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.

Students are provided consistent instruction on cough/sneeze etiquette, in addition to proper hand washing techniques. Sanitizing stations were provided throughout each building, classroom bottles of hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes were provided in every classroom.   

All classrooms and buildings receive ongoing cleaning throughout each day. In the event an individual was on campus that had tested positive for COVID, additional cleaning took place prior to students returning to class the following day. Regular routine maintenance took place; however, filter changes were conducted with increased frequency. Students and staff were encouraged to participate in activities outdoors when possible.

Denton ISD follows the decision tree for isolation and quarantine as provided by Denton County Public Health, in collaboration with CDC.

https://www.dentonisd.org/cms/lib/TX21000245/Centricity/Domain/72/1.26_School_COVID-19_Decision_Trees.pdf 

Denton ISD provided COVID testing in the health clinic on each campus for all staff members. In addition, two district sites were established for students and parents to have access to testing twice weekly.

Denton ISD has collaborated with DCPH throughout the pandemic to make widely available vaccinations to our staff and students. In addition, in Fall, 2021, Denton ISD has secured a third-party provider to host vaccination clinics at all secondary campuses.

All Denton ISD protocols communicated expectations for campus and district leadership to ensure the needs of each student were met on an individual basis.

Denton ISD works daily/weekly with Denton County Public Health to make recommendations and decisions regarding health and safety protocols, quarantine and isolation decisions and making expectations. In addition, Denton ISD submits Covid data to a DCPH dashboard for each of the Denton ISD campuses daily.  

Denton ISD has provided in person learning as well as remote/virtual learning opportunities for all students throughout the pandemic.

Stakeholder Engagement Statement
Denton ISD presented information at every board meeting during the pandemic and continues this practice as necessary to communicate policies and practices related to the health and safety of students, educators, and other staff and the extent to which the District coordinates with local health officials on following safety recommendations established by the CDC. Stakeholders have an opportunity to provide input and opinions during three open forum sessions at each board meeting. All stakeholder input is considered during the evaluation of changes to the Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan.

During the summer of 2021, Denton ISD engaged in feedback processes with the staff, teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community members, including groups such as civil rights organizations, disability rights, organizations, and stakeholders of children with disabilities, emergent bilinguals, children experiencing homelessness, children in foster care, and other groups that are underserved. Examples of feedback processes included, Thought Exchange survey process, Denton ISD website, DISD Board of Trustees Meeting, and meaningful dialogue among stakeholder groups. The plan was developed based on the feedback received.