La Joya ISD 2020 - 2021 Reopening Plan - Amazon S3
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The plan was developed based on the
following District Foundational Belief
Statements:
-We believe schools control all of the
variables that influence student success.
The task of schools is to alter the learning
environment to provide conditions for
success.
-We believe educators should equip and
empower families to help support their
children and ensure their success in
school and in life.
La Joya ISD
2020 – 2021 Reopening Plan
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020
Page | 2
2020-2021 Reopening Plan
Response to Covid-19
Introduction: The safety of our students, staff, and community is of utmost importance for La Joya
ISD, and it will continue to follow any recommendation provided by the Center for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as we commence the 2020-2021 school
year. The district’s foundational beliefs state that schools control all the variables that influence
student success. Furthermore, the task of schools is to alter the learning environment to provide
conditions for success. Additionally, we believe educators should equip and empower families to help
support their children and ensure their success in school and life. The guidelines will support the
district's foundational beliefs.
Concept of Operations
La Joya ISD will continue to monitor the severity of the pandemic and acknowledges that this plan may be
modified as public health changes. This plan is divided into two sections; Instructional Plan and
Operations/Safety Plan.
I. Instructional Plan
La Joya Independent School District COVID-19 Reopening Schools Instructional Plan
Instructional Design Plan
Purpose
La Joya ISD is committed to educational excellence through quality instruction. The guidelines
serve as a means of communication for the district's instructional design plan for all
stakeholders. This includes the curriculum, staff development sessions, instructional schedules,
and the social emotional component.
Instruction
Instruction will commence on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, and conclude on Friday, June 4,
2021. The district will provide the following instructional models to our parents:
• Instructional Model: The district will provide traditional instruction or at home
distance asynchronous learning based on parent choice. Asynchronous instruction does
not require all participants to be virtually present at the same time.
Examples: Self-paced online courses with intermittent teacher instruction, pre-assigned
work with formative assessments on paper or in Learning Management System (LMS),
watching pre-recorded videos of instruction with guided support.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020
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• Asynchronous instruction requires staff to check engagement daily to mark students present
“Present-Remote Asynchronous”. Students who are not “engaged” that day are marked absent.
Engaged is any of the following:
Ø Progress (as defined in the approved learning plan) in the Learning Management System
(LMS) made that day.
Ø Progress (as defined in the approved learning plan) from teacher/student interactions made
that day.
Ø Turn in of assignment(s) that day
Curriculum:
The design curriculum will guide students in achieving specific educational goals and objectives.
The curriculum process will have clear and specific behavioral and observable outcomes. La
Joya ISD will utilize the following curriculum:
Elementary Middle School High School
Texas Essential Knowledge and Texas Essential Texas Essential
Skills (TEKS) Knowledge and Skills Knowledge and Skills
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (TEKS) (TEKS) Houghton
Imagine Learning McGraw Hill Mifflin Harcourt
Reading Renaissance/MyON Reading Renaissance/MyON Edgenuity (EOC)
Edusmart Imagine Learning Edusmart College Board
Sharon Wells Math (2nd –5th) System 44 Reading
Pearlized Math (K- 1st) National Geographic Renaissance
Pearson Realize (Science & SS) Sciencesaurus System 44
Scholastic Big Day Study Island Texas Home Learning
Everything You Need to Ace (TEA) Pearson
Science in One Big Fat
Notebook: The Complete
Middle School Study Guide
Note: Curriculum will be used for both traditional and at-home distance asynchronous
instruction.
Online Curriculum:
La Joya ISD will provide educational excellence through a rigorous instructional online program that will prepare
students for college and career readiness. Our staff is committed to students, parents and our community to ensure
students learn in a safe and emotionally healthy environment.
Asynchronous Online:
o Pre K- 5th grade: 180 Minutes of daily direct instruction
o 6th grade- 12 grade: 240 minutes of daily direct instruction
Instructional Framework
• The asynchronous online program requires students to spend a total of three to four hours online with their
teachers intermittently.
• Teachers will be taking attendance daily through daily progress, monitoring checks of student progress.
o Data from the Learning Management System (LMS) showing daily progress.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 4
o Curricular progress, evidenced by teacher/student daily interactions.
o Completion and submission of daily assignments.
Note:
ü The instructional day is from 12:01 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for the instructional day and will be counted
present for work completed during those hours.
ü Saturday and Sunday work will not be used as a method for progress monitoring for attendance
purposes.
• Teachers will be following the lesson cycle using the building blocks for online instruction to maximize
student engagement.
o Direct Instruction to teach skills
o Modeling by skill by teacher
o Discussion
o Research and Exploration
o Collaborative Tasks
o Practice and Review
o Assessment
o Reflection and Metacognitive Skills Building
• Checking for understanding will be ongoing throughout the lesson. Weekly and six weeks assessments
will be administered over content covered using the DMAC management system or google platform.
Student and Family Support
o Students will be provided with an electronic device upon request.
o Apps needed by content will be downloaded to the electronic device before being used by the students.
o A paper copy of the instructional curriculum packet will be available for students participating in online
distance learning.
o Google Platform will be utilized to deliver instruction; therefore, students will have access to their Gmail
accounts
o A call-in center will be available to assist parents with questions about homework.
o The technology department will be readily available to assist from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
o The resource page will have videos for the following activities:
ü Skills being taught by the teacher
ü How to upload work into the Google platform
ü How to utilize different apps
ü How to use various programs
o At a glance by semester by grade level by content will be available for view or download.
o Parents will stay abreast of upcoming training being provided by the Face Liaison Director, Velma Ochoa,
or any other department.
