Dr. Allen’s focus for the '20-'21 school year is to increase attendance (virtual and on -campus), increase the percentage of students reading at or above grade level, reduce the number of “Improvement Required” campuses to zero while increasing the number of A and B-rated campuses, and to break the cycle of poverty in our community. The transition team she formed worked diligently to put together a plan to return to school safely this fall. The team conducted several surveys during the spring and summer that asked for responses and feedback on the re-entry plan. Safety was always the number one concern of respondents to the surveys, with strong feedback that students who are ill must stay at home. Dr. Allen pointed out that with the advances made in online instruction since the spring any students that do stay home will be able to access the portal and complete the necessary work to keep from falling behind. The school calendar was revised with some extra days built into the fall and spring schedule as contingencies for possible school closings due to COVID. Virtual classes started on August 17th. The first 4 weeks will be online only. September 14th is scheduled to be the first day of in-person classes, however, the district has applied for an additional 4-week online-only period which they will implement if approved and if needed. Dr. Allen said that she was very proud of all her staff for making the transition to virtual classrooms. Parents will have the option of continuing virtual learning or sending their kids to school when in-person learning starts again. They will also be able to change at the end of each grading period, if they so choose.

Dr. Allen pointed out that it is probable that some schools will be required to close for a few days for intensive cleaning if significant cases arise. The high schools only will operate on an alternate day schedule, with half the students attending MWF one week and TTH the next, and the other half doing the opposite. All students needing one can pick up a MIFI hotspot to overcome connection issues. iPad-type devices have been ordered for every student, but not all have arrived, as the District is competing with every other District in the country for technology. BISD was lucky to be the recipient of a grant from T-Mobile which bought the MIFI access for all students.

BISD personnel have done all they can to socially distance students in the classrooms, with desks reconfigured and class sizes limited. All students 4th grade and up returning to campus will be required to wear a mask or face shield at all times except when eating lunch. All students will be screened for symptoms daily. All campuses will be closed to visitors until further notice, and sanitizing will be ongoing and frequent. All bus riders and drivers will be required to wear masks. “Grab and Go” Meals are currently being served to students at certain locations in the District so that families who rely on that can still receive the needed assistance for their children. All athletics will start later but are currently still on the schedule. Fewer fans will be allowed in the stands, but games will be live streamed so that more can watch from home. All information on re-entry into learning this year can be found in the “Back to School” portal on the BISD website.

Dr. Allen emphasized that the District really needs community support during this difficult time of change. There will be bumps in the road – there will be successes and failures – but they will always have the safety and education of the kids as the number one priority of everything they do. If you wish to be an advocate for the District and help move it forward, push the reading initiatives and accentuate the positive trends happening in BISD. Be supportive and remember that this year “Every Moment Matters More”.