March 31, 2020

Texas Principals Step Up to Serve Students

What an amazing moment to be a Texas school leader! We continue to be amazed by your ability to quickly adapt to challenging new circumstances! Keep sharing your stories by tagging @TEPSATalk and #WeLeadTX.

IDEA and COVID-19

Supplemental Fact Sheet - Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children with Disabilities : From the U.S. Dept. of Ed., "Ensuring compliance with IDEA, Section 504 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act should not prevent any school from offering educational programs through distance instruction." School Year 2018–2019 (Fiscal Year 2019) Preliminary IDEA-B LEA MOE Compliance Reviews : LEAs must submit exceptions data/documentation to TEA, if applicable, or contact TEA by April 24.

Waivers Ease Requirements for Providing Meals

The Texas Department of Agriculture has announced several food service waivers. See all TDA updates. Schools May Give Meals when Students Not Present An approved waiver allows parents to pick up meals without the children being present. Contact your Education Service Center for additional guidance. More information is available at Square Meals.   Meal Delivery for Rural Students The Meals-to-You program will provide no-cost, shelf-stable, easily prepared, kid-friendly meals to eligible students in rural schools closed due to COVID-19 for four or more weeks. Meal delivery is first-come, first-served. Districts must meet the following criteria: Be a school food authority in good standing with the TDA. Be located in a rural county within Texas.  Have announced a school closure lasting four weeks or longer.  Have participating school campuses with 50% or greater free or reduced-price eligibility. Apply at Meals-to-You . Emergency Grants for School Meals No Kid Hungry's emergency grants help school districts get kids the food they need during school closures.

TEA Updates Cost Reimbursements: Provides guidance on recording costs for COVID-19. Includes information on curriculum and meal delivery to students. TEA has created specific guidance for each of the following student groups: Foster Care Homeless Military Connected See guidance for these specific areas: Grading: Information on recording student work and communicating with parents. Assessments: Updates on TELPAS, interim assessments and end-of-course. Early Childhood Education: PK progress monitoring, registration and waiver. Reading Academies Guidance: Currently Reading Academies activities are remote and proceeding as planned.  Missed School Days Waiver: Updated from prior guidance. COVID-19 Support and Guidance: TEA webpage for all things related to the pandemic. Includes sample letters, updates on superintendent briefings, helpful links and more. Guidance on Educator and Staff Issues and Educator Evaluation and Non-Renewal : FAQ on evaluation and employment Instructions for Submitting an Educator Appraisal Waiver: Step-by-step guidance for submitting a waiver.

Terrific Tuesdays with TEPSA Have kids show their spirit from home! Join us on social media every Tuesday for a fun challenge for principals, teachers and students! Share your photos and tag @TEPSATalk and #WeLeadTX. Today, March 31: Silly Hat Day Tuesday, April 8: Read a book outside day

Subpoenas and Record Requests: TEPSA Fast 15

Personal cell phones bring a new level of complication to public information issues. Explore your rights and know the process of subpoenas and the Texas Public Information Act. Watch Subpoenas and Record Requests with TEPSA Outside General Counsel Kevin Lungwitz.

Add Some Fun to the School Day: Friday Fire Drills

Each Friday at 2:30pm, we're hosting a virtual fire drill! Take 10 minutes to stretch and enjoy the great outdoors. Make sure to snap a selfie and tag @TEPSATalk and #WeLeadTX.

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