

• Depending on the number of students in the school, students may have meals in both the cafeteria and in classrooms.
• Cafeteria capacity will be based on current guidelines. Physical distance will be provided around each occupiable seat.
• Meals may be packaged as “grab and go” to ensure ease of pick up and transport to eating location.
• Signage and staff will reinforce physical distance and traffic patterns in the cafeteria.
• Microwaves will not be provided in the cafeteria due to the opportunity for cross contamination with a high-touch device.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be available at entrances and exits of the cafeteria.

Recess

• Campuses will consider limiting the number of students per recess group. Staggered schedules can be utilized when needed.
• All students and staff will be required to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before entering the playground and upon exiting the playground.
• Brain breaks will be implemented as needed, at the discretion of the campus/teacher.
• “Mask breaks” will be implemented as needed.

Elementary Specials

• PE classes will be conducted outdoors whenever possible. Appropriate social distancing measures will be followed.
• Students will use their own art supplies.
• Music and PE equipment will be sanitized and wiped down after each use.
• Particular avoidance of close physical proximity in cases of increased exhalation (singing, exercise); these activities are likely safest outdoors and spread out.

• Students and staff will be required to use hand sanitizer upon boarding the bus.

• When possible, windows will be open to allow outside air to circulate in the bus.

• Buses should be thoroughly cleaned after morning and afternoon routes, focusing on high-touch surfaces such as bus seats, steering wheels, knobs, and door handles. During cleaning, windows will be open to allow for additional ventilation and air flow.

• Masks will be worn in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order.

• Student participation in academic contests (Math/Science Team, Robotics, Academic Pentathlon) will be attended in compliance with provided guidance by Denton ISD, TEA or the UIL.

• Special Education Community Based Instruction (CBI) and Work Based Learning (WBL) guidance will be followed to ensure these learning environments are available to our students per ARD/IEP recommendations.

• Off-campus field trips will be scheduled as appropriate to meet curricular needs while maintaining proper social distancing requirements. Virtual field trips will be considered as often as possible.

• PTA event and fundraising information is pending.

• After school club information is pending.

• Any school wide events that are approved to be held on campus need to adhere to social distancing requirements outlined by Denton ISD, TEA and UIL. (Examples: grade level pep rallies, assemblies, performances, etc.)

• No in-person assemblies will be held in the fall.

• Meet the teacher, open house, parent conferences, etc. will be held virtually.

• Parents will be allowed to attend class parties and performances virtually.

• School wide events will be live streamed and/or occur virtually when possible.

• To limit larger gatherings, campus club meetings should be held virtually when possible. If meeting in person is required, groups should utilize larger meeting spaces or multiple meeting opportunities will be provided.

Cheer

• Practices and performances will be conducted following safety protocol provided by guidance from Denton ISD, UIL and TEA. This will include COVID-19 screening, group sizes, sharing and sanitizing of equipment, locker room usage, etc.

Athletics

• Athletic practices and contests will be conducted following safety protocol provided by guidance from Denton ISD, UIL and TEA. This will include COVID-19 screening, group sizes, sharing and sanitizing of equipment, locker room usage, etc.

• Hand sanitizing stations will be in gym facilities and equipment will be sanitized on a regular basis.

• Locker room use will be determined by TEA/UIL. If locker rooms can be accessed, all locker room space will be utilized to follow social distancing guidelines.

• Bus travel will follow transportation guidelines provided by Denton ISD and TEA.

• Spectator attendance at games and contests may be limited based on TEA and UIL guidelines. Ticketing for events may be utilized to control capacity of facilities.

• Postgame sign out procedures for athletes will be communicated to parents prior to the beginning of each season.

• Event procedures will be in place to minimize face-to-face interactions.

• Separate entrances and exits may be utilized and event doors may be propped open to minimize physical contact with handles.

• Spectator seats may be marked and/or configured in a way to enforce social distancing.

• Concessions and/or concession sales may be limited to encourage social distancing and to follow health and safety guidelines.

Fine Arts

• Large group practice sessions, sectionals and rehearsals will adhere to social distancing guidelines provided by an authorized entity (e.g., Denton ISD, TEA, UIL, etc.)

• Bus travel will follow transportation guidelines provided by Denton ISD and TEA.

• Particular avoidance of close physical proximity in cases of increased exhalation (singing, exercise); these activities are likely safest outdoors and spread out.

• Fine arts music private lesson teachers will not be allowed to teach on campus facilities until further guidance is provided by an authorized entity. Private lessons may continue to be conducted virtually if agreed upon between individual families and the lesson teacher. All district guidelines and pricing will continue to be adhered to.

• Off-campus fine arts performances will only be conducted if specific guidance is provided by an authorized entity (e.g., Denton ISD, TEA, UIL, etc.)

• Concerts/performances may be adjusted based on health and safety guidelines provided by an authorized entity (e.g., Denton ISD, TEA, UIL, etc.) including but not limited to transportation procedures, number of attendees, and the orientation of concerts.

• All fine arts performances will be streamed online when possible.

• Booster club meetings should be held virtually to minimize outside exposure to campuses.

Any teacher, staff member, or student who experiences any of the symptoms of COVID-19 (listed below) should self-isolate until the below conditions have been met.

• In the case of an individual who was diagnosed with COVID-19, the individual may return to school/program when all three of the following criteria are met:

  • at least 24 hours have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever reducing medications); and

  • the individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough,shortness of breath); and

  • at least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared; or

• In the case of an individual who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and does not get evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19"

  • the individual is assumed to have COVID-19, and the individual may not return to work until the individual has completed the same three-step criteria listed above; or

• If the individual has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and wants to return to school before completing the above self-isolation period,

  (a) obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis or

  (b) obtain a negative molecular (PCR) test.

COVID-19 Symptoms for Screening:

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Chills

• Repeated shaking with chills

• Muscle pain

• Headache

• Sore throat

• Loss of taste or smell

• Diarrhea

• Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit

• Known close contact with a person who is test confirmed to have COVID-19

1. Per Texas Education Code (TEC), §25.092, students must attend 90% of the days a course is offered (with some exceptions) in order to be awarded credit for the course and/or to be promoted to the next grade. This requirement remains in force during the 2020-21 school year.

2. Given the public health situation, student attendance may be earned through the delivery of virtual instruction.

3. School systems may utilize three models to provide instruction for the 2020-2021 school year:

4. On Campus - School systems must offer on-campus instruction for those parents who choose on-campus instruction in order to be eligible for funding of their remote instruction models (with limited exceptions).

5. Synchronous Instruction – Requires teacher(s) and students to be present at the same time, remotely (real-time, teacher supported work on video conference calls, etc.)

6. Asynchronous Instruction – Does not require real-time participation (self-paced online courses with intermittent teacher instruction videos, pre-assigned work, etc.)

7. Any parent may request that their student be offered virtual instruction from any school system that offers such instruction. If a parent who chooses virtual instruction wants their child to switch to an on-campus instructional setting, they can do so, but school systems are permitted to limit these transitions to occur only at the end of a grading period, if it will be beneficial to the student’s instructional quality.

8. School systems must provide daily on-campus attendance for students otherwise entitled to attend school who follow this document’s required public health procedures and whose parents wish them to attend on campus each day, subject to school closure and the exceptions listed in this document.

9. Denton ISD are required to provide parents a notice of their public education enrollment and attendance rights and responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic using a document published by TEA.

Denton ISD recognizes that our circumstances are challenging and that although students and families may not be present on campus, campus mental health resources are still available.  The following links provide access to support:

https://www.dentonisd.org/together

https://hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use