Please provide your full name.
Merry Sylver
Adriana Guerra
Sandra Mejia
Deborah de los santos
Tooba Khan
Steve Ketchum
Nadim islam
Catherine Chaney
Alisa Girardin
Sara Corey
Penny Roberts
Sheri Woodford
Camellia Charles-McNeal
Connie Greer
Lara K. Forde
Marian Adams
Karina Eversley
Clint Raney
Heidi Wrights
Michael Contreras
Michael Contreras
Rafaela Barbosa
Jodi Jarmosco
Mia Figueroa
Michael Contreras
Jack Koss
Kelly Thrasher
Marian Adams
Annette Caballero
kent sullivan
Lacy Johnson
Michael Contreras
Robin Doussa
Kimberly cathey
amy hatch
Robbie Bourgeois
Evan Richards
Andrea Stone
Amy Hansen
Robin Doussa
Bailey Dippel
Lorri Pennington
Alex Frederick
Johnnie Foret
Daniel Morrow
Jack Henderson
Mandy Morgan
I would like to provide my answer electronically. The information below will be
shared with committee members.
I want my son to be able to attend school as a senior and also be safe due to covid. I
believe that in home learning and learning in the classroom would keep him both
involved in the school atmosphere and home safe at the same time. Seating the kids 6
feet apart and having him attend every other week would help to eliminate the
chances of getting this virus. But if we have to do schooling at home all teachers need
to use the same formats and be given the proper tools to properly teach the kids
remotely. We’ve had three broken devices and the tablets do not keep up with the
demand the kids are are put under. Teachers need help and the websites need
updating so they’re not constantly being booted, work isn’t submitting, and we aren’t
waiting on the district to issue yet another lap top that may or may not work. Please
address and fix these issues BEFORE school starts again. We want our kids to be
successful and feel confident about their work.
I would like for the school year to resume on campus. Due to both my husband and I
being essential employees, we are unable to provide homeschooling to our daughter.
Como madre quiero que mis hijos estén a salvo del coronavirus y de cualquier cosa que
ponga en peligro su vida pero si hablamos de aprender y que sean productivos en un
futuro ellos deben tener una vida normal y asistir a la escuela todas las mañanas como
lo han venido haciendo y jugar y abrazar a sus compañeros y maestros pero no puedo
yo decidir sobre si abren la escuela o no eso es algo que el distrito debe decidir
basándose en la recomendación de los profesionales de la salud.
I prefer online classes for the next fall. Kids and teachers will not follow orders
everyone will start to forget the protocol orders and get to relax.
Online learning
Open school as normal.
Extra cleaning and provide hand sanitizer in every classroom.
Please open the schools. The kids need to learn and need the peer interaction. The
risks to youth are very low. We have to move forward despite this virus.
So first off thank you all so much for making it possible for our children to finish out the
2019/2020 school year from home due to the pandemic.
I honestly wouldn’t be letting my children to return this year just yet until it’s safe with
a vaccine or a decline in number which we have neither of just yet. If anything our
cases are increasing by the day. Think about it.... 1000 deaths a day and what if one of
those is you, your spouse, child or loved one and it was because you didn’t follow the
guidelines properly. Is it really worth the risk to send the children out there to expose
them to a deadly virus that has already taken 116k lives in the US and is rising. I know I
couldn’t! Or what if my kids immune system is super strong and they don’t show any
symptoms but bring it home to me who has underlying health conditions such as
cancer and an compromised immune system and I get deathly sick. Is it really worth a
life by opening the school doors up when they can receive the same education
virtually?!? The answer in my eyes is NO! You shouldn’t put even 1 life at risk and your
exposing a lot of ppl in closed buildings and the bathrooms the cafeteria? Let’s be
realistic you can’t. Keep it virtual till it’s safe and trust me I want them doors open
ASAP bc these kids are driving me CRAZY but I’m not willing to risk their lives for my
sanity! lol I hope this helps y’all make a SMART decision! Thank you! Catherine Chaney
I would like for CCIS to reopen My Husband and my self both work full time jobs with
my husband out of town most of the time I found it hard to do the online schooling.
Not enough time after working all day. My daughter wasn’t able to participate in any of
the zoom meetings due to the fact that I was I was working she felt very left out and
alone It’s was also challenging to do some of the assignments because our Tablet and
computer weren’t compatible with what the teacher was assigning
Please take parents who MUST work full time to earn a living when considering this
upcoming school year. As a widow I dont have options for my child that is safe and
appropriate during the day. My child also has autism and has deteriorated greatly
during the closure of school.
My daughter derserves a quality education that prepares her for college. Remote
learning does not provide that quality. CCISD’s decision to implement a pass/fail
system for her junior year has already been a significant detriment to her by
eliminating any opportunities to improve her GPA. She spent the first part of her
second semester working hard to advance her only below A grade from an 87 to a 96.
All of her hard work was of no value in terms of advancing her likelihood of admittance
to the higher education institutes. Her interests are such that interactions with her
classmates and teachers is invaluable. She should have a choice in decisions regarding
her future. One size does not fit all. CCISD should find flexible solutions that allow the
students and families who want to attend classes be able to do so.
