Updated 9/7/23 - Subject to change

Every school day counts in a child’s academic life.  The National Center for Education Statistics states that “students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance.”  With that in mind, Alvin ISD is committed to ensuring that high quality, in person instruction is available to all AISD students.

1. Alvin ISD will provide the highest quality instruction to all students.

2. Alvin ISD will support the well-being of each student and every program. 

3. The health and safety of our students, staff, families, and community is a top priority.

4. Every decision made will take into consideration the latest guidance and direction from local, state, and federal authorities on operational considerations during the school day.

The Superintendent of Schools, the Deputy Superintendent of Operations, Associate Superintendent of Federal Programs, Chief Operations Officer, and Chief of School Safety will work together to monitor information and data from health authorities, data from internal district operations, and state and local officials in order to determine actions at school facilities in response to the community spread of COVID-19.

The designated point of contact for COVID-19 related information for Alvin ISD is Rory Gesch, Deputy Superintendent of Operations, rgesch@alvinisd.net.  The campus COVID primary point of contact is the designated Campus Administrator on the Campus Emergency Response Team (ERT).

The FORWARD 2023 Health Plan is designed to align with board policy and COVID guidance from the Texas Education Agency, Brazoria County Health Department, The State of Texas, and Centers for Disease Control.  The AISD Health Plan is the district’s guiding document for procedures related to COVID response.  In the case of a conflict between the AISD Health Plan and any other guidance shared with district staff, the AISD Health plan will take precedent.

• There is one licensed nurse assigned to every Alvin ISD school campus.  

• Staff members should not report to work if they have tested positive for COVID-19

• Parents need to ensure they do not send a child to school if a child has tested positive for COVID-19.

• Masks are optional for all staff members and students. 

• All employees shall know, understand, and practice methods to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses at work.

• All employees must practice appropriate cleaning and disinfection, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette. 

• All employees shall regularly wash their hands when reporting to work and after using the restroom.

• Consistent with school notification requirements for other communicable diseases and consistent with legal confidentiality requirements, the District will notify the Brazoria County Health Department of all lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases on a weekly basis.  

• If a staff member has been confirmed to have COVID-19, he or she may return to school once he or she has been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and symptoms are resolving.

• AISD has hosted multiple opportunities for staff members to receive one of the approved COVID 19 vaccinations. 

• All students must practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. 

• All students should regularly wash their hands throughout the school day.

• If a student is symptomatic while at school, he or she will be evaluated by the school nurse.

• The nurse will evaluate based on the number and severity of symptoms, known exposure and vaccination status. 

• If a student is confirmed positive for COVID-19, the student may return to school once he or she has been fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication and symptoms are resolving. 

• Consistent with school notification requirements for other communicable diseases, and consistent with legal confidentiality requirements, the District will notify the Brazoria County Health Department of all lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases on a weekly basis.  

• Public input on the health plan is encouraged.  If you have a suggestion or recommendation, please use the Let’s Chat platform that is located on all district and campus websites. 

In evaluating whether an individual has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, the District will consider the following questions: 

Has the individual recently begun experiencing any of the following in a way that is not normal for them?

Any of the following symptoms may indicate a possible COVID-19 infection: 

• Temperature of 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or higher

• New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (or, for students with a chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline)

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches 

• Headache

• New onset loss of taste or smell 

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose 

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

Health and Hygiene Practices

• Hand sanitizer stations will continue to be available at each facility. 

• Signage for proper hygiene practices will be posted throughout the buildings, in the restrooms, and at the entrances.

  • Hand Washing for Restroom

  • Building Signage - English

  • Building Signage - Spanish

• Building systems will be adjusted to allow as much fresh air circulation as possible.

• Campus HVAC systems are equipped with virus destroying ultraviolet sterilization of the air in duct systems. 

Campus Cleaning Plan:

Custodial staff will clean, sanitize, and disinfect campuses as needed throughout the instructional day.  Focused cleaning areas will include frequently touched surfaces, objects of student transition, and high volume common areas. District staff have been trained in the use of approved professional cleaning and disinfecting products using methods developed for safe use in the student environment.

Deliveries

Campus deliveries for students will be in accordance with the Alvin ISD Student Handbook.  Contracted/Business deliveries will follow the established guidelines of Alvin ISD Purchasing & Distribution department.

In addition to the implementation of several health and safety protocols to address student needs, Alvin ISD is also committed to addressing the academic and social/emotional needs of each student.  

Academic Plans include: 

• Providing additional instructional support in high school for English and math courses in order to provide more intensive support to students with learning gaps 

• Providing tutoring/supplemental instructional support for students with learning gaps 

• Expanding summer programming to provide more extensive support to students with learning gaps 

• Providing additional support for teachers in the area of effective use of technology with students

Social/Emotional Plans include:

• Provision of professional learning opportunities on social/emotional learning (SEL) and trauma-informed classrooms. 

• Provision of in-class instructional opportunities on social/emotional learning, following specific SEL competencies (Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Responsible Decision-Making).

• Implementation of student-needs groups and other small group social/emotional learning opportunities

• Adjusting curriculum to support digital and social milestones.

• Developing/implementing mental health supports for students and employees. 

• Ongoing Parent University offerings (virtual and in person)  in the areas of suicide prevention, grief and loss and emotional development.

Plans also include supporting coping and resilience 

• Employees and students are encouraged to consider and care for their whole well-being through:

  • Keeping healthy sleep habits

  • Consuming foods high in nutritional value

  • Drinking plenty of water

  • Exercising and taking brain breaks from stressful events 

• Employees and students are encouraged to listen to their minds and bodies and reach out to trusted individuals when they are in distress or avail themselves of our employee assistance programs for assistance. 

• Crisis Text Line text HOME to 741741

• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:  Call or text 988

• The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., ET.

  • 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or info@nami.org