June 25 2020 – As Amarillo ISD works to prepare for a new school year, the District is asking for parents to help by filling out a survey relating to the 2020-2021 school year.
Governor Greg Abbott has said Texas students will return to classrooms this fall, and AISD intends to start school in AISD on Thursday, August 20, according to the calendar adopted several months ago. In a proactive but measured approach, the District anticipates adding 10-20 minutes to each instructional day. There is no higher priority than the safety of our students and our staff. AISD wants parents to feel comfortable that their children are safe but also growing and learning as they would in a typical school year.
Currently, AISD plans to offer two options for how students can receive instruction. Children can either attend class at the school or parents can choose for their child to receive virtual at-home instruction. Both options will look very different from what students and families have experienced in the past. The District is awaiting further direction from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and local health officials, but the environment on campuses will likely change. For students who learn virtually, the expectations and requirements from the TEA will be much greater, both for the students and for the school district. Back in the spring, students experienced a model that was primarily focused on reviewing previous learning through the use of paper or online packets. In the fall, AISD’s virtual classrooms will engage students in new digital learning focused around the complete, rigorous state curriculum just as their classmates who are learning in-person.
To help the District prepare with adequate staff and the resources needed, AISD is asking parents to complete a short survey to let campuses know which option for instruction each family will most likely choose to begin the school year.
“Work is underway during the summer on solutions that will address needs and overcome some of the challenges experienced in the spring, and this survey will help us better do that,” explained Superintendent Doug Loomis. “We looking forward to seeing and working with our students again in August, whether that’s in-person or virtually.”
For additional information as well as the most up-to-date info on the ever changing situation, please refer to the AISD COVID-19 webpage.
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