COVID Safety Plan

We are excited to have our SWISD students back for the 2023-24 school year.

SWISD will continue a safety plan based on the most up-to-date public health guidance, scientific data, and governmental guidance. The end of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) was declared on May 11, 2023. We will continue to review, adjust, and communicate changes to our protocols and plan due to the evolving nature of COVID-19. SWISD will prioritize the safety and health of our students and staff during the upcoming school year.

Vaccinations

Vaccination is the leading public health strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine helps lower the risk of contracting COVID-19, and spreading it to others, and it has been shown to be effective in preventing severe illness. SWISD strongly encourages staff and eligible students to get their COVID vaccine and boosters. SWISD has worked to bring numerous opportunities for the SWISD community to receive the vaccine and will continue to work with local community organizations to provide more options. Click here to find clinics, pharmacies, and other locations that offer COVID-19 vaccines.

Face Coverings/Masks

We modified our Temporary Indoor Facemask Requirement on November 29, 2021. Face masks will no longer be required, however, we continue to recommend the use of facemasks by all students, staff, and visitors indoors and on school buses.

Hygiene Practices: Hand Washing & Respiratory Etiquette

Regularly washing hands is an effective way to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and avoid the spread of the COVID virus and other germs (CDC, 2021).

SWISD encourages the practice of regular hand hygiene (i.e., washing hands/use of hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol) and respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.

Student & Staff Screenings

Students & staff should self-screen for symptoms of COVID-19 and/or contagious illness at home before attending school/work.

It is imperative that staff and students stay home if exhibiting signs/symptoms of COVID-19 or a contagious illness. This action is imperative to keep COVID-19 and other infections out of schools and help prevent the spread of to others.

School Re-Entry Conditions

The Texas Department of State Health Services has updated its school exclusion criteria to align the requirement for COVID-19 with those for other respiratory viruses like flu. Students now only need to be excluded from school until they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. You can find the current school communicable disease chart at: www.dshs.texas.gov/idps-home/school-communicable-disease-chart.

Physical Distancing

Physical distancing is a strategy that contributes to the effectiveness of SWISD’s layered approach against COVID-19. SWISD will continue to promote physical distancing when feasible.

Masks are encouraged to be used among those who are not fully vaccinated and cannot maintain distance. Physical barriers will be available for classroom use upon request from our students and staff.

Cleaning & Disinfecting

SWISD will provide daily and weekly routines to clean and disinfect District facilities and campuses with a concentration on frequently touched surfaces. All campuses will be equipped with multiple electrostatic applicators for disinfection purposes.

Employees and students are encouraged to disinfect their own personal workspace throughout the day, giving special attention to commonly touched surfaces.

COVID-19 Testing

Parents, students, and staff will be referred to community locations or to their primary physician for diagnostic testing if they are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or would like to be tested. Asymptomatic testing is no longer routinely performed at SWISD schools and diagnostic testing sites are at off-campus locations. Click here to find COVID-19 testing sites.

Ventilation

SWISD has installed improved HVAC equipment on District campuses. Improving ventilation helps in reducing the number of virus particles in the air and is an important additional mitigation measure to the District’s safety plan.

Transportation

Buses will operate at full capacity during the 2023-24 school year. Parents should screen children daily prior to boarding the bus, and students who are sick should stay home.

Visitors

Visitors are welcomed on SWISD campuses for scheduled appointments, meetings, and conferences. Each visitor will be required to adhere to SWISD visitor policies and procedures.