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 2022-23 school year.
Health Information
KIPP Texas Health Services support students and families by managing students with chronic health illnesses, providing first aid and emergent care, administering medications, maintaining student health records and immunizations, and performing special procedures. State-mandated screenings for vision, hearing, scoliosis and diabetes risk assessments are performed by the nurse/clinic coordinator to ensure that our students do not have barriers to learning.
Immunizations
Texas State law requires that all children attending school be immunized against various childhood diseases. During registration, a copy of the current updated student’s immunization record is required. The nurse/clinic coordinator will evaluate the student’s immunization record and notify the parent/guardian of any other required immunizations. Our schools are required to abide by the no shots-no school requirements.
See 25 Texas Administrative Code Section 97.63 for a list of required vaccines.
These requirements can be waived only if a properly signed exemption affidavit is signed and submitted to the school. See 25 Texas Administrative Code Section 97.63 for a list of required vaccines.
Medications and Procedures
Students requiring medications or medical procedures during school hours must have a physician’s order signed by the doctor and the parent/guardian. A new physician’s order is required every school year in which the school nurse/clinic coordinator or designee will administer medications to students. Please contact the school nurse/clinic coordinator for support if your child requires medications during school hours.
Students requiring special procedures by a physician’s order during school must contact the nurse/clinic coordinator for support. Examples of special procedures may include tube feedings, urinary catheterizations, and ostomy care.
Emergency Medical Treatment
If a student should have a medical emergency at school or at a school-related activity, the school shall use best efforts to seek emergency medical services as appropriate. Parents should keep emergency care information up-to-date (name of doctor, emergency phone numbers, allergies to medications, etc.). Please contact the appropriate school personnel to update any information. If, in the opinion of the campus administrator or school nurse, a life-threatening emergency occurs, EMS will be called.
Health History
Your child’s health history will help the school staff assess any physical conditions which may require adjusting the school program. The health information you record on the Health History form during registration will become a part of your child’s school health record and will remain confidential. If changes need to be made after registration, please contact your child’s school nurse/clinic coordinator.
COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines
Masks
The KIPP Texas mask mandate will vary by county community level as measured using the CDC Community Levels tool.
LOW
If county is in green:
– Masks are optional but not required in KIPP schools or offices.
– Masks are still required in healthcare areas.
MEDIUM
If county is in yellow:
– 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
If county is in orange:
– 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.
Visitors on campus (beyond front lobby)
LOW
If county is in green:
– Adhere to pre-COVID policies and procedures (sign in at the front office of each school and wear a visitor badge – make an appointment with school staff as appropriate.)
MEDIUM
If county is in yellow:
– Indoor, social distancing 3+ feet, masks not required, staff will take attendance by ensuring visitors sign in and out in the main office.
HIGH
If county is in orange:
– By appointment only (ie attendance conferences, parent-teacher conferences, discipline meetings, tours, etc), staff will take attendance by ensuring visitors sign in and out in the main office. Visitors must be masked.
Large group student and/or visitor event (e.g. performance, HS graduations, assembly, dance)
LOW
If county is in green:
– Masks strongly recommended for students and visitors.
MEDIUM
If county is in yellow:
– Indoor, social distancing 3+ feet, masks not required and cohort attendees (approx max 150 participants), staff will take attendance.
HIGH
If county is in orange:
– Outdoors preferable, especially if outside visitors are allowed.
– If indoors: masks required, staff will take attendance and use seating charts for students.
– If family members are invited, they must be masked.
– If family members are invited must limit capacity so that 3+ feet can be maintained between groups (household members comprise one group).
Off campus day student trip: (e.g. college tours, field trip to local attraction)
LOW
If county is in green:
– Utilize KIPP Field Trip Playbook for policies and procedures HERE
MEDIUM
If county is in yellow:
– Follow protocols of location being visited, Masks are required during transport, and are strongly recommended in all other settings, staff will take attendance.
HIGH
If county is in orange:
– All students must be masked during entire visit and take meals outdoors. Staff will take attendance and will know all attendees and ensure seating charts.
Volunteers on campus
LOW
If county is in green:
– Adhere to pre-COVID policies and procedures (sign in at the front office of each school and wear a visitor badge – make an appointment with school staff as appropriate.)
MEDIUM
If county is in yellow:
– Indoor, social distancing 3+ feet, masks not required
HIGH
If county is in orange:
– Not allowed at this time.
Overnight student trips
LOW
If county is in green:
– Utilize KIPP Field Trip Playbook for policies and procedures HERE
MEDIUM
If county is in yellow:
– Masks are required during transport, and are strongly recommended in all other settings, tests are strongly recommended before the trip and after arrival home. Testing should be done the day of arrival and repeated 2 days later. (arrival test can be waived if student or staff won’t be in school for 2 days)
HIGH
If county is in orange:
– Masks are required, students must remain cohorted (bus seating, eating), tests are strongly recommended before the trip and after arrival home. Testing should be done the day of arrival and repeated 2 days later. (arrival test can be waived if student or staff won’t be in school for 2 days)
COVID Vaccine
KIPP Texas believes the best way of protecting yourself from COVID-19 and its variants is by getting the vaccine. Although it is not required, we strongly recommend the vaccination for anyone who is eligible.
As of June 17, the FDA has authorized COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months – 5 years old, and COVID vaccine boosters are now available for children ages 5-11 and ages 12+.
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.
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 these nine weeks or any staff member who is only working remotely.
Safety
At KIPP Texas, we take the responsibility of keeping our KIPPsters safe seriously. As a standard practice, we implement preventative measures at our schools to maintain a safe and secure environment for all of our KIPPsters. Among them are the following:
- Only visitors on verified official business will be allowed beyond the front desk.
- All visitors, including parents/guardians, must sign in and provide valid photo identification to the front office and must visibly wear a temporary visitor’s badge at all times during their visit.
- Any visitors without a visible visitor’s badge will be redirected back to the front office to obtain one. Visitors must report back to the front office at the completion of their visit to sign out.
- Staff will immediately report all concerning behavior, including threats and any physical safety concerns to School Leaders or the next available school leadership team member.
- School leadership and assigned staff members will be present and vigilant during arrival and dismissal times.
- Staff members monitor all open exterior doors during arrival and dismissal. Doors will not remain propped open without a monitor.
- All exterior doors/gates will be closed and locked, as building design allows, during the normal course of the school day.
- Drills are regularly conducted throughout the school year to ensure staff and students are prepared to respond in the event of an emergency. During lockdowns (drills or otherwise), all classroom doors are locked.
KIPP Texas student or family can quickly and anonymously report any suspicious activity, bullying or other student related issues to a school administrator by submitting an Anonymous Alert report.
