Protocol FAQs
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What cleaning procedures will be used to minimize the spread of COVID-19?
Campus administration, Denton ISD and local health officials will evaluate and determine cleaning and sanitizing needs. If it is determined that extra cleaning will be performed, Denton ISD’s Maintenance Team will be using strategies approved by the health department. This includes cleaning all desk areas, countertops, rugs and carpets, and hallways. If the cleaning includes athletic facilities, locker rooms will be sprayed, seating areas will be wiped down and walls sprayed.
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Are district water fountains open?
Yes, and we encourage the use of water bottles.
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If I traveled outside of the United States, would I have to quarantine?
Vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine but they should monitor their symptoms and consult with their personal physician.
Unvaccinated individuals should follow the Center for Disease Control Guidelines (CDC) regarding quarantine and travel guidelines.
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Are students and staff required to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
As a district, we encourage community members to take personal precautions, including vaccination, for personal safety and the safety of others.
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Where can my child get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Many local pharmacies, doctor’s offices and other locations offer the COVID-19 vaccine. The Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines to include all individuals age 12 and older. Currently, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is only available to individuals age 18 and older.
You can register for a vaccine and be matched with the next available appointment at a nearby vaccination site through the Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler.
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Without a virtual option, how will students who have tested positive for COVID-19 access instruction during quarantine?
This time will be handled as any other absence due to illness. Students will work with campus teachers and staff to ensure that instructional opportunities are provided.
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How long does my student have to quarantine?
Prior to their return to campus, students who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to quarantine and contact their personal physician for a treatment recommendation. Please consult the Denton County Public Health decision tree for further recommendation. Denton ISD is required to follow the public health guidance outlined by the Texas Education Agency as of August 1, 2022.
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How should I notify the school if my child tests positive for COVID-19?
Parents are required to report to their child's school as soon as possible if their student has tested positive for COVID-19. Please submit your absence note to your school attendance clerk. Additionally, all absences, including absences related to COVID-19, should be reported prior to 8:30 a.m. each school day via the official absence reporting form available on each campus website.
As provided by the 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 campus if the student has COVID-19 symptoms or is test-confirmed with COVID-19. See the DSHS rule for more details, including the conditions for ending the exclusion period and returning to school.
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What should I do if I suspect my child has COVID-19?
Keep your student at home until you can see a health care provider or take and receive clear results from a COVID-19 test. Denton ISD is required to follow the public health guidance outlined by the Texas Education Agency as of August 1, 2022.
Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to quarantine and follow the recommended guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Denton County Decision Tree.
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Will Denton ISD offer a virtual option for students?
Denton ISD will open the Denton ISD Virtual Academy for students who indicated they wished to enroll prior to the deadline last spring.
The district is to offer students the choice of in-person or virtual learning during the school year. However, last May, the Texas Legislature considered HB 1468, which could have funded virtual learning died due to a legislative deadline, and lawmakers took no action. The district requested a waiver from the Texas Education Agency to move forward under the current state funding formula, and the waiver was denied.
Based on this decision, Denton ISD has committed Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Funds to support the K-8 campus.
Denton ISD encourages all students over the age of 12 to take the COVID-19 vaccination and those not eligible to receive the vaccine continue to wear a mask.
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Will Denton ISD be fully open for students and staff?
Denton ISD will operate in-person classes at full capacity, as long as local health officials believe the environment is safe for our students and staff.
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If my child receives a positive test for COVID and stays home from school, should their sibling stay home too?
Denton ISD strongly encourages families to follow the decision tree outlined by Denton County Public Health in regards to exposure.