Staff Development Plan:
Our staff will be supported through specific job-related professional development sessions that
will assist teachers in improving skills, and most importantly, delivering engaging lessons online
or through traditional instruction. Staff development will be offered in the following areas:
• Google Platform (All Teachers)
• Online Tools (All Teachers)
• Using online tools for differentiation for special populations (All Teachers)
• HMH Online Resources (Elementary & High School)
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 5
• McGraw Hill (Middle School Staff)
• Edgenuity (High School Staff)
• College Board (Full Training versus Components) (High School Staff)
• Accuplacer/TSI (High School Staff)
• Pearson Realize (Elementary Staff)
• Syward Training (Teacher Corner) (All Teachers)
• DMAC Training (Online Assessments) (All Teachers)
• Silverlining (High School Staff)
• CEDFA Fine Arts All Departments (Middle & High School Staff)
• TBA (Band) (Middle & High School Staff)
• TCDA Virtual Session (Choir and Elementary Music) (Middle & High School Staff
• TODA Virtual Session (Orchestra and Mariachi) (Middle & High School Staff)
Instructional Resources
The purpose of instructional resources is to support learning. The resources listed allows
students to engage in application and to master the objectives being taught, whether through
the traditional or at home distance asynchronous learning model. Teacher and students will
have the necessary resources to deliver and master learning.
a. Provide campuses with electronic devices.
b. Insight software
c. Wireless mouse
d. Headsets with Mics
e. Zoom Licenses
f. Textbooks online for High School Campuses (STC)
Technology Resources
La Joya ISD is committed to providing our students, teachers, and community with the necessary resources to
ensure a successful online curriculum. As a District, we are dedicated to utilizing technology to innovate
teaching and learning practices by integrating digital tools to inspire students to thrive in a global society
through collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking.
Electronic Devices:
A technology device will be available for students if needed.
Hot Spots:
The District has purchased 10,000 hot spots to ensure the necessary resources for a successful online program.
Equipping Devices & Distribution to Campuses:
• Technology devices will be configured and set with then necessary apps for student use.
Summer School Devices:
• Elementary: 1,279 out of 2,671
• Middle School: 648 out of 1,494
• High School: 98 out of 396
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 6
Total: 2025 out of 4,561
The second round for device pick up: Thursday, August 06, 2020.
Beginning of the Year Distribution of Devices & Student ID:
• Elementary: Thursday, September 3, 2020
Friday, September 4, 2020
• Middle School: 6th Grade Only Monday, August 24, 2020
• Middle Schools & Comprehensive Monday, August 31, 2020
High Schools: Tuesday, September 1, 2020
• Technology Dept. will take care of providing the User Agreement Form (English and Spanish) for
parents and students to sign.
WiFi on Wheels for the Community
Keeping students and staff digitally connected has never been more important and necessary than before.
Providing access to students will help students continue their learning outside of the classroom. The following
services have been and continue to be offered to our LJISD community to provide students, parents, and staff
access to internet.
• Beginning September 8, 2020, 50 WiFi on school buses will be stationed around the district communities
• 1 Mobile Tech Lab will be stationed around district community locations to assist parents with online
student enrollment
• Forty-five external WiFi access points will be available at all school campuses and central office buildings
to provide parents, and students access to internet. These access points radiate WiFi signal up to a ¼ mile
radius
Staff Development
The following live online professional development sessions are being offered to LJISD staff to become
familiar with our Google Platform and Building Blocks for Online teaching and learning and
communications:
• Google Drive and Chrome Basics (paraprofessionals, clerks, secretaries)
• Google Drive Basics (Migrant and Athletic Dept. staff)
• Google Classroom, Meet and Online Tools (all LJISD teachers)
• Online Teaching Resources (all-district leadership)
• LJISD EdTech Institute (live online break-out sessions on technology integration resources, tools, and
strategies)
Social Emotional
What is Social-Emotional Learning?
Social Emotional Learning is the process through which students gain and effectively apply the
attitudes and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive
goals, feel and express empathy for others, develop and maintain positive relationships, and
make responsible decisions. School counselors through the delivery (individual, group, or
guidance) of counselor lessons will help students develop appropriate skills.
Note: The following chart outlines programs and/or lessons school counselors will promote,
deliver, and/or implement at the different grade levels to teach students social-emotional skills.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 7
Elementary Middle School High School
• Mindfulness / Inner Explorer • Mindfulness / Inner Explorer • Naviance Social Emotional
• Cooperation with Library • Naviance Social Emotional Curriculum
Services / Reading of Books Curriculum • Kindness
• Olweus Bullying Prevention • Cooperation with Library • Olweus Bullying Prevention
Program / Class Meetings Services Reading of Books Program / Class Meetings
• Character Education • Olweus Bullying Prevention • Kindness
• Kindness Program / Class Meetings • Teacher Staff Development –
• Teacher Staff Development – • Kindness What is Social Emotional
What is Social Emotional • Teacher Staff Development – Learning and how can
Learning and how can teachers What is Social Emotional teachers promote it in their
promote it in their classroom. Learning and how can classroom.
teachers promote it in their
classroom.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 8
What do Counselors need to What do Counselors need to What do Counselors need to
implement these programs? implement these programs? implement these programs?
