Return to Instruction Plan

  • New Caney ISD is providing traditional, in-person educational services for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school year and will not have a remote learning option based on current information and circumstances. In-person instruction is critical for the academic success, as well as the social and emotional well-being, of the vast majority of students. Should a health, or other unforeseen, emergency circumstance arise that requires a remote learning option, the district could transition to temporary remote services as it did during the 2020-2021 school year. 

     

     

    COVID-19 Reporting Requirements 

    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), New Caney ISD will report all positive case notifications received by parents, teachers or staff to the local health department.

    COVID-19 Positive Test Reporting Form (Students and Staff)
    Students and staff use this form to report to the school if you have received a postive COVID-19 test result.

    General Health Guidelines

    Instructional Format Choice

    • All students will attend school in-person. No remote instructional choice will be available for students during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school year unless a local situation necessitates the change to remote instruction.

    Personal Protection Equipment and Screening

    • Pursuant to Executive Order GA36, issued by the Governor of the State of Texas, face coverings will not be required, however can be utilized by an individual at their discretion.

    • To ensure the health and safety of all students and staff, all individuals should conduct self-pre-screening for COVID-19 symptoms.

    • Parents will be responsible for screening their child for illness each day prior to sending them to school. Parents should keep their child home and notify the school if they are ill with any symptoms related to COVID-19. For a list of COVID-19 symptoms, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.

    • Students and staff will follow current COVID-19 Return to School/Work Guidelines.

    Return to School/Work Guidelines (Students and Staff)

    • Individuals currently experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 should stay home and consider seeking medical care and/or COVID-19 testing. 

      1. Individuals who are sick with COVID-19-like symptoms and are awaiting test results should stay home from school/work until results are provided.

    • Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should notify the school by submitting the self-reporting form.  In the case of an individual who is diagnosed with COVID-19, the individual may not return to work/school until the following criteria are met:

      1. At least 5 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. (the first day of symptoms is day 0); OR

      2. If asymptomatic, at least 5 days from the date of the positive viral test. (the day of the test is day 0)

     At least one day (24 hours) has passed since recovery/resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; and

    1. The individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); 

    ***It is recommended for the individual to continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for 5 additional days (day 6 through day 10) after the end of their 5-day isolation period. If they are unable to wear a mask when around others, they should continue to isolate themselves for 10 days. ***

    • If the individual continues to have fever or other symptoms have NOT improved after 5 days of isolation, they should continue to isolate until day 10.

    • If your child is sick and not feeling well, they should stay home.  However, if they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and want to return to school before completing the 5 day self-isolation period, seek medical attention for additional guidance and COVID-19 testing.

    • If the individual resides with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, CDC guidelines recommend the following:  

    • It is recommended the individual quarantine for at least 5 days after the date of last contact; quarantine may be discontinued after 5 days if the individual remains without symptoms and tests negative.

    • The individual should closely monitor for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 for 10 days after the date of last contact.

    • It is recommended for all individuals who have been in close contact to continue to wear a well-fitted mask when around others at home and in public until 10 days after their last close contact with someone with COVID-19.

    • INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED OR WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 IN THE LAST 90 DAYS AND ARE FULLY RECOVERED, DO NOT NEED TO QUARANTINE AFTER EXPOSURE.

    • The decision to quarantine due to exposure will be at the discretion of the parent.

    School Health Clinic Protocols

    • In collaboration with NCISD Health Services, guidance from TEA, local/state health authorities and the CDC, campuses will implement protocols for students who require additional support from clinic staff, i.e., diabetes, medications, and regular care due to illness or injury.

    • Any person entering for a sick visit will have his or her temperature taken.

    • All persons will wash/sanitize hands upon entry/exit of the clinic area.

    • Clinic staff will wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate to the task.

    • Any medications used to treat symptoms consistent with COVID-19 such as cough, shortness of breath, headache, sore throat, and body aches will not be administered without a current healthcare provider’s note. This would include metered dose inhalers, cough and cold medications, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. Parents/Guardians are strongly encouraged to contact their student’s healthcare provider to obtain metered dose inhalers rather than nebulizer medications.

    • To minimize loss of instruction time and unnecessary exposure to illness, well students shall remain in class as much as possible. Visits to the school clinic will be for essential services only.

