FAQs

The development of our LearnSBISD was collaborative and wide-ranging and included three phases:

Phase 1 – Explore possibilities

• Senior Staff serves as Steering Committee

• Rapid prototyping of learning models by cross-functional teams of SBISD leaders (sprints)

• Continual refinement after each sprint

• Daily scan of research and regular updates with region and state education and business leaders and organizations 

Phase 2 – Engage stakeholders

• SBISD Council of PTAs

• District Improvement Team

• Title I Parent Advisory Committee

• Family E3 Committee

• Teachers of the Year

• Superintendent Key Communicator Network

Phase 3 – Refine the plan 

• Consider stakeholder feedback to further inform learning models

• Monitor and adjust based on updated guidance

• Provide updates to the Board of Trustees

• Repeat process as appropriate

Yes, the SBISD plan was presented to representatives from several of our medical partners in education for their review, input and suggestions.

SBISD has followed guidance from federal, state, and local health agencies as well as from the Texas Education Agency and the Texas UIL. SBISD's health and safety guidelines meet requirements from these agencies.

If there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19, all parents/guardians of students and staff who were determined to have prolonged, close contact with the affected individual will be notified via letter and/or e-mail.

Positive COVID-19 cases should be reported to the school nurse or department supervisor who will notify the school principal and the school safety officer or department head. The campus administrator and/or school safety officer or department head will notify HR of any employee positive COVID-19 cases.

SBISD will closely monitor any cases and will make a determination as needed on a case-by-case basis. Decisions regarding school closure and lengths of closure will be based on national, state, and local health department guidelines.

The nurses will record and report all COVID-19 cases to the Harris County Department of Health and will notify the Manager of Safety and Risk Management. Campus administration will ensure that suggested health and safety protocols are followed and that appropriate information is shared with the school community.

Classrooms are cleaned and disinfected at the end of each day with Hospital Grade Disinfectant. Custodial Staff are trained in proper cleaning techniques using District approved chemicals and cleaning supplies. 

Custodians will follow normal standard cleaning procedures which includes the use of Hospital Grade Disinfectants and additional cleaning methods will be utilized based off of the space affected.

Buses will be sprayed with disinfectant at the end of each day. In addition, all buses will be cleaned and disinfected on a weekly basis.

Non-custodial school based staff will be supplied with appropriate cleaning supplies. 

Staff members will receive information regarding the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and other flu-like illnesses, and are asked to self-screen daily and complete a written screening prior to the start of each work week. Students will complete a written screening prior to the first day of school.

Parents will receive information regarding the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and other flu-like illnesses, and are asked to screen their students every day before sending or taking them to school. Students will have their temperature checked each day at school.

Yes, students will have their temperatures checked on a daily basis.

Students who have an elevated temperature will be referred to the school nurse. The nurse will follow normal District health protocols. Students will be expected to wear their mask or face covering while waiting in the clinic.

Campus staff members with an elevated temperature will be evaluated by the school nurse and sent home pending District health protocols.

As always, families should keep their child home if sick such as if their child has a fever or other signs of illness including those of COVID-19.

Masks/face coverings are required in all communal spaces, which includes the classroom. When at their desks, students should wear their mask/face covering. Teachers may request that students wear a face shield while seated at their desks, instead of the mask, so they can see their faces as they are interacting during instructional time. Students should wear their masks or face coverings when up out of their desks in their classrooms.

If provided with a note from a health care professional, students may opt out of wearing a mask and pursue other safety options.

Yes, students may opt to wear a face shield instead of a mask.

Yes, masks or face shields will be required to access district transportation.

All masks or face coverings shall be free of any images, words, political slogans, etc. Only SBISD school logos may be on masks or face coverings.

Proper hand hygiene will be taught and encouraged for all of our students and staff members. It is highly recommended that all students and staff wash or sanitize their hands upon entering the building. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the main public entries and in each classroom.

Students will receive age appropriate lessons, based on CDC guidelines, on how and when to wash their hands.

Students and staff are asked to wash their frequently throughout the day, any time they are visibly soiled, before eating, and after using the restroom. When washing is not possible, students and staff are encouraged to use hand sanitizer.

Custodial staff are trained to make regular and scheduled checks of hand washing stations, and hand sanitizer dispensers. In addition, each campus will have an administrator who serves as the campus safety officer who will help monitor health and safety efforts and serve as the contact person for any health and safety concerns that require immediate attention.

Students will be encouraged to practice physical distancing whenever possible and to the extent possible.

Classrooms will be cleared of unnecessary furniture such as reading couches and large book shelves to allow the maximum square footage for student seating. In addition, student desks will be placed in rows and face the same direction. Classrooms with tables will have students seated at opposite ends with a divider in the middle.
 

