by Clinton Bowman
DCISD is anxiously awaiting the arrival of your student(s) on August 17 and have been making preparations to ensure the health and safety of your children. Despite extensive challenges, DCISD will continue to provide excellent instruction to our students in our classrooms face to face and virtually.
As the community navigates the uncertainty of COVID-19, the district understands their Denver City ISD families, staff, and community members have questions and concerns about the upcoming school year.
“While we may not have all the answers – this is a first for all of us – our goal is to provide our parents with as much information as possible so they can make the best decisions for their families when school starts on August 17,” a statement on the schools webpage noted.
How is Denver City ISD preparing to reopen?
While it is not possible to eliminate all risk of furthering the spread of COVID-19, current science suggests there are many steps we can take to significantly reduce the risk to students, teachers, staff, and families. Denver City is closely monitoring guidance from the State of Texas, TEA, CDC, UIL, pediatricians, and other state and local officials on how to reopen safely.
“We are currently in the process of making changes to safety and health protocols, enhanced cleaning procedures, and operational and instructional adjustments,” the webpage continued.
The following document is a comprehensive plan with steps Denver City ISD will take to safely reopen their campuses with minimal disruptions to the students’ regular school experience.
In order to meet the needs of all the students, this fall Denver City ISD is planning for two different models of instruction. Plans will be flexible to accommodate potential changes with the COVID-19 situation as these guidelines may need to be modified. It is the priority of the district to keep families informed and provide them with the most up-to-date information.
Denver City ISD will be providing parents the opportunity to choose one of two instructional models. Although we are offering both Face-to-Face Instruction and Virtual Instruction, DCISD recommends Face-to-Face learning as the best overall method for student success.
DENVER CITY ISD RE-ENTRY INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN
Monday through Friday students will report to school to receive face-to-face instruction according to the DCISD 2020-2021 Calendar. Students must remain in THEIR CHOSEN MODEL for an entire 9-week grading period (per TEA guidance) before they will be allowed to change to another model.
Monday through Friday students will receive instruction electronically through digital curriculum which will be conducted by assigned virtual teachers.
Students must remain in THEIR CHOSEN MODEL for an entire 9-week grading period (per TEA guidance) before they will be allowed to change to another model.
Minimum Instructional Academic Engagement Minutes Requirement:
- PK through 5th grade – 180 Instructional Minutes
- 6th through 12th grade – 240 instructional minutes
FACE TO FACE INSTRUCTION
Students in Face-to-Face Learning will attend school in person through the traditional model five days a week and will follow the typical daily schedule. Denver City ISD will automatically schedule your student into the course requests they made earlier in the year.
Regardless of which learning option you choose for your child, the expectations for coursework and the grading system will be the same for both Face-to-Face and Virtual Learning. Denver City ISD believes this is the most fair and equitable solution for all our students.
VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION
Virtual Instruction courses will be taught by certified Denver City ISD teachers using Texas Home Learning 3.0 for grades PK-5 and Edgenuity for grades 6-12, online learning management systems used to streamline all digital resources and content for a more connected learning experience.
However there are certain stipulation that must be met for Virtual Instrution:
- A parent must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that the student will complete the entire nine-weeks grading period virtually.
- This will not be live instruction. A structured schedule will be provided to students indicating required times for participation.
- Virtual Learners waive participation in extracurricular activities, honors courses, vocational electives and UIL competitions.
- Computer devices will be distributed to Virtual Learners who need them. Virtual Learners will indicate their need for devices during the registration process. Devices will be distributed through students’ home campuses.
Attendance will be based on daily progress monitoring and work submission through THL 3.0 and Edgenuity
Core (required) courses including Elective Courses will be available to virtual learning students. Electives will be selected by Virtual Learners just as they would for Face-to-Face Learning, with the exception of the limitations to the virtual curriculum. The availability of electives for Virtual Learners will depend on student enrollment numbers and the courses available through THL 3.0 and Edgenuity.
The extended summer that started back in March will come to an end on Monday, August 17, when school bells will once again be heard throughout the district.
