2020-21 Bus Riders: Health and Safety Update

School Bus

With the start of face-to-face instruction in BISD on Sept. 8, parents are encouraged to take and pick up their child(ren) at school each day. If parents are unable to transport their child(ren) to school, and they qualify for bus transportation, the District does provide bus transportation. However, BISD wants parents to understand that social distancing may NOT always be possible for those riding the bus. On routes where social distancing is not possible, there will be two students per seat in order to be able to run the bus routes.  

Since social distancing will not always be possible, BISD will require ALL riders to wear a cloth or paper mask while on the bus; when possible, load the bus from back to front and unload the bus from front to back; and leave numerous windows open to help circulate clean air throughout the bus. These safety measures will be followed every day, along with regular cleaning of the bus, to help keep students and staff safe. 

If you have questions, please contact the Transportation Department at 817-547-5830. 

COVID-19 Health Screening

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.

Meals for Students (Updated Sept. 3, 2020)

Due to the constantly evolving situation with COVID-19, and the regularly changing guidance from state education and health officials, BISD’s Plan will be reviewed and updated as needed to reflect new requirements from the CDC; federal, state, or county orders; or the Texas Education Agency.  

(Updated Sept3, 2020) During the school year, BISD will serve meals to school-aged students enrolled in the District. The cost of the meals for both face-to-face and online learning students will be determined by a student’s eligibility based on Free, Reduced, or Paid.  

(All students may participate in curbside pickup from Aug. 24 to Sept. 4. Beginning Sept. 8, curbside pickup is only available for students enrolled in online learning from  9–10 a.m.) 

Online Learning Students 

  • Meals will be available for curbside pickup by parents/legal guardians/students on weekdays from 9–10 a.m. (The time is adjusted so Child Nutrition staff can also prepare lunch for students on campus for face-to-face learning.) 
  • For families with multiple students who attend different campuses, (e.g., one student at a middle school and one student at a high school), meals for all students in the family may be picked up at a campus attended by at least one student in the family.  
  • The individual picking up the meal(s) will have the option of picking up lunch, breakfast, or both. (Students will not be allowed to eat their meal(s) on campus.)  

Those who qualify for reduced or paid meals may pay with cash, but we recommend putting money into your student’s meal account via www.mypaymentsplus.com.  

Face-to-face Learning Students 

  • Meals will be served on disposable trays along with plasticware. 
  • Appropriate social distancing will be followed as much as is possible in the serving lines and while eating. 

Note: Meals are only available for students enrolled in Birdville ISD and will not be served when the District is closed for holidays. 

Transportation Needed?

School Bus

Attention Parents: If you live further than two miles from your child’s school, and your child will be riding the bus to and from school every day, you must notify your child’s campus before the first day of face-to-face instruction on Tuesday, Sept. 8. This will allow the District to make necessary plans for bus routes for the 2020–21 school year. 

Since the District may not be able to maintain social distancing on the bus, families are encouraged to drop students off, carpool, or walk with their students to school to reduce possible virus exposure on buses. Bus riders must wear a cloth or paper mask covering their mouth and nose before they will be allowed on the bus, and they must continue to wear their masks while on the bus. 

Can parents walk their student to class the first day/week? Can I have lunch with my elementary child?

Parents walking kids to bathroom

Attention Parents: For face-to-face learners, when schools reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 8, Birdville ISD campuses will remain closed to outside visitors. Parents will not be able to walk their students to the classroom, visit classrooms, or join students for meals. If parents need to meet with the teacher or campus administrator, they are asked to contact the front office to schedule a virtual conference call.