Do not reopen until there is a vaccine. Could be devastating to our community if you do
not.
Will Bus Drivers/Monitors be provided PPE from employer without it coming out of our
pockets to pay for PPE? I personally don't think it is still not save enough to be going
back to work. PANDEMIC!!!
A modified school calendar with transitions to online learning in the event of a COVID-
19 resurgence
Myself and a number of other parents agree and would like our children to start the
Fall semester as we have in the past. What can we do in order to make this happen
without any changes to the schedule and the school calender?
Yes, I believe that all people (employees, students and 3rd parties) that work for or
attend a CCISD school or building should be tested for COVID-19, prior to being allowed
to return to school or work. Otherwise, we risk spreading this deadly disease to others
that may die from such exposure.
my thoughts and concerns for my child to go back to school in fall is very troubling and
concerning me yes I know he needs his education but what is an education if you don’t
have a life to live it I feel that my sons life is more precious then anything else .I feel
that we are putting children and teachers in danger Without having a vaccine We are
going to spread this virus even worse and don’t forget the other viruses that follow in
fall . What I’m trying to say is that we need to sacrifice this time in life we have to keep
our families our neighbors safe and by doing that we need to continue doing online
.When we are out there we have to remember we may not get sick we may not even
know we are a carrier and you give it to somebody that is elderly or suffers with a
condition you are killing that person and that person can be a child a mother a father a
grandfather So the ultimate sacrifice is to sacrifice your life to save another . Stay
home and continue online until there’s a vaccine.thank u Lori Salinas God bless us all
In my opinion I prefer online learning I know it’s not going to be easy because it was
hard doing it from March to May but it’s ok because I need to keep my kids safe and
healthy, if the district decided to open the school I will not send my kids because my
kids have asthma and weak immune system, my husband is diabetic and I’m
hypertension so getting the COVID-19 might be so bad on our family so I always be safe
than sorry.
Children can’t be so careful at school they might share pencils they will go to the
bathroom using same toilets and sinks , kids can’t practice social distancing no matter
how they try they will forget at one point , using masks at school for long time will be
difficult and they will keep messing with the mask with their hands, It’s not worth it
putting our children and our families at risk , let’s try handling the online learning I
know it’s very hard but we have to , I know many parents have to work and can’t stay
home with their kids but we need to help ourselves and try to stop the virus so we all
can go back to our normal simple life and get back to school and work , if we all can
follow the rules and stay home and practice social distancing this virus can stop or at
least not get the virus until doctors can find medication and vaccinations for it .
Thank you!
With Children returning back to school. It will be pretty hard for elementary children to
stay up to code with mask on. We do not want to send our child to school with mask
on. Another topic is children always putting toys and fingers in mouth. Will there be a
check in point. Will the nurse check kids, staff and incoming visitors daily for any
symptoms? If the kids have to wear mask, I say no we can do virtual schooling or a
better Avenue. We are open for new avenues.
I am for proper symptom screening and precautions but feel strongly that children
should return to school. I am a practicing pediatric nurse practitioner. If children must
cover their nose and mouth, please consider a shield versus a mask.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/24/health/coronavirus-face-shields.html
I feel that the long term psychological distress of children being out of school will lead
to long term detrimental effects. There is concern of higher cases of child abuse due to
children being out of school during the COVID-19.
Let the kids return to school. My children attend Landolt elementary.
Thank you,
Christi Wargo
More information is needed before answering question on returning back to school.
Do the students have to be in attendance at a certain time online for virtual?
What are the guidelines for hybrid?
What are the hours for hybrid and virtual learning?
Strongly suggest hybrid and thereby reduce student population classes. Students must
wear mask, half the school attending MW and 1/2 day Wed, other half Wed afternoon
and all day Thursday Friday
Online school work for everyone. Hand sanitizer in all rooms, entry and exit. All desks,
tables, chairs cleaned daily.
Advocate for normal school schedule with stay at home learning plan of pandemic
comes back.
Partnering with parents, and giving clear check lists etc. needs to be the first priority
with distance learning.
Covid19 CCISD
As a Registered Nurse of 22 years and a tax paying citizen in the CCISD District I find the
talk of online school, partial online school, smaller class sizes, alternating classes, and
the wearing of masks detrimental to our children.
Let’s start by discussing the plethora of infectious disease that have been around over
the past several years. This is not a complete list.
-MRSA: multi resistant staph
-VRE
-Flesh Eating Disease
-Tuberculosis
-Histoplasmosis
-The Swine Flu
-C-Diff
-EColi
-Salmonella
-Influenza- which we will delve more into shortly
-Ebola which has a very high mortality rate and was in the USA in 2014
-And 6 other corona viruses...yes I said 6. Covid 19 is the 7th corona virus. Did you
know that? Did you hear about all those other infectious diseases? No, because of
these cell phones media sensationalism.
