Oakwood Community,
As we begin a new school year, we are still dealing with the effects of Covid-19 on the educational experience which impacts how we conduct business day to day. Due to recent Covid conditions, legislative updates, as well as the Governors orders, the following protocols will be in place:
Masks - At the present time, masks will not be required as we start the school year. Oakwood ISD will still have plenty of masks on hand and we encourage any student who would like to wear a mask to do so, but they will not be required.
Positive Tests - Any student that tests positive for Covid -19 will be immediately isolated and then sent home for 10 days. Parents of that student will be notified. The Department of State Health Service will also be notified of any positive student or staff cases
Close Contact / Contact Tracing - Contact tracing will not be required by school officials, but any obvious close contacts will be notified and tested for Covid (with parent permission). Close contact students are not required to quarantine, but may do so at the discretion of their parents.
Testing - Any students exhibiting Covid symptoms will be tested (with parent permission). Student in close contact may be tested for several days afterward to ensure that they do not have the virus. Students may request testing (with parent permission) and school official approval. Testing will be conducted by Oakwood ISD school nurse, Mrs. Traci Bynum. Parent consent forms for testing will be sent home during the first week of school.
Notification - Oakwood ISD will continue to notify parents and the community of any positive cases through social media posts and updates to the district website. Paper notification will no longer be sent home. Students who test positive will receive notification directly from district officials.
Air Quality - Oakwood ISD has invested considerable resources to make sure every classroom has a high quality air filtration system. The air in each classroom is constantly being cleaned to help minimize airborne transmission of Covid-19.
Remote Learning - Due to recent legislative changes, remote learning is not an option for schools in Texas due to a lack of funding from the Legislature and support from TEA. In the event a student tests positive and has to miss a considerable amount of time due to Covid, Oakwood ISD will work with that student and their family to make sure that learning continues. At the present time, TEA, Region 6 Education Service Center, and the Texas Legislature are looking at options for remote conferencing as we continue to move forward into the new school year.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Oakwood ISD administration at any time. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work those these difficult times and try to do what is best for our kids.
In service,
Russell Holden
Oakwood ISD Superintendent