Cameron ISD students will have two options this fall

Cameron ISD announced its plan for returning to classes this fall last week and parents will have two options.

Parents and guardians were expected to choose between face-to-face instruction or remote/online instruction by Aug. 4 for the first six weeks of classes.

Families choosing remote learning must also commit to the learning expectations. Attendance will be taken daily for both options and remote students will have to remain with that option the entire grading period. There will be a one-time opt-in clause as the district understands online learning does not work for everyone. 

If a parent decided within the first four weeks of the first six weeks grading period that remote learning is not working, the parent can then opt for on-campus learning. 

Students voluntarily participating in remote learning will not be allowed to take part in extracurricular activities, practices, performances, or elective courses. 

Remote students must also communicate with instructional staff members each day to ensure their engagement. 

The district will provide direct instruction via digital platforms. Ben Milam and Cameron Elementary will use SEESAW to communicate while Cameron Junior High and Yoe High will use Google Classroom. 

“Cameron ISD’s top priority is the health and safety of its students and staff members,” Sprinkles said in a press release. “As a result, the district has been working diligently to develop a quality back to school plan that will enable us to provide a healthy and safe learning environment and ensure that all students are challenged with a rigorous world class academic experience.”

For safety, the district will employ frequent handwashing, limit and regulate restroom usage, reduce student movement and transition, limit the sharing of supplies and other items, prohibit visitors and volunteers without formal appointments, screen students and staff for health, require masks when entering the facility and in all common areas or when social distancing is not possible.  

Masks and face coverings will be provided to staff and students or they can bring their own. 

Drivers and bus monitors will wear masks when transporting students. If dealing with suspected sick students, they will wear face shields. Students are recommended to wear masks on the bus. Buses will be disinfected after each route and windows will remain down when temperatures allow it. 

Cameron ISD Bus Registration for transportation to and from school for the 2020-2021 school year is now open. Parents can register their children online at http://www.cameronisd.net/page/Transport.bus.registration 

The link can also be found by going to the Cameron ISD homepage and clicking on “Departments” and then “Transportation.”

Once a Bus Pass is processed parents will receive an E-mail that their Bus Pass is ready to be picked up at the campus where the student is enrolled. 

Classrooms and restrooms will be disinfected daily, including high-touch areas. Cleaning cloths will be changed after each room and common area. Custodians will wear masks and gloves while working and cafeterias will be disinfected between lunch periods. Staff will also have access to disinfectant for working surfaces and shared objects after each use and during teaching breaks.

If a teacher or staff member finds themselves with symptoms of the virus or tests positive, they must alert their campus and remain off campus until they meet criteria for re-entry. Reports must also be made if there has been close contact with a person confirmed to have the virus. Those members must also remain off campus for 14 days. 

Parents are urged to monitor their children for symptoms daily and ensure they do not send sick students to campus. Any person confirmed to have the virus may only return to school after at least 24 hours passed since recovery, symptoms improved, and 10 days have passed since the symptoms appeared. Cameron ISD will separate and isolate any student who shows symptoms while at school and will clean any and all areas used by that person. 

“I would like to thank you for your patience during this time,” Sprinkles said. “I know that many of you may have some anxiety about your students returning to their respective campuses this fall. I would like for you to know that the teachers, staff, administrators and board of trustees truly view each and every students as their very own. We are committed to making 2020-21 an excellent educational experience for all students.”