Covid-19 Information Center

Please read the latest Health Plan HERE.

Dear TCA+A Families, Staff, and Friends,

Earlier this year, TCA+A adopted the “Safe Return To School” plan that was approved by the Texas Education Agency. We continue to monitor closely the ever-changing Covid-19 protocols. Rates of Covid-19 are increasing across Tarrant County, and we desire to do our part to keep people safe while providing the best possible educational environment.

In that plan, we had been following Texas Education Association’s definition of close contact which is currently:

The definition of close contact is evolving with our understanding of COVID-19, and individual scenarios should be determined by an appropriate public health agency. In general, close contact is defined as: a. being directly exposed to infectious secretions (e.g., being coughed on); or b. being within 6 feet for a total of approximately 15 minutes throughout the course of a day; however, additional factors like case/contact masking (i.e., both the infectious individual and the potential close contact have been consistently and properly masked), ventilation, presence of dividers, and case symptomology may affect this determination. (https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/SY-20-21-Public-Health-Guidance.pdf)

Because we value safety, and in consultation with Tarrant County Public Health, we will adopt the CDC’s definition of close-contact:

Close contact of someone with COVID-19 – Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period* starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.( https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/correction-detention/guidance-correctional-detention.html)

The practicalities of this change is that if there is a confirmed COVID-19 case on campus, it is likely to mean more students and/or staff will meet the close contact definition and will need to quarantine for recommended periods of time (usually 14-days). This protocol change will begin immediately (November 30, 2020).

We remain hopeful that we will be able to continue in-person learning for those who choose to do so. We will monitor expert’s recommendations and use that information in our decisions. We desire nothing more than for your student to be safe as they learn.

Sincerely,

Paul Gravley

President and CEO

TCA+A continues to be vigilant in our response to COVID-19. School is continuing both at Texas School of the Arts and Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, online and in-person. We have developed a protocol featuring 6-key components, which are emphasized daily across both campuses.

Those 6 components are:

The latest updates, definitions, and protocols are included in the FWAFA Student Process Map, TeSA Student Process Map, and Standard Response Protocols

The TCA+A Board voted on a Waiver for a Four-Week Extension for both Texas School of the Arts and Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts at the August 25th TCA+A Board Meeting. This was submitted to TEA to start In-School Learning on October 13, 2020.

Both schools have plans in place to phase in groups of students over a three week period to transition from our 100% At-Home Learning Plan to In-School Learning and practice the TCA+A Back-To-School Health processes and procedures that are being put in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. After the transition period, all students who selected In-School learning on their Commitment Forms will return to campus at 8am on October 13, 2020.

Unless we are required to close school by the Texas Education Agency, TCA+A schools will offer both In-School and At-Home Learning models for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.

TCAA is working to ensure that the start of the new school year is safe for students and staff, prioritizes a rigorous learning experience, considers decisions based on stakeholder feedback, is flexible and issues clear and concise communication to families, staff and students.  

TCAA STRONG START COMMITMENT FORMS for Student Instructional Preference Open NOW UNTIL AUGUST 2OTH  

• Once a parent/student has determined the best method of instruction for their child(ren), they should complete a TCAA STRONG START COMMITMENT FORM for each child.  
• The information in these forms will allow TCAA to prepare for your child’s instructional needs.  
• https://forms.gle/FnsuNC18fDBfiANWA 

General Remote Learning Information  

• Remote Learning is based on the state curriculum standards (TEKS) and is aligned to the scope & sequence of our TCAA classes to allow students to transition between in-person and remote learning as needed.  

• Students may transition to / from remote learning every 6 weeks. Remote Learners will be given an additional opportunity at the 3 week mark after Sept 14.  
• Students must log in to the remote learning platform every day, Monday-Friday, and show progress in order to be marked “present” and earn credit for that day of learning.  
• Students will need internet access (provided), technology devices (provided) and parental guidance and supervision to complete remote learning activities.     

Student Expectations for At-Home Learning

• Spend the required minutes in the learning platform daily (M-F)  
• Make daily progress in each course according to progress expectations  
• Advocating for yourself so we know how to support you  
• Participate in Zoom meetings with classroom teacher and remote liaison   
• Track progress in each course according to progress expectations  
• Check email daily  
• Become familiar with your Learning Management System  (SeeSaw for grades K-2; Google Classroom for grades 3-12)     

Parent Expectations for At-Home Learning

• Facilitate academic support and encouragement as a learning partner to motivate and guide your child throughout the school year   
• Ensure your child is on track with assignments and coursework   
• Ensure your child is reaching out to their teacher for assistance  
• Assist in supporting your child’s needs by establishing and managing the daily schedule   
• Consider creating a designated learning space for your child at home to learn comfortably and with minimal distractions   
• Maintain communication with your child’s teacher by phone, email messages, and/or online meetings to create a learning partnership in the district-approved communication channels   
• Help your child own their learning.   
• Provide support and encouragement, and expect your children to do their part.   
• Become familiar with your Learning Management System  (SeeSaw for grades K-2; Google Classroom for grades 3-12)     

Health and Safety

• TCAA will do everything possible to protect the health of every student, employee and community member.   
• Planning and implementation of safe practices is a collaborative effort with Tarrant County Public Health and guided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.    

Stakeholder Surveys

• The District has and will continue to seek feedback from key stakeholders to help inform important decisions.   
• Stakeholders can include students, teachers, staff and community members.    

Resiliency and Grace

• TCAA will build a flexible plan that can be adjusted throughout the year and be based on guidance from public health officials.   
• TCAA asks for grace from, and will extend grace to, all families, students, staff and community members as we all grapple with the uncertainties ahead.