Students will be required to wear a face covering while using district transportation, since physical distancing is not always possible on the bus. Buses will be sanitized daily and hand sanitizer will be made available to students riding the bus.

Students will stay in class groups and the number of classes and students will be limited on the playground following a staggered schedule. Students will be physically distanced when and where feasible.

Yes, staff will follow TEA guidelines for physical distancing during meetings.

Staff members will be highly encouraged to wear masks or face coverings whenever possible at anytime away from their desk and anytime physical distancing is not possible.

Staff will limit and monitor the number of students in the restroom to accommodate physical distancing protocols. Students will be required to wear masks or face coverings, and practice proper hand sanitation.
 

Schools will stagger or adjust their schedules to allow for physical distancing.
 

Students will wear masks or face coverings during passing periods. When and where practical, hallways will be designated as one way, or have one way lanes marked off.

Yes. Teachers will utilize the same curriculum as in-person instruction. The assignments may look different, but they will cover the same content and skills as on-campus instruction.

Grading guidelines will not be adjusted and will be applied to all instructional settings equally (in-person and distance learning).

Students will have the opportunity to attend school and receive instruction in either an in-person learning or a distance learning option during the 2020-21 school year. Parents will have the option to choose which model is best for their student(s).

No. Parents are encouraged to review the options and make the best choice for each child.

A commitment form is being sent via Skyward to the email of the primary parent or guardian contact for each registered student on July 15, 2020. Please complete this form by July 22, 2020, for each child in your family and select the model for each child. If, after submitting the commitment form, you wish to make a change, the deadline to make this change is midnight, July 31, 2020. Beyond this date, we will not be able to accept changes until the end of the first 9-week grading period.

Students who choose the distance learning program will remain online for the first nine weeks of the semester, with the option to continue online. No changes to the desired learning model can be made after midnight on July 31, 2020.

Adjustments can take place at the end of a grading period.

There will be numerous differences based on the feedback of students, parents, and staff. Student schedules will require participation in synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded, self-paced) learning sessions each day. Students will follow a daily schedule, attendance will be taken, and students will be expected to engage in schoolwork every school day. Students will be held responsible for academic honesty per the SBISD Student Handbook and SBISD Grading Expectations.

Students and teachers will work remotely; students will continue coursework and follow their daily schedule; teachers deliver remote instruction and will provide both synchronous and asynchronous instruction, replicating the in-person class schedule and following the distance learning protocols.

Please note, in the event circumstances require that in-person instruction is delayed, and all students are required to begin school in a virtual environment, your option will take effect once students are allowed to return to school in person.

No. We will not live-stream classes. There are a few reasons why the District did not pursue this option:

Generally speaking, as a districtwide practice, it is not practical or feasible to live-stream classes across all grades, classrooms and course content. Considerations included copyright implications, technical capabilities at the receiving student location as well as the availability of comparable capabilities. Furthermore, teachers may choose to provide multiple opportunities for collaboration, experiential learning and project based learning in our classrooms – all of which would not transfer well to a live-streamed environment.

Students will follow the established campus schedule. There will be a mix of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Attendance will be taken daily and engagement is required daily.

Yes. Itslearning is the district's learning management system. There are supplemental software components that are used for specific individual courses.

The primary learning tools will be ItsLearning, Google Suite, and Zoom.

Students who require support and interventions will continue to receive services in the online environment.

Bendwood teachers are prepared to deliver online instruction for students who particiapte in the distance learning program. Specific scheduling information will be provided to each student who qualifies.

On instructional days through the distance learning model, families will be able to pick up meals for their student(s).

There has been no change to the dress code. If their campus requires uniforms, students should report to school in uniform both in-person and online.

Teachers will be expected to maintain course documents in ITSL so that instruction can pivot quickly to a remote learning plan if needed.

Yes. Students will have a full schedule of classes. Students completed the course request process in the spring. Students will follow the home-zoned school schedule.

Yes. When students return to in-person learning it can be anticipated that the teachers will change.

To start the year, based on health and safety guidelines, students will not be transported to Bendwood. Services will be provided at each elementary campus thorugh either an online class or a Bendwood teacher may travel to individual schools to provide services. Specific scheduling information will be provided to each student who qualifies.

Students who enroll in the Distance Learning model will be allowed to participate in athletic activities before or after school, depending on the schedule of the sports program of which they are a part; they will not be enrolled in the athletic period during the day at school.

Students who play team sports (football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball, baseball) and are not enrolled in the athletic period will miss the opportunity to be coached by their coach during the pre-season and/or off-season. Currently, the University Interscholastic League (UIL), the governing body of all public school student activities, does not allow coaches to coach their student-athletes in team sports before or after school in sport specific drills until the official first day of practice once school begins, which is typically a couple of weeks prior to the start of the season. For the 2020-2021 school year only, students may participate in a maximum of 60 minutes per day of strength and conditioning activities outside the school day.

