Athens ISD students heading back to classroom Oct. 26
Athens ISD is ending the remote learning option put in place the beginning of the school year because of COVID-19. All students will return to class Oct. 26, with the exception of those with medical issues.
The move was announced Thursday in a letter from Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims to parents of remote learners.
“As skilled as we normally are at anticipating and preparing for challenges in this field, nothing takes the place of data,” wrote Dr. Sims. “When we started the year, we had very little. But with the first ten weeks of school behind us, we now are equipped with a critical baseline of information concerning students’ academic progress, as well as COVID-19 infection rates among our staff and students. With that information in hand, it is clear changes must be made for the success of our students and the well-being of our teachers.”
The two main factors prompting this decision are:
The COVID-19 infection rate among staff and students is about 0.5%
Over half of AISD’s remote learners failed one or more classes in the first nine weeks.
“Given the minimal virus spread to date and the academic struggles so many of our remote learners are experiencing, the district leadership and board of trustees has determined AISD will shift our approach for virtual learners and modify our At-Home Learning Guidelines,” wrote Dr. Sims.
According to the school district, this will effect about 25 percent of the district’s students.
School officials said this does not include the Virtual Academy announced by Athens ISD earlier this year. That program was in the works before the pandemic and will continue to move forward.
You can read the letter from Dr. Sims below:
Dear parent or guardian of a virtual/remote learner:
As I’m sure you all are keenly aware, 2020 is a year unlike any we’ve experienced in the history of education.
As skilled as we normally are at anticipating and preparing for challenges in this field, nothing takes the place of data. When we started the year, we had very little. But with the first ten weeks of school behind us, we now are equipped with a critical baseline of information concerning students’ academic progress, as well as COVID-19 infection rates among our staff and students. With that information in hand, it is clear changes must be made for the success of our students and the well-being of our teachers.
Student Academic Progress – During the first nine week grading period, about 45% of our students elected to participate in remote learning. Data collected from teachers and campus administrators indicates about 64% of our remote students are unsuccessful, meaning they are failing at least one class. It is apparent that despite the best efforts of our very capable educators, the virtual model has not been successful for a majority of our participating students.
COVID-19 Infection Rates – Over the course of the first ten weeks, Athens ISD had 18 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among our 3,470 students and staff (12 staff and 6 students). This is an infection rate of about half a percent. It appears that with increased safety precautions — such as wearing face coverings, extra cleaning practices, and social distancing — we have been able so far to keep the spread of the virus to a minimum.
Given the minimal virus spread to date and the academic struggles so many of our remote learners are experiencing, the district leadership and board of trustees has determined AISD will shift our approach for virtual learners and modify our At-Home Learning Guidelines.
All virtual/remote learners should report back to their assigned campuses by Monday, October 26. About 75% of all students are already back on campus. Principals, teachers, and staff will work with the remaining remote-learning families to facilitate a smooth transition to on-campus instruction. Face coverings/masks are required for all students age 10 and older, and for all students while on buses, grades PK3-12.
The following options are available to you to satisfy the compulsory education laws in Texas:
1. Return to on-campus learning (see exceptions listed below);
2. Withdraw to homeschool;
3. Enroll in a private school; or
4. Request transfer status to another district offering remote learning without restrictions.
Exceptions for returning to on-campus learning at AISD include:
1. Your child or an immediate family member living within the child’s household has a health issue that puts them at greater risk for COVID-19. In that case, your child may continue with remote learning only if a doctor’s note is provided to the school, stating the reason remote learning is necessary; or
2. Your child is required to quarantine because either they have been in close contact with someone who is confirmed to have COVID-19, they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or they are suspected to have COVID-19. With any of these circumstances, your child will become a virtual learner during the quarantine period. After the quarantine period has ended, your child will return to on-campus learning.
For students who have serious medical concerns in the household, those families may apply to continue At-Home Learning by submitting the required documents to the district office. Forms are available at the AISD administration building, located at 104 Hawn Street, which is open 7:30-5, Monday through Thursday. You may also email questions to covidconcerns@athensisd.net.
One of our challenges as educators is to find the right balance between very reasonable safety concerns and student success. We believe, given the information at our disposal today, that the advantages to on-campus learning, including better grades and social interaction, outweigh the safety concerns in most cases.
AISD is committed to providing all our students with high-level instruction and a great school experience. We do hope you understand the reasoning behind this decision and our commitment as a district to your child’s success. Thank you for partnering with us for the benefit of our children through this very difficult time.
Sincerely,
Janie Sims, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Athens ISD
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