SCUC ISD is fully committed to the health and well-being of all students, staff and the SCUC ISD community. Regarding the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), SCUCISD is monitoring developments and adhering to guidance from local health officials, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and the Center of Disease Control (CDC). Some general resources are listed below.

RESOURCE LINKS FOR PARENTS/STUDENTS:

Advanced Academics Remote Learning FAQ

Remote Learning Plan for Families

Remote Learning Plan for Families - Spanish

Remote Learning - Grading Guidelines

Lineamientos de Calificaciones Durante el Aprendizaje a Distancia

Remote Learning Resources for Students

Recursos de Aprendizaje Remoto para Estudiantes

Google Classroom Instructions for Students

Zoom Instructions for Students

Digital Etiquette

Open Digital Resources

Digital Security and Privacy Resources

STUDENT DEVICE RETURN INFORMATION

MEAL DISTRIBUTION PLAN

INFORMATION AND UPDATES FOR STATE ASSESSMENTS

PARENT COMMUNICATIONS:

April 28, 2020 Letter to Parents  

April 28, 2020 Letter to Parents - Spanish  

April 17, 2020 Letter to Parents 

April 17, 2020 Letter to Parents - Spanish  

April 7, 2020 Letter to Parents

April 7, 2020 Letter to Parents - Spanish  

April 6, 2020 Letter to Parents

April 6, 2020 Letter to Parents - Spanish

March 31, 2020 Letter to Parents  

March 31, 2020 Letter to Parents - Spanish  

March 27, 2020 Letter to Parents

March 27, 2020 Letter to Parents - Spanish

March 24, 2020 Letter to Parents

March 24, 2020 Letter to Parents - Spanish

March 23, 2020 Letter to Parents

March 23, 2020 Letter to Parents - Spanish

March 20, 2020 Letter to Parents

March 20, 2020 Letter to Parents - Spanish  

Medication Pick Up Information

March 18, 2020 Letter to Parents

March 18, 2020 Letter to Parents - Spanish

March 17, 2020 Letter to Parents

March 17, 2020 Letter to Parents - Spanish

March 15, 2020 Letter to Parents and Staff

March 15, 2020 Letter to Parents and Staff - Spanish

March 13, 2020 Letter to Parents 

March 13, 2020 Letter to parents- Spanish

March 11, 2020 COVID-19 Update

February 26, 2020 Letter to parents

February 26, 2020 Letter to parents - Spanish

RELEVANT LINKS:

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Coronavirus Information

CDC Coronavirus Fact Sheet (English and Spanish)

CDC Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus

CDC Resources for Households

CDC Travel Advisories

Texas Department of Health Services

"Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource" from the National Association of School Psychologists

BrainPop Information on Coronavirus for Children

CDC Videos on Handwashing

HEALTHY HABITS REMINDERS:

• Stay home when sick.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based (60-95 percent) hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover the mouth and nose with the inside of the elbow when sneezing or coughing.
• Wash hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing the nose.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects such as toys and doorknobs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q:  Our family’s economic circumstances have changed due to the Coronavirus, and I might qualify for free or reduced price breakfast and lunch now.  Can I still apply?

A:  Yes, due to potential changes in families' economic circumstances as a result of Covid-19,  SCUC ISD families may submit an online application for free or reduced priced meals at any time during the 2019-2020 school year. These applications are being reviewed and processed daily throughout the year, and households will be notified by mail if they qualify for these services. Households may apply online by following the Rocketscan link located on the Child Nutrition Department Website or here.

Q:  During the district closure must employees remain available during normal work hours?

A:  Yes, all SCUC ISD employees must remain available for reporting to duty and/or teleworking during their normal assigned work hours.  Some employees might have slightly different work schedules during school closure. Those employees whose work hours might be altered will be communicated with by their supervisors.

Q:  Will SCUC ISD employees, including hourly employees, be compensated if schools remain closed?

A:  Yes, SCUC ISD board policy DEA (Local) addresses pay for employees during an emergency closure.  On March 24, 2020 the board of trustees authorized payment through a board resolution. SCUC ISD employees are currently being paid their current rate of pay for their normal work schedules during this emergency closure. Additional provisions for compensating employees during this emergency closure are outlined below.

Exempt Employees

• Exempt employees (salaried) will continue to get paid their regular salary, and most will be working in a remote environment. 
• Some exempt employees will be required to report to work.  Those individuals will be communicated with by their supervisors.

Non-Exempt Employees

• Non-exempt employees (hourly) will be paid their regular salary based on their normal schedule and should not work from home.
• During the week of March 16-20, non-exempt employees (hourly) will be paid time and a half for the hours they worked, if they were called upon to work. The work completed that week could have occured at home or on campus/in the district. For the hours that non-exempt employees did not work during their regular work schedule that week, they will get paid their current rate of pay.
• Beginning Monday, March 23 any non-exempt employees (hourly) who were called or will be called to come to the campus or department to work will be paid time and a half for those hours worked.  For the hours that non-exempt employees don’t work during their regular work schedule, they will be paid their current rate of pay.
• Beginning Monday, March 23 all other non-exempt (hourly) employees who are not called to come to work will be paid their current rate of pay and may not work from home.

