Austin News

The Round Rock Independent School District welcomed back some students and teachers earlier this month for in-person instruction as part of a two-phased reopening to ensure everyone is kept safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It's exciting to be able to welcome back our students and teachers for another academic year," said Round Rock ISD Superintendent Steve Flores in an email to Austin News. "Although we started in anything but a traditional way, our educators, staff and students were ready to take on these new challenges, engage virtually with one another and begin building the relationships that set the tone for a successful year."

Round Rock began Sept. 10 welcoming students back for in-person learning, and about 1% of its students began that day. Only about 30% of its students are expected to return for in-person learning, the district said on its website's reopening plan. That will minimize person-to-person contact and allow for social distancing.

The district's reopening plan includes continuing to offer virtual learning to students. The plan also outlines strict protocols in place to ensure students, teachers and staff remain safe.

Those protocols include mask wearing for everyone, social distancing and even upgrading school HVAC systems' air quality. In addition the school installed sanitizer stations, plexiglass shields, and distanced desks where possible. The school also has a thorough cleaning protocol which includes teachers cleaning doors, light switches, desks, chairs, laptops and door handles among other items each time students leave the classroom.

"Designed with our top priority in mind, which is keeping students and staff safe, our plan was created to be flexible both in its initial practice and as the school year develops to meet our students, staff, and campuses' changing needs," Flores said. "This flexibility will continue as our area superintendents will work closely with our campus administrators and campus COVID-19 coordinators each day to identify and respond to staff and student needs at campuses as necessary to ensure that our teachers and students remain safe and healthy."