PISD Health Update #7-Friday, March 20, 2020

Posted Date: 05/26/2021

Good evening Pampa ISD students, staff, families, and community.  I have been so inspired by the work of our Pampa ISD administrators and leadership team.  They have been working non-stop to develop solutions so we can provide our staff and families with information and services.  We hope that you are still enjoying your spring break and we sincerely hope that the information in this update is useful to you and helps answer many of your questions.

We know these are uncertain times, but we do know one thing for certain:  We are living and working in an amazing community and we appreciate your support and grace during this time.  We encourage everyone to embrace these #moments with their families and cherish each one of them.  We will get through this and the Pampa Community will be stronger on the other side.

Blessings,

Dr. Tanya Larkin, Superintendent

Pampa ISD Parent and Family

FAQ: COVID-19

Updated March 20, 2020

Pampa ISD continues to closely monitor the situation surrounding COVID-19 and remains in close contact with local and state officials as well as area superintendents. New information is emerging daily, so we ask that families please continue to extend their grace and patience with us as we navigate this unprecedented time. We will update and add to the following questions and answers as new information becomes available. If you have a question that is not addressed below, please send an email to pampaisdinfo@pampaisd.net

1. How will we be notified of changes and updates regarding school closure and at-home learning?

Pampa ISD will continue to use multiple platforms to address parents, students, and community regarding school closure, operational adjustments, and possible at-home learning including Remind, Facebook, email, automated phone calls, and our district website.  On Monday, March 23, all Pampa ISD students and parents will be contacted via phone in order to gain more information about the support needed for at-home learning and food service.  Parents can send any questions to pampaisdinfo@pampaisd.net

All campus offices will be closed; however, we will have an operator to answer questions and take messages daily from 9 am-1:00 pm at 806-669-4700.  If they are not able to answer your question, you will receive a call back from the appropriate staff within 24 hours.

2. How will meals be provided to students?

All students will have access to meals.  On Thursday, March 26^th, we will begin providing food at several distribution locations listed below.  Students MUST BE PRESENT in order to pick up the meals. Students may arrive in cars or on foot. Foodservice is provided for all students of PISD and all children ages 1-18.

All times for Food Distribution will be 7:30-9:30 am and 11:30-1:30 pm M-F

3. What is the plan for learning?

Parents, we are here to support you!  We encourage you to set up a space for learning in your home.  In this space, have paper and pen/pencil, crayons or map pencils, and a computer/tablet/phone with internet access (if available).

Our plan is to launch distance learning on Monday, March 30^th.  We are working very hard to finalize no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech distance learning for all of our PK-12 Students.  We will get that information to you ASAP through our Pampa ISD Website.

4. What if I don’t have the internet or a computer/digital device at home?

On Monday, March 23, you will receive a phone call from one of your PISD teachers.  Let him/her know about your needs for the internet and computer/digital device.  We are working with RESOUND to get internet service for you at home while we are engaging in at-home learning.  We will also be able to check out a computer for you to use during closure.  We will have our computers checked out to students who have a need during the Food Distribution Sites listed above. 

5. What will happen with graduation?

It is too soon to make a decision about graduation.  The district has established a Graduation Committee to formulate plans in the event that we are unable to host a traditional graduation.  We will make certain that the class of 2020 has a graduation celebration, even if it is not traditional.

6. What will happen with prom?

It is too soon to make a decision about prom.  We realize that this is difficult for your students; however, we would rather hope for the best than make a quick decision too early on Prom.

7. What will happen with STAAR tests?

On March 16, the governor waived STAAR testing for the state of Texas for 2019-20.  He also requested a waiver from the Federal Government (DOE) to waive the federal requirements for testing this year.  We anticipate that waiver to be approved soon.  If a graduating senior still needs to pass EOC tests, he/she will be able to sit for an Individual Graduation Committee (IGC).  Children currently enrolled in EOC tested subjects will essentially be given a waiver for the test for the remainder of their high school career if they are currently passing the course.  Our teachers will be reaching out to students to ensure that they have support to successfully complete our EOC courses: English 1, English 2, Algebra 1, U.S. History, and Biology.  For more information on this from the Texas Education Agency you can click here… https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Updated_Assessment_FAQ_March%2019%20.pdf

8. What will happen with dual credit classes at Clarendon College Pampa Center (CCPC)?

Dual Credit Courses from Clarendon College will continue to be online as they have been all year. Students who are currently enrolled in DC courses should receive an email from their instructors at CCPC between March 23-27^th.  Classes will resume online on March 30, 2020. 

