Health & Safety
The safety of our Little and Big KIPPsters remains a top priority for KIPP Texas Public Schools. This page is a one-stop-shop for health and safety-related information for the 2021-22 school year.
The health and safety of our KIPP Texas family — Little and Big KIPPsters included — remains our top priority. We believe that staying vigilant and following local, state, national, and CDC health guidelines is the best way to ensure the safety of our Team & Family, especially in light of the recent rise in COVID cases and the Delta variant.
Please see below for our 2021-22 Health & Safety Guidelines, followed by a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs):
Face Masks: KIPP Texas believes face masks are one of the best ways we can protect ourselves and those around us from COVID-19 and the Delta variant. KIPP Texas strongly recommends the use of a face mask inside of our buildings. #MaskUpForKIPPsters
Social Distancing: We will socially distance to the extent possible in our classrooms, buildings, and offices.
Arrivals: For the 2021-22 school year, wellness surveys and temperature checks are not required for staff or students upon entry onto KIPP Texas campuses or buildings, but we will conduct temperature checks for individuals experiencing symptoms.
Hand Hygiene: KIPP Texas believes that frequent hand washing and sanitizing are among the best safeguards against COVID-19. We will continue offering hand sanitizing stations across KIPP Texas campuses and buildings and strongly encourage frequent handwashing.
COVID Vaccine: KIPP Texas believes the best way of protecting yourself from COVID-19 is by getting the vaccine. Although it is not required, we strongly recommend the vaccination for anyone who is eligible (those 12 years and older).
COVID-Positive Individuals: If a staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, they will be required to quarantine for a period of 10 days per guidance from the CDC. They can return to school or work with a negative test result after 10 days. Little KIPPsters who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to quarantine for 10 days and can return to school when they are fever-free and have improved symptoms.
Close Contact Quarantine: Students who are identified as close contacts of a positive-individual will be highly encouraged to quarantine for seven to 10 days and take a COVID test (seven days with a negative test result, 10 days without a test). Staff will also be required to quarantine for seven days if they are a close contact. The definition of close contact is any individual who was within six feet of a COVID-positive individual for 15 minutes or more during their infectious period (starting two days prior to symptoms beginning or two days prior to their positive test). This quarantine policy does not include any individual who has tested positive for COVID within the last three months or is fully vaccinated.
Cleaning and Disinfecting: All spaces will continue to be cleaned daily. High-touch and high-traffic areas will be disinfected with greater frequency. Where positive COVID-19 cases are reported, special deep cleaning protocols will be implemented.
COVID 19 Dashboard: The cases listed include any staff member or student who has been on campus in-person and tested positive for COVID-19. This report does not include any student engaged in remote learning this nine weeks or any staff member who is only working remote.
FAQs
Will my KIPPster be required to wear a mask?
Because we firmly believe that a safe, masked, in-person learning environment is what’s best for our students, we strongly recommend the use of a face mask on our campuses and facilities so much that we’re asking our students and staff to stamp their commitment by signing up to wear a mask.
Join our commitment to wearing a mask by submitting a Mask Opt-In form. Our goal is to get 100% of our Team & Family to commit to keeping each other safe by wearing masks while inside our Buildings. #MaskUpForKIPPsters
Are Wellness Surveys required this year?
No. However, you should determine if your KIPPster is experiencing COVID symptoms or has been in close contact with any COVID-positive individuals prior to coming to school. If they are experiencing COVID symptoms or have been in close contact with a COVID-positive individual, please keep them home, seek medical assistance as needed, and contact your school to let them know. Your school will provide further recommendations on when your KIPPster should return to campus and will support your student in making up any missed work or lessons.
Will temperature checks be conducted before entering a KIPP Texas school or building?
No. However, you should determine if your KIPPster is experiencing COVID symptoms prior to coming to school. If they are experiencing COVID symptoms, please have them stay home, seek medical assistance as needed, and contact your school to let them know. Students and staff feeling ill or experiencing symptoms at school can have their temperature checked in the nurse’s office or clinic.
Do I need to inform KIPP if my KIPPster is experiencing COVID symptoms?
Yes! If your KIPPster is not feeling well or experiencing COVID symptoms, please keep your KIPPster at home, seek medical assistance as needed, and contact your KIPPster’s school to let them know. Your school will provide further recommendations on when your KIPPster should return to campus and may be able to provide a free COVID test.
Will my KIPPster be able to participate in virtual classes during quarantine?
KIPP Texas is committed to providing continuity of learning for our students. We have launched our Remote Learning Academy (RLA) to support our KIPPsters who are quarantining due to a positive COVID test or close contact with a COVID positive individual. If your child requires quarantine, and they feel well enough to participate in learning, they will be able to access synchronous learning via our Remote Learning Academy. This will ensure that our students do not miss out on key content while out of our buildings.
Last year, if there was a positive case in my KIPPster’s elementary school classroom, the whole class was quarantined. Will this be the same for the 2021-22 school year?
No. A positive case in an elementary school classroom will not result in a whole class quarantine. All students who are identified as a close contact of the positive individual will be encouraged to quarantine for seven days and offered a rapid test (with parental consent). Families will be notified of all positive cases at their KIPPster’s school and in their KIPPster’s classroom.
What is our visitors policy?
This year, campuses will reopen to scheduled visitors, except during meal times. Effective September 8, all individuals will be required to wear face masks while inside KIPP Texas buildings. Please contact your KIPPster’s school to schedule a visit.
What will social distancing look like in my KIPPster’s classroom?
We expect the overwhelming majority of students will return to full-time in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year, therefore, we will maintain social distance between individuals in offices, classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, playgrounds, school buses and other public spaces as best as possible.
What will social distancing look like on school buses?
Students arriving at school or returning home on a KIPP Texas school bus will return to normal seating arrangements. Masks are required for all students and staff.
Will playgrounds be available for use this year?
Yes. We will recommend that staff and students sanitize and / or wash their hands before and after use.
How will meals be consumed at school?
FREE breakfast will be served “Grab n’ Go” style to every Little KIPPster along with FREE lunch. All KIPPsters automatically qualify for FREE breakfast and lunch. Additional portions may be purchased. Meals will be consumed either in the classroom or the cafeteria, depending on school operations.
Will my KIPPster be allowed to go on a field trip?
For the safety of our Team & Family, all field trips (local and overnight) will remain paused through December 2021. Trips will be re-evaluated at a later time.
Will KIPP Texas offer after-school activities such as clubs or sports?
Yes. All health & safety protocols and recommendations will apply. Student athletes will continue to be offered (but won’t be required) free COVID testing. Parent/guardian consent will be required to administer COVID tests.