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Northside ISD will begin the 2021-2022 school year with students returning to in-person instruction on Monday, Aug. 23. We look forward to the first day of school with genuine excitement about students and staff returning to classrooms, but also with a sincere commitment to ensuring student and staff safety and well-being.

 

NISD will continue to consult with and review the guidance issued by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as well as local, state and national public health officials.  Additionally, any order issued by the governor’s office will be followed.  Due to changing metrics and health trends, we anticipate possible changes and revisions to our operating procedures as the school year progresses.  Updates will be provided as protocols can safely be changed.  The following is a list of general guidelines to start our school year:

 

  • Masks are highly encouraged while indoors at all district facilities, schools, and school buses for all students, employees, and visitors. However, as directed by the Governor's Executive Order issued May 18, 2021, facemasks cannot be mandated.

 

  • Routine and frequent cleaning and disinfecting will continue at all district facilities including on school buses.

 

  • Frequent handwashing will be encouraged. Hand sanitizer will be made available for all students and staff.

 

  • Staff, students, and visitors are encouraged to practice physical distancing when possible.

  

  • COVID-19 testing will continue to be offered at NISD campuses for symptomatic individuals with parent consent.

 

  • Contact tracing will occur as necessary at all district campuses and buildings.   Students and staff will likely not be required to quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated or, potentially, were wearing a mask when the close contact occurred.

 

  • In the event of a positive COVID-19 case, communication will be provided to families in a manner deemed appropriate by the campus principal and/or the Director of Health Services while protecting the confidentiality of individuals and their healthcare information. At the elementary level, notification will likely be provided to class or grade level groups. At the secondary level where contact tracing will potentially be more difficult, notification will be made to individuals with a known exposure.

 

  • NISD is working with various vaccine providers to schedule voluntary vaccination clinics to provide the COVID-19 and other vaccines to students, employees, and community members who elect to receive them. Many campuses will be hosting vaccine providers at their back-to-school events.

 

  • Remote/Virtual learning will be provided only to qualifying elementary students who completed the application process in the spring.  This option is not available to secondary students nor is it available for any additional elementary students.  Families with students who cannot physically attend in-person due to a medical condition, including a precautionary quarantine, are encouraged to apply for homebound and/or other support services.

 

NISD is committed to addressing the health, safety, and instructional needs of all our students. We will be responsive to the social and emotional needs of students, staff, and families by providing access to personnel such as professional school counselors.

 

More detailed, campus-specific information will be provided closer to the first day of school. For questions, you may contact your child’s campus.