KISD Public Health Guide 2021-2022
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This document outlines the procedures our campuses have in place to safely return to in-person learning beginning June 1, 2021.
OVERVIEW:
This plan has been created with the health and safety of students and employees in mind as we enter the 2021-2022 school year with in-person learning. The guidelines referenced in this plan take into consideration guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), University Interscholastic League (UIL), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local and state officials.
Regular updates will be made to this plan based on guidance from these authoritative sources. For the most accurate information, be sure to follow and monitor our authorized communications platforms listed below.
For current information regarding the District's Public Health Guide:
In the event the District, campuses or programs do not reopen or are ordered to close during the 2021-2022 school year, KISD will publish through its communication channels more information regarding specific updates pertinent to the closure period.
All employees and parents must understand the safety requirements, protocols, and expectations that have been implemented to ensure that all students and staff stay safe and healthy. Updates pertinent to the evolving pandemic situation will be provided throughout the year.
Consistent with school notification requirements for other communicable diseases, and consistent with legal confidentiality requirements, Killeen ISD will email all teachers, staff, and families of all students if a PCR lab-confirmed COVID-19 case is identified among students, teachers or staff at their campus/department.
Killeen ISD will publish a COVID-19 dashboard for transparency of positive cases on campuses and departments and will use the information to monitor the percentage of COVID individuals on campuses and within departments.
The District continues to support the mental wellness of all students and staff. Parents wishing to speak directly with a school counselor may contact their child's campus. Employees have access to mental health support services through our Recruitment & Retention Department.
VISITORS
Killeen ISD campuses will be open for traditional in-person instruction and will welcome visitors into our campuses. All visitors must self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to arriving at a KISD property.
SCREENING - STUDENTS AND STAFF
Before entering any KISD facility, all students and staff should self-screen daily for COVID-19 symptoms. If the student is not old enough to self-screen on their own, an adult guardian should perform the daily screening for them. If a child is not feeling well, parents should keep them home. If while on campus, a staff member or student develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and has a temperature equal to or higher than 100.0 degrees, the following will occur:
- The individual will be escorted or will report to the clinic (as age, ability, and situation deems appropriate).
- If applicable, and allowable, the clinic staff will contact parents with assessment findings.
- For students, if the clinic assessment indicates potential symptoms are present, an eligible guardian will be required to pick up the student immediately.
Employees and children (with parent/guardian consent) who do not feel well, will have the opportunity to obtain a COVID-19 rapid-screener while at the campus/facility, pending availability and support from the state.
COVID-19 SELF-SCREEN SYMPTOMS LIST
i. Fever (≥100.0°F)
AND
i. Sore throat
ii. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
iii. New cough
iv. New loss of taste or smell*
v. Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
vi. New onset of headache
Once the state of Texas supplies Killeen ISD with its allocation of COVID-19 rapid screeners, they will be distributed across campuses and departments for employees and students.
The Admin POC will oversee the screening process and receive training Parents/guardians must sign a permission form before the screener will be administered. The parent will swab the student, employees will self-swab. The administrator will oversee the screening process. The screener may not be taken off the premise.
For information about locations and times for COVID-19 rapid screeners, please visit: https://www.killeenisd.org/covid19_screening
KISD will assist the Bell County Health District in identifying and notifying possible close contacts. These individuals will be contacted by phone.
People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after coming in contact with someone who had COVID-19.
KISD recommends following CDC guidance which recommends a 10-day isolation period for the non-vaccinated, unmasked person where close contact is defined. A person can return to school/work as early as day 7 of isolation with a negative PCR test taken on or after day 5 of isolation.
OR
OR
Parents who opt to send their children to school in the two weeks following exposure are encouraged to closely monitor their children for symptoms.
Close contact is defined as:
If the close contact employee continues to work on campus, rapid testing must be performed every 4-5 days during 10-day post-exposure period. Employees can come back as early as day 7 of isolation, with a negative PCR lab-confirmed test result taken on or after their 5th-day isolation. Employee must input absence in FERP/TEAMS.
Those who are observed or report having possible COVID-19 symptoms will be directed to the clinic. The clinic staff who conducts the assessment will follow all relevant guidelines as they exist at the time of the evaluation. If the clinic determines the symptoms warrant removal from campus, the parent/guardian will be given the “Exclusion from School – Exhibiting Symptoms Related to COVID-19” form outlining their return.
If the individual needs to wait for transportation before they can depart campus, the individual will be isolated on campus. The isolation will occur in a dedicated location on the campus where the staff/student must remain until they can be transported home or to a healthcare provider.
