Frequently Asked Questions

Health Safety

As a parent, how can you assure me that my child will be safe at school?

As we reopen our schools, we are doing so with enhanced safety measures in place. We can assure our parents that SISD will follow the health and safety guidance given by the CDC, TEA, and the Grayson County Health Department. We will operate our campuses with our health and safety measures in place each day. For in-person learning on all campuses, we are adding safety measures at all schools. All students are required to wear a mask, our custodial staff will disinfect high touch areas daily, and our teachers will sanitize their rooms during transitions. Our parents will have to partner with us in making sure they do not send their students to school if their child has any COVID-19 symptoms. We understand that deciding how your student will go back to school this year is going to look different for each family. Whether your child returns to school virtually, or in person, we want to emphasize the importance of not putting academics on hold, just as no one should put their health on hold.

Is it ok for my child to have a backpack at school?

We recommend students limit the use of personal items (i.e., backpacks, purses, gym bags, phones, keys, etc.) individuals bring to school to reduce the potential of cross-contamination of surfaces between environments and the necessity to assign storage areas for such items.

PPE Equipment

Does my child have to wear a face covering during school?

Yes. SISD students will be required to wear face coverings at all times when on campus, using district transportation, and when instructed by any teacher.

• For the purposes of this document, face coverings include non-medical grade disposable face coverings, cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth), or full-face shields to protect the eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Parents are responsible for ensuring their students are wearing face coverings to school.
• Parents are responsible for taking temperature and attesting to the health of their children daily. Students with a temperature greater than 100 F and who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should remain at home.
• Students will be expected to use hand sanitizer frequently and wash their hands at least twice daily.

Will staff be required to wear masks for in-person learning?

Yes. SISD team members will comply with the governor’s executive order regarding the wearing of face coverings.

• Face coverings include non-medical grade disposable face coverings, cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth), or full-face shields to protect the eyes, nose, and mouth.
• SISD will require all employees and staff to use a face covering. Gloves will be used when needed.
• SISD will provide PPE as needed to staff.
• SISD staff will use hand sanitizer and/or hand washing practices upon entering the campus and frequently throughout the day.

What if a student or employee refuses to wear a mask?

Everyone is required to wear a mask or facial covering when out in public, this includes schools. The requirement must be followed anywhere where a person cannot socially distance. A mask is required to enter or remain on a Sherman ISD campus or in an SISD building.

Will there be a dress code for masks?

There is no current dress code for masks. Teachers are encouraged to monitor and use discretion if they consider a face mask to be inappropriate.

Will class sizes be smaller to accommodate a six-foot distancing?

No, class enrollment will remain at their traditional capacities. Teachers will spread desks and students out as much as possible for social distancing purposes.

What about teachers with tables instead of desks?

 Each campus administrator will work with teachers to determine best room arrangement and classroom seating that supports best possible social distancing.

Learning Options

How will homeroom teachers be determined?

Homeroom teachers will be assigned based on the student’s selected learning option. If your child participates in In-person Learning, the student will be assigned a traditional homeroom teacher. Students that will participate in Distance Learning will be assigned a virtual homeroom teacher. If a student is approved to transition to a different learning option, they will be assigned a different homeroom teacher based on the learning option they are committed to during that grading period.

Will my student be assigned/be taught by her teacher from her campus or is it more of a general grade curriculum sent out and assessed by whoever is available?

Students will be assigned a homeroom teacher based on the learning option they are committed to. If a child participates in In-person Learning, their homeroom teacher will be at their home campus. If a child is participating in Distance Learning, their homeroom teacher could be housed at another campus. Virtual homeroom teacher locations do not impact the student’s home campus.

Can my child switch between the in-person and distance learning option?

Sherman ISD encourages families to commit to either in-person or online learning for the first nine weeks of school after reviewing the Operation Reconnect Reopening Plan.  Due to the constantly changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that circumstances could change for our families, and adjustments to commitments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis at the end of each grading period. If Sherman ISD needs to close school buildings again for an extended period of time, all students will transition to distance learning. Before the close of the 1st 9 weeks, parents will be able to decide to stay with the learning commitment or switch. Additional information will be shared with parents about this soon.

If I select for my child to participate in the distance learning option, can they still participate in athletics.

Yes. Students that participate in distance learning can still attend athletic practices to participate in the athletic period during the day. Parents are responsible for their child transportation to and from the athletic period and practices.

If I select the distance learning option for my child, will the district be able to provide my child with a device?

Once parents complete the Learning Commitment Form, Sherman ISD will use the information to assess each student's need for equipment. Information about the distribution and retrieval of devices will be communicated to families as soon as possible.  

I am considering distance learning for my child. Will all instruction be synchronous in the 1-6 grade level? I understand that some things may be asynchronous, but would appreciate understanding what a day of learning from home would look like.