Mindfulness Counselor staff Mindfulness/ Counselor staff
/ Inner development & Inner development &
Explorer School License Explorer School License
Naviance Purchase Naviance Continued Naviance Continued
Naviance counselor staff counselor staff
Program for 4th development and development and
and 5th graders, purchase of purchase of
counselor staff Naviance Naviance
development, and curriculum curriculum
purchase of
Naviance
curriculum
What do Counselors need to What do Counselors need to What do Counselors need to
implement these programs? implement these programs? implement these programs?
Cooperation Review of Cooperation Review of
with Library appropriate books with Library appropriate books in
Services in cooperation with Services cooperation with
Library Services; Library Services;
purchase of books purchase of books if
if necessary necessary
Olweus Renewal of Olweus Olweus Renewal of Olweus Olweus Renewal of
Contract; Train Contract; Train Olweus
behavior specialists behavior specialists Contract;
Train
behavior
specialists
Kindness None – in place Kindness None – in place Kindness None – in place
thru guidance thru guidance thru guidance
lessons and lessons and lessons and
counseling counseling counseling
campaigns campaigns services
Character Ed None – in place
thru guidance
lessons
Teacher Staff Presentation / Teacher Staff Presentation / Teacher Staff Presentation /
Development Activity Development Activity Development Activity
Ç
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 9
La Joya Independent School District COVID-19 Reopening Schools
Operations/Safety Plan
II. Safety Plan
This plan provides guidance to fulfill the traditional functions of an in-person instructional
program for La Joya ISD schools. This plan establishes safety procedures and protocols
following the guidelines delineated by local, county, state, federal and Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) regulations.
Operations/Safety plan will address the following;
• Students/Staff/Parents/Visitors
• Students
• Staff
• Facilities
• Transportation
• Child Nutrition Services
• University Interscholastic League (UIL)
• Extracurricular activities
• COVID-19 Monitoring
• Training
• Policy
Students/Staff/Parents/Visitors
The following protocols or guidelines have been established to support the safety of all
stakeholders:
1. All students, employees, and visitors are expected to adhere to CDC
guidelines.
2. Social distancing practices, to include minimum “point of contact” for all
individuals.
3. Wear nose/mouth coverings at all times on school grounds and facilities.
4. A protocol will be developed at each campus for daily screening of all
students, employees, and visitors before they enter the premises.
5. Hand sanitizing and/or handwashing stations will be available
throughout each site (entrance of the building and throughout
hallways).
6. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) modules will
be added to include CDC recommendations such as: social distancing,
handwashing/sanitizing, proper use of masks, etc…
7. Students will be instructed in proper handwashing and hand sanitizing
techniques. Frequent reminders to practice these techniques will be provided to
students and employees. When developmentally appropriate modeling and
supervision of these practices will be emphasized.
8. Students, teachers, staff, and campus visitors will be encouraged to cover
coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and if not available, covered in their elbows.
Used tissues should be thrown in the trash, hands should be washed
immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or hand sanitizer
should be used.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 10
9. When possible, student groups will not be mixed; students would remain
with the same group of students throughout the day and would stay in the
same classroom.
10. Additional disinfecting measures will be embedded throughout the
instructional day.
11. Group gatherings such as assemblies, field trips, etc.., will not be held until
further notice following CDC recommendations.
12. Each campus will establish a protocol for entry and exit procedures to reduce
the number of students and parents congregating both inside and/or outside of
the building.
13. Each campus will establish daily schedules and procedures to ensure that all
CDC guidelines are followed minimizing traffic flow within the premises at
all times (Breakfast, Lunch, etc.)
These guidelines remain under continuous review to ensure that
we are meeting the needs of our students and employees.
III. Students
La Joya ISD
COVID-19 Student Procedures and Protocols
PURPOSE: The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our highest priority and La
Joya ISD is closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19. We are following the guidance provided by the
Texas Department of State and Health Services (DSHS), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), the Hidalgo County Health Department and the Texas Education Agency. All students are
expected to adhere to the following guidelines.
Unless otherwise notified, all students will report to school in accordance to the La Joya ISD
2020- 2021 Calendar. The calendar can be found on the District Website.
Before a Student Reports to School:
1) All students will be required to self-screen or have their parent/guardian screen them for signs or
symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms may include new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, sore
throat, loss of taste or smell, feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0
degrees Fahrenheit.
2) If students exhibit any of the above COVID-19 related symptoms, or come into close contact with a
person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19, students must notify their campus principal and nurse.
Students will not be able to report to school or enter any district building or facility until cleared by the
school nurse.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 11
3) If medically able to, students will be allowed to complete class assignments remotely from home.
4) Students will limit communication about health matters to their campus principal and nurse. The
campus principal, nurse, or designee will take responsibility for notifying individuals who may have been
exposed. This process will ensure that the students’ personal and medical information is kept confidential.
5) Students will not be able to return to school or enter any district building or facility until cleared by the
school nurse.
While Students are in District Facilities or Property:
1) Students will self-screen or the school nurse will screen them and check for symptoms of COVID-19.
If students are not exhibiting any of the COVID-19 symptoms and have not come into close contact with
a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19, students will be allowed to be in school.
2) While at school, students will be required to follow these guidelines:
• Students shall wear masks or face coverings (District will provide reusable masks).
• Students shall maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from one another.
• Students shall wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer throughout their time in the building.
• Students shall not shake hands, touch, or hug others.
3) If students develop symptoms or become sick during the school day, students must immediately
separate themselves from their peers and notify their teacher. Teacher must send the student to the
designated isolation room. Nurse will notify parent to pick up student from school and contact their
medical provider.
4) Students will not be able to return to school or enter any district building or facility until cleared by the
school nurse.