Now let’s discuss the immune system:
How do our immune systems work? Our bodies have a microbiome otherwise known as
normal flora that is full of bacteria and yeast. It has germ fighting abilities in our tears,
saliva, mucous, and the ph of our stomach. We also make very specific antibodies to
every exposure/ antigen our body comes into contact with......and our body has a
memory so that when exposed again it will recognize the threat and eliminate it. These
antibodies are so specific you can compare it to a lock and a key. If you remove all of
I would like to see schools open again with of coarse rules such as lunch in class and
instead of children moving classrooms maybe teachers can move ex. music art etc.
Require masks for children who have a cold like symptoms check for fever as they
enter school . I also didn't notice hand sanitizer or lysol on school supply list i feel it
should be added .
I am the mother of 2 bright students that have been in CCISD since Kindergarten. My
daughter is an ambitious rising Senior at Clear Springs High School. She is very driven
academically and in all her extra curricular activities. Her greatest joy in life is to sing!
She's been involved in Varsity Choir and Rhythm and Blue, and after making the
difficult decision to end her time in Varsity Tennis, she will finally have the opportunity
to participate in the Musical Theater class and High School Musical her final year....Her
Senior year. My son will be in 7th grade at Creekside Intermediate. He is looking
forward to playing his 2nd year in Percussion and taking the Culinary Arts class. He's
also preparing to try out for multiple sports. Online School, in my opinion, is not an
effective option for our children. My daughter told me she didn't feel engaged at all
with the material, and they piled on so much work, we barely saw her. My son has
ADHD and even though both my children achieved A's for the Spring Semester- without
the recognition, I saw an emotional/mental decline from the lack of socialization with
fellow students and their teachers...especially in my daughter. All of our children
desperately need the opportunity for socialization and all the activities that make
school fun! This virus is not life threatening to our children. There are safeguards we
can put in place like hand sanitizer, taking temperatures, and not allowing students to
come to school sick. Separate safeguards can be put in place for the staff to make
them feel safe and comfortable, but the worst thing you could do is keep these kids
home. You will have several students that will be dealing with depression or worse if
you take the activities that bring them the most joy, away. Some students need school
as their safe place, and full time working parents cannot possibly school their children
at home. Children with special needs that don't have parents that are willing to work
with them, are missing out on so much! Masks would be miserable to wear all day for
our students, and the medical experts say it's not healthy to wear masks for long
periods of time. Also, you can't participate in sports, dancing or singing with a mask on
your face!
I understand your job is to make sure everyone is safe. The more we learn about this
virus, the more we understand that it is very rare to spread it from an Asymptomatic
Kids should have regular school. Vertical was really hard for my son to learn. My son is
in 12th grade and it was very difficult for him to understand teachers. Specially math
was very difficult.
Yes. Electric
I am concerned that schools will allow practicing strong safety measures on a voluntary
basis (not required), thus rendering any other student's attempts to practice safety
measures to be rendered innefective. Wearing masks is a good example that wearing
masks only work if everyone wears them because they largely protect the people
around the wearer not the wearer themselves. I am also concerned that young kids will
need adults in school to be watchful and help ensure kids wash their hands 20 seconds
with soap, actually keep apart and understand that even quick violations are not ok,
and watch to tell kids don't put your hands in your mouth/eyes/nose as young kids do.
If left to themselves I fear the young kids can spread the virus quickly. I'm fearful that
upon entering campus no one will detect if someone has high temperature or other
symptoms and could spread the virus unnoticed unlike other businesses and schools
which have contactless thermometers and checkpoints to enter buildings. If parents
could help out to volunteer and (be checked) help to check kids be safe and stay safe
that may be a good solution to some challenges I've identified above. I am one of those
parents willing to help.
My name is Kane and I am an Emergency Room nurse. For the sake of brevity and
simplicity, all of my facts and figures are from only two sources: The World Health
Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). I have
heard it said that the current SARS coronavirus outbreak will affect more change than
the influenza epidemic of 1918. Now that was a pandemic. An estimated 500 million
infected and 50 million dead. Although I am not sure why. In comparison, there are
just over 8 million confirmed cases and less than 450 THOUSAND deaths. And even the
CDC admits that those numbers are padded with additional "probable" coronavirus
attributed deaths. 500 million infected and 50 million dead versus 8 million confirmed
cases and <450 thousand dead... in a world of 7.6 billion people. The CDC reports
approximately 650 thousand people die globally every year from seasonal flu. I do not
understand why there is the unprecedented and, in my opinion, unwarranted response
to covid-19. When I was discussing the survey and mentioned the possibility of
students and teachers wearing masks in the classroom, my 5th grader asked "how am I
going to understand my teacher? I couldn't even understand our waitress." I watch
everyday as people all around me fail to use proper mask wearing techniques. If your
are looking to some change to make, keep it simple and effective. The CDC states that
1:25 hospitalized patient will contract a hospital acquired infection. To combat the
spread, the CDC recommends "hand washing as the simplest and most effective
approach to preventing the spread of infections and needs to be incorporated into the
culture of every healthcare setting". I recommend encouraging proper and frequent
hand hygiene and wiping down high contact surfaces with disinfectant regularly.
Thank you for your time and energy regarding this matter.
My name is Ryan Dennard. My wife, Melissa, and I have four children in CCISD, from
elementary through high school.
