Update #7: Roadmap to Reopening Klein ISD
We continue to plan for a successful 2020-2021 school year in Klein ISD, and we sincerely appreciate your patience as we receive ever-evolving guidance from our state and local officials regarding how to provide a safe and excellent learning environment for our students, teachers, and staff. We remain fully committed to clearly communicating information regarding how Klein ISD will support the health and safety of all students and staff in our care.
In this update, you’ll find:
- Message from Superintendent Dr. Jenny McGown
- Questions and Support
Message from Superintendent Dr. Jenny McGown
Hello, Klein families!
I wanted to update you on where we stand as we continue to plan for the upcoming school year.
As we have shared, we will begin the school year on August 19 in Klein Online for all students, and we are committed to reevaluating the conditions the week of August 24. Although we will begin virtually, the goal we are all still aiming toward is to open our schools up for on-campus learning safely as soon as possible. As has been our plan from the beginning, we want to provide that choice for our families.
The challenge is that our local health authorities continue to say that it is not safe. The ambiguity, the vagueness of the word “safe” after months of living through this pandemic is also where our problem and often our frustration lies.
Last week at my request, I met directly with local officials from Harris County Public Health to convey my significant concerns regarding the 2020-2021 school year. During this meeting and in a follow-up letter, we asked for a reasonable, reachable goal based on reliable metrics that we can work toward together. We need to feel confident in safely bringing our students and staff back together on campus. We need to know what “safe” is.
School officials have been directed by the CDC and other agencies to work in partnership with local health officials regarding plans for on-campus education, which we’ve been committed to doing. We’ve been running a race without knowing where the finish line is. Our local health authorities must present a reasonable marker based on reliable metrics, so we all know what “safe” means. So that we know when it’s safe to return to on-campus learning without compromising the health and safety of our staff, students, and families. Together, we can work to make achieving that marker a reality. We may all be facing the unknown, but we can face the unknown as one, not divided; using facts, not fear; with hope, not despair.
Like many of you, we want our school buildings filled with happy, safe, and healthy students, teachers, and staff. We want to get back to football games, concerts, and other activities that bring our community together and showcase our students’ talents and passions. With the lives of 54,000 students and thousands of employees in our care, we continue to keep our Klein community’s health and safety at the heart of every decision.
Stay with us, work alongside us, and lean in together as a Klein Family and Klein Community, and we will arrive on the other side of this crisis, stronger and better for each other and our students.
Questions & Support
We know you may have 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.
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 committed to keeping all Klein ISD families updated and informed of any potential changes to our reopening plans.
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.
Help Us Share Your Story
There are so many incredible individuals in the Klein Family making a lasting impact on our community. We want to recognize and celebrate our leaders and learners that are cultivating talent, building relationships, reimagining learning and making Promise2Purpose a reality daily. Share your story here: https://kleinfamily.net