Immediate pick-up is defined as within a reasonable amount of time from the location. If there is a delay, the goal will be to remove the symptomatic person from the campus as soon as possible to seek treatment and limit further exposure. During this time, the individual must be isolated and kept in a specific area and must not leave that area while waiting for transportation.
Parents/guardians or employees will decide what constitutes a reasonable amount of time.
KISD will continue to support students with acute or chronic health conditions. Short-term absences will be handled on a case-by-case basis with the student staying in touch with their corresponding Health Care Provider and campus staff. Long-term absences will be evaluated if criteria are appropriate for medical leave or other potential medical accommodations.
KISD intends to comply with and implement the current guidance as provided by the Texas Education Agency, Texas Health and Human Services, and the Center for Disease Control. In the event a conflict develops between this plan and current guidance provided by the organizations above, the Superintendent (or designee) will consult with these sources and make the final determination.
As of 1/5/2021, the following conditions apply for both staff and students: Once an individual has been removed from campus due to a lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 test, and before the individual is allowed back on campus, one of the following criteria must be satisfied:
These recommendations are subject to change based on national supply and infectious disease outbreak, as well as clinical judgment and assessment for appropriate protection.
To minimize exposure to COVID-19, PPE may be used to help mitigate risks. Face coverings will be strongly encouraged, especially for students under the age of 12, but not required for students, staff, and visitors. In the event the Bell County Health Department, or a higher governing body, require face coverings, KISD will adhere to the requirements.
Free PPE is available throughout Killeen ISD upon request as needed.
Face coverings are a personal choice, and will be encouraged but not required for students, staff, and visitors. Face shields are an approved face covering and can be worn by staff and students.
If a student or employee wishes to wear a face covering, they must provide their own.
The following are exceptions should a face covering requirement be imposed by a higher governing body:
Killeen ISD campuses located on Fort Hood must comply with the recent face covering mandate issued by the Deputy Secretary of Defense. This mandate requires all KISD employees and students (vaccinated or not) to wear a face covering while inside Fort Hood facilities. KISD campuses located on Post are considered Fort Hood facilities. This order is effective immediately.
Students attending campuses on Fort Hood, or traveling on Post, will be required to wear a face covering when on a KISD bus and inside a KISD facility for the duration of the General Order or until otherwise notified.
KISD operated the following campuses on post:
The health and safety of our employees and students is a priority. All campuses are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by our facilities department. We will continue to adhere to all necessary safety precautions, in addition to the deep cleaning of all campuses before employees and students return. The Facilities Services Department will conform to the current health department, CDC, and other authoritative information regarding best practices and will implement them as is relevant to specific situations.
Facility Services has a regular cleaning schedule for all workspaces at designated cleaning times. Please note that proper equipment such as acceptable disinfectant and PPE will be used when cleaning individual workspaces. KISD will provide cleaning services that will include frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces.
As part of Killeen ISD’s commitment to providing clean and safe facilities for student and staff, KISD provides campuses and departments with several free items to mitigate COVID-19. Hand sanitizer, masks, tissues, paper towels and cleaning sprays are available for the workspace as needed. If an employee needs to restock items, they must request it from their campus or department. A full list of items available for free in the Distribution Center can be found on the Employee HUB.
Students and staff will be encouraged to use hand sanitizer upon boarding and exiting the bu s. When possible, the windows should be open to allow outside air to circulate in the bus. Buses will be thoroughly cleaned after each bus trip, focusing on high-touch surfaces such as bus seats, steering wheels, knobs, and door handles.
Due to the Department of Defense’s General Order, students attending or traveling to campuses on Fort Hood will be required to wear a face covering when on a KISD bus for the duration of the General Order or until otherwise notified.
We will require employees to maintain this safety standard by continuously cleaning and disinfecting based on the frequency outlined below:
Deep cleaning is triggered when an active employee or student is identified as positive for COVID-19 based on testing. This is a separate and localized treatment with particular protocols and measures and does not impact the general disinfection measures, which will continue as indicated above.
Employees are encouraged to disinfect their workspace (teacher desk, phone, etc.) throughout the day, giving special attention to commonly touched surfaces.
KISD has alcohol-based hand sanitizers throughout the workplace and in common areas. Cleaning sprays or wipes are also available to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as telephones and keyboards.
Last revised: 09/09/21
This document outlines the procedures our campuses have in place to safely return to in-person learning beginning June 1, 2021.
