Blanco ISD will begin school a week later than planned.
The board of trustees voted last Tuesday night to start school Aug. 24. The move allows the school extra time to prepare for the 2020-21 school year amid coronavirus concerns.
In addition to pushing back the start of school by a week, 10 minutes was added to each school day to provide additional flexibility.
The school district has set 12 possible make up days, to be used in case school has to be closed at some point due to COVID-19 concerns. These days are currently set as holidays. They are: Nov. 23-24, the Monday and Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving; Dec. 18 and Dec. 21-22, the Friday, Monday and Tuesday prior to Christmas; Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day; March 15-19, which is slated for spring break; and April 5, the Monday after Easter.
On Wednesday, BISD will send out a commitment survey to families. This survey will be used to determine the district’s in-person and remote learners. The survey should be completed by Friday.
Blanco ISD on Monday released a 27-page “return to school plan” online. The document covers safety, home-based learning and extra-curricular activities. The complete document is available on the school district’s website.
Parents have the choice of having their children start in-person school Aug. 24 or learn remotely. The choice is available in grading increments, meaning the district asks parents to commit to their choice for a six or nine weeks period, depending on their grade level and the grading increment used there.
Safety measures put into place include self-screening for staff prior to their reporting to work each day. The district expects parents or guardians to screen students for COVID-19 symptoms prior to sending them to school each day. Teachers will also monitor students for symptoms.
Face coverings will be required for all students and staff members while at school. Each individual must provide his own face covering.
Face coverings must be worn while traveling on a school bus. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entry of all buses. Buses will have assigned seating, and children from the same household will sit together, if at all possible.
Parents will not be allowed to deliver lunches to students until further notice. Students may bring their lunch from home or be served an individual meal from the cafeteria. Students will be spaced throughout the cafeteria for appropriate social distancing.
Visitors will be limited, and all visitors will be required to wear face coverings. Visitors will not be allowed into the building past the reception area.
Students will not be allowed into the buildings each morning before they are opened. Students are to head directly to their classroom when arriving at school.
