Dear KIPP Texas Families,
We had an amazing first day of school! We have missed seeing all of our Little KIPPsters in our classrooms, on our playgrounds, and in our cafeterias. I’m so thankful that you and your child(ren) are a part of our Team & Family.
KIPP Texas is committed to providing a joyful, academically excellent, and equitable learning environment for every KIPPster. This year, we will focus on an accelerated academic recovery and promoting the health and safety of our Team & Family. If you have not already done so, we ask that you and your KIPPsters join our Team & Family in committing to #MaskUpForKIPPsters and wear masks inside our school buildings. If we each do our part – wear masks, social distance to the extent possible, wash our hands frequently, and get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (for those who are eligible)–we are confident we will continue to mitigate the spread of COVID in our schools.
Because the beginning of the year can be a busy time for all of us, I want to make sure you know where you can easily and quickly access the information you need. If you haven’t already seen it, our KIPP Texas back-to-school web page has the general information and answers to frequently asked questions related to the start of school. Our health and safety web page will provide you the latest information regarding mask mandates and other health and safety protocols. Please watch this health and safety video with your KIPPster so you will know what our protocols in action look like this year. I will continue providing additional information and resources throughout the year, and you can also expect to hear from your school directly with specific information that impacts your KIPPster.
Here are a couple of reminders for this week.
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Chromebook Returns
If you are still in possession of a KIPP Chromebook from the 2020-21 school year, please return it so we can refresh, inventory, clean, inspect, and re-distribute to our KIPPsters.
The current shortage and high demand of Chromebook devices means that we do not have enough Chromebook devices for every KIPPster, as we prefer at the start of the school year. We are in the process of purchasing additional devices, but if you find that you still have a KIPP Chromebook, please send it with your child during the first week of school.
Limited Virtual Learning Option for KIPPsters with Certain Health Conditions
KIPP Texas is considering a limited virtual learning option for certain K through 6th grade students who are at high risk for severe COVID-19. If we move forward with a limited virtual learning option, we anticipate it will begin September 2021.
If you are interested in having your KIPPster participate in the limited virtual learning option, if it is offered, please fill out this interest survey by Friday, August 20. Please note that in order to be considered, your child must meet certain criteria as documented by an appropriate licensed health care provider. Criteria being considered at this time, which could change includes the following:
- Student must be in kindergarten through 6th grade for the 2021-22 school year.
- Student must be at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions as stated on medical documentation from an appropriate licensed health care provider as designated by the CDC, which may include but is not limited to the following:
- Children with medical complexity, with genetic, neurologic, metabolic conditions, or with congenital heart disease.
- Children with obesity (BMI >95th percentile), diabetes, chronically severe asthma or chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or immunosuppression (including from cancer treatment, bone marrow, or organ transplantation).
Completing this survey is not an application. It is to gauge interest and the application will require medical documentation.
All KIPPsters MUST attend in-person instruction starting today, August 16. If a virtual program is created, and if applications become available, we will have additional notifications at that time. All students must attend in person instruction until they have been accepted into KIPP Texas’ limited virtual program if created.
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As we embark on another school year, I’m excited for all we will accomplish together, for the joyful learning your KIPPster will experience, and for the trust you have placed in us to help your KIPPster prepare for college, a career, and beyond!
Happy start of the 2021-22 school year!
With gratitude,
sehba
Important Links:
KTX SY22 – Health & Safety Protocols
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