Update #4: Roadmap to Reopening Klein ISD

We hope you are healthy, well-rested, and ready for the opening of the 2020-2021 school year. We know that you have been anticipating Klein ISD’s reopening plans. Despite the changing circumstances and challenges presented by continued public health uncertainty, Klein ISD remains committed to providing the best possible learning environment and outstanding educational learning experiences for every student in our care.

In this update:

• Choose Klein Online or Klein On-Campus by July 24, 2020
• Klein Online and Klein On-Campus Experience Highlights
• Health and Safety Expectations for Klein On-Campus
• Questions & Support

Our Roadmap to Reopening Klein ISD prioritizes both the safety of students and staff, as well as the delivery of high-quality teaching and learning experiences focused on excellent and equitable outcomes for all students. 

Choose Klein Online or Klein On-Campus by July 24, 2020

After listening and gathering feedback from our students, families, and employees and carefully examining current and ever-evolving guidance from local health officials and the Texas Education Agency, Klein ISD has determined it best to offer our Klein ISD families a choice of two learning options for the 2020-2021 school year: Klein On-Campus and Klein Online. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics “strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.” In listening to feedback from our families, we know there are many families in Klein ISD who are very much looking forward to their children physically returning to school on-campus when school resumes on August 19, 2020. We also know that there are families who have concerns about their children physically returning to school due to preexisting health conditions or other reasons, which is why online learning that is facilitated by a certified, Klein ISD teacher is an important option and will be available. Klein ISD will support all families in whatever decision is best for their children.

Community health data continues to change in our Klein ISD community, and we are continuously monitoring this information and adjusting our plans accordingly. We are sharing these preliminary plans with the understanding that as we get closer to August 19, 2020, plans could change based on conditions. We are committed to keeping all Klein ISD families updated and informed of any potential changes to our reopening plans.

Klein Online and Klein On-Campus Experience Highlights

Klein On-Campus

Students attend school five days a week in person at their zoned campus.*

• In-person teaching and learning are available for students on campuses following a student’s traditional schedule.
• Students will follow their daily schedule, including all courses selected and/or assigned, as well as extracurricular activities, if applicable.
• Students who require support and interventions will receive them in person. 
• Grading guidelines will be similar for Klein On-campus and Klein Online. 
• Students will be required to adhere to ever-evolving Klein ISD health and safety expectations established for the safety of students and staff within our schools.
• Per TEA Guidelines: Students in grades PK-12 will wear face coverings on buses, hallways, common areas, and when social distancing is not feasible, including in classrooms, to the extent it is developmentally appropriate. This applies to both school (indoor and outdoor) and bus settings.
• Students who receive services or accommodations through special education, gifted and talented, 504, or multilingual services will continue to receive the support and services. Please see the Special Programs Parent/Caregiver Information for more detailed information.

*If COVID-19-related disruptions arise throughout the year, school buildings may be closed for intermittent periods of time. If a campus is closed to in-person instruction, students at the impacted school will transition to Klein Online during the time of closure.

Klein Online

Students attend school five days a week at home in a virtual learning environment.

Students must have access to the Internet at home. Students must have a device for their online learning. Families of elementary-aged students without a device in the home will have an opportunity to request a loaner device, as all secondary students are issued a device through our 1:1 program.

• Klein Online is fundamentally different in design from the Klein At-Home Learning experience that returning Klein ISD students experienced at the end of the 2019-2020 school year. 
• As is the case for Klein On-campus, parents/caregivers are expected to be engaged with their children’s education but are not expected to serve as their children’s primary teacher of the academic curriculum. 
• Students will have digital access through Schoology to all their courses, as well as the option to participate in extracurricular activities on campus. 
• Students will engage daily in 100% virtual, online learning with Klein ISD certified teachers facilitating students’ learning and coursework.
• Students may have periods of daily, live instruction with certified teachers, as well as periods of self-paced, independent learning. 
• A designated daily schedule for online instruction will be provided to all Klein Online students that they will be expected to follow. Attendance will be taken for all students every school day.
• Grading guidelines will be similar for Klein On-campus and Klein Online. 
• Secondary students (grades 6-12) will have access to Career & Technical Education, Dual Credit, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate coursework through Klein Online as appropriate. Some courses/programs may require admission and on-campus activities throughout the semester. 
• Klein Online will follow all updated UIL guidelines for before and after school activities, including all fine arts and athletics. 
• Students who require additional support and interventions will receive those via video/phone conferencing based on the expectations and assessment of Klein ISD certified educators.
• Students who receive services or accommodations through special education, gifted and talented, 504, or multilingual services will continue to receive the support and services. Please see the Special Programs Parent/Caregiver Information for more detailed information. 

In order for Klein ISD to plan effectively for the start of the 2020-2021 school year, both new and returning families should declare their choice for how each of their students will participate in school— Klein On-Campus or Klein Online. This choice is a commitment for students for the first quarter of school (August 19-October 7). 

Both new and returning families should indicate their choice for each of their students in the Annual Student Information Update in the Family Access Center of the Skyward system, between July 14 and July 24, 2020, in order to ensure every student has a schedule ready for the first day of school. Families will indicate their availability of internet access at home for all students and availability of devices for their elementary-aged student(s), so that the district may plan appropriate support for Klein Online. 

Families of returning Klein ISD students who do not select an option for each of their students by July 24, 2020, will be automatically enrolled in Klein On-Campus Learning. Please help us appropriately staff and plan for a successful start of the 20-21 school year by prioritizing the completion of the Annual Student Information Update by July 24, 2020.

Health and Safety Expectations for Klein On-Campus

As we prioritize the well-being of students and staff, we have developed health & safety expectations.  As conditions change, these health guidelines may be modified as advised by local, state, and national officials.

Questions & Support

We know you may have many questions about the upcoming school year.  As we continue to gather information from state and local authorities for the return to school, we will continue to send updates to families with all new information. 

You can ask questions and access our comprehensive FAQs by visiting https://support.kleinisd.net. 

Klein ISD is committed to clearly communicating information from our state and local officials that determine how a school or the district will support the health and safety of all students and staff in our care. Regardless of changing circumstances and with a focus on the health and wellness of staff and students, Klein ISD will continue to provide an excellent learning experience for every student.

 

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Best Public Schools in Texas
Klein ISD has an established 84-year history of excellence and innovation in education with unique pathways for EVERY student in our care to ensure learners are college, career, military, and life ready. With recognition for STEM, athletics, fine arts, and academics from highly-esteemed organizations, it is clear that Our Shared Vision of every student entering with a promise and exiting with a purpose is a reality for EVERY student who walks through our doors.

About Klein ISD
Klein ISD is a school district in Klein, Texas, located in northwestern Harris County. The district spans approximately 88 square miles and serves more than 53,000 students in 33 elementary schools, 10 intermediate campuses, one high school program of choice, and 5 high schools.

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