Yes. On July 21, 2020, the UIL released a modified schedule and updated COVID-19 risk mitigation guidelines to take effect August 1, 2020. SBISD Athletics will work with the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Athletic Department to modify the approved 17-AAAAAA schedules and gain DEC approval so these can be released to the public shortly. 

Yes, students who enroll in the Distance Learning model will be allowed to participate in cheerleading activities before or after school. They will remain a distance learning participant during the class associated with that activity.

On July 21, 2020, the UIL released a modified schedule and updated COVID-19 risk mitigation guidelines to take effect August 1, 2020. Although Cheer is under UIL, it does not have a scheduled start and end date. SBISD Cheer will work in coordination with the District Athletics Department and Fine Arts Department to follow the same start date of practice.

Yes, students who elect the Distance Learning model will be allowed to participate in fine arts activities before or after school. However, they will remain as a distance learning participant during the class associated with that activity.

On July 21, 2020, the UIL released a modified schedule and updated COVID-19 risk mitigation guidelines to take effect August 1, 2020. These changes will impact Marching Band and Drill Team programs. SBISD Fine Arts will work in coordination with the SBISD Athletics Department, as well as our Region 27 partners in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in order to establish a new set of dates for performances, as well as region and area marching competitions.

Families may choose to use a district-provided student device for their secondary student attending school either in-person or participating in distance learning. Use of a district issued student device is subject to parent permission as well as adherence to the district’s Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy. The Student Device Loaner agreement and other related forms will be provided as part of the campus back-to-school communications. District issued student devices will be collected at the end of the 2020-2021 school year or upon withdrawal from school.

In order to receive a district device families may purchase the $25 Optional Technology Coverage to limit costs related to accidental damage or loss of device. Families that do not purchase the Optional Technology Coverage agree to assume financial responsibility for any and all costs to repair, replace, or otherwise restore the student device to acceptable condition. As an alternative and as in prior years, students may bring their own device (BYOD) that meet the district's minimum standards.
 

Students that opt-in to the district's full-time distance learning program, or in the case of an unanticipated campus closure, may borrow a district issued student device. Use of a district issued student device is subject to parent permission as well as adherence to the district’s Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy. The Student Device Loaner agreement and other related forms will be provided as part of the campus back-to-school communications. District issued student devices will be collected at the end of the 2020-2021 school year or upon withdrawal from school.

In order to receive a district device families may purchase the $25 Optional Technology Coverage to limit costs related to accidental damage or loss of device. Families that do not purchase the Optional Technology Coverage agree to assume financial responsibility for any and all costs to repair, replace, or otherwise restore the student device to acceptable condition. 

The SBISD Technology Services Help Desk provides after hours support available evenings and weekends with limited service on district holidays. After Hours support is available on weekdays from 5pm – 10pm each night and during Weekends from 9 am – 10 pm. Typical after Hours Support can provide assistance with issues pertaining to approved, districtwide software as well as network passwords. The after hours phone number is the same as regular hours: 713-251-TECH (8324).

At the secondary level, devices may be provided irrespective of the learning model. At the elementary level, families will need to work directly with their campus for a student device. The district offers a number of methods to access the district's network. For example, families may access the district's WiFi from any Pre-K or secndary school property. Additionally, WiFi enabled buses will be placed at various locations throughout the district for walk-up or drive-up connectivity. The district provides a limited number of loaner hot spots to campuses on a first come, first serve basis. Use of a district issued hot spot is subject to parent permission as well as adherence to the district’s Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy. Families should contact their campus to borrow a hot spot. Last, many internet providers offer discounted internet services. For more information: List of Discounted Internet Service Providers.

Bus routes and schedules will operate in a traditional manner to meet current school schedules.

The District will continue to provide transportation services to all students.

Transportation will be provided for students not attending the campus that they are zoned to, including WAIS and Cornerstone. 

Bus seating capacity will not be adjusted; however, face masks or face shields will be required to access a bus and each bus will have a hand sanitizer located at the bus entry. 

Yes, masks or face shields will be required to access District transportation.

Yes, hand sanitizers will be placed on each bus and located near the bus entry.

All District facilities will be closed to nonessential visitors, parents, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations for the first semester. Essential meetings will be conducted through virtual appointments or limited face-to-face visits.

Mentoring will not take place in person for the fall semester. Contact the mentor office at mentor@springbranchisd.com for more information.

No volunteers will be allowed in SBISD facilities for the first semester.

Yes, as long as efforts adhere to the LearnSBISD Safety and Security protocols. While no in-person visitors or food deliveries will be allowed on campuses, there are many ways to express your appreciation and support virtually! Consider virtual thank you cards, e-gift cards, etc.

No volunteers will be allowed in SBISD facilities for the first semester.