Coronavirus Updates

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, Hubel Province China. It is being closely monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

• Wash hands with soap and water frequently for at least 20 seconds
• Use alcohol-based sanitizers when soap and water are not available
• Use disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of them carefully and promptly
• If tissues are not available, direct your cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm/sleeve
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Clean and disinfect “high-touch” objects and surfaces
• Stay home when you are sick, and remain home until you have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms
• Maintain healthy habits that support your immune system

Two locations have been established to share these updates. This Coronavirus Updates page, www.crandall-isd.net/cv19/, will be updated frequently with general information related to the district. Check back often as the situation continually evolves.

 

CISD’s Instruction & Curriculum Dept. has created a parent resource site, CISD HOMEroom. There, all learning and instruction resources are organized in an easy-to-understand format to assist parents throughout the time we remain closed. It has been designed with parents in mind and feedback is encouraged. Teachers will reach out to their families and students Monday, March 23, to answer questions and explain expectations.

District information is shared through official district communications:

• District and campus websites – crandallisd.net
• Twitter – com/officialcisd
• Facebook – com/crandallisd
• Skyward – parent notification system

With schools being closed indefinitely, the district's Instruction & Curriculum Dept. has created a parent resource site, named CISD HOMEroom. There, all learning and instruction resources are organized in an easy-to-understand format to assist parents throughout the time we remain closed. It has been designed with parents in mind and feedback is encouraged. Teachers will reach out to their families and students Monday, March 23, with more information on HOMEroom, how to access the site, and to answer questions.

Our teachers are prepared to begin distance learning and to help parents along the way. We understand that adapting to a distance learning environment will require adjustments. In addition to daily interaction with teachers, we recommend setting up a workspace at home if one does not already exist, to support a routine for continuing studies.

 

Students and parents will be responsible for logging and completing assignments and activities per teacher instructions. Students are encouraged to use supplemental study options, which can be found on the CISD HOMEroom website. It has been designed with parents in mind and feedback is encouraged. Teachers will reach out to their families and students Monday, March 23, with more information on HOMEroom, how to access the site, and to answer questions.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has waived the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) testing requirements for the 2019-20 school year. He is also requesting that the U.S. Dept. of Education waive federal testing requirements for the 2019-20 school year.

CISD Food & Nutrition will begin a curbside meal pick-up program Monday, March 23. Meals will be available Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-noon. Breakfast and lunch will be served together in pre-packaged sacks.

Curbside pickup is available Dietz ES, Martin ES, Walker ES and the Raynes Bldg./Compass Academy. Central Baptist Church, Talty Baptist Church and Warsaw Community Center have also partnered with the district for curbside pickup. Meals are available from 10 a.m.-noon. Families should remain in their vehicles and drive through the location.

The CISD Board of Trustees met March 19 and passed a resolution ensuring all employees will continue receiving their usual pay throughout the COVID-19 closure.

 

Modified work schedules and expectations will be shared with staff by principals and supervisors. All adjustments are being made under health and safety suggestions of the CDC.

The district closure encompasses all student activities, including athletics, fine arts, career tech, clubs and groups, etc.

With the announcement from Governor Greg Abbott that all Texas schools are to remain closed to in-person learning for the remainder of this school year, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) is canceling all remaining 2019-20 spring activities and state championships.

CISD is enhancing standard procedures for cleaning and disinfection of schools. In addition to routine cleaning, custodial crews are regularly disinfecting tables, chairs, desks, cabinets, door handles, restrooms, sinks, water fountains, and other frequently touched areas, as suggested by local and state health officials and the Texas Education Agency. Additionally, the district uses antimicrobial floor wax as standard practice.

 

Additionally, CISD has contracted with an industrial cleaning company to assist with deep cleaning and sanitization efforts. This includes fogging all rooms with CDC-recommended disinfectant and cleaning all air ducts, a common practice for potential cases of airborne viruses.

CISD custodians undergo extensive, ongoing training related to proper cleaning and sanitization. Like all CISD employees, they also must complete the district’s annual required online training for health-related issues.

Daily bus sanitization is taking place. Custodial managers are training transportation staff on proper cleaning and sanitization methods, and custodial crews are providing bus cleaning assistance, as needed. Additionally, the district contracted with an industrial cleaning company to assist with deep cleaning school buses.

Families with travel plans are highly encouraged to monitor travel advisories and updates from the CDC. Our district will adhere to the guidance of health authorities related to quarantine and monitoring restrictions for students or staff who travel internationally, specifically those traveling to China, Italy, Iran and South Korea. All have Level 3 Travel Warnings from the CDC. If you visit those places, you are expected to do the following:

After school resumes, students newly enrolling in CISD will be administered a travel screening questionnaire. This will help determine if CDC or health authority recommendations should be put in place.

 

If a student is withdrawing from the district, parents should contact their child’s specific school. Families are advised to contact the district they are moving to and ensure adherence to those specific registration guidelines.

The City of Crandall is looking to create a volunteer assistance program (VAP) consisting of community volunteers, including police, fire, city hall and most importantly, citizens. The goal would be to provide basic assistance for the most vulnerable populations in Crandall, such as shut-ins, handicapped, and elderly residents impacted by COVID-19. If you are interested in volunteering or need to request assistance, call 972-427-3771 and select option 7.

 

While the police department and city court buildings are both closed the public, Crandall PD operations are not impacted. Continue calling 911 for emergencies. Police dispatch and public service calls should still be made to 972-427-3771.

 

Crandall Municipal Court is closed to the public but anyone who needs to pay a ticket can make an online payment at municipalonlinepayments.com/crandalltx, or place a check in the payment box behind the building. Anyone scheduled for a court hearing will be contacted by phone prior to the hearing.

 

Water and wastewater will continue as normal, as will work order processing. Any order requiring direct citizen contact will be done by phone or email. After-hours and emergency calls will continue with heightened safety awareness.

Crandall Economic Development Corporation is in contact with federal officials and will keep local businesses informed on stimulus funds, loan programs and unemployment information. The EDC will also maintain grant and local program information that could benefit our business community.