Classes will officially start online for Carroll ISD and other Tarrant County school districts this August.
On Tuesday afternoon, Tarrant County issued an executive order that schools would reopen with online-only instruction until at least September 28. According to the executive order, exemptions include special education students, students who have limited internet connection in their households and private religious schools.
In-person instruction may only occur when facial covering is worn over individuals' mouth and nose and social distancing is observed by at least 6 feet. School districts are also required to submit a written plan for on-campus instruction to the health department by at least two weeks before returning to campus.
Carroll ISD has been working on a plan to return to campus since June. One of the ways they’ve been preparing for that was by purchasing Aver 520 conference cameras and installing them in 669 spaces across the district’s 11 campuses. This will allow teachers to deliver virtual instruction to students from their classrooms through the new Dragon Virtual Academy in real time.
The district is pursuing a five-day delay to the start of school so teachers can be educated and accommodated to the software they will be using for the virtual academy. Once approved, school would start online for students on Monday, August 24 and last until the executive order’s expiration.
The district will also open its annual student verification portal from July 27-August 4 to elicit feedback from families on their preferred form of instruction delivery for the fall. Families that indicate they prefer in-person instruction will be able to transition their children from a virtual setting to physical attendance in the classroom, with COVID-19 safety protocols in place.
“We know today’s news is disappointing and opinions vary greatly on the impact COVID-19 has on youth,” the district says in an email. “Our focus right now is on the delivery of a robust online instructional experience that will kick-start the 2020-2021 school year, bringing us all closer to the day when we can welcome your children back to their classrooms for in-person learning.”
Parents will be able to access the annual student verification portal starting next week. To stay up to date on the district’s response to COVID-19, go to the district’s #SAFEdragon page at SouthlakeCarroll.edu.