Nortex Times

When the Burkburnett Independent School District offered parents the option for their children to attend class virtually or return to class in person, 67% opted for live learning and 33% chose remote instruction, according to school officials.

“The first week was a little rocky with some technology constraints, log in issues and the typical first week of school issues,” said Brad Owen, the Burkburnett ISD assistant superintendent of administrative service. “Parents, students, and teachers are in a good groove now and have hit their stride with online learning.” 

The Burkburnett ISD is among the districts in Texas that opened brick-and-mortar classroom learning this fall despite the threat of COVID-19 after spending the summer developing a return-to-learn plan.

"Everybody seeks normalcy after such a long period of time," Interim Superintendent Derek Citty said. "It's been since March. The kids have had the longest spring break in the history of public education in the United States, in a manner of speaking. They're ready to come back and there are positive benefits for kids being here face-to-face socially."

In addition to having hand sanitizer at every entrance and in every classroom, teachers are equipped with disinfectant so they can spray down desks between classes. 

"They really are doing a fantastic job of keeping their hands clean, staying away from each other and wearing a mask," Citty told the Nortex Times.

The state of Texas has experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases in recent months. A total of 649,809 cases were reported as of Sept. 11 with 13,853 deaths, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. In Wichita County, home of the Burkburnett ISD, there have been 1,439 cases reported with 18 fatalities.

“We have been in school now for four weeks and have only had one positive student case that was contracted outside the district,” Owen told Nortex Times. “That's pretty good.”

Burkburnett ISD is not deterred by its one COVID-19 case and is allowing parents to switch their children every six weeks between virtual and live learning if they choose, according to district data. About 67% of parents said they had complete faith in sending their children back to school.

“The staff and students have been amazing,” Owen said. “In walking every school multiple times, I have only observed one student in the halls who had to be reminded to pull their mask up. The staff has responded by coming up with so many new ways to deliver effective instruction even while social distancing. The use of technology has exploded and is being effectively utilized as a true instructional resource.” 

The 1,820 students on-site and 500 staff are complying with the federal rules and regulations intended to keep students free of the coronavirus and to slow the spread, according to Citty.

"We literally haven't heard from any parents that are interested in going the other direction of learning at home," he said.

Owen advises other school districts to be open and transparent with parents about the plan.

"Share it often and gather feedback for revisions," he said. "Research disinfectant products and partner with a vendor that offers a safe chemical that provides an antimicrobial barrier that is rated for 90 days. Invest in the chemical and electrostatic sprayers and treat all learning spaces once every 30 days, along with nightly disinfecting products such as Clorox 360 or Lemon-6. 

"Rethink learning spaces to provide for social distancing and inject technology in all learning methods and platforms. Do your homework on learning management systems and make sure the one you select for your virtual learners is right for you and is the best fit for your district and its unique needs."