- Houston Independent School District
- Communicable Diseases Updates
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The Houston Independent School District is closely monitoring active communicable disease viruses and is in contact with the Centers for Disease Control, Texas Department of State Health Services and Houston Health Department to ensure all students and staff members are safe and updated with the latest information.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 Guidelines
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What are the guidelines for COVID-19 exposed, presumed, or confirmed positive individuals?
Confirmed Presumed Who does this apply to? Individual with a positive COVID-19 test result.
Individual with one or more COVID-19 symptom.
Isolation Time Isolate for 24 hours.
One should continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
Isolate for 24 hours.
Requirements to Return to Work/School Individuals may return to normal activities after 24 hours have passed, symptoms are improving, and fever free (without use of fever-reducing medications).
Individuals may return to normal activities after 24 hours have passed, symptoms are improving, and fever free (without use of fever-reducing medications).
Guidance for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals If you test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms, you must isolate for 24 hours, regardles
Recommended for an additional 5 days to wear a mask, social distance, and e
If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves, without the use of fever reducing medications.
If you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, it is recommended that you isolate for 24 hours or get tested, regardless of vaccination/ boosted status.
Recommended for an additional 5 days to wear a mask, social distance, and enhancing hygiene practices.
If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves, without the use of fever reducing medications.
For more information, see HISD's Procedural Guidelines for COVID-19 Exposure, Presumed, or Confirmed Positive Individuals.
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What happens if there is a confirmed or suspected communicable disease in my school?
- Students exhibiting symptoms of a recognized communicable disease must be kept in the Health Office, away from others, until picked up by a parent/guardian.
The school nurse will document any confirmed communicable disease cases in HISD’s electronic health record. If campuses do not have a school nurse, the principal will fulfill these duties.
- Students exhibiting symptoms of a recognized communicable disease must be kept in the Health Office, away from others, until picked up by a parent/guardian.
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What should families do if a student gets a communicable disease?
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If a student becomes infected with a communicable disease, they must notify their campus, stay home and isolate following CDC guidelines for that disease. Contact your School Nurse or consult with your medical provider for further treatment guidance.
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Will I be notified if there is a communicable disease case on my campus?
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If a confirmed communicable disease case is detected in a classroom or campus, parents/caregivers will be notified in accordance with the recommendation from the Houston Health Department.
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What are the guidelines for employees?
- All HISD campus and non-campus staff must self-monitor and will be required to isolate if any of these conditions are met:
- Lab-confirmed COVID-19 or other communicable disease case
If a staff member tests positive for any communicable disease, including COVID-19, they must complete the communicable disease self-reporting form available in myHISD Portal and notify the appropriate campus administrator and campus nurse, or department supervisor. It is the employee's responsibility to complete the communicable disease self-reporting form.
If staff are at work when meeting any of the above conditions, they must leave immediately. Otherwise, they are instructed to remain at home and notify their immediate supervisor. In the interest of all HISD stakeholders, staff meeting any of the above conditions are strongly encouraged to seek medical attention and get tested for any communicable disease.
Effective August 1, 2022, HISD will no longer offer COVID-19 paid sick leave. All employees incurring absences on or after August 1, 2022, will be required to submit their absences in OneSource per the district’s absence-reporting procedures. Employees can use other available leave days (i.e. state, local, vacation) to cover these absences when sick.
- All HISD campus and non-campus staff must self-monitor and will be required to isolate if any of these conditions are met:
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Could my school or building be closed?
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We do not anticipate full or partial school closures. Should deteriorating conditions warrant the closure of a campus, classroom, or portion of a classroom, that determination will be made on a case-by-case basis by HISD Health & Medical Services in consultation with local health agencies. These decisions are based on all the evidence and totality of circumstances and in alignment with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While done in consultation with local health agencies, the HISD Superintendent of Schools will make the final decision on any closures.
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General
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Will uniforms be required this school year?
- Student should adhere to the dress code standards set by
their campus.
If your family needs assistance with clothing, submit a
Student Assistance Form to HISD’s Wraparound Services
Department via HoustonISD.org/SAF.
- Student should adhere to the dress code standards set by
Safety Protocols
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What safety protocols will be in place this year?
- Masks—Masks are highly encouraged for both students and staff that may need additional layers of protection or are currently sick. Masks are no longer mandatory inside or outside of HISD schools, buildings, or buses.
- Self-Monitoring—Students, staff, and visitors are asked to monitor their health and stay home when sick.