There is a constitutional obligation to provide a quality public education. The programs
provided by CCISD in the spring of 2020 did not meet that standard. The circumstances
were unique, and the efforts of local education professionals were commendable. But
it is not possible to achieve the quality education needed by local children without
returning to full, in-person instructional learning during the 2020-21 school year.
Eventual universal exposure to the coronavirus is now inevitable, in the same way that
exposure to flu, pneumonia and other sorts of infectious diseases is inevitable.
Encouraging fear while struggling to postpone such exposure is emotionally hurtful,
and destructive to the educational and professional routines that children and adults
alike need to succeed.
School-age children are not at material risk from this coronavirus. Literally and
statistically, our children are more likely to be killed from a lightning strike than COVID-
19. If elderly or otherwise vulnerable adults choose to remove themselves from group
settings, they should do so. But children and healthy adults should be able to continue
our lives, accepting that risks come with living. The World Health Organization
estimates 320,000 people drown annually, but our children swim without life jackets.
40,000 people die in car crashes in the US annually, but we drive everywhere.
Texas was built with boldness, by people who embraced routine danger and
understood that progress is made with some measure of loss. Our own children’s
future and their success depend on imparting boldness and steadfastness—not a
huddling fear—to their generation.
Staggered start time, especially at the high school level, should be offered as an option.
Allowing parents and students to elect later school start time can put the accountability
for transportation on the parents/students, instead of the school bus system. Those
who elect for later start time can sleep later, which helps boost immunity and also
helps reduced class size to allow social distancing.
Detailed plans should be offered before “voting“ should happen. Having parents vote
on choice without details is pointless.
Can we reopen earlier so they can be off during the winter?
I would like to see the CCISD and the VLI to reopen for all classroom instructions by the
beginning of this fall (late August or early September) as usual. The virtual learning has
lots of issues, so an extended learning from home is not going to substitute
conventional teaching and learning from the classrooms!
Thank you!
Dr. Feng Hsu and Mrs. Hoen Sai
Parents of 7th grader at VLI
713 513 0423
The students could wear masks in the classroom also we could spread the students out
6ft apart.
My son is in 3rd grade at Robinson. While we missed interaction with
teachers/classmates, we were relieved to have virtual learning and believe the
teachers/staff did a fabulous job of transitioning this spring. Our family would prefer to
continue virtual learning until there is a vaccine or unless there aren't cases in our area.
Elementary students cannot distance and avoid touching their faces all day. Just a few
cases, will exponentially increase, exposing our students, teachers, staff and their
families. Please err on the side of caution. Thank you for considering our input.
Will class sizes be smaller? Will daycare students be separated from non daycare
students.
I found it very disjointed to navigate ItsLearning because different teachers put things
in different places within the platform, and it was not always clear what was actually
due, vs optional practice or additional resources. Similar to the recommendation to
"Consolidate communication to parents of secondary students from multiple teachers
to a single communication platform", I think there needs to be some work to make this
platform much more user-friendly and ensure that there is some consistency as to how
assignments are posted.
First: How are attendence reqirements adjusted, if at all, for the hybrid or online
attendance options?
Second: What consideration, by CCISD or TEA, has been given to single parents who
may not have dedicated resources available for hybrid or online learning during the day
while the single parent is at work?
Consider the students that will be going to daycare, when they are not in school,
because their parents are essential workers and can't stay home with them. What
support will be offered to them? So they don't get behind academically from all of the
other kids who have parents that can stay home and work on lesson plans with them
during the day.
1. Requiring students and teachers to wear masks is totally unacceptable. The virus is
smaller than what the N95 mask filters. Medical "experts" have reported wildly
different opinions on this. Long term mask wearing is unhealthy, as it requires one to
recycle its own waste product! And, they would be massively inappropriate and dirty
for younger children, as they would surely be dropped on the floor, endlessly touched,
etc.
2. Increase in positive Covid test results is due to the increase in testing itself.
3. 25+ countries NEVER locked down, practiced only common sense sanitary practices,
and they ALL turned out fine. "Herd Immunity" is a scientific reality, and this is exactly
what happened in these countries. I guarantee that at least 75% of the USA population
is Covid positive, but without symptoms. This was inevitable, but should not be a death
sentence for closing down the country over and over.
The woman speaking right now, the one giving data from Sweden and the CDC, is
absolutely correct. The results of not opening our country and schools are just as bad
or worse than opening. Herd Immunity is a reality.
I agree with the parents who spoke and said school should open with the fewest
restrictions possible. Not all children can online learn and they do not need to mask and
social distance.
My son learned nothing during the shut down and needs interaction with his friends
and teachers. Let’s not lead by and instill fear.
I would like the school to reopen . I don't think kids should ware mask i think that the
mask will cause more issues. if we have no other choice but to do school online . I think
there should be a one one video conferences were the teacher and the student can
actually speak and learn a real lesson. Maybe they can do zoom calls with 5 students at
home time. I read an article that said kids only really need 1 hour to 3 hours of learning
depending on the age. maybe we need our teachers to do a CE course regarding home
schooling . In China they have online schooling where the teacher is on the video
teaching the lesson and the child interacted by completing the task on the screen
Lockdowns have not affected the spread of Covid:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.24.20078717v1
From the article: "Comparing the trajectory of the epidemic before and after the
lockdown, we find no evidence of any discontinuity in the growth rate, doubling time,
and reproduction number trends."
