TACS and other education organizations ask Governor to reconsider reopening guidelines

TACS was pleased to be involved in the conversations and negotiations with other like-minded organizations that resulted in the attached letter to our state officials.

In this letter, we ask Governor Abbott to:

Extend the transition period for schools that start online.

Allow school districts to determine in-person instruction based on local health conditions.

Establish a hold harmless for Average Daily Attendance (ADA).

Strengthen connectivity and provide devices for families and students in need.

Simplify attendance accounting for synchronous and asynchronous learning.

Read the full letter from TACS and 11 other organizations here.

Texas Education Agency

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) continues to work with the Office of the Governor, Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to coordinate and plan the state’s response to COVID-19. 

On the TEA COVID-19 webpage, you will find agency correspondence related to COVID-19. UPDATED DAILY!

U.S. Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education’s COVID-19 webpage includes information and resources for schools and districts.

Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities

2020-2021 School Calendars

Some TACS school districts have released their school calendars for the 2020-2021 school year. Check them out for inspiration for your district and plan safely!

Fabens ISD

Olney ISD

Dime Box ISD

Maypearl ISD Schedule and School Start Up Plan

Gabbart Communications

As a leader in Educational Technology, our partner Gabbart Communications has the solution for schools needing to provide instructional material to students while learning at home. They are prepared to offer free licensing for their Wisdom Learning Management System for the remainder of the 2019/20 school year, with a nominal $2,000 for setup,16-hours of training, and ongoing support. Gabbart can quickly get schools up and running, train teachers, and provide content to students within the week. Yesterday, they met with dozens of school districts on a webinar to provide additional information on Wisdom LMS. You can view it at www.gabbart.com/covidlms 

Click here to view more info, and here to download information on the onboarding process.

Belfor Property Restoration

BELFOR has been on the front lines since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. As a global leader in decontamination projects for more than 70 years, we are prepared for this unique fight.

From the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, we have worked with leading toxicology and environmental health consulting firms. From establishing the proper cleaning protocols to providing post-cleaning inspection and verification, BELFOR has worked with the industry’s best environmental minds…...

Read more about BELFOR’s COVID-19 response, including safety and BELFOR Environmental here!

COVID-19 Assistance from Our Corporate Partners

OMNIA Partners

OMNIA Partners, a DIAMOND sponsor, is our cooperative purchasing partner and during this time of uncertainty, they offer access to several suppliers who are sourcing PPE, thermometers, tents, gloves, cots, N-95 masks, medical & rental equipment, sanitizer, IT learn/work-at-home solutions, and more for public agencies across the country. By leveraging the supplier contracts through OMNIA Partners, your district does not have to go out to bid for these items, because they’ve already gone through the formal RFP process. Therefore, your districts can save valuable time & money. As you know, lead times are several weeks out so if you haven’t placed your orders, now’s the time.

Click here for more info on contracts and flyers of available products.

Please reach out to Kelly Dietze, of OMNIA Partners, for assistance with product research, lead times, supplier connection, etc.

Underwood Law Firm

Client Alert: Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Special Education Update Regarding COVID 19

Sara Leon Law

Click here to see all resources, including client alerts, sample board resolutions, and public ed COVID-19 guidelines.

Proximity Learning, Inc., An ESS Company

Live Instruction Virtual Classroom Service

Centers for Disease Control

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have published a webpage with Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs. Available for download on that webpage is a PDF document outlining considerations for school closure as well as cleaning and disinfection recommendations, FAQs for administrators, a checklist for teachers and parents, and tips on talking to children about COVID-19.

University Interscholastic League

Effective March 16, all University Interscholastic League (UIL) interscholastic competition is suspended through March 29 due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Texas.

Teacher Retirement System

Due to COVID-19 Prevention Measures, TRS has temporarily closed its Austin Headquarters; however, it will be “business as usual” in regard to all member services, including the telephone counseling center. TRS employees will work remotely, with some essential workers on-site.

ACT/SAT Testing

ACT has rescheduled the April 4 national ACT test date to June 13, 2020, in response to concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Learn more.

The College Board has cancelled the May 2 SAT testing. Makeup exams for the May 14 testing (scheduled previously for March 28) are also cancelled. Registerd students will receive refunds. Learn more. 

Texas State Capitol

The Texas Capitol building will be closed to the public starting 8:00AM on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

SPB will notify the public as soon as the Capitol is scheduled to reopen.