On Thursday, Hays Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright laid out the district’s plan for a return to learning in the fall. It includes a change to the start date for the new semester. That first day is now slated for September 8, 2020, which is the Tuesday following Labor Day.
“We felt compelled to protect our community,” Wright said. “It was an overwhelming majority that wanted to move the start date.”
When classes begin, the plan will be to offer online-only courses for the first three weeks. Once that period has passed, a hybrid model of online and in-person curriculum will be offered, at which time parents will be able to decide whether or not they are comfortable sending their kids back to the classroom.
“We’re going to do our very best to social distance, wear masks, sanitize hands, all of the things the CDC has asked for us to do,” Wright said.
At the time in-person courses resume, teachers and staff will be required to self-monitor for symptoms, including daily temperature checks. Parents will be encouraged to do the same before sending kids off to class.
Students working from home will be provided with the necessary tools, the district says. Last spring, more than 3000 devices and internet hotspots were handed out. Families and students were allowed to keep that equipment over the summer, and will continue to be able to use it as needed during pandemic. The district has also purchased additional
devices and hotspots for the new year.
You can find the full outline of HCISD’s plan for the new year by CLICKING HERE.