Substitutes

• Substitute teachers and paraprofessionals working in a long-term assignment will continue to be paid for the duration of that assignment.
• Short-term and daily substitutes who accepted assignments prior to school closure will be compensated for all jobs they previously accepted but could not complete since the schools were closed.

 Other

• For employees on Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and/or temporary disability, different circumstances may apply. 

These parameters above cover a vast majority of compensation scenarios.  If you have a different situation or have a question, please contact human resources.  Since we are not in the office daily, please email any questions to Linda Cannon, lcannon@scuc.txed.net.  

Q:  What learning resources are available for my student to complete while we SCUC schools are closed until May 4, 2020?

A:  SCUC ISD compiled a list of resources for students to keep students learning during the school closing.  These resources, which will not be graded and are not mandatory, were shared on March 17, 2020.  

SCUC began our Remote Learning Plan (English, Spanish) on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.  

Q:  I don’t have access to a device for my student to complete remote learning.  How do I proceed?

A:  SCUC ISD asked parents and guardians to complete a survey regarding their child’s access to technology in order to take part in remote learning.  Devices were gathered and assigned to parents through March 31. Families who do not have technology access and/or prefer to complete assignments on paper have the option to complete assignment packets.  More information about the specifics for your child’s options will be shared by his or her teacher(s).

Q:  How will grades that my student earns on assignments during remote learning count toward his or her overall grade ?

A:  Revised guidelines addressing grades from these remote assignments have been created and are located here in English and Spanish.  These guidelines address how grades will count on report cards, in completion of high school credits and in the calculation of class rank. 

Q:  What is the current status of high school graduations and other senior activities during the spring semester?

A:  Currently, the district is closed until May 4, 2020. With that in mind, no events have been cancelled, but some have been rescheduled.  Below is an update on most of our spring activities. For ease of communication, we will use three labels: On, Rescheduled, Cancelled to monitor our progress.

Graduation Commencement Exercises (On).  The two venues serving our three high schools are all still holding reservations for our graduations.  The current schedule is

• Allison Steele Enhanced Learning Center - May 26, 2020 - Laurie Auditorium, Trinity University
• Byron P. Steele High School - May 28, 2020 - Freeman Coliseum
• Samuel Clemens High School - May 29, 2020 - Freeman Coliseum

If we are not back in school by graduation and/or the venues cancel our reservations, we are looking at other options including moving graduation dates to later in the summer.  Should that become an option, we will communicate that information as soon as possible to accommodate travel arrangements for families.

Prom (Rescheduled).  Both comprehensive high schools have rescheduled their proms.

• Steele HS Prom - was March 28th, is now May 16th (Alzafar Shrine)
• Clemens HS Prom - was May 2nd, is now May 15th (Alzafar Shrine)

Honors Night (On).  Academic awards ceremonies take place in each high school’s auditorium.

• Clemens HS Honors Night - Monday, May 11th
• Steele HS Honors Night - Monday, May 18th

Decision Day (Rescheduled).  Decision Day honors SCUC seniors who choose to share commitments to college, technical schools or military branch enlistments. These take place in each high school’s auditorium.

• Both comprehensive high schools have moved decision day to Friday, May 8, 2020

Top 20 Senior Breakfast (Rescheduled).  Breakfast honoring the 20 graduating seniors with the highest grade point averages at each high school.

• Steele HS Top 20 Breakfast - was April 22nd, is now May 13th (Marion Dolford Learning Center)
• Clemens HS Top 20 Breakfast - was April 29th, is now May 13th (Clemens HS)

Elephant Walks (On).  Seniors wearing their caps and gowns visit and parade through elementary schools

• Both comprehensive high schools are having Elephant Walk on Friday, May 22, 2020

As with everything surrounding this virus, school closures and community activities remain a very fluid situation.  District and campus staff will continue to meet, looking at options for dates and venues, and possible alternate celebrations as a last resort.

Q:  During the district closure until May 4, 2020, will the district provide meals to students?

