Dew ISD released their plans for the 2020-2021 school year starting on Thursday, August 13, 2020.
Families will be able to choose between two options, face-to-face learning and online learning, each with their own set of rules.
Students may change to the online learning at any time, but are required to wait till the end of the grading period to come back to face-to-face learning.
Face-to-face
“Face-to-face instruction is the most academically effective option for students,” the Dew ISD Covid Policy reminds parents.
Students attend school daily, as they would any other school year. The major difference is in the presence of screening for COVID-19 symptoms.
If a student runs a fever they must be at home, if after two days their fever is gone they can return to school with parental notes.
If they still have a fever after two days, the school district asks that families take their child to the doctor for testing, and if they child is positive for the Flu or COVID-19 to inform school officials.
If the child cannot make it to the doctor, they must school at home for fourteen days, and if no fever or symptoms after that time, the student may return to schools.
During the time students are out of school, they will be moved to the online learning courses.
Online Learning
“Due to COVID, we understand why some students/parents are not comfortable with [the face-to-face] option and may select online to ensure the medical safety of their family,” the Covid Policy for Dew ISD explains, and continues by stating, “Please understand that this is the same reason they will not be eligible to participate in any extra-curricular activities during that time.”
If a child is attending classes online, they must check in before 9:00 a.m. every school day to be counted present.
Students will have the entire day to complete their assignments on their own schedule, however they must turn in assignments when due or they will be counted as late per school policy.
If a student checks in after 9:00 a.m. more than six days, a parent conference will be necessary for a discussion of possible denial of credits.
If checking in late, less than six days, the parents need to email the school a letter explaining why the child is absent for the day.
Miscellaneous
If a student is home for more than two days, they must continue classes online. It is advised they begin as soon as possible to avoid falling behind.
All students will be issued a device that allows them to complete assignments at home or at school.
The Dew ISD website will show daily reports of positive cases and fevers to help parents stay informed.
If a student or staff member test positive, the entire family will be advised to quarantine at home for at least fourteen days.
Dew ISD reminds families, “Attendance AT HOME AND/OR SCHOOL is vital to the survival of our school.”
Funding is based off of attendance, so students need to attend as much as they can.