Click here to watch the August 9 superintendent’s update. Highlights include:
- Until a vaccine is widely available for people under age 12, RISD is temporarily offering a Virtual Classroom Option for elementary students in grades kindergarten through 6.
- The window for elementary parents to select the virtual classroom option will open at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 10, and close at noon on Friday, Aug. 13.
- Students in the virtual classroom option will begin school on Monday, Aug. 23. In-person students will still begin school as planned on Tuesday, Aug. 17. Parents can learn more about the Virtual Classroom Option here.
- Masks are optional but strongly encouraged for students and staff. RISD will continue to follow state law and requirements and also encourage everyone inside schools to wear a mask.
- The Texas Department of State Health Services updated its requirements, and RISD has updated The Blueprint to reflect the new requirements. The Blueprint is available here.
- Any RISD student or staff member who tests positive for COVID cannot come to work or school for 10 days, as per the state’s Department of Health Services.
- RISD will continue to contact trace and notify close contacts of positive COVID cases.
- The Texas Education Agency decided that students or staff who are identified as a close contact will not be sent home or quarantined from school or work.
- Parents may choose whether a student identified as a close contact and who is not symptomatic will be excluded from school to quarantine.
- RISD will provide a weekly update of positive COVID cases by campus or building.
- RISD encourages all adults to wear a mask in any elementary school or when in close contact with children under 12 years old.
- RISD’s annual staff Convocation is an optional event this year, and masks and social distancing will be encouraged for those who do attend.