A:  SCUC ISD is continuing breakfast and lunch for pick up at Schertz Elementary School, located at 701 Curtiss Street, in Schertz. Breakfast can be picked up between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.; lunch service is between 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

SCUC ISD set up drive-thru mobile meal distribution sites for SCUC ISD students at the following locations from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Monday-Friday:

1. Old Rose Garden parking lot at 506 North Blvd in Universal City
2. Universal City Library at 100 Northview Dr. in Universal City
3. Wendy Swan Memorial Park- (Northcliffe pool) at 4601 Cherry Tree Drive in Schertz
4. Guadalupe County Services office (Schertz substation) parking lot at 1052 FM 78
5. Entrance to Pecan Grove Mobile Home Park at 125 Nu Pecan Grove in Schertz

Please look for the yellow school bus and child nutrition/transportation staff. The student(s) must be in the vehicle in order to receive the meals, and they will receive that day’s lunch and breakfast for the following day at the time of pick-up. 

Q:  How has the district increased cleaning and disinfecting procedures?

A:  District custodians remain diligent in overall cleaning with the use of disinfectants and are taking extra steps to ensure all commonly touched surfaces are thoroughly cleaned. Daily cleaning procedures for commonly touched surfaces using an EPA approved disinfectant.

High touch surfaces include the following:

• Desks
• Tabletops
• Doorknobs/handles
• Push bars/plates
• Light switches
• Handrails
• Computer keyboards
• Restrooms from top to bottom
• Play areas in Kinder Classrooms
• Special Education Equipment
• Chairs
• Dispensers

In response to concerns surrounding the spread of COVID-19, our custodial staff are also cleaning and disinfecting the following areas in addition to our daily duties

• Hallway walls
• Doors (around handles and high touch areas)
• Under edges of chairs, tables, and counters
• Student Cubbies and Supply boxes
• Community Supplies (scissors, markers, colored pencils, dry erase markers, etc)
• Computer on Wheels (Community Computers)
• Window Ledges

Q:  I know my children are not allowed to go to school to help slow any potential community spread of the Covid 19 virus.  Should my children be congregating with other students while school is out?

A:  Prohibiting the gathering of large groups of students at school as a virus control strategy will not be successful if students congregate with large groups of others when schools are closed.  Please help the greater community slow the potential spread of the virus by limiting your students getting together in larger groups.

Q:  During the district closure until May 4, 2020, what after-school or extra-curricular activities will still take place?

A:  All after-school activities, including all UIL practices and competitions, are cancelled while schools are closed.

Q:  What measures are being taken regarding student and staff travel?

A:  The CDC is recommending avoiding all non-essential travel to Level 3 countries (57 countries as of 3/25/20) and has placed restrictions on re-entry to the United States for individuals traveling from these countries. Parents of students who do travel to one of these countries should contact campus administration and plan to self-quarantine for 14 days after returning to the United States per the CDC’s guidelines. If traveling to any destination, be proactive and monitor closely for symptoms for approximately 14 days upon return, staying home and seeking medical attention if becoming ill. Travel advisories are posted on the CDC website https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel and updated regularly.

Q:  Is the district restricting any school-sponsored travel?

A:  School sponsored trips outside of the United States would have been cancelled, but SCUC students did not have any planned. Any school sponsored trips will be re-evaluated once the district returns to normal operations.

Q:  Is the district monitoring student and/or staff travel during Spring Break or during school closure?

A:  The district did not ask staff members to inform us prior to the break about travel plans over Spring Break. We are asking any staff members and students who have a fever or exhibit flu-like symptoms to self quarantine until they have been evaluated by a medical professional.

Q:  What steps is the district taking to prepare for potential protracted school closures?

A:  District leaders recognize that flexibility may be necessary, especially if conditions warrant a change in our school operations for a prolonged period of time. This action would be made with guidance from health officials and governmental agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), San Antonio Metro Health and the Texas Education Agency (TEA). 

Digital resources for students and parents were shared on this website on March 17, 2020.  SCUC’s remote learning plan (English, Spanish) utilizing both technology and low tech solutions began on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

Q:  How will the absence policy affect students if they need to be kept home from school due to illness?

A:  There is no question that students who are sick should stay home. Campuses will work with families to support the education of students as well as use common sense application of the district’s attendance requirements. Any changes to absence or final exam exemption guidelines will be updated here.

Q:  What is the district doing to protect students and staff against the spread of Coronavirus?

A:  SCUC ISD will continue to follow the guidance of San Antonio Metro Health, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The district has taken several steps to educate students about good hygiene habits as teachers are reminding students frequently about the importance of following basic steps to prevent the spread of illness. The district has increased the amount of hand sanitizer stations at all schools. Over spring break our custodians have cleaned and disinfected all surfaces at our campuses.

Q:  What steps are being taken to see that students are following hygiene and handwashing guidelines?

A:  Teachers are talking with their students daily about the importance of following the recommended preventative steps to stop the spread of germs including frequent handwashing, covering every cough or sneeze, and not touching eyes. Custodians are being diligent in checking restrooms to ensure that supplies including soap and paper towels are available for our students throughout the day.

Q:  Should people wear masks to cover their mouths and noses?

A:  The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms, to protect others from the risk of getting infected.

Revised 3/31/20