Close Contact:
This document refers to “close contact” with an individual who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19.
The definition of close contact is evolving with our understanding of COVID-19, and individual 9
scenarios should be determined by an appropriate public health agency. In general, close contact is
defined as:
a. being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on); or
b. being within 6 feet for a cumulative duration of 15 minutes; however, additional factors like
case/contact masking (i.e., both the infectious individual and the potential close contact have been
consistently and properly masked), ventilation, presence of dividers, and case symptomology may
affect this determination.
Either (a) or (b) defines close contact if it occurred during the infectious period of the case, defined as
two days prior to symptom onset to 10 days after symptom onset. In the case of asymptomatic
individuals who are lab-confirmed with COVID-19, the infectious period is defined as two days prior
to the confirming lab test and continuing for 10 days following the confirming lab test.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 12
La Joya ISD
COVID-19 Student Procedures and Protocols (Exhibit)
Step 1: Student is exhibiting symptoms, has come into close contact with a person who is lab-
confirmed to have COVID-19 or is diagnosed with COVID-19 through the PCR COVID-
19 test.
Step 2: If the student is at home: student must notify the campus principal and nurse. The
student will not be able to report to school or enter any district building or facility until
cleared by the school nurse.
Step 3: If the student is at school: students must immediately separate themselves from their
peers, notify their teacher, teacher must send the students to the designated isolation
room, nurse will notify parent to pick up student from school and contact their medical
provider.
Step 4: If student’s health permits it and if assignments can be done remotely, students will
be allowed to complete class assignments remotely from home.
Step 5: If the student is diagnosed with COVID-19 through PCR test:
• The student or parent/guardian will complete the COVID-19 Student Report Form
and submit it to the campus nurse.
• The campus principal will initiate contact tracing protocols. They will contact any
student and employee that came into close contact (within six feet for 15 minutes)
with the student.
• The custodial department will initiate disinfection protocols.
Step 6: Once cleared by the school nurse, the student returns to school and follows the COVID-
19 Student Procedures and Protocols.
*The above guidance and protocols are subject to change pending any other updates or directions
from our local, state and national health leaders.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 13
IV. Staff
La Joya ISD
COVID-19 Employee Procedures and Protocols
PURPOSE: The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our highest priority and La
Joya ISD is closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19. We are following the guidance provided by the
Texas Department of State and Health Services (DSHS), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), the Hidalgo County Health Department and the Texas Education Agency. All district employees
are expected to adhere to the following guidelines.
Start of School Year
Unless otherwise notified, all employees will return to work at the start of their calendar date (Working
Days – Starting and Ending Dates can be found on the Human Resource District Website).
Before an Employee Reports to Work:
1) All employees will be required to self-screen for signs or symptoms of COVID-19. The self-screening
should include employees taking their own temperature. Symptoms may include temperature of 100.4
degrees Fahrenheit or higher when taken by mouth; sore throat; new uncontrolled cough that causes
difficulty breathing (or, for employees with a chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough
from baseline); diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain; or new onset of severe headache, especially with
fever.
2) If an employee exhibits any of the above COVID-19 related symptoms, has come into close contact
with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19, has come into close contact with someone that
is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or has been lab confirmed to be COVID-19 positive, the employee
must notify their immediate supervisor and Risk Management at (956) 323-2122.
At this time, the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, Abbot ID NOW COVID-19 Rapid Test and Sofia
2 SARS 2 Antigen Rapid Test will be the only tests that our district will accept for the diagnosis of
employees. This, however, is subject to change based on recommendations from local, state and federal
health care agencies.
3) If able to, while the employees wait for results or are in self-quarantine, the employees may be allowed
to work remotely from home. While doing so, the employees will follow these guidelines:
• Employees must check their work emails on a daily basis.
• During the workday, all communications through social media should remain professional in
nature, be work related, and be in accordance with District guidelines, policies and procedures.
• When communicating with students, parents or colleagues, employees should adhere to the La
Joya ISD DH Policy: Electronic Communications between Employees, Students, and Parents.
• Employees must preserve emails and texts sent to parents, students, and other staff members as
required by the Public Information Act.
• Employees must adhere to all Federal, State, and Local policies and procedures.
• Employees will follow the La Joya ISD Work from Home Protocols.
• At any given time, an employee may be asked to complete tasks at the direction of their
supervisor. If an employee is not accessible to work remotely, the employee will have to use their
accrued leave (state, local, and/or emergency leave). Absence reporting protocols must be
followed and recorded.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 14
4) If employees are not able to work remotely, employees may be eligible to take emergency paid sick
leave (EPSL), state, or local leave during this time in accordance with District Policies and Federal Law.
If employee requires extended leave for complications from COVID-19, the employee may be eligible for
family and medical leave (FML). All FMLA protocols should be followed.
5) Employees will limit communications about health matters to their direct supervisor and to Risk
Management. Risk Management will take responsibility for notifying individuals who may have been
exposed. This process will ensure that the employees’ personal and medical information is kept
confidential.
6) The employee will not be able to return to work or enter any district building until cleared by the office
of Risk Management.
While Employees are at Work in District Facilities or Property:
1) Employee self-screens and checks for symptoms. The self-screening should include employees
taking their own temperature. If employee is not exhibiting any of the COVID-19 symptoms and has
not come into close contact with a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 or with someone
that is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, employee clocks in.
2) While at work, employees will be required to follow these employee safety guidelines:
• Employees shall wear masks or face coverings.
• Employees shall maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from one another.
• Employees shall avoid in person gatherings (5 or more employees) that are longer than 15
minutes.
