Katy Independent School District: What you need to know about the district’s 2020-2021 school plans.

Katy ISD announced on July 23 that it will begin the school year with three weeks of online learning.

The district unveiled their reopening plan as a website, called “Smart Restart” for students, staff, faculty and parents to find information on how schools respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

Parents and students who are interested in Katy ISD’s online learning, Katy Virtual Academy, can make their choice by August 5. Despite the first three weeks being online, the district says parents must make a choice before the deadline.

“This will ensure your student has the same teacher on August 19 as when in-person instruction resumes on September 8, regardless of the instructional option elected,” Superintendent Dr. Ken Gregorski said.

Start Date

August 19 - Entirely online

On July 23, Gregorski announced that the district will begin the school year entirely online and in-person instruction will not begin for three weeks.

“It is my intention to continue to honor the requests and needs of the families who desire to return their students for in-person instruction,” he wrote. “On September 8, the goal is to resume plans to reopen campuses for both in-person instruction and virtual instruction. Still, I think we keep in mind that any plans are subject to change given the course of this pandemic.”

List of measures in place:

• Flexible learning alternatives - Two options are available: on-campus learning and ‘Katy Virtual Academy’ for online students.
• Schedule changes - A modified bell schedule will be in place at the start of the school year, to add time for cleaning and disinfection.
• Masks - Facial coverings are encouraged for grades Pre-K through 3rd grade, mandatory for 4th-12th grades on-campus. District staff and faculty will be required to wear facial coverings.
• Temperature checks - The district said temperature checks will be conducted for new enrollees and late arrivals.
• Social distancing - District staff will be monitoring students on social distancing protocols. Signage will be posted to encourage social distancing.
• Sanitization - Hand sanitizer stations will be available at every corner of all campuses. High-touch areas will also be cleaned multiple times of the day to ensure safety.
• PPE - Katy ISD cafeteria staff will be using PPE such as shields, masks, and gloves to serve food to children.

Measures not in place:

• Partitioning
• Class size limits

Extracurricular activities:

Students who participate in Katy Virtual Academy can partictpate in UIL-cocurricular and extracurricular activities. Most courses may be offered virtually.

The district is still awaiting additional guidance from the TEA on other school activities.

Do you have questions about Katy ISD’s plan?

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