The long-awaited moment is here: Dragons will return to school on Monday, August 24. While the school district has been working all summer long on what the fall semester would look like, there are a few last-minute details you need to know before returning to school. Here are five things to know ahead of the start to the 2020-2021 school year.
1. More Than Half Of Dragons Signed Up For In-Person Instruction
While CISD campuses will be noticeably less populated, a major of students will be in their respective elementary, intermediate and high school classrooms. According to enrollment numbers released by the district, 56% of parents signed their kids up for in-person instruction while 44% signed their kids up for the Dragon Virtual Academy.
2. Most Dragons Will Be Required To Wear Masks For The First Week of School
With Tarrant County’s mask mandate extended to August 31, Dragons will be required to wear masks for the first week of school, potentially longer if the county extends the order again. Exemptions include children under 10, those who are consuming food during lunch and those who have a health risk from wearing a face covering. Otherwise, everyone 10 and older will be required to mask up during regular school hours.
3. The Dragon Virtual Academy Will Offer Synchronous and Asynchronous E-Learning
For students logging into the Dragon Virtual Academy, the district's virtual education platform, they will be expected to complete a mix of both synchronous and asynchronous e-learning. According to the district’s #SAFEdragon webpage, students will be required to participate in a full day of instruction as required by the TEA, but will also have breaks and self-paced activities in between lectures. Teachers will deliver digital lessons thanks to the 669 conference cameras recently installed on campuses.
4. A COVID-19 Dashboard Was Launched To Track Cases In The District
For those with health and public safety concerns, they have the perfect tool to monitor the COVID-19 situation at Carroll ISD. The district recently unveiled a COVID-19 dashboard that monitors staff and student tested-positive cases as well as recoveries. According to the dashboard, there are currently only three staffers that tested positive for COVID-19 from Carroll Elementary, Eubanks Intermediate and Carroll High School, with all three staffers self-quarantining for the recommended two-week period.
5. Parents Can Switch Their Instruction Delivery Method On Oct. 2
While the first grading period is locked in for students in August and September, parents can switch their delivery instruction mid-semester, after the end of the first grading period. Whether you want to send your child to school in-person or bring them back home for virtual learning, parents can make that decision for the second grading period by emailing their campus principal by Friday, October 2.