COVID-19 Information

Dear FISD Families,

We are getting closer to our first day of school and are busy preparing for an excellent start of FISD Virtual and On-Campus Learning. We remain fully committed to communicating the information regarding how Friendswood ISD will support the health and safety of all students and staff while establishing clear protocols to support your child in FISD.

REMINDER: Our first day, Wednesday, August 26, 2020 is virtual (Except for 9th graders, PreK, ECSE,  DBC, and Quest). We will keep you updated with any new information or changes to the start of school due to Tropical Storm Laura. We are so excited to get back to learning together. 

Updates include:

• Hurricane Update
• How to complete health screener tutorial video
• Login instructions for first day of school
• Technology/Chromebooks for Virtual students
• Campus communications
• Important links shared with parents
• Emergency FISD Texts Alerts

Weather Update:  Friendswood ISD is actively monitoring Tropical Storm Laura for potential impacts it may bring to our area. This is an unpredictable storm, but there are regular conference calls scheduled with area Emergency management offices that help to inform decisions. The next call has been scheduled for later Tuesday morning with Region 4.  As always, we will take proactive steps as needed to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community. Please stay safe and heed all weather warnings from local weather experts and officials. We will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates as warranted via email and our social media accounts.

Health screener tutorial video: Watch this easy step-by-step video (or PDF) for parents on how to complete the daily health screener for your students before coming on campus. 

Google Login instructions for students: FISD is a Google district. All students log in to Google to access resources such as Canvas, Clever and Seesaw.

On a Chromebook a student will login with their email address and password (defined below). This will log them in to their Google account and they will be able to access Canvas, Clever and other resources while on their chromebook.

On a personal computer we recommend using the Chrome browser. In the Chrome browser go to Google.com Click the upper right to sign in and sign out. Sign in with a student email address and password (defined below). Once signed in to Google the student can go to myfisd.com - Parents & Students - Canvas to log in to Canvas. Locating and logging in to Canvas

On a tablet or Phone you can download the Canvas Student app, SeeSaw App (K-2), Clever App (K-5), Zoom App on your tablet or phone. video:  Student Login to Canvas on Android  video: Student Login to Canvas on iOS (IPhone or iPad).

Westwood & Cline Logins

Google Login: email address: firstnamelastname@fisdk12.org (If more than one student with the same name there will be a number at the end of their name)

Google Password: 8 digit birthdate (MMDDYYYY)

Bales and Windsong Logins

Google Login: email address: firstnamelastname@fisdk12.org (If more than one student with the same name there will be a number at the end of their name)

Google Password: 6 digit student id. Student id can be located in Skyward Family Access in Profile. 

Junior High Logins

Google Login: email address: firstnamelastname@fisdk12.org (If more than one student with the same name there will be a number at the end of their name)

Google Password: 6 digit student id. Students in grades 6 and up can go to portal.fisdk12.net  to login and change their password to a more secure password. If they set their security questions in the portal they can use it to reset a forgotten password.

High School Logins

Google Login: email address: firstnamelastname@fisdk12.org (If more than one student with the same name there will be a number at the end of their name)

Google Password: New to district students the password is their 8 digit birthdate (MMDDYYYY). All returning students should use the password they set in the spring. Students in grades 6 and up can go to portal.fisdk12.net  to login and change their password to a more secure password. If they set their security questions in the portal they can use it to reset a forgotten password.

Video: Parent Login to Canvas

Technology/Chromebooks for Grades 6-12 Virtual students:

Junior High

Virtual Learners - If you were unable to pick up your Chromebook last week, we are offering additional pick-up times. These dates and times are for all grades and alpha groups. 

Date: Tuesday, August 25

Times 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Location: FJH Bus Loop. Do not get out of your car. Put a sign in your window with your student’s first and last name. They will come to you.

High School

Virtual Learners - If you were unable to pick up your Chromebook last week, we are offering additional pick-up times. These dates and times are for all grades and alpha groups. 

Date: Tuesday, August 25

Times: 8:30am-11:30am 

12:30pm-4:00pm 

Location: Inside of the Senior Mall. Park in the senior lot and enter through the doors closest to the front entrance. We will have signs noting where to enter. Please remember to wear a mask and to practice social distancing while you wait in line. 