OVERVIEW:
This plan has been created with the health and safety of students and employees in mind as we enter the 2021-2022 school year with in-person learning. The guidelines referenced in this plan take into consideration guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), University Interscholastic League (UIL), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and local and state officials.
Regular updates will be made to this plan based on guidance from these authoritative sources. For the most accurate information, be sure to follow and monitor our authorized communications platforms listed below.
COMMUNICATION METHODS
For current information regarding the District's Public Health Guide:
- Visit our district website: www.killeenisd.org/phg
- Check your email often
- Follow our District social media platforms
EXTENDED DISTRICT, CAMPUS OR PROGRAM CLOSURES
In the event the District, campuses or programs do not reopen or are ordered to close during the 2021-2022 school year, KISD will publish through its communication channels more information regarding specific updates pertinent to the closure period.
COVID-19 COMMUNICATION
All employees and parents must understand the safety requirements, protocols, and expectations that have been implemented to ensure that all students and staff stay safe and healthy. Updates pertinent to the evolving pandemic situation will be provided throughout the year.
Consistent with school notification requirements for other communicable diseases, and consistent with legal confidentiality requirements, Killeen ISD will email all teachers, staff, and families of all students if a PCR lab-confirmed COVID-19 case is identified among students, teachers or staff at their campus/department.
Killeen ISD will publish a COVID-19 dashboard for transparency of positive cases on campuses and departments and will use the information to monitor the percentage of COVID individuals on campuses and within departments.
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS AND STAFF
The District continues to support the mental wellness of all students and staff. Parents wishing to speak directly with a school counselor may contact their child's campus. Employees have access to mental health support services through our Recruitment & Retention Department.
SAFETY OF STUDENTS, STAFF, AND VISITORS
VISITORS
Killeen ISD campuses will be open for traditional in-person instruction and will welcome visitors into our campuses. All visitors must self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to arriving at a KISD property.
SCREENING - STUDENTS AND STAFF
Before entering any KISD facility, all students and staff should self-screen daily for COVID-19 symptoms. If the student is not old enough to self-screen on their own, an adult guardian should perform the daily screening for them. If a child is not feeling well, parents should keep them home. If while on campus, a staff member or student develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and has a temperature equal to or higher than 100.0 degrees, the following will occur:
- The individual will be escorted or will report to the clinic (as age, ability, and situation deems appropriate).
- If applicable, and allowable, the clinic staff will contact parents with assessment findings.
- For students, if the clinic assessment indicates potential symptoms are present, an eligible guardian will be required to pick up the student immediately.
Employees and children (with parent/guardian consent) who do not feel well, will have the opportunity to obtain a COVID-19 rapid-screener while at the campus/facility, pending availability and support from the state.
COVID-19 SELF-SCREEN SYMPTOMS LIST
i. Fever (≥100.0°F)
AND
i. Sore throat
ii. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
iii. New cough
iv. New loss of taste or smell*
v. Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
vi. New onset of headache
COVID-19 RAPID SCREENERS
Once the state of Texas supplies Killeen ISD with its allocation of COVID-19 rapid screeners, they will be distributed across campuses and departments for employees and students.
The Admin POC will oversee the screening process and receive training Parents/guardians must sign a permission form before the screener will be administered. The parent will swab the student, employees will self-swab. The administrator will oversee the screening process. The screener may not be taken off the premise.
For information about locations and times for COVID-19 rapid screeners, please visit: https://www.killeenisd.org/covid19_screening
HEALTH PROTOCOLS - STUDENTS AND STAFF
- Stay home when you are sick and have a fever greater than 100.0.
- Cover your cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you do, wash your hands afterward.
- Wash hands with soap and water (20 seconds) FREQUENTLY.
- If you do not have soap, use hand sanitizer (60-95% alcohol-based).
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe daily.
- Ensure all vaccines are up to date for oneself and other household members.
- Proceed to the Clinic for any new signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19 that develop during the school day.
CLOSE CONTACT
KISD will assist the Bell County Health District in identifying and notifying possible close contacts. These individuals will be contacted by phone.
People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after coming in contact with someone who had COVID-19.
KISD recommends following CDC guidance which recommends a 10-day isolation period for the non-vaccinated, unmasked person where close contact is defined. A person can return to school/work as early as day 7 of isolation with a negative PCR test taken on or after day 5 of isolation.
OR
- The individual may obtain a doctor’s note indicating an alternate diagnosis and return the following day.
OR
- Obtain an acute infection test that comes back negative for COVID-19
Parents who opt to send their children to school in the two weeks following exposure are encouraged to closely monitor their children for symptoms.