    • Teachers are encouraged to contact the school clinic prior to sending students.

    • Any student with a temperature greater than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and/or showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will remain in the clinic until the parent/guardian arrives for student pick-up.

    • Parents/Guardians will need to make every effort to receive children within one hour. Parents/guardians should have alternative arrangements if they are unable to pick up their student within one hour.

    Cleaning and Disinfecting

    • Frequent cleaning and disinfecting will occur throughout the school day.

    • Nightly deep cleaning. Each classroom and restroom will be cleaned/disinfected at the end of each day.

    • All high-touch areas will be disinfected throughout the day.

    • Cleaning supplies will be provided for each classroom and common area to maximize room-to-room cleanliness.

    • The cafeteria will be disinfected regularly.

    • Staff will have access to supplies to clean/disinfect working surfaces and shared objects after each use and during breaks in instruction.

    • Alcohol-based hand sanitizing stations will be located throughout the building in common areas.


    On-Campus Guidelines

    Campus Visitors

    • NCISD is allowing visitors to campuses at designated times. As the year progresses, this measure may be updated.

    • All visitors entering the building should sanitize hands upon entry.

    • All visitors must self-screen prior to entering the building’s reception area.  A poster with symptoms and other health guidance will be placed at the entrance of each campus for visitors to review.  If a visitor answers yes to any of the symptoms listed, are lab confirmed with COVID-19, or  reside with an individual who is lab confirmed with COVID-19, then they are to return to their vehicle and call the campus for assistance.

    • More frequently scheduled cleaning/disinfecting of the building’s reception throughout the day.

    Transportation

    • Buses will be cleaned/disinfected at a minimum two times per week and after any positive test.

    • Transportation staff will be trained in proper cleaning/disinfecting procedures.

    Breakfast and Lunch

    • Cafeteria and serving areas will be cleaned between uses.

    • Students at secondary campuses may eat in other designated locations throughout the building and on campus to maximize social distancing.

    • Cafeteria, serving, and eating areas will be cleaned between uses.

    Arrival, Dismissal, and Transition

    • Parents will follow site-specific arrival and dismissal plans as communicated by the campus. When transporting or walking children to school, please follow all signage, drop off and pick up children at the appropriate locations, and quickly exit the parking lots.

    • Each group of students will be directed to a designated location prior to the start of school as communicated by your student’s campus. 

    • Hand sanitizer stations will be placed at entrances, exits, and common areas throughout the building.

    • All areas of the building (gym, cafeteria, larger classrooms, common areas, etc.) will be utilized to limit the size of student groupings.

    • Dismissal exit points will be established. 

    Transition Times - Secondary Campuses

    • Custodians will disinfect railings and handles in common areas after every passing period.

    Restrooms

    • Proper handwashing techniques will be taught to students and consistently reinforced.

    Recess (Elementary)

    • Students and staff should wash hands or use hand sanitizer when returning into the building.

    Classroom and Learning Space Configurations and Procedures

    • It is our promise to maintain a warm and inviting learning environment in our classrooms while simultaneously following NCISD health guidelines.

    • Each classroom and learning space will have the following:

      • Access to alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

      • Access to disinfectant supplies to sanitize working surfaces.

    Special Education

    All teachers, staff and students within a special education classroom/setting will adhere to all safety precautions in the on-campus instruction plan. Any extenuating circumstance directly related to the student's disability may be discussed and documented in the student’s IEP. Touch-surfaces and shared materials will be cleaned and sanitized frequently to ensure a safe environment.

    Physical Education

    • Sanitizing areas and access to hand washing will be provided.

    Extracurricular and Student Organization Activities 

    • Extracurricular/Cocurricular activities, practices and competitions will be conducted following safety protocols provided by NCISD, the University Interscholastic League (UIL), and the Texas Education Agency (TEA). 

    Ensuring Continuity of Services 

    • Beginning August 2021, the district plans to return to a pre-pandemic academic schedule inclusive of all extra-curricular and cocurricular activities. The district will follow all mandates put forward by the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

    Academic Support

    • New Caney ISDs framework includes additional academic and social/emotional support both during and after the school day. The district will return to full in-person food services for students. The district will address the before and after school educational programs to increase academic support in the 2022-2023 school year per HB 4545. 

    • The district will also continue programs already in place for students and staff that provide academic and social/emotional support.