Campus communications: Parents should have received Back to School information from your campus principals. FISD is continuing to push out information via email and social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @Friendswood ISD. Please stay patient and do not hesitate to call your campus if you have questions regarding questions about the start of school.

Important Links:

• Reopening Plan
• K-5 Virtual Learning 
• FISD Secondary Virtual Learners
• FHS Schedule and Procedures
• FJH Back to School Protocols

Emergency text messages: FISD uses SMS text messaging to enhance our communication to the community allowing us to deliver important information to both parents and students via phone texts.  This service is not intended to replace our existing means of communication by email – rather it will enhance them.

The district will only use the SMS/text messaging service to provide information that is timely and relevant by using the phone numbers provided in Skyward Family Access under SMS notifications. Please make sure your current contact information is up to date at all times. 

Dear FISD Mustang Football Fans,

In preparation for the 2020 football season, the Friendswood High School Athletic Department would like to share some new information regarding ticket sales which will be impacted due to COVID guidelines and protocols set forth by the UIL. The Mustang Football schedule has been pushed back to accommodate these changes. The first home game of the season is October 2, 2020, at Henry Winston Stadium. Click here to view the full schedule.

The UIL has also mandated that the capacity at a high school stadium must be limited to 50% this season. As a result of the reduction in seating capacity, FISD will not issue season tickets for the 2020 football season.  

For those who have already purchased season tickets, FISD will offer two choices for the 2020 season.

1. Donate the cost of your season tickets. If you would like to donate the cost of your season tickets to FISD, email Amy Roenne at aroenne@fisdk12.net (including parking pass if purchased) no later than Friday, August 21, 2020. 

OR

2. Receive a Refund of the cost of your 2020 Season tickets (including parking if purchased). Refunds will be completed by August 31, 2020. Refunds will automatically be issued to those who do not wish to make a donation. 

Tickets that were renewed for the 2020 season will be used for renewal for 2021.

Other items to note regarding the 2020 football season:

• All 2020 tickets at Henry Winston Stadium will be sold online only through http://www.friendswoodfootball.org/tickets.html (link will also be placed on the FISD Athletics webpage closer to the beginning of the season). 

• Parents with a student participating in the event will be given a priority time slot to purchase tickets before tickets become available to the general public.

• All tickets will be $5.00 across the board. No District passes, gold cards, nor employee passes will be accepted.

  • Monday @ 9 am - Participants’ parents & District pass holders will be able to purchase (4 ticket limit). Participants include football, band, drill, cheer and trainers. The link will be distributed by the Athletic Office each week to a point of contact to distribute to their individual groups. 

  • Tuesday @ 9 am -  2020 Season Ticket holders, FISD employees & FHS students will be able to purchase (2 ticket limit). This link will go live every Tuesday morning at 9 am.

  • Wednesday @ 9 am -  all tickets will go open to the public at no limit until sold out. Links will be at located at http://www.friendswoodfootball.org/tickets.html

• All home games will be streamed at http://www.friendswoodfootball.org/

• All games will be radio broadcasted on www.live365.com search "The Stang. There is also a Live365 app you can download to stream via your device.

• No shuttles will be running for home games. 

• Parking will be first come, first served.

• Per the Governor’s Executive Order GA-29, face coverings must be worn at all times.  

• Any individual who is confirmed to have, suspected of having, is experiencing symptoms of, or has been in close contact with an individual who has been confirmed to have COVID-19, must not enter the facility. A health survey will be required upon entry.   

• Seating will only be allowed on every other row but will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

• Tickets will be sold on a weekly basis for each game.

• Tickets will not be sold at the gates on the night of football games this year at any stadium. 

• Only participants will be allowed on the field prior, during, and after the game.  

• Students younger than 6th grade will not be admitted without an adult.  Students must remain in the stands during the game and will not be permitted to gather under the stadium.

The FHS Athletic Department and FISD thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. We are looking forward to kicking off the season on October 2, 2020. Go Mustangs!

Sincerely,

Robert Koopmann

Friendswood ISD, Director of Athletics

Update Reopening of School 

August 4, 2020

FISD Parents,

We continue to plan for a successful 2020-2021 school year in Friendswood 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 FISD will support the health and safety of all students and staff in our care. 

