Return to Learn

NOTICE: The conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic are continually evolving, and Gainesville ISD’s Return to Learn plans will be constantly evaluated to adapt to the continuing trends of the COVID-19 virus in Texas and specifically in Cooke County.

Gainesville ISD will offer two options of instructional delivery models for our students: Traditional at-school learning on campus or virtual learning at home. The virtual learning option is being provided for our families who have health and safety concerns with sending their children back to school.

On Thursday, July 23, the first parent contact listed in Parent Portal for all students received an email from Gainesville ISD. The email contained a form for each family to complete. The form asks for parents/guardians to make a commitment for each student by choosing either in-school or virtual learning for the return to school August 19. The commitment form deadline has been extended to 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 3. Your child’s schedule and teacher assignments cannot be finalized until we receive your commitment, so please consider completing the form as soon as possible.

We encourage this commitment form for EVERY student, so that we can ensure the proper planning. If a form is not completed by August 3rd, then the student will be committed to in-school learning. However, we encourage parents to complete the form so we can also anticipate the number of students needing transportation.

Visit the links below to learn more about each option:

Information for All Families to Consider Prior to Determining an Option

Both in-building and virtual academy students will follow the same “bell” schedule.

Both in-building and remote classrooms will use large- and small-group instruction for remediation and enrichment activities.

Both in-building and virtual academy students will demonstrate mastery of concepts using traditional methods as well as assessments emphasizing application over memorization.

Both remote and virtual academy students will have frequent breaks throughout the day.

Both remote and virtual academy students will have the same expectations and experiences regarding the curriculum.

Virtual academy students who take a class for which there is no remote teacher may need to virtually attend the in-building classroom for instruction.

Similarly, students who come into the building for learning may need to virtually attend a remote classroom for instruction if the teacher is only available remotely. In situations such as this, an area will be available in the building for students to both social-distance and to access their class remotely.

General Q&A

Why is Gainesville ISD offering families options? Why not offer full remote or full in-building instruction?
Why isn’t the district considering a hybrid option?

The hybrid model was studied extensively and many different versions of it were considered. The administration ruled it out because, consistently, there were too many apparent challenges, such as childcare, for parents and staff, bus transportation scheduling, cleaning protocols, academic scheduling and others. We cannot offer an option that poses so many challenges and one we do not think we can effectively deliver; therefore, a hybrid model was removed from consideration. That's why there are only two options as presented: full remote learning and full in-building learning.

Several have asked if there is a possibility some kind of hybrid could still be considered in the future, depending on parent and staff responses. It would be premature to speculate what the data might reveal or what, if any, final schedule we can offer, subject to social distancing requirements and other health and safety restrictions. As a reminder, even the draft schedules shown in the plan are examples of what each day might eventually look like.

A hybrid model is not a current option and the district - at this time - has not been able to identify a middle-ground or compromised version that would satisfy those who want a hybrid model, due to its numerous complexities.
Where is Gainesville ISD receiving its guidance?
Gainesville ISD is receiving guidance from multiple sources:
- The school districts strictly follow the guidelines/recommendations as presented by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
- Dr. Stewart meets frequently with a group of Texas Superintendents to share their thinking and plans around COVID-19. In addition, he consults with superintendent organizations and forums across the country.
- The school nurses receive frequent information from state and local health entities and agencies and meet weekly with school nurses from the Region.
- The District receives information from federal, state and local agencies and organizations.
What should families with health issues or a high-risk member of the household choose?
Are students and staff required to wear masks or face coverings?

All staff and those students who are at Lee, GJH, and GHS will be required to wear masks or some type of face covering while in the building. The recommendation is for children 10 and older, but to streamline our guidance at GISD, it is more clear to divide at the campus level. There may be moments when face coverings can be removed (e.g., some outdoor activities, eating, etc.). The requirement of face coverings will be based on the recommendations of local and state officials.
Will there be temperature checks before entering school each day?
Will there be COVID-19 testing for staff and students?
How long is the commitment for in-building/remote instruction?

Because of the complexities inherent in these options, individuals must make a commitment for up to one full grading period Aug. 19 through Sept. 24. Understandably, there may be instances where a student or staff member needs to quickly default to remote learning due to illness or unique circumstances. If so, these needs will be accommodated to maintain the health and well-being of those impacted and to ensure the safety of those in the building.
When will notifications of choice be made?
Will the school year calendar change?
How will staff & families receive the application to choose?

Current Gainesville ISD families received instructions on how to access the application via a Blackboard email. Only the parent/guardian who is designated as the primary contact for the student within Parent Portal will be able to complete this application. We appreciate parents working together to provide information in the best interests of their child(ren) and families.

Families who are new to the district, including transfer students and incoming Kindergartners who do not have older siblings in the district, will receive a survey sent to the primary email provided on their enrollment forms.

Parents will be provided an opportunity to complete the Return to Learn Survey through the enrollment process and the parent portal. The survey will allow parents to choose the learning option as well as provide additional information needed if a virtual learning option is selected.
Will we have Meet the Teacher?
How does the June 30 TEA guidance that says school districts cannot require parents to commit to a learning format more than two weeks before the start of school affect the Return to Learn plan?

school affect the Return to Learn plan?

The Gainesville ISD Return to Learn plan aligns with what TEA's latest guidance, as of June 30, which says:

[School districts] may ask their parents to commit to either on campus or remote instruction for their students no earlier than two weeks before the start of the school year. [School districts] may survey parents prior to that period, but parents cannot be bound to the choice prior to two weeks before the start of the school year. In the event a parent chooses remote instruction for their child, a [school district] may, if the [school districts] believes it is in the student’s educational interest, choose to limit the student’s return to an on-campus setting to occur only at the end of a grading period (e.g. 6-week or 9-week).

We need time to analyze the recent options data before confirming with parents what their child's placement will be for the upcoming school year. We think this may take until approximately Aug. 1 to do so, then parents would have until approximately Aug. 7 to acknowledge, accept or confirm that placement for their child(ren). This would fall within the two-week window as prescribed by TEA. Therefore, Gainesville ISD would be in compliance with this requirement.

Return to Learn

Return to Learn

Information for All Families to Consider Prior to Determining an Option

General Q&A

Why is Gainesville ISD offering families options? Why not offer full remote or full in-building instruction?

Why isn’t the district considering a hybrid option?

Where is Gainesville ISD receiving its guidance?

What should families with health issues or a high-risk member of the household choose?

Are students and staff required to wear masks or face coverings?

Will there be temperature checks before entering school each day?

Will there be COVID-19 testing for staff and students?

How long is the commitment for in-building/remote instruction?

When will notifications of choice be made?

Will the school year calendar change?

How will staff & families receive the application to choose?

Will we have Meet the Teacher?

How does the June 30 TEA guidance that says school districts cannot require parents to commit to a learning format more than two weeks before the start of school affect the Return to Learn plan?