Dear SAISD Staff:

Everything we do is with the intention of safety. Know that we continue to gauge the current environment to determine how best to open schools for students. Our plans are responsive and evolve to adapt as needed. I want to update you as to where we stand today.

We are prepared to use the flexibility granted by the state if we feel that is necessary. We also continue to advocate with the state for even more flexibility and local decision making. Currently, we have the first eight weeks of the school year to be adaptable, and we will continue remote learning beyond Labor Day if we feel that is needed.

If COVID-19 numbers remain as high as they currently are, we are not going to bring back students right after Labor Day. Additionally, the safety procedures we are putting into place must also be ready before students return to campuses.

We are seeing many volunteers who want to participate in the first phase of teachers returning to their classrooms. We appreciate these teachers and their willingness to evaluate our new safety protocols, which will allow us to make adjustments as needed. These volunteers are invaluable in guiding the District’s safeguards and the time frame in which we begin bringing additional teachers back to campuses. 

As I noted in my previous letter, it is important that all adults on campuses are well-oriented with the new safety protocols and routines so we can support students when they begin entering this new environment. Our measured approach to phasing in teachers safely will continue.

We also want to make this workable for teachers, who may have their own children receiving remote instruction. While teachers conduct virtual learning in their classrooms, we will offer their school-age children supervision conveniently on the parent’s campus, using large spaces for social distancing such as libraries. This way each students’ learning continues seamlessly – both for the teachers’ students and for their own children.

We are a school district, and we are here to educate students. Student needs, balanced with safety, drive our work. We came together in the spring to ensure we were here for our students. I know we can do this again this fall. The Power of Us only continues to grow stronger.

Sincerely,
Pedro