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Home » 2022-2023 Back to School » Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

When will the 2020-2021 School Year Begin?

School is scheduled to start Monday August 17, 2020.

Remote Only learning is for the first 4 weeks, unless extended based on health conditions concerning the COVID-19 pandemic in the city.

If it is extended it will be extended with board approval an additional 4 weeks as recommended by the Texas Education Agency. After that, parents will have the opportunity to select the model that they would like for their children to have.

Where can I find information for BACK TO SCHOOL?

Please visit the Fall Options 2020 - Back To School page.

Are students and staff required to wear masks or face coverings?

Yes, both staff and students will likely be required to wear masks or some type of face covering while in the building. There may be moments when face coverings can be removed (e.g., some outdoor activities, eating, etc.).

With the guidance provided, CDC does not recommend use of face shields for normal everyday activities or as a substitute for masks. Full-face shields may be used whenever a mask is not feasible or whenever the education context may benefit from the ability to see an individual’s full face.

Will paper packets be an option at all?

Yes, they will be available. We will have more information after August 10.

What about parents with special needs children who need more hands on help?

Special Programs have developed plans for students with special needs. More information will be available after the August 3 Special Board Meeting.

If we choose in person learning how will you make sure the students are practicing social distance?

We will follow CDC and Metro Health guidelines when in-person learning is allowed. For example, we will post signs, temperatures, desks with partitions, etc. 

How will band and athletics be handled for students who are doing online or 2day at campus and three days online:

Students will continue with their practices on the days selected. When in person instruction is allowed team practices will be offered after school. It will be up to the students/parents to decide whether or not to attend the team practice. 

When will we get school class schedules and supply lists?

Your campus will contact you about class schedules.
The school supplies list is posted online.

REGISTRATION

Do we have to register our returning children?

No, however, you do need to contact your campus principal whether they will be online, in-person, or half-and-half (hybrid).

Does a returning student need to register?

Only if you are new to the district, you have to go through the entire registration process. If you are not, then all you have to do is update your information in our system. For the returning students this update questionnaire will be provided to you at the start of the school year.

What if the students can not log on during specific times due to parents working hours? Some parents will not be able to sit there and help if they are also working.
Can you switch from Virtual learning to one of the other options later in the school year if you feel safe sending your son or daughter back to school?

TECHNOLOGY

How do I get a chromebook or WiFi hotspot for my child/children?

Visit .southsideisd.org. Click on the link for technology and fill out the information. Afterwards, you will be called on a date/time to pick up the technology at your child’s campus.

How do we access Skyward?

Visit:  southsideisd.org/parent-student then scroll down to Skyward Family Access

I have 2 children that will be in PreK and Kindergarten, will they both need computers?

They will not need computers. We will issue mobile tablets (iPads) to our youngest learners. If they need an iPad please visit:  www.southsideisd.org, click on the link for technology and provide the information. You will be contacted on a date/time to pick up the iPad and WiFi hotspot if needed.

What if the internet isn't working on a virtual day?

Please contact your teacher to make up the session. Attendance is mandatory and taken daily. 

INSTRUCTION-CLASSROOM/CAMPUS

What options do parents have for instruction for the 2020-2021 School Year?

Parents will be allowed to select which model: virtual, in person, or hybrid version. 

How do we apply or inform the school if choosing online learning?

The first four weeks will be virtual learning for all students as mandated by the Texas Education Agency. During that time we will send out a survey to parents asking them what option they would prefer once we have received notice that in-person learning is allowed.

The survey will offer three options:

1) 100% virtual

2) 100% in-person

3) Hybrid model--3 days virtual, 2 days in person.

Parents will be notified of the survey once it is out and the student attendance option will be up to the parent.

A great option within our district are the 3 ways in which to respond to a survey:

1) text

2) email

3) visiting our district website at www.southsideisd.org.

If you are not receiving our alerts or surveys by email or text, please be sure to get with your campus to update your personal information to allow these options as part of how you may respond.

If we chose online learning, what about textbooks? Do we need to pick them up?

