Disclaimer: This document is intended to be used for the start of the 2022-2023 school year as part of the Return to Learning in AISD. Changes to the public health situation may necessitate changes to this document and these protocols.  

The following is a summary of the extent to which Argyle ISD has implemented CDC safety recommendations: 

Universal and correct wearing of masks
The Argyle ISD Board of Trustees voted to update the district’s mask and quarantine policies during the Monday, April 19, 2021 regular board meeting. Trustees voted to amend the district’s COVID-19 protocols making masks optional for all students and employees effective Monday, May 10. Masks will continue to be optional inside all facilities and while riding in school buses for the 2022-2023 school year.  

Modifying facilities to allow for physical distancing (e.g., use of cohorts/podding)
While Argyle ISD will continue to not require physical distancing during the 2022-2023 school year, the district will continue to implement safety protocols in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 based on health recommendations from the CDC, local, and state health officials. 

Handwashing and respiratory etiquette
Hand sanitizer will be available at each classroom entrance.  Students, teachers, and staff will be encouraged to sanitize and/or wash hands frequently.  All must cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or covered in their elbows.

Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation
Air flow will be improved whenever possible. Disinfectant spray and wipes will be available in classrooms and labs.  Students will be provided opportunities to clean their own spaces before and after they are used. Frequent cleaning practices by janitorial staff will continue. Additional cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces touched in common throughout the day will occur. 

Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine, in collaboration with the state and local health departments
Quarantines of well students will be the responsibility of parents/guardians. Lab-confirmed positive cases will continue to quarantine for 5 days.  Parents/guardians who choose to quarantine their child must adhere to the COVID-19 protocol requirement of 5 days.  If an individual who has been in school is lab confirmed, the school must notify its local health department in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulation including confidentiality requirements of the ADA and FERPA.  Consistent with school notification requirements for other communicable diseases and consistent with legal confidentiality requirements, schools must notify teachers, staff, and families of students in a school if a lab confirmed case is identified among students, teachers, or staff who participate in any campus activities. 

Diagnostic and screening testing
The Argyle ISD website included a page listing local COVID-19 testing locations as well as a link to access Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) statewide map of COVID-19 testing locations.  Locations on the map marked by a green circle or orange circle are state-supported testing sites operated at no cost to the individual and symptoms are not required for testing at these sites. 

Efforts to provide vaccinations to school communities
All AISD staff were provided the opportunity to be fully vaccinated prior to May 10, 2021. Argyle ISD partnered with Denton County Public Health Department to promote vaccine opportunities, as well as host two vaccination clinics for staff at Argyle ISD. 

Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies
Argyle ISD will implement appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies. 

Coordination with state and local health officials
Argyle ISD created a COVID-19 dashboard to keep the Argyle ISD community informed regarding active lab-confirmed cases of students or staff reported in the district.  AISD relies on guidance from the Texas Education Agency, Centers for Disease Control, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Department of emergency Management, and Denton County Public Health. 

The LEA will ensure continuity of services, including but not limited to: 

• services to address students’ academic needs,
• students’ and staff social, emotional, mental health including trained personnel available to provide resources and strategies to support students’ social and emotional well-being.
• continue to employ a licensed, full-time Crisis Intervention Coordinator to provide social and emotional counseling and intervention support services to all students and district staff. 
• and other needs which may include student health and food services.

Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year and continuing with the 2022-2023 school year, Argyle ISD will return to 100% in-person learning.  Each AISD campus has an RN on campus serving the needs of students.  Argyle ISD partners with a number of local organizations, including the Denton County Public Health and surrounding local cities in an effort to promote local physical and mental health resources and services for students, parents, and families.  AISD employs a district crisis coordinator who is committed to helping students with their social-emotional growth and coping skills needed while moving through our schools, community, and future.  The crisis coordinator also provides resources and support to parents, faculty, and staff.  

Students and parents may apply for free and reduced meals digitally or on paper.  Forms are available in English and Spanish at: 

https://www.argyleisd.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=421284&type=d&pREC_ID=920493