Frequently Asked Questions (Traditional Onsite Learning)

When possible, virtual meetings are utilized to limit campus visitors.  If you need to visit the campus, we ask that you pre-arrange the meeting with the school to schedule an appointment.

There will be morning meetings, and social and emotional learning threaded throughout the school day. School counselors will also be available to meet with students 1:1 and in small groups to help students connect with one another. Our crisis counselors will work closely with families in need.

Common touch areas such as doors, handles, etc., will be disinfected frequently throughout the day.  Custodial crews will clean classrooms thoroughly at the end of each day.

The deadline to submit a change for the second Nine Weeks is October 2.

Once the 2020-21 school year begins, parents will have the opportunity to change their preferred method of instruction at the end of each grading period. Please remember, however, that frequent changes may negatively impact student achievement.

After school clubs, tutorials, and ensembles will not be held for the fall semester and we will re-evaluate for the second semester.

Yes, bus riders will be required to wear face coverings when entering and while riding the bus. Temperatures will not be taken prior to entering the bus.

Yes, the District is purchasing mobile, lightweight shields that can be folded and easily transported by students.

When a student has displayed symptoms of COVID-19, the school nurse will do an assessment to determine if and when a student needs to be sent home.

Students who are ill will be separated from their peers and should be picked up within 30 minutes and no later than 1 hour from the time the campus contacted the student’s parent/guardian.

Common touch areas such as doors, handles, etc., will be disinfected frequently throughout the day.  Custodial crews will clean classrooms thoroughly at the end of each day.

All areas of the campus will be monitored frequently to ensure there is no student crowding. Signage reminding students and staff about handwashing, social distancing, and infection prevention will be posted throughout the school and in areas mentioned above.

When possible, virtual meetings will be utilized to limit campus visitors. If you need to visit the campus, we ask that you pre-arrange the meeting with the school to schedule an appointment.

If a staff member tests positive he/she will have to meet the following criteria to return to work:

• 10 days since to onset of symptoms
• Marked improvement of symptoms
• Fever-free (without medication) for a minimum of 24 hours

We have a new link on the website under transportation for parents to see bus routes and stops. Please enter your address to see if you are eligible for bus service. https://www.infofinderi.com/ifi/?cid=CBI5NTWTDYBW 

The SAT testing opportunity at Newman Smith High School has been canceled due to our campuses being closed until at least September 8th. SAT will be sending information directly to all students that are registered to test on August 29, 2020.

The first three weeks of 100% remote learning, those in remote or traditional physical education class will be instructed remotely through virtual instruction online from CFBISD PE teachers. If a student has applied, paid for, and has been approved for off-campus PE, then the student would continue instruction through the off-campus PE agency for whom they are getting off-campus instruction. The off-campus agency must follow all CDC guidelines and social distancing when hosting a CFBISD student inside their facility for instruction. If the off-campus agency cannot fulfill the guidelines set forth by CFBISD, then the agency will not be approved to host off-campus PE students. If an off-campus PE student chooses to withdraw from the off-campus PE agency and desires to continue traditional or remote learning in physical education, the switch will be made at the campus level at the end of a grading period to switch the student to the desired learning format. If a student wants to stay remote learning in physical education, then the student will be a remote learner in PE from then on.

CFBISD recognizes the hardship our families are facing due to the Dallas County order that requires our campuses to be closed to students. Campus leaders will work with families to provide devices, access and support during this unprecedented time.   Doing it all is very difficult. Please reach out at 972.968.6584, and we can assist you with coping strategies and counseling services.

There will be morning meetings, and social and emotional learning threaded throughout the school day. School counselors will also be available to meet with students 1:1 and in small groups to help students connect with one another. Our crisis counselors will work closely with families in need.

Yes, temperatures will be checked upon entering a CFBISD facility.

In the event a student displays symptoms of COVID-19, the school nurse will provide a clinical assessment to determine if and when a student needs to be sent home. Students who are ill will be separated from their peers and will be picked up within 30 minutes and no later than one hour from the time the campus contacts the student’s parent/guardian

Speech therapy will officially begin on the second week of school. To ensure your child is ready to log on for their speech sessions, your child’s speech therapist will contact you with their therapy times.