9. What will happen with class rank and GPA for seniors?

For our high school students, we intend to freeze class rank and GPA at the end of the first semester.   During this COVID-19 time period, we will still digitally gather student work/artifacts of learning and provide feedback.  Grades will be collected but will be in a non-traditional manner.  We will get you more information on this soon.

10. How are we cleaning and sanitizing our buildings?

Using our professionally trained custodial service, we have and will continue to deep-clean all schools using CDC-approved materials and equipment purchased through GermBlast.  Our custodial staff and maintenance teams continue to work using social distancing practices.  Touchpoints, such as desks, doors, and other high touch areas, have been sanitized daily.  

11. What do I do if my child(ren) shows signs of illness?

Should your child or a family member exhibit symptoms, medical professionals and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) are advising that you call your family doctor.  Your family doctor will determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.  For the vast majority of cases, people will recover at home with fluids, over-the-counter medication, and rest.  More information can be found on our Pampa COVID-19 Webpage or the CDC website.

12. What do I tell my child(ren) about the virus and how do I help them understand what is happening?

Please see the resources below to help with discussing COVID-19 with your children.

1. Panhandle PBS
2. National Association of School Psychologists

13. What if I need counseling support for my child?

If you have a counseling need for your child during the school closure, please reach out to pampaisdinfo@pampaisd.net with the name of your child, campus, and your concern.  A counselor will contact you.

14. How will my child receive support for special education and/or dyslexia?

These are unprecedented times; the guidance we receive from TEA and other agencies has been changing daily. On Monday, March 23, Special Education and/or dyslexia staff will be reaching out to parents to determine the best way to proceed in continuing to provide the supplemental services that are in their students’ current IEP and/or 504 plan.  Any future ARD/504 meetings that may need to be held will be through phone conferencing.  Special Education/Dyslexia staff will also be reaching out to children who are served to check on progress. Special education teachers will be providing accommodations and materials to the PISD learning plan.

15. My family’s financial status has changed; do I qualify for free and reduced lunch and breakfast now?

Every child in PISD will receive access to two meals daily during the period of school closure regardless of free and reduced status.  If your family’s financial status has changed, you can complete the application for free and reduced lunch here:

Apply Here

16. Does the district need any volunteers to help deliver or serve food?

We appreciate the request of so many in our community to help.  We want to limit contact and follow our district and federal procedures and guidelines, so at this time, our PISD staff will manage food preparation and delivery. If your business/organization is providing aid/relief to students and families and would like to be listed on the PISD website… please visit our VIP site to register with us.

17. Will students have to make up the days we miss in the summer?

During these unprecedented times, it is hard to answer this question—yet.  PISD will submit an attestation to the Texas Education Agency documenting our missed days and our efforts to continue learning and providing services to our students.  We do not anticipate that students will have to “make up” days at the end of the year as we are supporting at-home learning.  We will provide more guidance on this as we receive it from TEA.

18. How will attendance be taken during at-home learning?

This will vary somewhat.  Elementary students will check in on Dojo and Secondary students will complete a google form each day.  This information will be forthcoming in the instructional plans in the coming days.  Teachers will be monitoring work and documenting student academic progress along the way.  Formal attendance-taking procedures will not resume until we resume regular operations.

19. How will Advanced Placement testing work?

a.  The AP Program is developing resources to help schools support student learning during extended closures, as well as a solution that would allow students to test at home, depending on the situation in May. Additional information will be posted soon.

b.  More guidance is available on the College Board website.

20. What if my child already paid for a trip that is canceled/postponed?

Our directors are working diligently to gather information about cancellation dates, and options for rescheduling trips.  We will have more information on this soon and your student will be notified of changes and updates from their director via REMIND.

21. What if I don’t feel safe for my child to return to school?

Once school resumes, if you do not feel safe for your child to return to school due to concerns regarding COVID-19, please keep the child at home and provide documentation to the school that concern of COVID-19 is the reason for the child’s absence.  If you kept your child home prior to March 13 due to concerns of COVID-19, please let your campus know via email.

22. How do I enroll in or withdraw from Pampa ISD during the school closure?

If you need to enroll in Pampa ISD during the school closure, call PISD at 806-669-4700 between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM.  We will help you walk through the online enrollment procedure and connect you to your campus principal.  Your campus principal will connect your child(ren) to their new teachers, and we will make sure you have all you need to begin at-home learning.

Should you need to withdraw during this time of school closure, please call PISD at 806-669-4700.  We will ask you to bring any materials you have from the district (Chromebook, books, etc) to the central office at 1233 N Hobart St. by appointment.  We will assist you in the withdrawal process during the appointment.

Published on 03/20/2020