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1/ Most Texas schools start virtual learning within the month. Shortly after that, many will be reopening their classrooms.
I visited 4 schools to see how they were preparing. Each one had different safety precautions. This is what I saw. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
I visited 4 schools to see how they were preparing. Each one had different safety precautions. This is what I saw. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
2/ At Premont ISD, a district in South Texas near Kingsville, superintendent Steve VanMatre was ready. The district welcomed back a small group of students in June and already had an idea of how the new school year was going to work. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
3/ Social distancing signs lined the hallways at eye-level for small kids at Premont Ernest H. Singleton Early College Academy. In the doorway of classrooms, teachers placed hula hoops, ready to use them as a way to socially distance kids in line. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
4/ Water fountains were swapped for water bottles. Handmade plastic partitions divided tables in the classrooms. Bulletin boards reminded kids to wave instead of hug. Sanitizing stations were set up in every classroom. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
5/ At Premont Collegiate High School next door, desks were situated 6 feet away from each other. A teacher made a barrier between themselves and their students with a table at the front of the classroom. Coaches got turned locker rooms into meeting spaces. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
6/ Like the elementary school, signs mandating masks and social distancing lined the hallways. The high school was preparing to welcome back about 230 students — 70% of its usual population. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
7/ The superintendent thinks often about the worst case scenario: A student or staff member testing positive and dying. "That's a terrible responsibility that could have terrible consequences regardless of how well your protocols are implemented.” https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
8/ When I got to Judson High School in Converse, the teachers and I were in for a surprise: Construction nearby had cut a line for the internet, so Wi-Fi was down most of the morning. Teachers were supposed to have online training, but that didn’t happen. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
9/ Teachers went through closets that hadn’t been touched since spring break and rearranged their classrooms instead. When the Wi-Fi came back on, the planning started. Teachers worked on virtual lesson plans, syllabi and Zoom meeting presentations. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
10/ Unlike Premont, Judson’s hallways weren’t lined with social distancing signs. It was fairly empty. The library had plastic partitions on desks and stacks of books blocked off and the main office had plexiglass in front of the receptionists. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
11/ Teachers were given a bottle of disinfectant spray, hand sanitizer and paper towels. They set up their classrooms the best they could following social distancing guidelines. One teacher researched air ventilation guidelines before arranging her room. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
12/ In San Antonio, staff and visitors at Paul W. Ott Elementary are required to scan a code and fill out a COVID-19 symptom survey before entering. The school has set up a visitor check-in station. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
13/ Here, Legos and other toys in pre-K and kindergarten classrooms are individually bagged. Teachers are thinking through desk placement and where to put workshops. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
14/14 One common thing I heard from everyone I spoke to: School will look different this year. https://bit.ly/3fUdYhN
