Message to parents from Interim Superintendent Vince Sheffield regarding the return to campuses
Dear EPISD Parents,
I hope you and your family enjoyed the winter break. The spring semester is always a busy time for students and teachers as they prepare to finish the school year strong.
As we phase into the new year, there are some changes forthcoming regarding instruction for students. Due to El Paso’s decline in the COVID-19 hospitalization, the city is now categorized in the Orange Zone (see attached chart). The current Region 19 Zones Waiver, approved by the Texas Education Agency, requires us to begin face-to-face instruction for a select group of students at 50 percent capacity. The City of El Paso Department of Health on Jan. 4 also released its recommendations for return to campuses following the winter break. For more on that issue please click here.
We continue to monitor conditions and will make a final determination, in collaboration with other local school districts, on Wednesday, Jan. 13. If conditions maintain, we will proceed with the return of students under the Orange Zone guidelines.
The Orange Zone indicates that all teachers now will be providing instruction from their classrooms. Beginning on Jan. 19, students who qualify under the Orange Zone guidelines may return to campus for instruction. Those attending on campus will receive face-to-face instruction from their assigned teachers in their designated classrooms.
Campus personnel will begin calling parents of children who qualify to return later this week to confirm attendance on campus. We are limiting students to 50 percent capacity. Parents still have the option to continue virtual learning at home.
As a reminder, strict COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place. To review our safety plan, click here.
As we continue to progress through phases that will eventually reopen our schools to all students, I look forward to working together and wish you all a Happy New Year!
Excellence Always!
Vince Sheffield
Interim Superintendent