Superintendent's Message: Plans for 2020-2021 School Year

Superintendent's Message: Plans for 2020-2021 School Year

Message from the STISD Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Marco Antonio Lara, Jr.

Plans for the 2020-2021 School Year: You choose the option that works best for you


Dear STISD Family,

I hope that you are having a pleasant summer break and that you are all remaining safe and healthy. I am sure that you are aware that the coronavirus has not come to an end. In fact, it is still very prevalent in our three-county area, as well as our state and nation.

Having said that, I want you to know that the safety of our district community members has been, and continues to be, of utmost importance in all of our planning for the new school year. This summer, your STISD leadership groups at the board, district and campus levels have been working together to develop several plans of action to welcome students back to a new school year in August that will address the conditions at that time.

Our school year will look very different in August compared to what you have been used to, so we have been preparing to offer all students options for learning. You can choose the traditional (in-person) option, the blended (in-person/at home) option, or the virtual option (completely at home). We want you to be in control of your learning and to be able to decide on the option that makes you and your family most comfortable.

Our Flexible Learning approach is designed to accommodate any of these methods, and I am proud to say that our teachers and campus leadership have been working hard to prepare for the new year by planning, training and preparing options for whatever the conditions are at that time. We will continue working to ensure the continuation of innovative and quality education safely to all of our students no matter the method selected.

We are preparing our facilities for the fall to be able to welcome back our district community members. You will receive additional information about our mandatory precautions and protocols as we move through the summer.

Remember that we are in a very fluid situation with the virus, and things change day-to-day. We are staying in tune with this, and are adjusting to whatever the conditions require.

A campus-specific survey will be launched in late July or August to prepare for classes to begin. Please stay connected with your campus and the district for updates, and revisit the board-approved academic calendar.

We look forward to welcoming you back.

Stay safe!

Sincerely,

Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., Ed.D.
STISD Superintendent of Schools