• HEALTH & SAFETY PLAN 2021-2022

    • Judson ISD Health & Safety Plan
      Back Together.  Back to Better.
      Judson ISD is excited to start the new school year back together!  We are committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for our students to learn and thrive.  We will continue to consult with and review the guidance issued by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as well as local, state and national public health officials to ensure the safety of our students, staff and community.  The following School Health and Safety Plan is a guideline that all schools and departments will follow.  Each campus will develop their specific procedures using this guidance.  Our protocols should help prevent the spread of contagious illnesses and keep our Judson community safe.  Changes and revisions to the protocols in this document will likely occur throughout the year due to the changing health status within our communities or directives from governmental entities. We appreciate your support and welcome you back to better!

      Health & Safety Guidelines
      Social and Emotional Well-Being
      Students’ social and emotional well-being are a top priority as we return to in-person instruction. Together, schools and families can support your child during this challenging time. With the endless COVID-19 coverage, it is natural for your child to experience some changes in behavior and mood. Counselors and staff will continue to work closely with families and students to ease the stress. Keeping routines predictable, sharing COVID-19 facts that are age-appropriate, making time to listen and share feelings, and reaching out to us for support are all important. We are in this together.
      Student Self-Screening
      Per the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, initial monitoring of symptoms begins at home. Parents/guardians are expected to screen their children each day for symptoms of contagious illness, including COVID-19, as well as any known close contact with a person who has had COVID-19 in the last 14 days prior to sending their child to school.  Students are recommended to stay home or seek medical care if he/she is experiencing any of the following symptoms:
      • Fever or chills
      • New or worsening cough or shortness of breath
      • Sore throat
      • Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
      • Fatigue
      • Muscle or body aches
      • Headache
      • Congestion or runny nose
    • As with any illness, students may not return to school if they have a fever of 100.0 or above.  Students may return after being fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication.  If the student is lab-confirmed with COVID-19, see the Isolation & Quarantine Protocols section.
      Masks
      Effective Monday, August 23, 2021, Judson ISD is implementing a temporary mask mandate. This temporary mask madate applies to all Judson ISD students, staff, and visitors.  Face masks must be worn indoors, on buses and district vehicles. Disposable masks will be available should an individual need one.
      We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments to our plan as necessary.
      Social Distancing
      Students, staff and visitors will be encouraged to engage in social distancing whenever possible.
      Handwashing/Sanitizing
      Students, staff and visitors will be asked to use hand sanitizer when entering a bus, building, classroom, and/or office.  Frequent handwashing will be encouraged throughout the school day and hand sanitizer will be readily available in all district buildings.
      Routine Cleaning
      High-touch surfaces in learning areas will be cleaned daily, routinely and frequently. Buses, classrooms, and other common areas within the school will be thoroughly disinfected daily and deep cleaning schedules will be regularly conducted.
      Restrooms and Water Fountains
      Social distancing, to the extent possible, and hand washing will be a priority during restroom breaks.  Students may bring water bottles (reusable or disposable) and may use water fountains to fill their water bottles at school.  Water fountains will not be used for drinking due to the shared surfaces.
      Visitors
      Visitors will be allowed on campuses and buildings at limited capacity.  Effective August 23, 2021, visitors will only be allowed on campuses and buildings at a limited capacity and by appointment.  After this date, parents may not enter the campus to drop off students. 
      Transportation
      Parents/guardians should screen children daily before allowing them to board the bus.  Students will use hand sanitizer as they enter the bus.  Disposable masks will be available should an individual need one.  Windows may be open to increase air circulation and buses will be thoroughly disinfected between bus routes.  To the extent possible, children that live in the same household will be seated together.

      Isolation and Quarantine Protocols
      Displaying Symptoms- Isolation Protocols
      Judson ISD procedures will continue to be followed for any contagious illness if symptoms are shown.  Any student who shows possible contagious symptoms which require them to leave school will be separated and isolated in the nurse’s office until the student can be picked up by a parent/guardian.
      Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Case- Quarantine Protocols
      Staff must report to their immediate supervisor and Employee Services via email or phone, if they are lab-confirmed with COVID-19.  Parents/guardians of students who are lab-confirmed with COVID-19 must keep their child and siblings at home and notify the school nurse.  Lab-confirmed individuals are required to stay at home and may not return to a campus or building until all of the following conditions have been met:
      • 24 hours with no fever without fever reducing medication
      • Symptoms improved
      • 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared or from the date of positive test
    • Notification
      While school districts are not required to conduct contact tracing for a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19, Judson ISD will communicate positive student/campus staff cases to the specific class or grade level group.  Per TEA Public Health Guidance, parents may opt to keep their student at home during the recommended stay-at-home period if they are determined to have been in close contact/exposed.  Vaccinated individuals are not considered close contacts and are not required to isolate, however, if they are experiencing symptoms we encourage families to contact their health care provider.  Additionally, the District will report cases to Metro Health and the state as required.

      Campus Considerations
      Continuity of Instruction
      As with any illness, students who are quarantined due to a lab-confirmed case of COVID-19 or a close contact/exposure will be given work to reinforce skills that have already been taught.  Parents and teachers should remain in close communication with each other.
      Students with Disabilities
      The District will implement accommodations as determined by the student’s 504 plan or Individual Education Plan (IEP), including those necessary for health safety.  District protocols will be followed to evaluate students who have been referred for special programs.  Social distancing and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) will be used, as appropriate.
      Classroom/Building Configuration
      Teachers will monitor students throughout the day and refer them to the nurse if they exhibit symptoms.  Classrooms will be equipped with disinfectants to sanitize workstations.  Desks will be arranged to allow as much space between students as possible and desk shields may also be used.  Classroom doors may remain open to reduce the touching of door handles and increase air flow and circulation.
      Social distancing will be highly encouraged in common areas, hallways and classrooms.  Cafeteria schedules will be staggered to the extent possible.
      Extra-Curricular and Athletic Activities
      All extra-curricular and athletic events will follow COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Guidelines developed by the University Interscholastic League (UIL).

      Health Resources
      COVID-19 Testing
      Judson ISD will work with health care providers to offer COVID-19 testing for students, with parent/guardian permission, and for staff on a voluntary basis.  Rapid testing will occur on each campus throughout the district.  Results should be available within 15 minutes.
      Judson ISD will continue to partner with Community Labs to offer PCR COVID-19 testing each week at designated campuses.  This testing will be available for students, with parent/guardian permission, and for staff on a voluntary basis. Results should be available within 24 hours.  More details to come.
      Vaccinations
      Judson ISD is working with various health care providers to schedule voluntary vaccination clinics to provide the COVID-19 and other vaccines to students, employees, and community members.  Many campuses will be hosting vaccine clinics at their beginning of year events.