• Employees shall wash their hands or use hand sanitizer throughout their time in the building.
• Employees shall cover their mouth and nose when sneezing.
• Employees shall cover their mouth when coughing.
• Employees shall not shake hands, touch, or hug others.
• Employees shall continue to self-monitor their health.
3) If employees develop symptoms or become sick during the workday, the employees must immediately
separate themselves from their colleagues, notify their immediate supervisor, the office of Risk
Management and leave district facilities. Employees are encouraged to contact their medical provider.
The employee will submit any available pertinent documentation to the office of Risk Management via
email to e.rodriguez2@lajoyaisd.net. Medical clearance forms must be from a licensed medical
professional that is practicing in the United States.
4) Pursuant to La Joya ISD School Board Policy DBB (Legal) and (Local), the employee will not be able
to report to work or enter any district building until cleared by a medical provider (licensed medical
professional that is practicing in the United States) and by the Risk Management office.
Immunocompromised Employees:
Some workers may be at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. These employees may include
individuals over the age of 65 and those with documented underlying medical conditions (CDC-People at
higher risk). Employees are encouraged to self-identify to their Principal, Director, or Human Resources
so the District can explore reasonable accommodations to minimize their risk of exposure to COVID-19.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 15 Essential Employees: To ensure continuity of operations of essential functions, essential employees may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the community. Close Contact: This document refers to “close contact” with an individual who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19. The definition of close contact is evolving with our understanding of COVID-19, and individual 9 scenarios should be determined by an appropriate public health agency. In general, close contact is defined as: a. being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on); or b. being within 6 feet for a cumulative duration of 15 minutes; however, additional factors like case/contact masking (i.e., both the infectious individual and the potential close contact have been consistently and properly masked), ventilation, presence of dividers, and case symptomology may affect this determination. Either (a) or (b) defines close contact if it occurred during the infectious period of the case, defined as two days prior to symptom onset to 10 days after symptom onset. In the case of asymptomatic individuals who are lab-confirmed with COVID-19, the infectious period is defined as two days prior to the confirming lab test and continuing for 10 days following the confirming lab test. Return to Work: 1) Individual who was diagnosed with COVID-19 may return to work when all three of the following criteria are met: At least one day has passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications); The individual has improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and at least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared. 2) Individual who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and who is not evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19: The individual is assumed to have COVID-19 and may not return to their campus or department until the individual has completed the same three-step set of criteria listed above. 3) Individual has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and wants to return to school before completing the above stay at home period: The employee must obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis (non-COVID-19) or, obtain an acute infection test at an approved testing location (https://tdem.texas.gov/covid-19/) that comes back negative for COVID- 19. Employee Safety Guidelines: • Employees shall wear masks or face coverings. • Employees shall maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from one another. • Employees shall avoid in person gatherings (5 or more employees) that are longer than 15 minutes. • Employees shall wash their hands or use hand sanitizer throughout their time in the building. • Employees shall cover their mouth and nose when sneezing. • Employees shall cover their mouth when coughing. • Employees shall not shake hands, touch, or hug others. • Employees shall continue to self-monitor their health. La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020
Page | 16
La Joya ISD
COVID-19 Employee Procedures and Protocols (Exhibit)
Step 1: Employee is exhibiting symptoms, has come into close contact with a person who is lab- confirmed
to have COVID-19, has come into close contact with someone that is exhibiting COVID-19
symptoms or is diagnosed with COVID-19 through a district approved diagnostic test.
Step 2a: If the employee is at home: employee must notify their immediate supervisor and Risk
Management at (956) 323-2122. The employee will not be able to report to work or enter any district
building until cleared by a medical provider and by the Risk Management office.
Step 2b: If the employee is at work: employee notifies their immediate supervisor and the Risk Management
office at (956) 323-2122. The employee must separate themselves from their colleagues, leave
district facilities and contact their medical provider. The employee will submit any available
pertinent documentation to the office of Risk Management via email to e.rodriguez2@lajoyaisd.net.
Medical clearance forms must be from a licensed medical professional that is practicing in the
United States.
Step 3a: If the employee’s health permits it and if the work can be done remotely, the employee will not
need to use accrued leave or Emergency Paid Sick Leave. The employee will follow the Work-from-
Home Protocols.
Step 3b: If the employee is not able to work remotely, the employee will submit Leave Request Form to
the Risk Management office via email to e.rodriguez2@lajoyaisd.net and contact their supervisor to
make arrangements for their absence(s).
Step 4a: If the employee is diagnosed with COVID-19:
• The employee will complete the COVID-19 Employee Report Form and submit it to Risk
Management via email to e.rodriguez2@lajoyaisd.net.
• The Risk Management office will initiate contact tracing protocols. They will contact any
employee that came into close contact with the employee.
• The custodial department will initiate workstation disinfection protocols.
Step 4b: If the employee receives a negative diagnosis:
• The employee submits a copy of their results via email to their immediate supervisor and to
e.rodriguez2@lajoyaisd.net at the Risk Management office. Medical clearance forms must be
from a licensed medical professional that is practicing in the United States.
Step 5: Return to work:
• Employee must receive clearance to return to work by the office of Risk Management.
The above procedures and protocols are subject to change pending any other updates or directions from
local, state and national health leaders. Failure to comply with these guidelines may or will lead to
disciplinary action, up to including recommendation for the termination of employment.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 17
La Joya ISD
COVID-19 Employee Report
Confidentiality
All information gathered, including information related to an employee’s medical information, will always remain confidential.