As cases have not stepped off a steady rise yet, our country is failing on every step of
the way, indicating that there may still be need for cautionary measures in many
months to come, and the mere fact that our district is holding a conference in person
on this issue shows just how ill educated and suited this panel is to deal with a virus.
My children are rising 1st graders at Ed White Elementary. Coming from a dual-income
household, I am very hopeful that in-person school opens in August. However, I am
fully supportive of PPE for children. I know from experience that it's difficult to get
young children to wear masks. I do think effort can be made to find a way to prevent
aerosols being spread. My goal this summer is to find a mask that fit my kids and they
willingly wear. I hope that non-special needs children are very strongly encouraged if
not required to wear masks.
I want to add I am 100% pro go back to school as normal. I am against masks it
prohibits learning and scares the young kids. The is a spike, people speaking that there
is not are not speaking correctly especially in Galveston County. What the issue is, one
lady mentioned one kid goes down the entire school goes down. There has to be
accommodation for smaller class sizes and limiting mixing the kids from one class to
another. Eat lunch in the classroom, have non daycare kids go in the morning, daycare
kids go in the afternoon. These kids can't mix, there is no proof that kids do not spread
this. We have to consider sealing off pods and keeping kids in certain areas, focus on
learning, PE, art and music are important but those can wait until things improve.
Thank you.
My daughter is in 2nd grade at Stewart. She is an only child, so I know she needs the
socialization opportunities that a classroom provides. Isolation is very hard on her. I
also know that distance learning may be required in case of a shut down or in
combination with classroom learning. That being the case, it is important that teachers
actually teach even through distance learning.
To those concerned
Some observations and thoughts.
Concerned parents may want to keep students home for safety reasons and request
distant learning, I do know of
a few who are in this situation.
So:
If a choice is given and the numbers are sufficient, would it be possible to create a
section of teachers that deal just with distance learning. This would take that load off
classroom teachers. Doing both as a classroom teacher would be an overload.
That being said, if for some reason we do have to go full distance learning we will have
a huge source to guide and help the teachers.
How can we find the survey results?
The lady who was just on (the small business owner) is correct. A slipshod, rammed
through vaccine should never be mandatory for anyone. You're going to have a huge
problem, if mandatory, because millions are smart enough to reject it. Safe vaccines
cannot be created in less than 5 years.
I'm a teacher with a heart condition who is very concerned about catching Covid and
about the lasting impacts it might have on my health. I have a child, and I'm concerned
that I may have to choose between my job/keeping my home and being healthy and
alive for my family. I keep hearing parents say that children need to be back, but where
are the considerations for teachers and staff? If a teacher becomes infected, will we
have pay cuts if we don't have enough sick bank? Of course we'd all love to go back to
normal, but that's not going to happen with Covid around. My fear is that it'll take one
transmission in schools for us to lose one of our own. Please assure your staff that
they're being considered as well.
Thank you for all of your work on keeping our students and staff safe. As an employee
and parent of the district I implore you to not make any recommendations optional. I
trust that there will be a plan in place to start school but we must have universal
compliance and enforcement of safety measures across the district. We cannot safely
leave these up to parents to choose, i.e. masks. I have seen it not work already at the
end of the year with employees not heeding the recommendations laid out by our
district. We all want to return and we must do so safely. We will not be able to appease
everyone. Thank you for your time.
Please hire more cleaning staff. That has always been my concern. There is not enough,
and you cannot expect a few cleaning ladies to thoroughly clean and sanitize the entire
school 2 to 3 times a day with with the staffing that is provided.
Electronically
I have a daughter enrolled in 2nd grade in CCISD. I have been listening to the public
comments tonight, and while I appreciate the push to return to normal, we are simply
not in normal times right now. I fully agree with the gentlemen who advised the district
to carefully follow the CDC guidelines. We must place the safety of our children as a top
priority. We need to listen to the experts. It isn't acceptable to simply ignore this
outbreak and rush back to normal.
I totally agree with the guy giving all the facts right now. Freedom not tyranny. Hell,
yes! NONE of the dire predictions by the "medical experts" came true. And, there is
not ramifications for them being wrong. That is offensive.
Dear CCISD/safety committee: I appreciate your willingness to let parents share their
stories. Throughout this meeting, I heard anecdotal stories from parents which were
touching but lacking evidence and inconsistent with CDC/NIH guidance related to
safety for the spread of COVID-19. Examples include a parent who has dreamed of
watching her kid go to kinder (touching but not based on data and her emotions to not
outweigh CDC recommendations and the health of the community), incorrect evidence
stating that there has been "no spike in fatalities since May 1st" (please validate ),
parents who don't want masks because their kids need to "breathe air" (CDC
recommends masks for a reason). I understand this is a traumatic time for everyone;
however, I sincerely hope that in making a decision, the Board will prioritize
recommendations from the CDC/NIH to minimize risks to our students, faculty, staff
and their families.
