GENERAL
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.
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.
Yes, they will be available. We will have more information after August 10.
Special Programs have developed plans for students with special needs. More information will be available after the August 3 Special Board Meeting.
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.
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.
Your campus will contact you about class schedules.
The school supplies list is posted online.
REGISTRATION
No, however, you do need to contact your campus principal whether they will be online, in-person, or half-and-half (hybrid).
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.
TECHNOLOGY
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.
Visit: southsideisd.org/parent-
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.
Please contact your teacher to make up the session. Attendance is mandatory and taken daily.
INSTRUCTION-CLASSROOM/CAMPUS
Parents will be allowed to select which model: virtual, in person, or hybrid version.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Attendance is mandatory and attendance will be taken daily.
Please contact your teacher or campus principal. Students will need to bring an excused absence notification.
All students will need to maintain social distancing. However, masks are not required
for students at Menchaca Early Childhood Center.
HIGH SCHOOL
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).
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
Buses are being utilized as-needed. If you need a bus ride, visit, southsideisd.org/dept/trans/ or call: 210-882-5141.
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.