In this update you will find:

• FISD will begin school Wednesday, August 26
• Updated Guidance from TEA 
• Reminders for the start of school
• Masks/Face Coverings Update for PreK-3rd grade
• Virtual Enrollment ends tomorrow
• Online Verification (no in-person registration)
• Education Foundation Marathon Fundraising Campaign
• Upcoming Events

FISD will begin school Wednesday, August 26: The Board voted Monday, July 27th for Friendswood ISD to begin the 2020-2021 school year virtually on 8/26 followed by a two-day phase-in on 8/27-8/28. On August 31st all students, other than those who chose the virtual learning option, will report to their assigned campus for a full day of instruction. Be looking for detailed instructions for back to school schedules and campus-specific letters coming from your principals on August 12. 

Updated Guidance from TEA:  During town halls and in our FAQ’s there have been questions about sharing updates to guidance when we receive new guidance from TEA or the state.  Recently, TEA  provided new guidance that the District has adopted.  It will be updated and reflected in the Safety Protocols housed on the Reopening page of the District website. These changes are important to take note of as we prepare together for the fall.  All deletes are marked through.

• Any individuals (students or staff) who themselves either are (a) lab confirmed to have COVID 19 or (b) experience the symptoms of COVID 19 must stay at home throughout the infection period, and cannot return to campus the campus nurse screens the individual to determine if any of the below conditions for re-entry have been met:  In the case of an individual who was diagnosed with COVID 19, the individual may return to school when all three of the following criteria are met: 1. At least three days One day  (72 Hours 24 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. 2. The individual has an improvement in symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath) 3. At least 10 days have passed since the first symptoms appeared.

• If the individual has symptoms that could be COVID 19 and wants to return to school before completing the above stay at home period, the individual must either (a) obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis or (b)  receive two separate confirmations at least 24 hours apart Receive a confirmation that they are free from COVID via acute infection tests at an approved testing center.

Important Safety Protocols to remember for the start of school:

• All parents and staff are to complete a daily health screener prior to coming on to campus. Please note: If individuals will not be coming to campus for whatever reason, a daily health screener does not need to be completed. 
• All students and staff are required to stay home if unable to affirm that symptoms of COVID are present per screener.
• No visitors allowed on campus for the first nine weeks 
• No parent walk-ups. Due to the high volume of parents gathering around school entrances, we are asking parents to stay in your cars when dropping off students.  
• All parents and staff at a campus or on a bus with a lab-confirmed positive case will be notified via Skylert.

Masks/Face Coverings Update for PreK- 3rd-grade students: We have worked alongside our teachers and campus teams as they begin to return to buildings.  Together we have been able to shape and more clearly define what will be feasible and developmentally appropriate for our Kindergarten- third-grade students in regards to wearing face coverings or shields while at school. 

PreK-3rd grade students will be required to wear face coverings or shields while entering and exiting the building and during transitions across the building (coming to and from lunch, recess, PE, etc.). In the classroom, students will not be required to wear their face covering or shields when they are at their table or desk.  When students engage in work away from their table or desk, they will be asked to put on their face covering or shield to minimize close and personal contact with peers outside of their tablemates or desk neighbors. Movement and collaboration are important developmental features of our K-3 classrooms. 

Virtual enrollment ends tomorrow: To date, approximately 19% of FISD students have enrolled in the Virtual Learning Option. All students enrolled in Friendswood ISD are considered "face to face" learners, unless they completed the virtual learning option enrollment which ends tomorrow at 5 pm. A separate email will be sent to those families confirming virtual enrollment. You may access information about virtual learning on our Reopening 2020 Webpage.

Online Verification: Parents will be receiving an email Thursday evening regarding FISD’s  Online Verification Process that opens 8/7/2020 that will need to be completed by all parents. Due to COVID restrictions, there will be no in-person folder pick-ups or in-person registration on campuses this year.

Friendswood Education Foundation: The FEF has kicked off the #WeAreMighty Marathon fundraising campaign last week. They set a goal to raise $100,000 for essential resources needed to support in-person and virtual instruction in FISD. This school year will be a marathon, not a sprint and we will cross the finish line because together #WeAreMighty! Please visit www.FISDFoundation.com today and click the teal DONATE button to contribute!

