This page reflects information from the Spring 2020 emergency response to COVID-19. This is not current or updated to reflect the health and safety protocols implemented for the 2020-21 school year.
Coronavirus Information
Leander ISD follows the guidance and expertise of national and local health officials to help protect our students and staff from all communicable diseases. The district is aware that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness (COVID-19) caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. Families are encouraged to visit the CDC website for more information and travel guidance regarding the Coronavirus.
External Resources
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Summary
- CDC Considerations for School Closures
- Facts about COVID-19
Local Public Health
- Austin Public Health
- Williamson County Health Department
- Texas Commission on Health and Human Services
Education Partners
- Texas Education Agency
- College Board
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Austin Community College
- University of Texas
Updates
We are committed to providing regular updates regarding our response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. Please find all of our updates on our news site.
- Our number one goal remains to stay open while keeping people healthy in Leander ISD. We are watching an increase in cases across the state, nation, and in our schools. Williamson County has changed its pandemic response to the Orange Phase as a result of a rise in the rate of new infections and the […]
- YMCA after-school care will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 8 for students attending Phase 1, in-person learning. The post YMCA Welcomes All In-Person Learners, Oct. 5 appeared first on Leander ISD News.
- Due to COVID-19 and UIL restrictions, we will have limited capacities in each of our athletic venues until further notice. You can review all the details regarding the 2020 spectator information on the LISD athletic webpage. Here are some key reminders: Because we do have to follow capacity restrictions, out of courtesy for other patrons, we […]
- In-person learning Phase 3 – Sept. 28 Phase 3 will include 3rd, 8th, and 11th grade students selecting in-person learning. All students who selected in-person learning can return Oct. 5. While the district continues to closely watch COVID-19, Leander ISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. shares how we’re moving forward with phasing-in our third group of […]
- In an effort to increase digital security during classroom meetings, Leander ISD is moving to a Zoom licensed account. The post Update on Zoom Upgrade appeared first on Leander ISD News.
- LISD Reopens for In-Person Learning Through Phased Approach on Sept. 8 Families who chose in-person learning for their students will begin returning to school starting on Sept. 8. During this first phase, the following students will be able to return to on-campus instruction. Pre-K, Kindergarten, first, sixth, and ninth grades, students who receive special education […]
- To prepare for the upcoming phases of in-person learning, avoid the use of shared devices in our classrooms, and provide students the device aligned with our LISD classroom technology template, we wanted to provide some guidance and instructions regarding your child’s first day back for in-person learning regarding technology. Pre-K, Kinder, and 1st Grade students […]
- The district’s Launch to Learning plan for in-person learning takes shape and an update to the Leander ISD dress code was adopted at the Trustees’ regular meeting Thursday night. View the entire agenda here. Watch the video here. Trustees approve TEA waiver for phased-in approach to in-person learning beginning Sept. 8 With the health and […]
- The district’s Launch to Learning could soon be entering a new phase, while an update to the Leander ISD dress code was among the topics during the Trustees’ agenda review meeting Thursday night. The post Board Briefs: Aug. 20, 2020 appeared first on Leander ISD News.
- The reopening of schools for in-person learning is on our entire Leander ISD family’s hearts and minds. To collect feedback from our students, teachers, staff, and families, and be transparent regarding what we are hearing, we are launching a Thoughtexchange survey to gather input. The post District opens Thoughtexchange to collect feedback regarding Sept. 8 […]
Week One Food Service
Meals Distributed
* On March 24 we served breakfast for March 24 and March 25. Source on Google Sheets.
Remote Learning
Leander ISD remains committed to providing learning experiences that extend outside of our physical classrooms. We have access to platforms and technical infrastructure to deploy learning experiences in the case of a prolonged closure.
Phase 1 – Remote Learning Plan Before April 5, 2020
During the planned suspension of normal school operations through April 5, students will not submit assignments for graded work. We want students to take advantage of these learning opportunities so they are ready to learn new material and skills after the two-week period.
Our Special Programs team will be working with campuses to support the needs of all students.
