Less than 10% of CVHS students return to campus, but district-wide concerns over HISD’s safety protocols continue

By Maya Collins and Marcos Delgadillo|October 14, 2020

A social distancing sign hangs in front of CVHS restrooms.

Photo: Upstream News

A social distancing sign hangs in front of CVHS’ restrooms.

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Out of 930 students, it has been confirmed that, overall, 90 students will be returning: 44 freshmen, 23 sophomores, 16 juniors, and 6 seniors are coming back to the campus for face-to-face instruction. The less than 10% return rate is significantly less than the 41% of students district-wide who are returning to campuses.

According to the Carnegie website, the priority is to provide instruction for students who feel that virtual learning is not fit for them, while keeping them as safe as possible, taking into consideration guidelines by TEA, Texas Education Agency, and the CDC, Center of Disease Control, amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The website highlight’s the following:

  • Visitors and guests will not be allowed into the building
  • Students and employees will receive temperature scans when entering buildings
  • Doors to the courtyard, fields, and classrooms will be open to minimize contact
  • Masks are required at all times, with the exception of eating and drinking
  • Plexiglass is installed on the teacher’s desk, as well as the student desk closest to the teacher.

“If anybody has any types of symptoms, they will not be allowed into the building. Parents are not going to be allowed into the building, just students and employees,” said CVHS Assistant Principal Juan Garner.

There is also a screening process for everyone entering the building.

“The screening process is assumed to be necessary for honest results from every occupant of the building,” said Garner.

CVHS English teacher James Parker commented on what in-person instruction entails.

The classrooms will be spaced accordingly, 9-14 students, with a Plexiglass shield installed on the teacher’s desk.

“What we’re calling face-to-face in virtual. It’s really virtual face-to-face, just means that it’s a proximity issue,” said English II teacher James Parker.

HISD's Face-to-Face Instruction: Four Months Later

As of February 2021, HISD is now moving into the fourth 6-week cycle of the school year. Although we are entering the third cycle of optional face-to-face instruction, HISD’s reported COVID cases have been few and far between. CVHS specifically has had no more than five reported cases since face-to-face began. Just as it’s been for the first two cycles, most students opted for virtual learning rather than face-to-face this time, so it’s safe to assume the number of cases should, at the least, stay the same as previous cycles.

HISD has publicized its Reopening Plans and Communicable Disease Plans, but parents and educators continue to raise concerns about unresolved questions.

At the October 8 HISD board meeting, parents and teachers raised concerns on:

  • The change from 6 ft to 3 ft social distancing at some schools and classrooms with more than 15 students
  • The risks of students eating together inside the building
  • The lack of air-conditioning and ventilation at other schools in the district
  • The lack of district-mandated disciplinary measures for students who fail to follow PPE/ mask policies on campus
  • The lack of district protocol when a student or employee contracts COVID on campus
    members and students.

“We just heard Dr. Lathan say they were in the process of getting quotes for air filters. I know parents who were ready to send their children back to school changed their minds because of the obvious flaws in HISD’s plan. We need time to do this right, and in conjunction with public health guidelines,” said Catherine Goodman, a parent of two HISD students, at the board meeting.