Fort Davis ISD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
for the Coronavirus COVID-19 Outbreak District Closure
The following FAQs are listed below in an effort to provide clarity to everyone during this unprecedented situation. Please note this is a fluid document and updates will be made regularly. Thank you for your patience, support, and understanding as we move forward and more information is made available.
1. Should staff self-report if they traveled to any Coronavirus COVID-19 high-risk areas over the break?
Yes. We want any staff member, who traveled to any Coronavirus COVID-19 high-risk areas over the break, to self-report this to their immediate supervisor. Please send this information in an email.
2. Should families/students self-report if they traveled to any Coronavirus COVID-19 high risk areas over the break?
Yes. We ask that families/students, who traveled to any Coronavirus COVID-19 high-risk areas over the break, to self-report this to their immediate supervisor. Please send this information in an email.
3. Will staff and students who are absent due to either medically required quarantine or self-quarantine measures be excused?
Yes, medically required quarantine or self-quarantine measures will be excused. Students may be required to complete pushed out instruction as set forth by the campus.
4. How long will Fort Davis ISD be closed?
As of Friday, March 13, 2020, Fort Davis ISD will remain closed until Monday, March 23, 2020. Classes will resume on Monday, March 23, 2020.
As more information is available to us, these timelines might be adjusted.
5. Will student extra-curricular activities be reinstated?
The University Interscholastic League (UIL) suspended all activities from March 16, 2020 – March 29, 2020. At this time, activities are scheduled to begin on Monday, March 30, 2020.
6. Will we have to make up instruction days?
Maybe. FDISD administrators will coordinate any required instructional day make-up time with TEA. We will be using banked days that are already built into our calendar for make up time.
7. Does staff have to make up extra days?
Maybe. Staff make-up days will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Staff will be working from home and this time will count for work days.
8. Will staff be required to make up days if we have a long closure or will we have to make up days going into June?
At this time, we don’t know. This will all depend on guidance from TEA, how long our closure is, how we push out instruction to our students, possible guidance from the feds, etc. We will update this question as we move through the next few weeks.
9. Will we be required to use bad weather days (banked) to make up time?
Yes. The banked days built into our 2019-2020 calendar will be used until there are none remaining. Further closure days will be evaluated after TEA clarifies possible waivers we may be eligible for.
10. Am I expected to be available to work during the district closure period?
Maybe. Your immediate supervisor will contact you if you are required to report to work. As we work out plans and details for the next few weeks, you might be asked to come to work. We ask that you be accessible via email and phone during this time.
11. Will hourly employees continue to be paid during the district closure?
Yes. Per policy DEA (Local) - During an emergency closure, all employees shall continue to be paid for their regular duty schedule unless otherwise provided by Board action.
12. Will the end of the school year change? Will the high school graduation date change?
Maybe. We will be able to answer this question after TEA provides further guidance and notification of eligibility for any necessary waivers.
13. Will we still hold end of year events, such as Prom, banquets, concerts, award ceremonies, etc.
Maybe, as of right now, yes. As we move forward and more guidance is available, we might have to adjust dates. More details will be shared with you, as they are available.
14. How will students receive instruction if we are required to remain closed for an extended period of time?
The administrative team has already given specific directions to staff for ensuring we continue to deliver as much instruction as possible during this closure. There may be further details to work out, but we will post information on our website and FaceBook page as conditions change.
15. How will we get the students all the materials they need, such as books, devices and computers, workbooks, worksheets, etc?
We have already posted information for parents and students on our webpage and FaceBook page.
16. Would it be possible to provide instruction via Google classroom?
Yes. This will be used by certain staff for certain classes. We are also using a variety of other web-based programs to continue to provide instruction during this closure.
17. How do we handle the three-week progress reports that were originally due March 16, 2020?
As of right now, three-week progress reports will be generated based upon work that has already been completed. We plan to send out the progress reports by Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
18. What about our students with special needs?
TEA has provided specific guidance regarding special needs students during district closures. The guidance is as follows:
If schools are closed, but the LEA continues to provide educational opportunities to the general student population during the closure, the school must ensure that students with disabilities also have equal access to the same opportunities, including the provision of FAPE. The LEA must ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, each student with a disability can be provided the special education and related services identified in the student's IEP.
19. What is the plan beyond next week?
We are planning to return to regular school on Monday, March 23, 2020. If the district closure is extended, we will continue to push out instruction to all our students in the same manner we have already published. We will continue to take attendance for students via remote methods. Administrators will provide more specific attendance taking instructions to their staff.
20. Will we still be required to give STAAR?
Yes. STAAR will be administered. TEA will be providing us with guidance on adjusted timelines. We expect this guidance sometime during the week of March 16, 2020.
21. Will Fort Davis ISD facilities be open during the district closure period?
No. All Fort Davis ISD facilities will be closed to student activities during the district closure period. Certain FDISD staff will be in the offices and various classrooms during the closure period, as necessary.