
A North Texas educational organization dedicated to inspiring young people through an arts-based, academic world-view.
NOTE: We are currently awaiting guidance from TEA on requirements for reporting COVID-19 cases for the 2022-2023 academic year.
New Active Cases
TCA+A – 0
FWAFA – 0
TeSA – 0
Cumulative Cases
TCA+A – 0
FWAFA – 0
TeSA – 0
Recovered Cases
TCA+A – 0
FWAFA – 0
TeSA – 0
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
General Remote Learning Information
Student Expectations for At-Home Learning
Parent Expectations for At-Home Learning
Health and Safety
Stakeholder Surveys
Resiliency and Grace
For our current Health Plan, click on the button below.
TCA+A's Back to School PlanTCA+A always recommends our community members follow CDC and public health guidelines, which are similar to what is recommended during cold and flu season, including:
Our facilities and janitorial staff have increased their efforts to deep clean our campuses and conservatory spaces, including focused sanitization of touch points such as handrails, door handles, common spaces, common area seating and tables, etc. This helps us ensure a safe and clean space for all.
For COVID-19 concerns, please contact the School Nurse:
TeSA – Nurse Edna
Edna.Robinson@myTeSA.org
FWAFA – Nurse Kay
Kay.Armstrong@FWAFA.org
Questions about our Community Programs:
Sheyna Ferrero
Sheyna.Ferraro@ArtsAcademics.org
Questions regarding our Schools:
Anika Perkins, Chief Academic Officer
Anika.Perkins@ArtsAcademics.org
To view school-specific resources, CLICK HERE.