Any medical-related documents received by an administrator or employee supervisor should be sent directly to Risk
Management.
Employee Information
Employee Name ID Date
Position Campus/Department
Alternate
Address Phone # Email Address
Phone #
PCR Result
Date PCR Administered
(If positive, complete Contact Tracing Form)
Emergency Contact Information
Name Relation to Employee Phone Number Email Address
Contact Tracing Information
Employee Name Dept. Position Date of Phone To Be Completed by
Last Number Risk Management
Contact Date Date PCR Results
Employee Administered
Informed
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 18
La Joya ISD
Leave Request Form – Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Expanded FML
Name Employee ID
Dept/Campus Position
Email Phone number
Date Duration of leave (specify dates requested)
Leave benefits under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) apply for the limited time
period of April 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The amount of paid leave an employee may receive will
vary depending on the reason leave is taken. Detailed information is available in the Employee Rights
notice that can be found on our District website in the Human Resources page.
An employee requesting Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) and Expanded Family Medical Leave (EFML)
must complete this form and return it to Eliseo Rodriguez, At‐Risk Director at e.rodriguez2@lajoyaisd.net
as soon as the need for leave is identified. Documentation supporting the need for leave should be
included when the request is submitted.
Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) is limited to 80 hours of paid leave at the following rates:
Self: regular rate of pay up to $511 per day
For care of an individual or a child: two-thirds the regular rate of pay up to $200 per day
Expanded Family and Medical Leave (EFML) provides up to twelve weeks of leave to care for a son or
daughter when school is closed or child care is unavailable due to COVID‐19. The first two weeks are
unpaid, although the employee may access other paid leave during this time. The remaining 10 weeks
is two‐thirds the regular rate of pay up to $200 per day.
I request leave for the following reason(s):
Self
I’m subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID‐19.
Name of entity requiring quarantine or isolation: ____________________________________
I’ve been advised to self‐quarantine by a health care provider.
Name of health care provider requiring quarantine or isolation: _________________________
I’m experiencing symptoms of COVID‐19 and am seeking a medical diagnosis.
Name of health care provider: _________________________________________
I'm experiencing any other substantially similar conditions specified by the U.S. Department of Health
Human Services.
Care for other individual or child
I’m unable to work in order to care for a minor child because their school is closed or child care
is not available due to COVID-19.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 19
Name of school or child care facility: _____________________________________________________
Are you the only adult caring for the child(ren): yes no
Name and age of child(ren): ______________________________________________________
If child is over the age of 14 describe special circumstance requiring the care:
______________________________________________________________________________
I’m unable to work in order to care for an individual subject or advised to quarantine or isolate.
Name of individual: __________________________ Relationship: ________________________
Accrued leave use
I choose to use:
EPSL (Emergency Paid Sick Leave) during this absence
EFML (Emergency Family Medical Leave) 2/3 pay a day up to $200 max per day
Accrued paid leave to “top off” the 2/3 pay covered by EPSL/ EFML so I receive 100
percent of my regular rate of pay (only include if allowed by the employer)
My accrued paid leave for ____ days during this absence
Employee Signature: _______________________________ Date: _______________________
Supervisor Signature: _______________________________ Date: _______________________
Designation (completed by Risk Management Office):
Date of mp me t: _______________________
Medical certification provided: ___________ Yes ______________ No
The employee qualifies for EPSL (Emergency Paid Sick Leave)
The employee does not qualify for EPSL (Emergency Paid Sick Leave)
The employee qualifies for _____ weeks of EFML (Emergency Family Medical Leave)
The employee does not qualify for EFML (Emergency Family Medical Leave)
Reviewed by: _________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Revised 8/28/2020
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 20 La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020
Page | 21 La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020
Page | 22
LJISD Employee/Student Temperature Screening Guidelines
All staff/students will be screened prior to entering the building. Lines of people should be minimized to the
extent possible and all employees/students should be required to stay 6 ft. away from each other.
Campus principal will designate location for screenings. Locations for screening are subject to change as the
situation evolves.
Temperature taking procedure
• Screeners are required to wear mask and gloves, and have hand sanitizer available at the screening station.
• Screeners will not touch students/visitors/staff.
• Screeners should apply hand sanitizer or wash hands after removing gloves.
• Employees/student must not have anything covering the forehead for 5 minutes prior to taking a temperature
(hat/head band/scarf etc.) (if religious accommodation is needed, take temperature using an oral thermometer)
• Forehead must be dry.
• No hair in between forehead and thermometer (have employee/student move their own hair).
• Hold thermometer ½ to 2 inches from forehead.
• Press button and immediately release.
• Keep thermometer at ½ to 2 inches from the forehead until you hear 2 beeps (a couple of seconds)
• Read thermometer.
• If the reading is “low” repeat the process being careful to keep the thermometer ½ to 2 inches from the
forehead while it is reading the temp.
• Screener will remove mask and gloves when leaving the screening station (apply hand sanitizer after removing
gloves).
Employees with temperatures 100.0 and above will:
• Notify their administrator that they have a fever and will not be reporting to work.
• Nursing Department staff will also notify their District Nurse Office and their administrator that they
have a fever and are not reporting to work.
• Log their name and cell phone number on the employee log at the screening station.
• Go home.
• Administrator or designee will contact them within 24 hours.
Students with temperatures 100.0 and above will:
• Go to the nurse’s office for parent pick up.
• Nurse or nurse assistant will contact within 24 hours.