Virtual Teaching and Learning Plan Overview

• Teachers will follow the district curriculum scope and sequence.
• Teachers will use an online or e-learning lesson planning template to design virtual instruction.
• Elementary E-Learning Lesson Plan Template
• Secondary Online Lesson Planning Template
• Students will be provided both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities based on the instructional delivery method and individual student learning needs.
• For example, a teacher may notice in her review of submitted student work online that some students are struggling with the addition and subtraction of decimals.  Instead of re-teaching this concept to her entire class, the teacher might decide to schedule a small group synchronous (live virtual) lesson with those students, offering differentiated instruction based on their needs.  
• Asynchronous (not live, accessible at multiple times/locations) instruction could also be provided to the remaining students who have mastered the addition and subtraction of decimals, providing them with an opportunity to apply this in a real world problem solving situation such as a weekly grocery budget.  
• The goal for virtual learning is to allow for continued instruction while acknowledging the additional challenges that come without traditional, face-to-face classroom learning. Sherman ISD understands the difficulties faced by students and families.  SISD’s plan for virtual teaching and learning will be most effective when parents also commit to supporting their children in the learning process.  

HEALTH SCREENING

Will staff/student temperatures be measured as they come in? By whom?

 Yes, screenings will occur. Please see the following information:

• Staff will be required to complete a self-screening process prior to entering a Sherman ISD building, and the district may require further screening of employees at any time based on current state and federal guidelines.
• A parent or guardian will be required to screen their children for COVID-19 symptoms each day prior to sending them to school. Parents will need to take their child’s temperature daily. Additional screening may be conducted during the school day.
• Parents must ensure they do not send a child to school on campus if the child has COVID-19 symptoms (as listed in this document) or is lab-confirmed with COVID-19, and instead should opt to participate in Distance Learning until the conditions for re-entry are met.
• Staff and students should not enter campuses or district buildings if any of the following apply. The individual is:

• Sick or has been sick in the past 14 days. Symptoms to watch for: fever (100°F or higher), cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, recent loss of taste or smell.
• Has a confirmed case of COVID-19 or has been in close contact with a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19. These individuals must follow all isolation and quarantine guidelines from the local health authority or their physician.

CONTACT TRACING

What is the policy for contact tracing?

Sherman ISD will identify any individuals who had regular or close contact with the infected individual at school. Sherman ISD Human Resources Department and Student Services will work with the employee and/or student to determine the last date the employee and/or student was physically present in any district facility.

If someone in my class is exposed to COVID, who is quarantined?

The exposed individual will follow isolation protocols and monitor their symptoms. If the exposed individual develops symptoms or tests positive then contact tracing will take place.

Will students and teachers be required to test and show proof of testing after quarantine?

No. Students and teachers must follow the protocol for Returning to Work/School, which includes being fever-free for 72-hours and symptom free.

Will COVID testing be available at schools for staff and students?

No, not at this time.

What number of students and teachers have to become infected with COVID-19 before campuses are required to close?

The district will make this decision in conjunction with guidance with the Grayson County Health Care Services Department regarding campus or school closure.

SANITATION

Will teachers be responsible for cleaning between classes?

To maintain a healthy working and learning environment, the SISD custodial staff will be on campus cleaning all areas throughout the day. Additionally, an eco-friendly cleaning spray and paper towels will be made available for teachers to use daily during class transitions.

GRADING & ACADEMIC POLICIES

How will we hold students accountable that choose Distance Learning?

Students will be required to log in daily to direct, live instruction. All Distance Learning students will follow the same curriculum, take the same assessments, and follow the same grading guidelines as on campus students.

Will we be using a “grace over grades” policy again?

No. All Sherman ISD students will follow the Sherman ISD Grading procedures.

How will Distance Learning expectations change for students and teachers?

Distance learning will be the same pace, rigor, and high standards as on campus learning, but will be done digitally. Distance Learning and In-Person schedules will be very similar. Distance Learning will be a much higher expectation than Distance Learning from spring 2020.

STUDENT SERVICES

How will we encourage parents not to send their children to school sick? Will attendance be flexible?

Parents will be trained and expected to perform daily screening for their children. Attendance is not flexible.

Will families need to sign waivers of disclosure if they’ve been exposed or tested?

Not at this time.

Can a teacher ask a student if they have been tested for COVID-19?

Our Health Services Department and campus nurses will work with the employee and/or student to obtain personal health information.

STATE ACCOUNTABILITY

How will students take district assessments if they are remotely learning? How will they take STAAR?

Academic honesty is a high priority for us.  Sherman ISD is working on a plan to require Distance Learners to make an appointment to come to campus for major assessments at least once per grading term.  Other assessments will be given online with parameters, such as the student being required to be on camera and the microphone on during the assessment.

The state has not yet provided guidance on Distance Learning students taking STAAR other than stating that this assessment will be given this year.

TEACHING & LEARNING

How will teachers stay in the Power Zone and adequately monitor students while staying six feet apart?

TEA guidelines state that social distancing of 6 feet apart is to be used when possible. We know that to appropriately instruct students, there will be times when the teacher has to be less than 6 feet away from students. When teachers are within 6 feet of a student, they should be wearing a face shield and/or mask and sanitize their hands if they touch a student’s desk, paper, or other supplies. Teachers will be expected to appropriately monitor student learning and behavior while using health protocols to stay safe.