Close contact is defined as:
- Unmasked, unvaccinated, and within 3 feet of a COVID positive individual for more than 15minutes.
- Obtain an acute infection test that comes back negative for COVID-19
If the close contact employee continues to work on campus, rapid testing must be performed every 4-5 days during 10-day post-exposure period. Employees can come back as early as day 7 of isolation, with a negative PCR lab-confirmed test result taken on or after their 5th-day isolation. Employee must input absence in FERP/TEAMS.
ISOLATION ON CAMPUS
Those who are observed or report having possible COVID-19 symptoms will be directed to the clinic. The clinic staff who conducts the assessment will follow all relevant guidelines as they exist at the time of the evaluation. If the clinic determines the symptoms warrant removal from campus, the parent/guardian will be given the “Exclusion from School – Exhibiting Symptoms Related to COVID-19” form outlining their return.
REMOVAL FROM CAMPUS
If the individual needs to wait for transportation before they can depart campus, the individual will be isolated on campus. The isolation will occur in a dedicated location on the campus where the staff/student must remain until they can be transported home or to a healthcare provider.
Immediate pick-up is defined as within a reasonable amount of time from the location. If there is a delay, the goal will be to remove the symptomatic person from the campus as soon as possible to seek treatment and limit further exposure. During this time, the individual must be isolated and kept in a specific area and must not leave that area while waiting for transportation.
Parents/guardians or employees will decide what constitutes a reasonable amount of time.
ACADEMIC SCHOOL SUPPORT REGARDING ILLNESS
KISD will continue to support students with acute or chronic health conditions. Short-term absences will be handled on a case-by-case basis with the student staying in touch with their corresponding Health Care Provider and campus staff. Long-term absences will be evaluated if criteria are appropriate for medical leave or other potential medical accommodations.
RETURN TO WORK / CAMPUS
KISD intends to comply with and implement the current guidance as provided by the Texas Education Agency, Texas Health and Human Services, and the Center for Disease Control. In the event a conflict develops between this plan and current guidance provided by the organizations above, the Superintendent (or designee) will consult with these sources and make the final determination.
As of 1/5/2021, the following conditions apply for both staff and students: Once an individual has been removed from campus due to a lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 test, and before the individual is allowed back on campus, one of the following criteria must be satisfied:
- If the individual is diagnosed with COVID-19, the individual may return to school when all three of the following criteria are met:
- At least 10 calendar days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
- At least 24 hours has passed since recovery (i.e., resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications).
- The individual has improvement in symptoms (i.e., no cough, no fever)
- and at least 10 calendar days have passed since symptoms first appeared,
- If the individual is diagnosed with COVID-19 and is asymptomatic the individual may return to school after 10 days have passed since the date of the COVID test.
HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT STANDARDS
These recommendations are subject to change based on national supply and infectious disease outbreak, as well as clinical judgment and assessment for appropriate protection.
- It is recommended that clinic staff keep a spare change of clothes/scrubs in the office in case of exposure to body fluids or other circumstances.
- Perform triage of student/staff needs in the clinic and, for those with potential COVID-19 symptoms, direct to separate isolation room for evaluation
- If there is a positive COVID-19 case identified, the Bell County Health Department will be notified.
- Hand hygiene is required before and after each office encounter and after each intervention. Soap and water scrubbing for 20 seconds is the preferred method. Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is also acceptable.
- When a student or staff member arrives to the clinic with COVID-19 or infectious disease symptoms, ALWAYS:
- Isolate student/staff in a separate area to assess.
- Ask about potential exposure to COVID-l9 or other infectious diseases.
- Parents/emergency contacts will be notified for Immediate Pick-up as referenced above. If it is an emergency, 9-1-1 should be immediately notified. Contact EMS and delegate as appropriate.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
To minimize exposure to COVID-19, PPE may be used to help mitigate risks. Face coverings will be strongly encouraged, especially for students under the age of 12, but not required for students, staff, and visitors. In the event the Bell County Health Department, or a higher governing body, require face coverings, KISD will adhere to the requirements.
Free PPE is available throughout Killeen ISD upon request as needed.
FACE COVERINGS GENERAL
Face coverings are a personal choice, and will be encouraged but not required for students, staff, and visitors. Face shields are an approved face covering and can be worn by staff and students.
If a student or employee wishes to wear a face covering, they must provide their own.
- Any artistic elements, words, logos, symbols, pictures, or other features that are not necessary for the function of the face covering must conform and comply, as relevant, with the dress code requirements found in either the Student Code of Conduct or the Employee Handbook.
