Tuesday, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD will welcome students back to classrooms and for some students, it will be the first time since March of 2020.
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD leaders will not require face masks inside their facilities when students return to class, citing Gov. Greg Abbott's (R) executive order prohibiting districts from doing so.
On its website, the district says the use of face masks is optional for all students, staff and visitors.
“I know we will see success because I’ve seen the work happening to create consistency in this upcoming school year. Leaders in CFBISD are committed to supporting strong tier one instruction through solid professional learning communities,” CFBISD Associate Superintendent Dana West said in an online address. “Every department in our organization has a role to play in ensuring that our classrooms are the best places for teachers to teach and for students to learn.”
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A small group of parents gathered at Creekview High School Monday night to pray ahead of the start of the academic year. About a dozen parents decided to pray for the safety and well-being of their students and teachers in response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
We spoke with a mom at the vigil who said it makes her feel a little better that her son, a rising senior, has been vaccinated. Still, she wants him to be careful.
"He has the vaccine, we both do, so that gives us a little more comfort," Marla Smith said. "But I know that he’s going to be very intelligent with his decisions and I’ll just drill that in him daily. Make sure you do this and that, don’t do this and that. So, I just have to trust."
Though the Texas Education Agency recently said districts are not required to conduct contract tracing, the district said it would continue its practice of contact tracing if the school is notified of a lab-confirmed positive case.
CFBISD released its COVID mitigation strategies for the 2021-22 school year.
- Texas Schools are required to comply with the Governor's executive order regarding the wearing of masks. The use of face masks is optional for all students, staff, and visitors and may not be required. It is highly recommended that individuals who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 continue to wear an appropriate face mask while around others. Universal indoor masking is highly encouraged for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. (Dallas County Health and Human Services, CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics AAP).
- Continue using disinfectant micro spray in high traffic areas and classrooms daily and as needed.
- Continue using disinfectant micro spray on buses daily and as needed.
- Desk Shields will be used in cafeterias for grades 6th and below.
- Desk shields will be provided for classroom use upon parent request.
- Staff is responsible for self-screens prior to coming to work.
- Parents are responsible for self- screens students at home.
- Continue use of hand sanitizer and handwashing.
- Each classroom will have hand sanitizer.
- Contact tracing will be performed by staff.
- Confirmed COVID cases will be communicated to parents via Parent Square.
- Continue use of COVID Dashboard.
For more information visit the district's website.
