7/28/20
Oakwood ISD Students, Parents, and Staff Members,
Last night the Oakwood ISD Board of Trustees met and approved our Back to School 2020 Plan (linked at the bottom). This means that like most other schools in our area, we will start as scheduled with safety measures in place. The first day of school is set for August 11, with the first bell ringing at 7:45am and the end of the day at 3:50pm.
Oakwood’s plan was developed with input from a variety of stakeholders as well as guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In addition, the Superintendents in the area have met on multiple occasions to formulate a plan to try to do what is best for all of the students in Leon County. I know that many of you have stated through our online survey that you are ready for school to resume, and to be honest, we are looking forward to seeing our students again, but we will do so with the safety of everyone in mind. Oakwood is uniquely positioned with our small class sizes and student numbers to help with social distancing and trying to mitigate the spread of Covid-19. We are looking at every aspect of our school day to try to make decisions that will keep students and staff safe.
There have been numerous questions as to what this may look like, how we are going to handle various aspects of the day such as lunch and recess, etc. We would like the students to have as “normal” a school day as possible while still following the necessary safety protocols. Specific details for both on campus and remote learning will be sent out this week by Dr. Stephanie Johnson, Oakwood Principal.
Please keep in mind the following when returning to school:
- Parents and students have the option of choosing the remote learning plan, which would involve online learning. This option will be much more comprehensive and teachers will require daily work and progress in order for students to receive credit. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 4 hours a day working remotely to achieve the standards set forth by TEA. The lessons and curriculum, developed by TEA, will be much more robust and challenging. Students are still required to complete the registration process and then to notify Dr. Stephanie Johnson of your plans to be on the remote learning plan.
- Under the current Executive Order issued by Governor Greg Abbott, face masks must be worn by any student 10 years of age or older. This would include all 5th grade students and older. Oakwood will comply with this order by requiring all student in grades 5-12 to wear a mask. Please make sure masks are school appropriate with a solid color. If the Governor’s orders change, then we will revise this policy at that time.
- School busses will run at approximately the same time as last year. Bus drivers will take a moment to check the temperature of each child as they enter the bus. Student will need to sit with members of their family to help with social distancing on the bus. Mask will be required on the bus.
- Upon arrival at school, student will need to go have their temperature checked and then report to their first period or homeroom class. To start the school year, breakfast will be served to the classrooms. All students may receive breakfast free of charge. Any student who chooses remote learning is also eligible for free breakfast to be picked up (to go) in the cafeteria.
- School supply lists have been posted and Oakwood ISD is working to help provide some additional supplies as they become available. Please check your child’s supply list and let Dr. Johnson know if there are ways we can help out with supplies.
- Students will be required to self-screen for any Covid-19 symptoms weekly. This will be available through an short online questionnaire that can be submitted, or a paper copy will also be available as well.
- Our new Athletic Director, Paul Johnston will be releasing additional information regarding UIL activities such as football, volleyball, and cross county this week. There have been a few changes and modification to schedules in relation to Covid-19.
- Please be patient as we work through the logistics of implementing these changes. We are looking forward to seeing your kids up at school again, but please understand that there will be challenges and that things will not always run smoothly, especially the first couple of weeks. We are trying to plan for every scenario, but inevitably, something will come up that we did not anticipate.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to any one of us here at the school, and we will do our best to help you. Thank you for your continued understanding and patience, it has been challenging trying to make plans to return to school when the guidelines seem to change every day. Ultimately, we want your students at school and learning in a safe environment, and that is what we are going to try to accomplish.
In service,
Russell Holden
Oakwood ISD Superintendent