June 13, 2022

KIPP Texas COVID Policy Update Effective June 15, 2022

Good afternoon, KIPP Texas Families:

I hope the start of the summer has brought our Little KIPPsters and their families the perfect blend of joy and relaxation. I also hope that you and your family are healthy and well, as reports show that COVID levels are rising across the country.

On Friday, June 10, we were notified that three of our four regions were impacted by MEDIUM COVID community levels (see chart below) according to the CDC. With any COVID policy changes, we consult medical experts and make necessary changes according to their counsel. This past weekend, we took some time to ensure we received the most updated health and safety information and have now updated our KIPP Texas COVID policies.

Updated COVID Policy for KIPP Texas

The KIPP Texas COVID Policy below is aligned with county and CDC guidance and goes into effect Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

CDC COVID COMMUNITY LEVEL FOR COUNTY	KIPP Texas Policy (effective June 15, 2022)
LOW	- Masks are optional but not required in KIPP schools or offices. - Masks are still required in healthcare areas.
MEDIUM	- Masks very strongly recommended but not required in all KIPP buildings and on/off campus KIPP events. - Masks required on school buses. - Masks required in healthcare areas.
HIGH	- Masks required in all KIPP buildings and on/off campus KIPP events. - Masks required on school buses. - Masks are optional outdoors if you are able to maintain 6 feet of distance from others. - Masks can also be removed if you are alone in a closed office space or classroom.

* When masks are required, they must be medical grade masks or doubled-up cloth masks.

Regional COVID Level Status

We always strive to provide a safe and healthy environment for our Big and Little KIPPsters in the summer and throughout the school year. We have continued to closely monitor the COVID community levels per region, and, as of June 13, the COVID community levels in the counties below have moved from LOW to MEDIUM.

- Bexar County MEDIUM
- Dallas County* LOW
- Fort Bend County MEDIUM
- Harris County MEDIUM
- Travis County MEDIUM

*While Dallas County’s level is LOW, cases are rising in the area. We would not be surprised if Dallas County is soon labeled as Medium by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). We will keep our KIPP Dallas – Fort Worth families updated.

Summer Impact

We always have and always will prioritize the health and safety of and care for our Little and Big KIPPsters. With summer school well underway, our COVID response team will continue to monitor county community levels and will make any necessary changes based on CDC, local, and state guidelines.

Our team believes that the counties in the MEDIUM community level will remain in that zone for at least the next two weeks based on CDC trends. As a reminder, every campus has a supply of COVID tests available on-site, each household can request eight free COVID-19 test kits delivered directly to their home by ordering them from covid.gov/tests, and COVID vaccine boosters are now available for children ages 5-11 and ages 12+.

Survey for Summer School Students

Please complete this survey for your Little KIPPster if they are attending summer school and find themselves experiencing any of the circumstances below — email communication will be sent to you with the next steps.

Tested positive for COVID
Experiencing COVID-like symptoms
Identified as a close contact of a COVID-positive individual
Living with close contact with a COVID-positive individual

You will need your child’s student ID number to complete the survey, as this provides the necessary information to complete the required regional reporting.

As we continue to put the safety of our Big and Little KIPPsters first, please remember to exercise the proper cautionary measures when and if you attend any group gatherings. We highly encourage you to mask up for two days following the event to ensure you are not experiencing any COVID-related symptoms.

We will continue to seek medical professionals and CDC guidance and update you with any changes to policy as we prepare for a Strong Start to the 2022-23 school year.

Thank you, KIPP Texas families, for prioritizing the health and safety of our community. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to COVID.Response@KIPPTexas.org.

Please also follow us on social media to stay updated on our current COVID safety protocols and policies.

With gratitude,

Sehba Ali