Phase 2 – Remote Learning Plan After April 5, 2020
We are committed to keeping our school communities connected and thriving even as our school buildings remain closed. As we begin Phase 2 of the Leander ISD Remote Learning Plan, our goal is to provide on-going and purposeful student learning that strikes a balance between on-line and off-line learning activities. Teachers will begin to introduce new learning, incorporating projects, assignments, and activities. Learning experiences will be designed to be authentic and engaging, aligned to the TEKS and the LISD curriculum, emphasizing opportunities for interaction with teachers and fellow classmates.
Additional Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Testing and Grades
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Events and Academic Calendar
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Technology
- Phase 2 Parent Guide for Learning
- Teaching and Learning Parent Guide
- Video Meetings Guidance from Leander ISD
- Texas Education Agency
- College Board
- International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Austin Community College
- University of Texas
Teachers and Staff
Thanks to our Board of Trustees, we are proud to continue payroll for all full-and-part time employees while our buildings are closed. We are moving all operational functions to a remote capacity, with the exception of essential functions such as child nutrition services, custodial, and maintenance.
Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Teachers and Staff
- Employee Protocol-COVID 19 (English, Español)
- Remote Work Protocol (English, Español)
- Technology Let’s Talk
- Benefits Let’s Talk
- Payroll Let’s Talk
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act)
Campus & Department Administrators & Supervisors
- Supervisor Protocols and Mitigation Measures
- Employee Protocol-COVID 19 (English, Español)
- COVID-19 Supervisor Protocol Zoom Meeting
Health and Wellness
We know this is a stressful time for our community, especially our families and staff.
In coordination with our Counseling Services and Employee Benefits teams, we would like to share resources for mental health and wellness.
Health and Wellness Resources
- Student and Family Wellness
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Health
- Headspace – a free, online tool for meditation and mindfulness (For Staff, For Everyone)
- LISD Employees and dependents have access to remote counseling via our Employee Assistance Program (COVID-19 EAP Resources).
- Call 1-800-343-3822 to speak with an EAP Intake Counselor.
- Teen Line: 1-800-334-TEEN (8336).
- MDLive – Employees on our Leander ISD benefits plan have access to telemedicine for both physical and mental health support.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas COVID-19 Resources
Talking to Your Child About COVID-19
These links are useful tools to aid parents in explaining the pandemic while offering age-specific coping strategies:
- COVID-19 Guide for Parents & Caregivers: National Child Traumatic Stress Network Includes ways to help children cope by age group (English, Spanish)
- Talking to Children About COVID-19 (NASP) Links to multiple languages including Spanish, Chinese and Korean available.
- Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus (NPR)
- How to Homeschool During the Coronavirus (Today Show)
Technology
Elementary School Students
We will be distributing Chromebook Laptops from April 7 – April 9. We are asking for families in need of an extra device to please come to one of our distribution sites next week.
Middle and High School Students
We are continuing to support mLISD devices. Please contact our Technology Help Desk if you have an issue with your laptop.
Note: Leander ISD offers a one-to-one laptop program for all students grades 6-12.
Teachers and Staff
We are working through principals and supervisors to identify staff who need computers or iPads to work remotely. We are prioritizing students in our distribution of devices. Our Technology Help Desk is open for staff having issues with their devices.
Technology Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Technology
- mLISD Information – One-to-One Laptops for Grades 6-12
- Elementary School Student Chromebook Distribution
- Technology Help Desk, 512-570-0566
- Technology Let’s Talk
Chromebook Distribution Data
Facilities
All Leander ISD facilities are closed through May 4. We are restricting access to our buildings in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Custodial services continues to maintain our campuses after it has deep cleaned all buildings.
Facilities Facilities Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Facilities
Communications
We know open and regular communication is critical during our response to COVID-19. We have implemented several initiatives to support personal, dependable, and accurate communication that reaches as wide of an audience as possible, including:
- remote district call center (routing campus and district main phone lines into Let’s Talk);
- Remind premium access for all staff;
- regular updates (daily during Spring Break and Monday-Wednesday-Friday through April 3);
- Knowledge Base articles with information about our response, answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs);
- translated content on all district phone calls, text messages, and emails to Spanish;
- updated language tools on all websites for translations to 8+ languages; and
- live events on Facebook (shared on YouTube and through our podcast network).