The virtual setup will provide all necessary resources online.The virtual classroom will provide all necessary information to the students. There will not be a need for actual textbooks to be picked up. In the event that a resource is needed this will be communicated to parents.

How is the online learning going to be set up? Is there a strict schedule that has to be followed.

Virtual schedules will be released in the upcoming weeks. The schedules will be virtual face-to- face instruction with flexibility for students to work on assignments and request help. There will be a virtual schedule for elementary, middle school, and high school. It will be easy to follow. Training will be available for students and parents on how the virtual schedule will work. Dates of the training will be given out next week. 

Are we going to be able to get a paper packet instead of doing virtual?

Yes, paper packets will be available. Dates of packet pickups will be announced to parents. If there are issues with the pickup, necessary arrangements will be made for the delivery of packets. 

Will the kids be counted absent if they are not online virtually because they would be at daycare due to the parent having to be at work?

Students will not be counted absent as long as communication is taking place with staff and student/parent and the assigned work is completed. The District will exhaust all efforts to get every student a device and hotspot if needed. If all this fails, the District will work with a family to have a call in and call out checking of students throughout the day to confirm attendance and answer any questions the student or parent may have. 

Will the virtual classes be recorded so maybe these kids can log on later on and watch the classes?

Each campus will have a Google Site that will be accessible from the Southside ISD webpage. From there, you will be able to access lesson plans, instructional videos, resources, etc. 

Will there be partitions around desks? Lunch in the cafeteria or classrooms?

We are looking at the partitions for the desks in classrooms. Partitions will be placed in classrooms where there are no multiple use of desks. If it is the same student using the same desk then it is not a problem. If multiple students use the desks such as in the secondary classrooms we are researching what the best option will be.  Breakfast will be in the classrooms and lunch in the cafeteria with a limited number of students eating at the same time.

How does attendance work on virtual days?

Attendance is mandatory and attendance will be taken daily. 

What if a student/ parent has an appointment or the student is sick on a virtual day?

Please contact your teacher or campus principal. Students will need to bring an excused absence notification.

What will pre-K and kindergarten look like?

All students will need to maintain social distancing. However, masks are not required

for students at Menchaca Early Childhood Center.

HIGH SCHOOL

High School Seniors 2019-2020 Transcripts?

This will not be an official transcript, but most universities and scholarships are accepting these until schools resume and we can issue official transcripts again.

If you do not have access to your Skyward Student or Family Access account, comment in the College GO Center google classroom (code nqasyou).

The ECHS were supposed to attend Palo Alto this semester (Junior and Seniors). Are they taking the classes online instead?

Students in the dual enrollment courses will have to follow the guidelines set by the college. Dual Credit courses taken at Palo Alto in the fall will be offered remotely for our ECHS students.  The district will assist with securing a device and/or internet access for student use.  Support services will also be available from both Palo Alto as well as Southside High School.  Dual Credit courses taught at the high school will follow the district calendar which will begin the semester virtually, later transitioning into one of our learning platforms: Face-to-Face, Hybrid, or Virtual.

SERVICES

If schools open return to in-person, will buses/transportation be available?

Buses are being utilized as-needed. If you need a bus ride, visit, southsideisd.org/dept/trans/ or call:  210-882-5141.

How will distancing be enforced on the bus? Are buses going to be sanitized between runs?

Only 1 student will be allowed at each seat. Every bus will be equipped with a hand sanitizing dispenser where students will be required to use prior to boarding the bus. Students will also be required to wear a mask the entire time while on the bus. As stated, the seating arrangement will be one student per seat and maintain social distancing. At the end of each route, the buses will be sanitized and thoroughly cleaned before starting the next route.

COVID-19

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SOUTHSIDE ISD

Administration Building
1460 Martinez Losoya Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78221
Phone: (210) 882-1600
Fax: (210) 626-0101

OUR SCHOOLS

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Freedom Elementary
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Pearce Elementary
Gallardo Elementary
Matthey Middle School
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Southside High School

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  • For Open Records contact Randy Escamilla at randy.escamilla@southsideisd.org

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Southside ISD seeks to be the choice when it comes to providing a quality public education by upholding the highest standards of our core values.
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