COVID-19 is Still Spreading: Stay Six Feet Apart from Others
Category Archives: COVID19
Birdville High School varsity football games on Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 canceled
The Birdville High School varsity football games scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25 against Everman, and Friday, Oct. 2 against Haltom, have been canceled due to members of the BHS football team testing positive for COVID-19. The next scheduled game for Birdville High’s varsity football team is on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Birdville ISD Fine Arts/Athletics Center against Crowley.
How will BISD notify families of test-confirmed COVID-19 cases?
Birdville ISD officials understand that many families want to know how they’ll be notified when someone from their child’s campus has a test-confirmed case of COVID-19.
Consistent with school notification requirements for other communicable diseases, and consistent with legal confidentiality requirements, BISD will notify all teachers, staff, and families of all students in a school if a test-confirmed COVID-19 case is identified among students, teachers or staff who participate in any on-campus activities.
BISD will use a two-tiered notification process as outlined below:
General Contact
Upon confirmation of a test-confirmed COVID-19 case, a letter will be sent to all teachers, staff, and families of students who are assigned to that specific campus. Those receiving this letter will be required to monitor themselves and if they begin to have any COVID-19 symptoms, they will need to quarantine and contact their campus. Everyone on campus receives a letter if a letter has not already been sent in the previous 14 days.
Close Contact
Upon confirmation of a test-confirmed COVID-19 case, the Campus COVID-19 Contact Team will begin an investigation. If the results of their investigation determine that close contact was confirmed with any teachers, staff, or students, those specific individuals will receive a letter notifying them that they are required to quarantine. Students and staff who are considered to have close contact receive a phone call and a letter.
Q & A about COVID-19 Notifications
Q: If my child is considered a close contact of the person who tested positive for COVID-19, how many letters will I receive?
- If your child was determined to have been in close contact with the individual who tested positive, you would receive two letters: the General Contact letter (sent to all families at that school), and the Close Contact letter for those determined to be in close contact with the individual.
Q: How much information will we receive about the person who tested positive?
- Due to privacy laws, BISD cannot release the name of the individual or details that may identify him or her. What we can tell you is:
- whether it’s an employee or student; and
- if it is a student, the student’s grade level.
Q: When will my child be asked to quarantine?
- Based on the current recommendations from health officials, only students who had close contact with a test-confirmed COVID-19 individual will be required to quarantine.
Important Dates for Parents to Notify Campus of Change in Preferred Instructional Option
A parent/guardian requesting to change from face-to-face to online learning or from online learning to face-to-face learning may do so no later than the Friday of the fifth week of each six weeks grading period. This will give campuses five school days plus four weekend days to change formats and make scheduling changes if needed. Call your student’s campus no later than the date listed below for each six weeks period. Campuses need to be notified only if parents/guardians want to change instructional methods.
Deadlines for submitting change requests:
- Monday, Sept. 14 to Friday, Sept. 18 for the second six weeks (Classes begin Sept. 28)
- Monday, Oct. 26 to Friday, Oct. 30 for the third six weeks (Classes begin Nov. 9)
- Monday, Dec. 7 to Friday, Dec. 11 for the fourth six weeks (Classes begin Jan. 5)
- Monday, Feb. 1 to Friday, Feb. 5 for the fifth six weeks (Classes begin Feb. 16)
- Monday, March 22 to Friday, March 26 for the sixth six weeks (Classes begin April 5)
For Shannon High School, deadlines for submitting change requests:
- Monday, Oct. 5 to Friday, Oct. 9 for the second nine weeks (Classes begin Oct. 19)
- Monday, Dec. 7 to Friday, Dec. 11 for the third nine weeks (Classes begin Jan. 5)
- Monday, March 1 to Friday, March 5 for the fourth nine weeks (Classes begin March 22)
COVID-19 Health Screening
PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Before sending your child(ren) to school each day, YOU are responsible for screening them for COVID-19 symptoms. When each child reports to school, YOU are acknowledging that you have taken his/her temperature, and that they are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, meaning symptoms that are not normal for them.
If symptoms are present, the parent/guardian should contact the campus nurse for further guidance regarding if, or when, the child(ren) should report to school.
COVID-19 Symptoms include:
- Temperature of 100 or greater
- Chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
- Loss of taste or smell
While on campus, any student who experiences symptoms will immediately report to the school clinic. If the temperature is 100 degrees or greater, a second temperature will be taken to verify the first reading. If the second reading reflects a temperature of 100 degrees or greater, the student will be sent home immediately.
Technology Update 2020: BISD Launches Canvas Parent Hub
Birdville ISD uses Canvas as its Learning Management System. Canvas brings pre-K–12 classroom tools together within a centralized online learning platform.
Parent/guardian can use their personal computer or the Canvas Parent mobile app (available on the Apple and Android stores) to track upcoming assignments and class/school events, communicate with their child’s teachers, and monitor grades and course progress.
Birdville’s Canvas Parent Hub includes:
- A tour of Canvas and how students will use the program to participate in their online learning;
- An overview on the role of Parent Observer which allows a parent/guardian to link to their student’s Canvas course work and assignments;
- Instructions on how students will log in to Canvas (students should try this as soon as possible);
- Information about the parent’s role as a “Learning Coach;”
- Details on how parents and students will access Tech Support; and more.
Parents, click Birdville Canvas Parent Hub to learn more.