I would like to see my child start school in the fall, however my main concern for his
safety comes first. We have been social distancing, wearing mask, proper handwashing,
etc. I also have a brother who is an adult with special needs whom when its necessary
for us to go to the store it is a true hassle because he likes to socialize and touch other
people so we have to keep his hands to himself and keep him at a distance from others.
My thing is even if the decision is made to send the students back to school with a plan
in place to keep them safe, we can't keep them safe outside of school because not
everyone is practicing safe measures. As I watch the meeting live there is only a
handful of people wearing mask. So whose to say that the students and their families
are not out socializing with someone that is positive for COVID-19 or that may be
asymptomatic. Once that child goes to school it will spread then we will get a letter or
email sent home saying a child has covid19 just like we do when a child has lice, but it
will be too late because other children has been exposed. So basically we can keep the
children safe in the school but we can't monitor what they are doing away from school.
That is why I say online learning is best until the virus is gone. I also believe that if there
is a vaccine for it that it should be optional if the parents want their children to have it
and not mandatory.
Please, please, please, please, PLEASE don't listen to all the emotion and opinion and
frankly, whining, from tonight's speakers when making your decisions. Wearing a mask
is NOT that big a deal (it's better than dying!). Please use SCIENCE and DATA,
interpreted by the EXPERTS in the field when making your decisions. Some people
downplayed the reported statistics, but let's be fair: due to some people not going to
the hospital, the actual deaths HAVE to be higher than what's been reported. School is
important, but it's clear some of the voices tonight are just tired of having the kids at
home. Good luck; I don't envy your position.
JSC hasn’t reopened yet. I don’t expect my kids to shoulder more risk than my husband.
I have a risk factor for death should I get COVID-19: high blood pressure isn’t a rare
condition in our society. If my kids have to go to school, we’ll have to distance at home.
No hugs and kisses, no bedtime snuggles.
I understand nothing has 0% risk, but I don’t intend to send my kids to school unless
masks are in place and social distancing is taken seriously.
NORMAL school year calendar, please.
MENTAL and EMOTIONAL health MUST be the priority!
NO face shields or masks (unless you're okay with traumatizing kids for life).
'Mr. Infectious Diseases' wasn't even wearing his mask correctly, so I call 'bologna'.
REASONABLE precautions (Hand Washing and Frequent Cleaning).
***MAKE SURE THERE IS ACTUAL SOAP IN THE KIDS' RESTROOMS!!!!!!!!!!!!***
Quarantine ONLY SYMPTOMATIC students/faculty.
I would also like to see 'the data' from CCISD that the committee is looking at.
Extra-curricular activities/organizations are ESSENTIAL to the health and well-being of
youth.
FAITH over fear.
Hello, I think it is important to have a plan to educate the parents on how to conduct a
distance learning plan from home at the beginning of the school year in case covid-19
gets worse during the fall. I just ask that if there is not going to be any precautions set
at the beginning of the school year for there to be an option for distance learning from
home for those who would not feel comfortable sending the kids to school. Thank you
for allowing us the opportunity to provide our input. Hello, I am a former CCISD student (CLHS '96), and my oldest child will be entering
CCISD for the first time this coming year. She is transitioning from a small Montessori
school to WAVE at Westbrook. WAVE is a wonderful program, and we are excited.
However, as you can imagine, going from a small school to such a large one, meeting
new teachers, making new friends, will be stressful. But I believe that we are up to the
challenge.
I am concerned, though, about the effect of masks on the ability of students to connect
with one another as well as their teachers. How can a teacher teach without being able
to see that look of understanding -- or confusion -- on his or her students' faces? How
can a student connect without seeing her teacher smile at her? How can a shy child in a
new school make friends, when she cannot even see their faces?
I do understand that masks can help reduce the spread of droplets, but my
understanding is that droplets are produced primarily through coughing, sneezing, and
the like. What if only those with these symptoms wore masks? (For example, a child
with allergies who is sneezing, but not ill, and certainly not symptomatic of COVID-19,
and therefore, not needing to stay home.)
If you do decide to require masks of all, then please consider a way for students and
teachers to see each other without masks as well, perhaps through videoconferencing.
Though this is an imperfect solution as well. I can't imagine students making new
friends through Zoom meetings.
I would encourage you to look into other creative social distancing solutions, such as
allowing those students who do well with distance learning and whose parents wish it
to continue learning from home, thereby reducing the number of children in the school
as well. (I would still include those children in videoconferences with classmates.)
Let me start by saying I desperately want my kids to go back to school in August, both
for their own good and for personal, selfish reasons.
My biggest takeaway from this meeting was people's aversion to masks. My 5-year old
twins just graduated kindergarten, and I agree that getting them to wear masks is
difficult if not impossible.
However, I do believe that all non-special needs students must be required to wear
masks. As an analogy, vaccination of the population helps protect those who cannot be
vaccinated. I heard several parents of special needs students speak of the difficulty
keeping masks on their children. If non-special needs students (analogous to
vaccinated population) wear masks, it will help protect those who cannot wear masks
(analogous to those who cannot be vaccinated.
