COVID-19 Update 3/5/2020
March 5, 2021
LISD Parents & Guardians,
On March 2, 2021, Governor Abbott issued Executive Order GA-34 which addresses the statewide wearing of face covering. Yesterday, schools received guidance from the Commissioner of Education on how this Executive Order will apply to public schools. The guidance allows the governing board of a school system to modify or eliminate by formal action our current guidance which was based on Executive Order GA-29 and required face covering. In order for public schools to revise the face-covering guidance we currently have in place, it will require the approval of the Lovelady ISD School Board.
Our district has been fortunate not to miss any school days due to COVID this year. This has been made possible by the dedication of the entire LISD staff. We have successfully kept our doors open in order to provide the high-quality in-person instruction students need and deserve.
With less than 50 days left in this school year, we are apprehensive about recommending any changes to the current guidance, but we feel our proposal is reasonable and will continue to maintain a safe environment for our students and staff. We do not currently have any active student or staff cases and have maintained this status for an extended period of time. We also feel that you as parents and our employees have learned a great deal about this virus over this past year. We all have a better understanding of the importance of good hand washing hygiene, social distancing, and sanitizing practices to mitigate the spread. I have outlined the proposal we will be taking to our school board on Monday, March 15th at 7:00. We expect these changes will take place beginning Tuesday, March 16th. However, this change is pending their approval. We will utilize our messaging system, social media outlets, and website to inform you of their final decision. Thank you for your continued support and we hope everyone has a safe and happy Spring Break!
Proposed Revision to the LISD COVID-19 Reopening Guidance Plan
Beginning Tuesday, March 16th wearing face-covering while at school for all LISD students and staff members will be optional while our case numbers are within the green and yellow zones. (See Attached) In the event our case numbers spike and we fall within the orange and red zones, we will immediately contact parents and staff members to revert back to our current guidance.
Caution- Risk factors all parents should consider before making your final decision.
Are the current CDC guidelines still applicable in the school setting? Yes
In the event a positive case occurs in my child’s class, is my child subject to quarantine protocol if they are not wearing a mask? Schools will still be required to complete contact tracing investigations and quarantine anyone who meets the criteria outlined by the CDC.
If this adjustment to the face-covering criteria leads to an increase in cases will the district reinstitute the current mask policy? We will follow the attached chart and revert back to the current guidance if necessary.
If my child participates in any UIL extracurricular activities, how will this revision impact those activities? We are currently awaiting further information and direction from the UIL, please watch our website for the most current information. Parents should be aware the current CDC guidelines are still in place for contact tracing.
Will other revisions be made to the LISD COVID-19 guidance document as a result of this order? No other changes to the existing guidance will be made.
Will masks be optional on the bus? If approved this change will apply to bus riders and bus drivers as well.
When will educators be eligible for the vaccine? The Department of State Health Services has announced this week that educators and school support staff are now eligible for vaccines.
Once again, this proposal will be taken to the LISD board for consideration at our board meeting on March 15, 2021, and may not take effect until approved through board action. We will send out notifications following the action taken by the board.