Dear Northwest ISD Students, Parents/Caregivers, and Staff:
During this crazy time in all our lives, I know many parents have been waiting to hear an update from us since new information has been released by local and state authorities this week. I will host my next Facebook Live at 6 p.m. today and explain the information below in more detail.
The plan I reviewed with you last week mandated every NISD student (with some exceptions) would participate in Remote Learning from August 20 to September 28….that totaled 26 days of remote instruction because of the Tarrant County order. The district’s commitment to the safety of our children, our families, and our staff remains unchanged. An opinion released by the Attorney General this week indicates that local school districts have more control over the decision to close buildings for In-Person learning, so we are no longer following the September 28 mandate – we feel we can get back to In-Person Learning faster than that.
All NISD students (with some exceptions) will start the school year as Remote Learners for the first 16 days of school, from August 20 to September 11. If we have no new COVID spikes at that time, students may return to In-Person Learning (for those families who choose this option) on Monday, September 14. That gives us three weeks to get the Remote Learning plan up and running. The 16 days will allow students, parents, and teachers to become familiar with the Remote Learning Plan in case we must have another total shutdown this year or if specific classes and/or campuses are required to quarantine, and it gives us three additional weeks to implement and practice the COVID safety protocols we will use on every NISD campus to best protect our children and staff. I truly feel we can accomplish all this in the 16 days as opposed to the 26 days the order mandated, and NISD will pledge ourselves to make that happen. My ask of you is to support those three weeks of Remote Learning so we can fully implement the plans we have developed over the summer.
I realize that many of you still have questions and specific scenarios that you’d like addressed. I will cover as many topics as possible during Facebook Live tonight, and we will continue updating the information on our Return-to-Learn web pages, including the Frequently Asked Questions and Announcements section.
I’d like to address some of our more frequently asked topics here:
- DEADLINE TO MAKE A DECISION ON IN-PERSON LEARNING: Many families have already completed the Preference Form to let us know if they prefer to remain in Remote Learning (after September 11) or if they prefer In-Person Learning. We are asking families to inform us of their decision by August 6. If you would like to change your Preference, or if you previously indicated that you weren’t ready to make a decision, we need to hear from you by August 6. You can re-submit the form found at: https://forms.nisdtx.org/Forms/PreferenceForm
- MASKS: For the safety of all stakeholders, face coverings will be required for everyone – students and staff – in our buildings.
- ATHLETICS and FINE ARTS: We are allowing students attending classes In-Person and students attending classes Remotely to fully participate in our extra and co-curricular programs.
- STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE SPECIAL SERVICES: Our district’s special education department, campus leaders and teachers are finalizing plans for students who receive additional services through special education, in addition to 504, dyslexia, ELL and GT.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we’re doing everything we can to keep our NISD community as safe and healthy as possible!
Dr. Ryder Warren
Superintendent of Schools