Close Contact:
This document refers to “close contact” with an individual who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19. The definition of
close contact is evolving with our understanding of COVID-19, and individual 9 scenarios should be determined by an
appropriate public health agency. In general, close contact is defined as:
a. being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on); or
b. being within 6 feet for a cumulative duration of 15 minutes; however, additional factors like case/contact
masking (i.e., both the infectious individual and the potential close contact have been consistently and properly
masked), ventilation, presence of dividers, and case symptomology may affect this determination.
*Either (a) or (b) defines close contact if it occurred during the infectious period of the case, defined as two days prior to
symptom onset to 10 days after symptom onset. In the case of asymptomatic individuals who are lab-confirmed with
COVID-19, the infectious period is defined as two days prior to the confirming lab test and continuing for 10 days
following the confirming lab test.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 23
Employee Health Screener
All staff are required to conduct a daily self-screener, including checking your temperature before
reporting for onsite work. If you are unable to check your temperature at home, report to our school
nurse or department designee when you arrive onsite. Employees are required to report results
according to established procedures. This form must remain confidential. Any form with a yes response
will be destroyed once response is addressed.
Name ID#
Date Campus/Department
Yes No
Are you lab-confirmed with COVID-19?
In the past 14 days, have you had close contact with an individual
who is lab-confirmed with COVID-19?
Have you recently begun experiencing any of the following in a
way that is not normal for you?
• Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100°F
• Loss of taste or smell
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Chills
• Shaking or exaggerated shivering
• Significant muscle or body aches
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Diarrhea
• Nausea or vomiting
If you answered yes to any of the above, you are required to:
• Remain off campus until cleared to return
• Notify your supervisor and Mr. Eli Rodriguez, Risk Management Director
• Provide your immediate supervisor and Mr. Eli Rodriguez with health status updates
It is also recommended that you consult with your health care provider.
Reminders to follow if you are cleared to return:
• Wear a mask or face covering
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer regularly
• Practice social distancing of at least 6 feet
• Notify your supervisor if you have traveled outside the area in the last 14 days
Failure to disclose positive symptoms or to comply with these guidelines may or will lead to
disciplinary action, up to including recommendation for the termination of
employment.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 24
La Joya ISD
Employee Health Screener
Week of:
Temperature Checks:
Name: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 25
I. Work from Home Protocols
La Joya Independent School District
Work from Home Protocols
In order to allow the District to function and meet its obligation to provide quality instruction for our
students during mandatory school closures, staff may be required to perform duties remotely in
order to maintain key functions of the district. Such duties may include, but are not limited
to remote instruction, lesson development, curriculum development, staff supports, maintenance and
operations, and business office functions such as payroll.
Employees designated as essential, in the sole discretion of the Superintendent, or her designee, will
need to continue to report to work either from their home or at any other designated location during
any stay-at-home order, to the extent allowed by such order. Each essential employee is expected to
respond to direction from their supervisor, including reporting to work, if so directed.
The essential services include providing meals for students, access to wi-fi, and public safety. These
employees are reminded to continue to practice social distancing and to follow the CDC
guidelines. Additionally, these employees are only to report to work upon the direction from their
supervisor. We recognize that these employees are being asked to go above and beyond during this
public health crisis, and we appreciate their dedication to the students and families of La Joya ISD.
All Employees
• It is the district’s expectation that staff continue to work from home while the district employees are
working remotely.
• If an employee is unable to work at home or complete assignments remotely, please reach out to your
direct supervisor and ask whether any accommodation can be made for you.
• Please check your work email on a daily basis.
• During the workday all communications through social media should remain professional in
nature and work related and be in accordance with District guidelines, policies and procedures.
• When communicating with students, parents or colleagues, please remember to adhere to our DH
Policy: Electronic Communications between Employees, Students, and Parents.
• Preserve emails and texts to parents and students as required by the Public Information Act.
• Adhere to all Federal, State and Local policies and procedures.
• At any given time, an employee may be asked to complete tasks at the direction of the
Superintendent of Schools or a designee. If an employee is not available or accessible to work
remotely from home or from their district work site, the employee will have to use their
accrued state, local and emergency leave. Emergency leave must be for qualifying reasons related to
COVID-19
Resignation/Retirement during school closures
• If an employee is resigning or retiring during the school closure, the employee will inform their
immediate supervisor and the Office of Human Resources at r.gonzalez5@lajoyaisd.net or by calling
956-323-2600.
• Resignation/Retirement must be submitted in writing. The Office of Human Resources will contact
employees to acknowledge receipt.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 26
Additional Employment
• If an employee accepts additional employment with another entity, the employee will need to report
this to their immediate supervisor if the employment creates a potential conflict of interest or is in
conflict with the employees’ schedule or assignment of duties. Failure to comply with these
guidelines may or will lead to disciplinary action, up to including recommendation for the
termination of employment.
Payroll
• Scheduled payroll dates during a closing will continue as usual.
• Pending board approval, all employees will continue to get paid during the WFH period.
• Auxiliary staff will be paid up to their board approved contractual hours. Part time employees will be
paid up to the board approved contractual hours. Bus drivers will be paid up to 7 hours per day.
• If an employee is not available or accessible to remotely work from home or from their district work
site, that day will be marked as an absence on the employees Kronos. Absences will be deducted
from the employees accrued leave (state, local and emergency leave).
• Supervisors will report the employee’s absence by emailing the Office of Payroll
at m.ruiz4@lajoyaisd.net or by calling 956-323-2064.
• Hourly employees will be required to keep a log of their time worked (timesheet) and submit it to
their supervisor on a weekly basis.