When it comes to masks I think we should get creative. My son loves wearing his
Incredible Hulk mask. I think we should allow children to wear whatever mask they
want, so long as a cloth mask is present underneath. This will make it fun for kids while
also providing them protection. This will be disruptive at first, but the kids will get over
the hilarity of a class full of masked kids in a day or two and get back to work.
During the meeting I heard far to many people dismissing the transmissibility of COVID-
19. Regardless of whether or not this virus is "airborne" or spreads easily on surfaces,
everything I have read says that aerosolized droplets (i.e. from coughing or sneezing) is
predominantly how this virus spreads. Distancing, shields, and masks are the best way
to inhibit this primary infection route. Yes, masks are uncomforatble, but heaven
forbid our kids have to "suck it up", and if we make it fun they might actually like it.
I'm disappointed but not surprised with some of the public commentary giving. For the
record, I firmly believe that we need to engage in distance learning for the upcoming
school year, as evidenced by the rising numbers of cases in Harris County and the
continued lack of adherence to guidelines given by the CDC and local government.
After the second outbreak (which is happening), if school must open, everyone should
be required to have a mask or facial covering and social distancing measures followed.
Watching the parent feedback session, I was fairly surprised and concerned with the
number of attendees that seem unconcerned with the spread of Covid-19. I heard a lot
of selective facts shared, and I hope that the committee is consulting with experts and
uses that data to make decisions. We need to keep in mind that all of the numbers are
with 2 months of restrictions that helped reduce the spread of Covid.
I want my children back in the classroom. Distance learning was very difficult for us. I
want kids to stay in school. I am very much willing to take measures to ensure that
schools don't need to close again. I would much rather have to get them to wear masks
than have to deal with distance learning again.
We are a dual income household, and distance learning is tough, because my 5 year
olds (rising 1st graders) can't do the work without help. We sent our kids to YMCA
summer camp on June 1st. They check temperatures, enforce social distancing, and
practice strict cleaning. They do not require masks. On June 12, we got the first
notification that someone tested positive for Covid-19. On June 14, another person
tested positive, and we just got another notification that additional persons within the
camp have tested positive. It took 12 days, and only 30 children total attend. They are
closing the camp for 2 weeks, understandably. I don't see how this will not happen
when schools open back up if we don't do everything possible to reduce transmission
of aerosols. Masks need to be mandatory. For safety, and as a measure to try and keep
our kids in school.
I am an educator. I think we need to approach this pandemic together in unity and not
divided as in teachers/staff versus parents/students. We all hopefully are striving for
the greater good for humanity. This is a global crisis. We are all affected by these
circumstances. Absolutely I want to be back in the classroom and teach, but is it what is
best in this moment and time? Is it what is safest and healthiest for our students? Our
staff? Our own families at home? Or are we trying to act like it’s not as big of a deal as
it is and just accommodate parents because they want their child back in school for a
variety of reasons. Again I am all about going back to the classroom if it’s what is best
for everyone. We have to think about teachers who care for elderly parents and
grandparents whom they could be putting at risk. We have to think through so many
scenarios. I know this is unchartered water. I know it must be terrifying and challenging
to decide what to do next. I know I would feel more at ease if we had a vaccine first. It
makes me uneasy with all the uncertainty. I live in Galveston and just yesterday several
custodial staff in Galveston, several restaurant employees, etc. were positive for COVID
and businesses are voluntarily closing to prevent the spread. This is not just going
away. Thank you for listening.
Hello, thank you for all the hours of work you have put into the committee. My family
and I appreciate what you are all trying to accomplish so that our students can have a
successful 2020-2021 school year.
Currently, I teach first grade and have taught 16 years, I have experience with students
in Kindergarten through 12th grade. I also hold my Masters in Educational Leadership.
My son will be starting his 3rd year with the CCISD family, and my little one is set to
start Prekindergarten-4. I don't only have my students to be concerned for, but also my
own children.
As, I listened to the comments tonight, I thought about the following things:
-> Masks, there is nothing wrong with wearing them. Why not wear them? As a
teacher, I would wear a mask or a face shield, if it meant that I could possibly be
preventing someone from getting sick. Somone, tonight mentioned that we shouldn't
"shame" the students into wearing the masks, I ask...is it truly "shaming"? People wear
masks for Halloween and Mardis Gras, and is that "shaming" too?
->I can only imagine the tight timeline you have, but it would be amazing if we could
hear from districts who led their distance learning in different ways. How did they
handle all of their unique populations? All of our students have needs, some more than
others, how did they find success?
->I applaud the district and the academic team for assisting teachers with a framework
for us to deliver lessons to our students. I think that for this being the first time we ever
went through something like this, we did great! Was it like being in the classroom? No.
Was it the best situation? No. Did all students do their work? No. Did they try? Yes, (my
students did). Were all parents cooperative? No. Did everyone have the best attitude
about distance learning? No. Could it have been better? Sure, everything has room for
improvement.
Yes
My son will possibly be attending Ward Elementary as a kindergartener. He has never
been to school before and I fear that sending him to school for the 2020-2021 school
year will make him hate school because of the extended school year, extended school
day, and if he is kept in a single room all day with no outside play then he will be in a
prison atmosphere and expected to learn. Please dont make the school year or school
day longer.