- Vaccinations—Vaccinations are our first line of defense against COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. The district hosts several vaccination clinics. Additional details and vaccination locations in the city of Houston can be found online at HoustonEmergency.org/COVID-19-Vaccines.
- COVID-19 Guidelines—The district has outlined guidance and protocols for confirmed individuals.
- COVID-19 Testing—HISD encourages all students and staff to participate in COVID-19 and/or Flu screening testing if they are experiencing any symptoms that may indicate COVID, Flu, or other communicable diseases.
- Hygiene—Students, staff, and visitors are encouraged to wash/ sanitize their hands regularly. Sanitization stations will be maintained at all HISD schools, facilities, and buildings.
- Sanitization and Disinfection—All district schools and buildings will continue to be cleaned, disinfected, and fogged nightly with hospital-grade disinfectants as a precautionary measure. Hand sanitizer and other cleaning and disinfecting supplies will be provided in all schools, buildings, and buses.
- Physical Distancing—While no longer required, physical distancing of at least three feet is encouraged indoors as space allows. Assigned seating will be required in classrooms.
- In-Person Gatherings—In-person gatherings, meetings, and events are allowed with no restrictions or limitations.
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Is entry screening required?
Students, parents, employees, and visitors are required to self-monitor and should not enter any district school, building or bus when sick or experiencing symptoms of a recognized communicable disease.
EMPLOYEES
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All HISD employees are required to self-monitor and are encouraged to stay home and follow the notification procedures set by their campus or department. It is the employee’s responsibility to complete the communicable disease self-reporting form available in myHISD Portal and notify the appropriate campus administrator and campus nurse, or department supervisor if they have a positive communicable disease diagnosis. Employees must notify their supervisor when sick or experiencing symptoms of a recognized communicable disease.
STUDENTS & VISITORS
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Parents and guardians are advised to monitor their children and check for symptoms of a communicable disease before sending their children to school. Children should stay home when sick or exhibiting symptoms of a communicable disease.
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Visitors at all HISD Schools and Buildings: All scheduled visitors must self-monitor for symptoms and stay home when sick.
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Will my child be required to wear a mask while at school?
Masks within HISD schools, facilities, and school buses are optional. Students, staff, and any other HISD stakeholders that may need an additional layer of protection or are exhibiting symptoms of a communicable disease are highly encouraged to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.
Anyone wanting to wear a mask can still request one when entering an HISD building.
Exceptions and reasonable accommodations will be made for those with a documented medical disability.
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How often will schools be sanitized?
All district schools and buildings will continue to be cleaned, disinfected, and fogged nightly with hospital-grade disinfectants as a precautionary measure. Hand sanitizer and other cleaning and disinfecting supplies will be provided in all school, buildings, and buses.
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Will visitors be allowed on school campuses and other HISD facilities?
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Schools and buildings are allowed to have visitors, including after-school program staff, as well as parents and community members who have been approved through the Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) program and have appointments. Parents registering their children for school are also allowed.
Masks are highly encouraged for visitors who may need additional layers of protection or who are currently sick. Visitors experiencing symptoms of a recognized communicable disease must stay home and will not be allowed on HISD premises.
For more information on VIPS and to register as a volunteer: HoustonISD.org/VIPS.
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Technology & Online Resources
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How do parents obtain technology for students?
- Wireless hotspot devices will be made available to any student who does not have access to broadband internet at home. Parents should contact their campus for technology needs.
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Can I still use online resources provided last year?
- Yes. Digital resources and learning materials are still available to all students and staff through the HISD HUB. These resources include digital lessons in the HUB, Imagine Math, Imagine Language, MyOn, and MackinVIA.
Bus Service & Student Meals
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How will bus service work this year?
- Transportation Services is resuming normal operations and bus service at full capacity. Students and bus operators are highly encouraged to wear masks when needing additional layers of protection or are sick. Assigned seating is no longer required.
Students must sanitize their hands and scan their bus badge upon boarding. Buses will be cleaned and sanitized regularly with hospital-grade disinfectant as a precautionary measure. Each bus will be equipped with hand sanitizer, disinfectant, towels, and first aid supplies.
All students are required to self-monitor and should stay home if experiencing symptoms of a recognized communicable disease.
For more information, visit HoustonISD.org/Transportation.
- Transportation Services is resuming normal operations and bus service at full capacity. Students and bus operators are highly encouraged to wear masks when needing additional layers of protection or are sick. Assigned seating is no longer required.