- Campus leadership is permitted to apply the dress code standard to face coverings and retain all options relating to enforcing the dress code to include the application of the rules, response to violations, and consequences/discipline.
The following are exceptions should a face covering requirement be imposed by a higher governing body:
- When developmentally inappropriate or unreasonable for the student to wear a face covering.
- Students and staff may be exempt from wearing a face-covering by the school principal due to a documented medical condition or disability of the student/staff.
- Teachers who have established a “teacher zone” are not required to wear a face covering while alone in their zone.
- Students and staff may remove face coverings on a case-by-case basis for specific instructional needs, including physical education activities, as determined by a teacher.
- Students and staff may remove face coverings while participating in athletic activities or recess.
- Students may be exempt from wearing a face covering if outlined in their IEP or 504 Plan.
Killeen ISD campuses located on Fort Hood must comply with the recent face covering mandate issued by the Deputy Secretary of Defense. This mandate requires all KISD employees and students (vaccinated or not) to wear a face covering while inside Fort Hood facilities. KISD campuses located on Post are considered Fort Hood facilities. This order is effective immediately.
Students attending campuses on Fort Hood, or traveling on Post, will be required to wear a face covering when on a KISD bus and inside a KISD facility for the duration of the General Order or until otherwise notified.
KISD operated the following campuses on post:
- Audie Murphy Middle School
- Oveta Culp Hobby Elementary
- Montague Village Elementary
- Meadows Elementary
- Clear Creek Elementary
- Clarke Elementary
- Early College High School (Fort Hood Campus: Grades 9-10)
- Venable Village Elementary
CLEANING
The health and safety of our employees and students is a priority. All campuses are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by our facilities department. We will continue to adhere to all necessary safety precautions, in addition to the deep cleaning of all campuses before employees and students return. The Facilities Services Department will conform to the current health department, CDC, and other authoritative information regarding best practices and will implement them as is relevant to specific situations.
Facility Services has a regular cleaning schedule for all workspaces at designated cleaning times. Please note that proper equipment such as acceptable disinfectant and PPE will be used when cleaning individual workspaces. KISD will provide cleaning services that will include frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces.
As part of Killeen ISD’s commitment to providing clean and safe facilities for student and staff, KISD provides campuses and departments with several free items to mitigate COVID-19. Hand sanitizer, masks, tissues, paper towels and cleaning sprays are available for the workspace as needed. If an employee needs to restock items, they must request it from their campus or department. A full list of items available for free in the Distribution Center can be found on the Employee HUB.
TRANSPORTATION
Students and staff will be encouraged to use hand sanitizer upon boarding and exiting the bu s. When possible, the windows should be open to allow outside air to circulate in the bus. Buses will be thoroughly cleaned after each bus trip, focusing on high-touch surfaces such as bus seats, steering wheels, knobs, and door handles.
Due to the Department of Defense’s General Order, students attending or traveling to campuses on Fort Hood will be required to wear a face covering when on a KISD bus for the duration of the General Order or until otherwise notified.
GENERAL DISINFECTION MEASURES
We will require employees to maintain this safety standard by continuously cleaning and disinfecting based on the frequency outlined below:
| Category | Area/Example | Frequency |
| Workspaces | Classrooms, Offices | At the end of each use/day |
| Appliances | Refrigerators, Microwaves, Coffee Machine, Ice Machine | Daily |
| Electronic Equipment | Copier machines, shared computer monitors, TV's, Telephones, keyboards | At the end of each use/day and/or between use |
| General Use Objects | Handles, light switches, sinks, restrooms | Multiple times a day |
| Buses | Bus seats, handles/railing, belts, window controls | At the end of each tier and at the end of the am/pm routes |
| Common Areas | Cafeteria, library, conference rooms, gyms, common areas | At the end of each use/day; between groups |
| Clinic | Nurse's Office and treatment areas | After each use, and as relevant guidelines regarding medical care areas dictate |
DEEP CLEANING AND DISINFECTION PROTOCOL
Deep cleaning is triggered when an active employee or student is identified as positive for COVID-19 based on testing. This is a separate and localized treatment with particular protocols and measures and does not impact the general disinfection measures, which will continue as indicated above.
PERSONAL WORKSPACE/CLASSROOM
Employees are encouraged to disinfect their workspace (teacher desk, phone, etc.) throughout the day, giving special attention to commonly touched surfaces.
SHARED WORKSPACE
KISD has alcohol-based hand sanitizers throughout the workplace and in common areas. Cleaning sprays or wipes are also available to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as telephones and keyboards.
Last revised: 09/09/21