Also, I think that students should get the choice to go back to the classroom OR
participate in distance learning.
Hello,
I really don’t want my name attached to this publicly if at all possible. People in the
community do not need to know the health situation of me or my family although I feel
it is important to share it with this committee confidentially.
We have two children still in CCISD. One will be a 4th grader at Robinson and the other
is a sophomore at Falls. We are very concerned with returning to school on a normal
schedule. Our daughter has an auto immune disorder that causes her to have periodic
fevers that last for 2-3 weeks, very dark circles under her eyes, swollen eye/dripping
eyelid, limping, lethargy, and listlessness. While normal most of the time, she is more
susceptible to Covid 19 than most people. A larger issue at our home is my own auto
immune disorder. Without going into the specific disease itself, please know that I take
heavy doses of Prednisone and organ rejection drugs every day to try and prevent a
future transplant. I still work and my husband still works but we both wear PPE. We live
six houses away from my 81 and 82 year old parents who require help on a regular
basis. While we crave a return to school and normalcy, we value our lives and that of
my parents more. We also value the lives of our district employees. Are they included
in these surveys? Their exposure and risk is just as important as our children.
While many speak of the flu and the large numbers it kills or affects, they are looking
back over a year. COVID 19 has killed 215,000 people in THREE months. Killed. Dead.
Not coming back. Period. If, and I do mean a big IF, we risk our daughter and my life for
her education, we expect protection. School safety has been a priority in CCISD. We
just have to take it to the next level for a little while. We expect masks, social distancing
that will be tough) hand washing, hand sanitizer, all of it. UT is demanding it. A&M is
demanding it. Hospitals demand it. I know you can do it. I trust you. Make us the best
at it. Set the bar high. Educate safely. Protect our children. Protect our employees.
Please protect my family. Thank you.
My suggestion is yes you should re open school with social distance
Uzma khan
I have a few questions concerning the online school academy. If any student has to go
with the online school option, will we have to give up our electives or extracurriculars
that we worked so hard for in the past few years? And will we be competing with a new
set of students for ranks? I think that if we aren't able to take the same courses on the
online academy we would in regular school, that puts immunocompromised people like
me at a disadvantage, not because of a choice we make ourselves, but because of the
situation we are in. Please consider this and do not give people an advantage and a
larger variety of courses just because they have the option or make the choice to
prioritize school over their health and go to school in person. I really think it would be
extremely unfair if I had to make the choice between my health or being able to do
things I love dearly, like band and debate.
Will the online option be provided for DAEP placements? Can the students have the
option to complete their DAEP terms at home?
I'll have a child at Brookwood Elementary and one at Westbrook Intermediate next
year (I believe both with the same hours). I'm happy to drive and carpool to alleviate
the bus situation, if the schools can be flexible with drop off and pick up times. Stagger
pick up and drop off times in elementary with priority slots given to those needing to
pick up children at other schools with the same hours. Elementary children who are
ahead could have a choice to come late/leave early giving teachers time to help those
who need more attention. That would allow more of us to drive instead of using the
buses because we can't be at the schools at the same time.
Please consider those who are not in the position to stay home with children in the
instance distance learning is implemented. I am a single, full time working mom who
can’t really continue to afford daycare, and who won’t have time to provide distance
learning support.
As a staff member, I'd love to receive information ahead of parents, so we feel as if
we're part of the process. What will distance learning options look like for high risk staff
members? Will the current resignation date be changed to allow for late resignations
due to not having a firm idea as to what next school year will look like?
Will there still be football games? if so then can the drill team perform at the games
and pep rally’s?
More of a suggestion, than question. My student is a Rising Senior, after her summer
classes, she will have TWO required credits remaining for graduation, all of her other
classes are electives. These electives are simply time fillers to keep her on campus the
required number of hours. If Seniors like her could be released after the classes they
need to graduate, that would open up numerous seats for other students through out
the day.
What is the likely of students going back to band and other fall events? When do you
think the final answer will be released. Thanks
How will CCISD handle CTE programs that cannot be completed online, that require in-
person training and practice, such as Certified Nursing Assistant and Cosmetology,
among others? The state licensing requirements for these programs cannot be
successfully completed online, nor can the students be successfully prepared for
entering the workforce by attempting online education. These courses must be
included in the school day as much as possible to ensure program completion. Thank
you.
I just read the update about reopening the schools. If our kids have to stay home again
and be taught by us, then the State needs to give to the parents some of the money
that is allocated to the schools, because we will be teaching the majority of the time.
I'm serious about this. It doesn't make sense to give the school the same amount of
money if they're not the ones teaching the kids. Part of the money needs to go to the
one parent who is not allowed to get a job because we're forced to be the teachers. It's
only fair.
What would be the requirements for getting in the school building each day? RAPID
COVID test at the door?? Temperature checks at the door? Masks?
I would like to receive information regarding the Clear connections online academy. I
just read that Governor Abbott plans to reopen schools to in-person this August. With
the numbers and situation, I have doubts. My children's health is very important.
Thank you for your time.