Reentry 2020 Guide for Parents and Students » Communication Reentry 2020

Communication Reentry 2020

Communication

Communication, Training and Coordination 

Counseling & Social Emotional Learning 

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is an important part of well-rounded student instruction. The skills taught help students academically, emotionally, and socially. Our mission is to build up social and emotional learning in our schools and to support the development of these skills in our students. Elementary, middle, and high school campuses have selected activities that highlight the following:

  1. Self-Awareness.
  2. Self-Management.
  3. Social Awareness.
  4. Relationship Skills.
  5. Responsible Decision Making.

Mental and Behavioral Health Support will continue to be provided by school counselors. For students needing extra support, the school counselor can refer any student for services in the Community.

Be Kind to Your Mind Tips to cope with the stress during COVID-19.

  1. PAUSE. Breathe. Notice how you feel.
  2. TAKE BREAKS from COVID content.
  3. MAKE TIME to sleep and exercise.
  4. REACH OUT and stay connected.
  5. SEEK HELP if you are overwhelmed, scared or feel unsafe.

Student Expectations 

Student Dress Code While Remote At-Home Learning

During virtual instruction, students must wear a shirt/blouse as well as the allowable bottom, which includes: pants, shorts, skorts, skirts, leggings, jumpers, capris, skinny pants, cargo-style pants/short, carpenter pants, and warmups. Undergarments should not be visible. Top/shirt/blouse – any color/pattern/fabric as long as it is not offensive.

The District prohibits the following:

  • Attending a virtual class without an allowable shirt or bottom.
  • Any clothes that are suggestive or indecent, or which cause distraction, are prohibited, including but not limited to pajamas, boxer shorts, halter-tops, spaghetti straps, exposed backs, or midriffs, and any sheer garments.
  • Wearing clothes with pictures, emblems, advertising statements or writings on clothing and accessories that are lewd, offensive, vulgar, or obscene, advertise/depict tobacco products, politics, weapons/ammunition, sex, alcoholic beverages, drugs, gangs, or any other substance prohibited under FNCF (LEGAL).
  • Indecent/inappropriate patches, writings, or drawings on clothing, purses, bag, backpacks, personal belongings, or on the body.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Any other apparel, hairstyle, jewelry, etc., which are a distraction to the instructional environment, are also forbidden.

Student Behavior

Students are expected to comply with the guidelines and procedures established by the District in conformity with the Student Code of Conduct at all times. Therefore, students who go against recommendations will face disciplinary interventions and consequences in accordance with the Zapata County ISD Student Code of Conduct. The Student Code of Conduct has been adopted by the Zapata County ISD School Board of Trustees and developed with the advice of the District-level committee which includes campus administrators, parents and students.

Level 1: Refusal to cooperate in, or failure to follow health, safety, or social distancing guidelines (i.e. hand washing, wearing face mask, failure to report illness-especially an infectious or contagious disease-example COVID-19, disinfecting or cleaning work area, sanitizing equipment, etc.).

Level 2: Intentionally engaging in conduct which may endanger someone’s well-being, cause panic or fear especially during a pandemic or flu epidemic (i.e. such as intentionally spitting, breathing on, coughing or touching others or their belongings which may lead them to believe you have spread germs which contain a contagious/infectious disease COVID-19, etc.). 

Please note: This offense may meet the elements of a Discretionary/Mandatory DAEP Placement or Expulsion section of the Student Code of Conduct.


Learning Plan Choice 

The district has continued to improve upon its online learning processes as well as prepare teachers to teach in both virtual and in-person settings.  ZCISD is also working to meet all of TEA’s requirements to provide robust, equitable curriculum and instruction in both settings. By doing so, the district can offer all students the best educational experiences, choices, and opportunities.

PK-12th grade students will be brought on campus in a phased in approach.  (Reference 2020-2021 Reentry Timelines on Page 4 of this guide.)  Plans have been established to facilitate the safe return of students and staff back onto school campuses.

All students must commit to a Learning Plan Choice. 

Learning Plan Choice Option 1: Remote Learning At Home
This option is entirely virtual, requiring students to have a consistent online presence and daily log-in requirements. Students who enroll in the virtual option may continue virtually for the entire school year unless otherwise indicated by TEA.

Learning Plan Choice Option 2: Learning On Campus
This option will consist of students coming onto campus facilities using safety protocols to protect our students and staff. 

For both Learning Plan Choices, 

  • Activities, assignments, and assessments will be completed via District approved Learning Management Systems
  • Daily, specific student/teacher interaction via Google Meets will occur
  • Expectations for coursework and guidelines for grading will be the same

To ensure the District is able to plan appropriately, a commitment window will stay open until September 30, 2020.  Changes in learning plans will only be available after the end of each six-week (pk-Grade 8) or nine-week (Grade 9-12) grading period.

Note: A 100% Remote At-Home Learning Plan choice is available for the entire 2020-2021 School Year.

Parents/Guardians may change from Option 2 On-Campus to Option 1 Remote Learning for their child at any time by contacting their child’s campus principal.  Once changed, the child must continue with Option 1 Remote Learning until the end of the grading period before another change can be made.   

Parents/Guardians may change from Option 1 Remote Learning to Option 2 On-Campus Learning by contacting their child’s campus principal before the end of the grading period. This is required in order to change from Option 1 to Option 2 for the following grading period.

Special Programs / Special Populations 

Continuity in personalized support for students with specialized needs/services (i.e., special education, 504, English Learners, Migrant, etc.) will be provided appropriately within both learning plan choices as determined by each student's individual education plan.  Teachers and paraprofessionals will continue to tailor instructional content and activities to meet the specific needs of these students.

Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) will continue to be implemented for every Special Education student.

Special Education Assessments, Related Services and Instructional staff will continue to provide services to students as mandated by IDEA and student’s IEPs, in both remote and on-campus instruction settings.

Dyslexia Language Foundations Program will continue to be provided.  

Section 504 Service Plans will continue to be implemented.