How will science labs be handled? It is hard to distance during a lab. Will the teacher be responsible for sanitizing aprons and goggles between each class as well as any lab materials?

Because science labs are valuable experiences for our students, we recommend continuing to do labs in class.  Space students out as much is as reasonably possible for lab participation.  If supplies are not able to be sanitized between classes, remind students to sanitize their hands before and after use. Because of student allergies and chemicals in clearing products, guidance is that students will not be doing the sanitizing.

How will culinary, music, band, and choir be held without risking students’ and teachers’ health?

Appropriate spacing and medical safety recommendations will be followed in these courses. Teachers will follow personal health and safety guidelines such as wearing face shields and/or masks, social distancing where appropriate, and extra cleaning and sanitizing of equipment

How will CTE classes, art, and PE be held without community supplies?

Every effort will be made to limit sharing of supplies. However, we know that there will be situations that arise where students will have to share supplies. In that situation, students will be reminded to sanitize their hands immediately afterward and supplies will be sanitized as soon as possible. Appropriate spacing and medical safety recommendations will be followed in these courses, as well.

TRANSPORTATION

Will buses be sanitized after each use? Will students be skipping every other seat? How are bus drivers going to monitor distancing, masks, etc. while driving?

All buses will be thoroughly cleaned daily, focusing on high-touch surfaces and all bus drivers will wear a mask. Students are expected to follow all bus ridership rules and use hand sanitizer dispensers located at the front of the bus when loading and unloading the bus. To support contact tracing, students will be assigned seats, and a seating chart will be maintained by the bus driver.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Will we still be having fire drills? Lock down drills? Those require students to be closer than six feet.

All drills are required but will be modified. The modifications include masks being worn and maintaining 6 feet of distance during fire drills. The drill will be slower and not reflect how an evacuation would occur in an actual emergency. However, in the event of an actual fire the imminent or substantial threat to life takes precedence over COVID-19. Lockdown drills will include the locking of the door and turning the lights out, but students should remain at their seat. The instructor will explain how and where the students would hide in the room and how they would gather closely together out of sight from the door in an actual emergency. Weather drills should be conducted in smaller groups to accommodate safe distancing. These drills could be conducted by classroom, grade or hall. An actual fire or active threat situation poses an imminent or substantial threat to life and must take precedence over the possible health risk posed by COVID-19.

Will we have staggered start times for specific grade levels? At the high school level, how will we handle passing periods? Will teachers be required to be in the hallways during passing periods?

Sherman ISD is not planning to have staggered start times for specific grade levels. Teachers should be in the hallway and when possible they should hold their door open to help limit the number of students that would need to touch the door in order to enter the classroom.

ATHLETICS

If sporting events are held, will there be a communication tool for schools to use to inform each other of infection and exposure?

Yes, there will be a protocol in place. Districts will be acting under guidance from the UIL regarding communication and COVID-19 cases.

Can a school legally inform another school of a COVID infection of a student in a specific program?

Sherman ISD will communicate per the guidance of the UIL.  Specific student names are not included in that communication.

How will contact sports resume safely? What will be the protocol for the locker rooms?

When districts receive guidance from the UIL, Sherman ISD will put appropriate practices in place. We do not have that guidance  from UIL at this time.

Will students who choose Distance Learning be able to participate in activities like golf, football, debate, etc?

Yes. Sherman ISD will follow the standards and guidelines of the University Interscholastic League. Currently, UIL guidelines allow Distance Learning students to participate.

Are families allowed to change their mind and bounce back and forth between online and in person learning?

Due to the scheduling complexities inherent in these two options, parents will be asked to make a commitment for at least one full nine-week grading period. Special circumstances that affect a family will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the campus principal. Please note that if a student switches between In-person Learning and Distance Learning, then that student may not have the same teacher(s) or course schedule, as teachers may or may not be teaching both In-Person and Distance Learning classes. Students may not be guaranteed to be assigned to their home campus based on staffing and grade level/course seat availability.

BREAKS & TRAVEL

Will the 2020-2021 calendar be altered at all during this year?

At this time, the district calendar has not been altered.

LUNCH AND PASSING PERIODS

How will lunch be modified?

Elementary and Secondary school administrators are working closely with Food Services to determine if any changes should occur.

The physical setup for the cafeteria and the schedule will be adjusted to reduce the number of students in the cafeteria at one time. Some students will be eating in the cafeteria, spaced according to the recommended guidelines, and other students may eat in the classroom if necessary.

Will recess be modified?

Elementary campuses will limit the number of students at recess at one time and create different play areas for activities to further reduce student interactions. Students and staff will be required to use hand sanitizer and wash their hands before and after recess.

Will teachers be in charge of Distance Learning and In-person Learning?

Yes. Lessons for in-person and distance learning will be the same. Teachers will prepare and plan for both learning options.