Direct Deposit
• Employees who currently participate in Direct Deposit will continue to receive their payroll stub and
funds electronically.
Requesting Leave
• During our remote learning window, if an employee will not be available or accessible to remotely
work from home, they will follow our normal leave request procedures. As soon as an employee
knows that they will be inaccessible to remotely work from home and will need to take leave, the
employee will need to notify their immediate supervisor.
• If leave is approved, the supervisors will report the employee’s absence by emailing the Office of
Payroll at m.ruiz4@lajoyaisd.net or by calling 956-323-2064.
FMLA
• Employees may request FMLA leave during school closures.
• Employees will download FMLA application from our district website and submit the form to
the Office of Risk Management at: e.rodriguez2@lajoyaisd.net.
• The Office of Risk Management will notify employee and to their supervisor if their FMLA leave
has been approved or denied. SBEC certified employees may request Temporary Disability Leave if
they do not qualify for FMLA. The Superintendent has the authority to approve or disapprove
Temporary Disability Leave.
• Employee’s doctor will submit the employee’s medical certification within 15 days from 1st day of
start of leave.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 27
• School district may not require an employee on FMLA leave to perform work, which would
constitute an interference with an employee’s FMLA rights. There is a “de minis” exception to this
rule for minor requests that would not be deemed to interfere with the employee’s FMLA leave
(work-related communications with the employee to “pass on institutional knowledge or
documents”, or as a “professional courtesy”).
• To be released from FMLA, the employee will need to submit a “Fitness for Duty” release to the
Office of Risk Management at: e.rodriguez2@lajoyaisd.net.
• Employee and the employee’s supervisor will receive an FMLA Employee Notice to Return to Work
after application to return has been approved by the Office of Risk Management.
Accident Report
• If you are injured due to a work-related accident while working from home, you should report the
accident to your supervisor as soon as possible and to the Office of Risk Management
at e.rodriguez2@lajoyaisd.net or by calling (956) 323-2145.
• Employee’s supervisor will fill out the Supervisor Injury Report (download from district website) and
will submit it to the Office of Risk Management.
• If medical care is needed, employees will be required to select a doctor that is listed on the La Joya ISD
Workers Compensation 504 Provider Network (see district website).
Work schedule
• Employees will work the board approved calendar days.
• Non-exempt employees will be limited to 8 hours per day with a duty-free lunch break and a total of 40
hours per week (bus drivers will be limited to 7 hours per day).
• Lunch period should be scheduled at a reasonable time and should be communicated to
the employee’s supervisor. Campus personnel should also communicate it to those you are supposed to
be accessible to (supervisors, teachers, parents and students).
Work from District Facilities
• If employees can not be reasonably accommodated to be able to complete their work assignments from
home, employees may be required to report to district facilities to complete their work assignments.
Below are general guidelines for groups of employees during our WFH period. Additional duties and
responsibilities may be assigned by the employees’ supervisor. It is the responsibility of each employee to
maintain a WFH log detailing the completion of their assignments and duties.
Central Office Administration
• Monitor, read and respond to emails daily.
• Communicate and route any questions or concerns to the pertinent department, as necessary.
• Federal, state and local reporting requirements must be maintained.
• Virtual administrative meetings may be necessary and will be determined by the Superintendent of
Schools or designee. Please ensure your district devices are readily accessible.
• Continue to provide/coordinate/facilitate staff development sessions for District staff.
• Hold weekly virtual department meetings with your staff.
• Maintain meeting logs.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020Page | 28
Campus Administration
• Monitor, read and respond to emails daily.
• Campus administrators are expected to assist in the daily operation of all aspects of school
operations, as determined by the Superintendent of Schools.
• Continue to provide/coordinate/facilitate staff development sessions for staff:
o Safety Meetings
o Technology/SAMR Meetings
o Dual Language Meetings
o Policies and Ethics
o PLC’s
• Virtual administrative meetings may be necessary and will be determined by the Superintendent of
Schools. Please ensure your district devices are readily accessible.
• Coordinate with District law enforcement to ensure the security of your campus.
• Safeguard campus and district resources and funds.
• Monitor and analyze online program data and usage.
• Be available to employees, parents and students during the workday.
• Maintain all Federal, state and local reporting requirements.
• Maintain meeting logs and employee Kronos logs.
• Monitor, as necessary, teacher-student communication.
• Conduct virtual observations and provide feedback through DMAC.
Librarians
• Monitor, read and respond to emails daily.
• Assist in the daily operation of all aspects of school operations as determined by the principal/Director
of Library Media.
• Monitor and analyze online program data and usage.
• Inventory and safeguard library resources.
• Host/coordinate virtual read-alouds.
• Maintain and update campus social media pages. If someone else on campus is the campus
technologist, coordinate with campus technologist to ensure that page is current and up to date.
• Promote best practices in inquiry-based teaching and learning.
• Coordinate and plan with teachers to integrate literacy into the daily lessons.
• Be available to administrators, teachers, parents and students during the workday.
• Assist teachers with preparing materials or assignments.
Nurse
• Monitor, read and respond to emails daily.
• Assist in the daily operation of all aspects of school.
• Share medical updates with the school community.
• Be available to administrators, teachers, parents and students during the workday.
• Continue to participate in professional development sessions.
• Contact families, as appropriate, to inquire about student’s health.
• Keep student immunization records up to date by contacting parents.
• Monitor federal, state and local health advisories, and perform all applicable requirements for school
personnel.
La Joya ISD District Reopening Plan September 21, 2020You can also read