Upcoming Events:

August 5: Virtual Enrollment ends

August 7: Online verification opens

August 10: Board of Trustees meeting

August 12: All FISD Teachers/Staff returns 

August 12: Elementary campus Principals send out Back to School email to parents and students

August 20: Secondary campus Principals send out Back to School email to parents and students

August 20 - 23: Friendswood Lemonade Day Virtual 

August 24: Board Workshop 

August 26: First Day of School is Virtual (except for Freshman, PK/PPCD/ECSE/Quest/DBC)

August 27: Phase-in Day 1 

August 28: Phase-in Day 2 

August 31: All in-person students arrive on campuses

Virtual students continue courses

Tonight the Board of Trustees voted 6-0 for Option 1 which brings students back in-person on August 31. Click the link for full details of the timeline. ow.ly/rJWl50AJHLB

FISD's Reopening Plan was approved by the FISD Board of Trustees on Monday, July 20th. This document and the Virtual Learning Option Plans are based on the public health situation as we know it today. Changes to the public health situation, Governor's Executive Orders, and TEA Guidance may necessitate changes to this plan.

APPROVED Fall Reopening Plan

APPROVED PK-5 Virtual Learning Option

APPROVED Secondary Virtual Learning Option

FISD's DRAFT Reopening Plan will be presented to the FISD Board of Trustees Monday, July 20th. This document and the Virtual Learning Option Plans are based on the public health situation as we know it today. Changes to the public health situation, Governor's Executive Orders, and TEA Guidance may necessitate changes to this plan.

DRAFT Fall Reopening Plan

DRAFT FISD Secondary Virtual Learning Option

DRAFT PK-5 Virtual Learning Option

We know you have many questions about the recently released DRAFT Reopening Plan for fall 2020, including the Virtual Learning Options. The Draft versions of the Virtual Learning Options for PK-5 and 6-12 were shared with the Committee last night as an opportunity to receive feedback and have not been finalized.

We value your input and are planning several virtual "Town Halls" next week for Superintendent Roher and the administration to walk-through the details of the plan and reasoning behind the decisions being made. Please know FISD is working diligently to make the best decisions for our students, staff, and the Friendswood community while staying within TEA guidelines. We thank you for your input and patience during this time.

With the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the Greater Houston area, the decision has been made to cancel FISD Physicals that were scheduled for July 18th. 

Who needs to get a Physical for the 2020-2021 season? All incoming 7th graders, incoming 9th-grade band members, and students who have not had a previous physical will need to have a physical to participate in FJH/FHS Athletics. We apologize for any inconvenience. 

Please contact your personal health care provider or local clinics for completing your physical.

8am

Lauren Ambeau, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning and Kim Cole, Executive Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning outline FISD's Virtual Learning Option for students who may be unable to return to school in the fall, as well as to highlight the health and safety protocols being considered for students who will return for face to face instruction. FISD recognizes the weight of this decision, so we are hopeful to be able to share some information that will help you in shaping your thoughts around this decision.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saVqB7FXVsk&feature=youtu.be

1pm

Parents,

We hope you have watched the video explaining our preliminary Safety Protocols for Face-to-Face instruction in the fall as well as some components of our Virtual Learning Option for those students who do not feel comfortable returning to school (if you had to make the decision today).

We recognize you still have questions as you should. Unfortunately, we just cannot give you all the answers on the reopening right now due to: 

1. Districts are still waiting on TEA’s Reopening Guidelines 
2. A possible Executive Order from the Governor
3. Not knowing numbers of how many students want to attend virtually/face-to-face which directly impacts our staffing 

We are working on a Q&A based on the questions we have received. Please know we want to hear your questions and are working hard to provide answers that are known. 

Based on the current COVID situation, if school was opening tomorrow, and you THINK you would enroll your kid(s) in FISD’s Virtual Learning Option please complete this survey. You are not committing to this form of instruction, we simply need to capture the names of students who would choose virtual at this time.

Please respond by Friday, July 3, 2020.

Virtual Learning Option

Superintendent Thad Roher shares an update regarding the steps to reopening in the fall of 2020.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYpOKfKZKr0&feature=youtu.be

FISD Updates include:

• Calendar revision and possibly of additional time added
• Parent survey results of Reopening Survey,
• Possible transportation changes
• Reopening fall 2020 Committee Meeting
• Football Season Ticket Sales
• Upcoming Events

Calendar revision and possibly of additional time added: TEA has asked all districts to consider making adjustments to their 2020-2021 Calendar to ensure adequate flexibility to respond to potential closures or disruptions to the learning process due to Covid-19.  The FISD Instructional Calendar for 2020-2021 was approved by the FISD Board of Trustees on December 9, 2019.  The presented calendar did not change, it was amended at the Monday night Board meeting to now include additional make-up days in the event they are needed.  If we need to make-up instructional days we would do so, in the following order: January 4, April 23, November 9, May 28, June 1-4.  The first three days are currently scheduled as Professional Learning days and would become instructional days.  The remaining 5 days would be added and extend the school year.