Yes. We are planning for remote instruction for students with disabilities, including therapies and services.  Special education staff will work with the general education teacher to provide academic or behavioral support to ensure each child achieves their individual goals.

Yes, we are increasing the outside air intake. Introducing more fresh air reduces the impact of recirculating the air and increases the likelihood of cooling and, thus, more dust and pollen. We will upgrade our filters to combat this issue.

• Upgrading our filters to MERV-8 is the highest rating we can use without damaging our HVAC equipment.
• We are introducing ionizers in the HVAC system.

On the first day a student attends school on campus, the district will provide instruction to students on appropriate hygiene practices and other mitigation practices adopted in the District. We will also use signage and messaging to remind our students about health protocols.

All individuals shall wear a face covering over their nose and mouth when it is difficult to keep six feet away from other individuals or working in areas that involve close proximity with other individuals.

In classroom spaces that allow it, student desks will be a minimum of six feet apart when possible. In classrooms where students are regularly within six feet of one another, we will plan for more frequent handwashing and hand sanitizing and will consider whether increased airflow from the outdoors is possible.

Procedures in hallways and common areas:

• Where possible, one-way traffic throughout campus corridors will be established.
• Walking pathways throughout the building will be designated “stay to the right.” This includes the entrance and exit doors.
• When possible, it is recommended that students make transitions outside of the building.
• To prevent congregating during transition times, students will not be assigned an academic locker. Students will be permitted to bring backpacks to class.
• Staggered releases from each class will be organized to limit the number of students in the hallway during transitions.
• Classroom doors will be propped open to reduce high-touch areas.

Recess (Elementary)

• Campuses will consider limiting the number of students per recess group. Staggered schedules can be utilized when needed.
• All students and staff will be required to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before entering the playground and upon exiting the playground.
• Brain breaks will be implemented as needed at the discretion of the campus/teacher.
• “Face covering breaks” will be implemented as required.

Yes, there have been no changes made to the schools’ supply lists at this time.

We will use Germinator Mobile Sanitizing and Disinfecting Services to further disinfect our schools. The disinfectant  cleans and disinfects all surfaces using solutions containing hypochlorous acid.  Germinator shields surfaces making them uninhabitable for germs and viruses for 90 days. More details can be found at https://www.thegerminator.com/.

The District will implement increased signage around campuses promoting disease mitigation strategies, and further increased cleaning and sanitation practices, as well as frequent reminders of hand hygiene and social distancing. 

We will be using partitions and plexiglass at strategic locations within our campuses. In addition, TEA is providing masks for staff and students, as well as face shields for staff and students for special activities. 

CFBISD will also follow TEA guidelines that require that teachers and staff self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms before coming onto campus each day.

Our full safety and reopening plan must be submitted for review by the Dallas County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for approval. CFBISD will comply with all health and safety recommendations established by the health department, Dallas County and Texas Education Agency.

We will comply with mandates of Dallas and Denton County regarding requiring face coverings. 

Yes, transportation will be provided for all who qualify. Bus transportation is provided for all special needs students when required by the student’s ARD and IEP.

General education students will be provided transportation, if eligible from the designated transportation areas to each campus. Transportation is not guaranteed to your Stellar campus if you do not reside in a designated transportation area for that campus.

When possible, parents are encouraged to take their students to school. However, students riding buses are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and use hand sanitizer prior to boarding the school bus. Students are required to remain seated at all times and keep their hands and arms to themselves. Students should not touch each other or share any items. 

School buses will be cleaned and disinfected frequently focusing on high-touch surfaces such as bus seats, steering wheels, knobs, and door handles.

All areas of the campus will be monitored frequently to ensure there is no student crowding. Signage reminding students and staff about handwashing, social distancing, and infection prevention will be posted throughout the school and in areas mentioned above.

Safety guidelines are being developed for conducting all on-campus workouts, rehearsals, and practices. The district will continue to follow all guidelines provided by UIL, TEA, and the State.

We are awaiting guidance from the Texas Education Agency on recess activities.