The Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) is working and collaborating with local and state agencies to monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in our area. On Tuesday, July 14, 2020, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño and the Cameron County Health Authority issued a Joint Emergency Health Control Order delaying in-person, face-to-face public and private school instruction. On Wednesday, July 15, 2020, the BISD Board of Trustees approved a Resolution to support the County Joint Order and requested the City of Brownsville Commissioners’ Court to support delaying in-person, face-to-face instruction.
Furthermore, on Friday, July 17, 2020, the Texas Education Agency authorized school districts to limit on-campus instruction for the first four weeks of school. After the first four weeks, the school district can limit the on-campus instruction for an additional four weeks, as needed, with a board approved waiver.
We have also modified the 2020-2021 School Calendar to delay the first day of class until Tuesday, August 25, 2020. The teachers will begin their contracts on Wednesday, August 19, 2020.
Based on the updated information, the following adjustments will go into effect:
A. Schools will remain closed until further notice.
B. Faculty and Staff will be providing distance learning instructional support to ALL students through the following TEA approved instructional models:
1. Synchronous – two-way, real-time, live, instruction between teachers and students, through the computer or other electronic devices or over the phone.
2. Asynchronous – a curricular experience where students engage in the learning materials on their own time, interacting intermittently with the teacher via the computer or other electronic devices or over the phone.
C. District staff will have the flexibility to work from home, from campus, and/or from their respective departments during the distance learning timeline.
D. Essential employees will be asked to report to their respective campus/department area as needed to maintain district operations and services.
The district will provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to provide a safe working environment for essential employees who will be reporting to work.
I want our parents to know that we are committed to provide our students with an exemplary instructional program that will continue to prepare them for college and career readiness. Our principals will be providing further information on the campus procedures for our children’s distance learning participation.
Thank you to everyone in our community for your patience and continued support as we adapt our school system to meet the educational needs of our children. We look forward to a “Strong Start” and stay safe.
Sincerely,
Dr. René Gutiérrez Superintendent of Schools