FISD is also considering an adjusted school bell schedule to increase the minutes of instruction each day by 5 - 10 minutes.  By adding the additional minutes to each school day, we would be building in minutes that could be used to meet the state requirement of 75,600 minutes without needing additional make-up days.

Results of Reopening in the fall Parent Survey: Thank you to all who participated in our Reopening fall 2020 Parent Survey. We received over 2700 responses. This data will help to guide future decisions regarding the reopening of campuses as we navigate this very fluid situation. 43% of the responses came from high school parents, 35% FJH, 20% Cline, 16% Bales, 15% Windsong, and 15% Westwood. Fifty-two percent of parents responded that they were comfortable sending their child back to school at this time, 34.9% said they were comfortable but only with precautions while 12.8% are not comfortable sending their kids back at this time.

We realize as the summer goes on your feelings may change about sending your kids back to school so we will be sending out other surveys to check back in with you periodically. FISD is in the process of surveying our faculty about their feelings for returning and will share those results with you at a later date.

Possible transportation changes: Can we social distance on a school bus and what is the impact of this decision? FISD is considering limiting the number of students who can ride the bus in the fall to reduce the spread and cross-contamination per TEA suggested guidelines. If we transport one student per seat we would transport 900 fewer students. We are considering the possibilities of increasing the walk to stop locations for pick-up and- canceling routes less than 2-miles from campus to meet the TEA suggested guidelines for transportation.

Reopening Advisory Committee fall 2020 meeting: Friendswood ISD has continued to plan for the reopening of campuses in the fall by creating a large committee to assist. The Friendswood ISD Reopening 2020 Committee meets virtually and consists of district administrators, campus administrators, parents, medical staff, and teacher leaders.

With the status of the COVID-19 situation unclear in the coming months, we are making several contingency plans for the reopening schools. The new Reopening Webpage will host the meeting Agenda and Minutes from each meeting.

COVID Cases: As many of you know we have started to experience COVID-19 cases in our district. Wednesday we shared with senior parents about a graduate who tested positive after the graduation ceremony. We realize this is a sensitive and worrisome time for many families and we want to do everything we can to be transparent as a district in our communication. The District is following the TEA guidelines for notification and developing flow charts to make the process clear while being mindful of our FERPA and HIPAA privacy responsibilities.  FISD is committed to the health and wellness of our staff and students while learning to coexist with COVID.

Football Season Tickets:  At this time it is unknown if we will have extracurricular activities in the fall. However, if activities resume we will be ready. Football season tickets opened to the public today, June 12th, at 9 am!

Helpful hints when selecting your seats:

• C Section is closest to the Band/Wranglerettes section
• D Section is in the middle
• E Section is closest to the Student Section
• https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/11738/henry-winston-stadium-friendswood-isd
• You can also go to www.FriendswoodFootball.org for schedule and additional information! Please contact the athletic office by email if you have any questions. Amy Roenne - aroenne@fisdk12.net
• If FISD experiences any delays or closures due to COVID we will contact season ticket holders with more information regarding reimbursements.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

• June 12: FHS Season Ticket Sales Open
• June 23: Reopen Advisory Committee Mtg 2
• July 6-10: FISD Closed
• July 6-10: Revised Extended School Year (ESY-Special Education) Week 1
• July 13: FISD Reopen Advisory Committee Mtg.3
• July 13-July 16: Revised Extended School Year (ESY- Special Education) Week 2
• July 15: DLT - Finalization of Reopening Plan
• July 20: Board Meeting for Reopening Presentation
• July 20-July 23: Revised Extended School Year (ESY- Special Education) Week 3
• July 20th: High School summer school in person - (3 weeks- 4days/week)
• July 29: New to District Registration
• July 30: CPI Training for new staff and Admin
• August 10 and 11: New Teacher Days - 8/10 (welcome and luncheon) and 8/11 (tech and HR)
• August 13: Back to School Under the Oaks Celebration
• August 19: First Day of School