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How will student meals be provided this year?
- Nutrition Services is resuming normal operations and offerings, including breakfast in the classroom and lunch in the cafeteria, as well as snack and dinner service at select campuses. All student health, medical and special dietary needs, as well as allergy concerns, will be accommodated.
All schools will continue to operate under the Universal Free Breakfast program. Houston ISD will continue its policy to operate the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the School Year 2022 - 2023. Schools qualifying to operate CEP serve breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal applications for free, reduced-price, and paid student meals. This approach reduces burdens for both families and school administrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals.
The following schools listed will transition to completing the Free and Reduced - Price Meals Household Application for School Year 2022 - 2023. The application process will identify each student as Free, Reduced, or Paid for all meals/snacks consumed. Student eligibility status is kept confidential. The application and instructions will be available online, and hard copies will also be available.
- Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (Kinder HSPVA)
- Harvard Elementary
- Horn Elementary
- Mark Twain Elementary
- Travis Elementary
- Oak Forest Elementary
- River Oaks Elementary
- West University Elementary
- Roberts Elementary
- Nutrition Services is resuming normal operations and offerings, including breakfast in the classroom and lunch in the cafeteria, as well as snack and dinner service at select campuses. All student health, medical and special dietary needs, as well as allergy concerns, will be accommodated.
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Can schools/parent groups resume selling food on campus?
- Competitive food sales — food sold by schools, parent groups, booster clubs, and outside vendors — are prohibited.
Academics and Extracurriculars
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Will extracurricular and fine arts activities be allowed?
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Competitions and practices, as well as extracurricular activities and performances, will take place following campus guidelines.
All indoor and outdoor competitions, practices, and extracurricular activities/performances occurring at HISD facilities will allow spectators.
Masks are optional and highly encouraged for attendees needing additional layers of protection or are sick.
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Will field trips be allowed?
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Non-athletic field trips, including enrichment and curricular trips, are permitted with no restrictions or limitations.
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Can my child participate in University Interscholastic League Athletics and Activities?
- Yes. All athletic competitions and practices and on-campus extracurricular activities are permitted following campus guidelines.
Special Education
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Who qualifies for a TDLP?
- Every student with disabilities who is enrolled on a physical HISD campus is eligible.
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How does a TDLP work?
- TDLP is discussed and agreed-upon during the ARD-IEP committee meeting. It is an official ARD-IEP document and cannot be discussed or agreed upon outside of the ARD-IEP process.
- TDLP documents for students with disabilities include selected goals, accommodations, services that will be provided and the method of delivery (synchronous/asynchronous) to ensure continuity of learning while engaged in virtual instruction or remote conferencing.
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Does a TDLP continue when a student with disabilities returns to school?
- TDLP is not applicable when students with disabilities return to face-to-face instruction. Full execution of the IEP occurs upon the students return to face-to-face instruction.
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Are there any special considerations related to TDLP?
- In-State Transfers: 30 days to conduct an ARD-IEP to address special education services for the incoming student. The TDLP must be addressed during the transfer ARD process. Students within the state of Texas, as a federal and state requirement, must have a virtual instruction or remote conferencing contingency plan or an ARD amendment to address student services. This document should accompany the incoming IEP. Should the need arise for virtual instruction or remote conferencing, execute with fidelity. This contingency plan/amendment must be executed and in place until the transfer ARD has been conducted.
- Out-of-State Transfers: For students receiving special education services that transfer from other states, the incoming IEP must be executed until the transfer ARD/IEP meeting occurs within the first 30 days of enrollment. These students may or may not have a virtual instruction or remote conferencing plan already in place. Should the need arise for the student to access virtual instruction or remote conferencing, the current IEP should be implemented to the maximum extent possible. An ARD/IEP meeting should be convened as soon as possible and a TDLP developed and reviewed. If special education services are not implemented during the period of virtual instruction or remote conferencing, then compensatory services should be considered at the next ARD/IEP meeting.
Assistance for families
Resources for employees
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Work for HISD? Visit the HISD Human Resources website to find out how to request accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Resources
- Monkeypox Information - Houston Health Department
- Mask Guidelines – Harris County Public Health (English)
- Mask Guidelines – Harris County Public Health (Spanish)
- Poster: Stop Spread of Germs (English)
- Poster: Stop Spread of Germs (Spanish)
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- HISD Health & Medical Services