Lamar CISD Responds to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Lamar CISD continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19, while receiving regular updates and guidance from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath and other local, state and federal agencies. This evolving situation has changed repeatedly over the last several months and will continue to evolve based on COVID-19 conditions across the State and our local community. With so much uncertainty, we want to ensure our parents have educational options for their students.
2020-2021 School Year Commitment Form
Lamar CISD will offer both on-campus and virtual instruction during the 2020-2021 school year. Parents will have the option to select which model is best for their students. Based upon directives from the State, it is important to know the responsibilities, requirements and expectations of our students, parents and teachers are much different than they were during the previous school year. You can find more detailed information on the differences between on-campus and virtual instruction by clicking the following links:
Parents and guardians of registered Lamar CISD students will receive a notification email on Wednesday, July 15, stating the commitment form is available through Skyward. The primary contact listed for each student should use the form to select the learning model for each student by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 9. If the District does not receive a commitment form for a student by August 9, it will be automatically assumed that the student will attend on-campus classes.
Click here for instructions on how to complete the 2020-2021 Commitment Form through the Skyward Family Access Center.
This timely feedback is critical for Lamar CISD to plan for the first day of school on August 24. The District must have data to work with when planning for master schedules, classroom space, virtual instruction and how we can best meet the social and emotional needs of students when the 2020-2021 instructional year starts.
Lamar CISD understands that family sentiments and needs may change as COVID-19 conditions evolve or if the District adjusts its plans based on new directives from the State. As a result, parents will be able to change their students' learning model at the end of each grading period. Any requests for changes to your student’s learning model must be made in writing to the school registrar two weeks before the end of the grading period. No changes will be made two weeks prior to the first day of school.
A detailed process for changing between virtual and on-campus instruction will be shared at the beginning of the school year.
FAQs
What if I haven't received the commitment form?
Parents of registered Lamar CISD students will receive a notification email on Wednesday, July 15, stating the commitment form is available through Skyward.
The primary contact listed for each student will need to complete the form. If you have more than one student in Lamar CISD schools, you will need to complete the commitment form for each individual student.
If you cannot find the commitment form notification email, please check your spam folder. The email will be sent from [email protected] with the subject line "Lamar CISD 2020-2021 School Year Commitment Form."
If you are unsure who is listed as the primary parent or guardian for a specific student, please check your Skyward Family Access account, or email the campus secretary at your child’s school. Please allow approximately three days for us to get back with you.
If you pre-registered your student but have not yet been admitted, the District is actively processing new students. You will be able to access the commitment form in Skyward once your student is admitted.
When is the commitment form due and is my commitment finalized immediately?
Families are asked to complete the commitment form that will be available in Skyward on Wednesday, July 15. The form must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on August 9. If you complete the form prior to August 9 and change your mind prior to August 9 at 11:59 p.m., you can go back into the form and switch your selection. Nothing will be final until August 10.
The virtual instruction option is an opt-in program. If the District does not receive a commitment form for a student by August 9, it will be automatically assumed that the student will attend on-campus classes on the first day of school.
Once I commit for the 2020-2021 school year, can my child change their mind on their educational learning model and switch to or from the virtual instruction option?
Yes, there will be defined opportunities built into the school year where changes can be made to the learning model.
While the District is asking you to make a decision by August 9 at 11:59 p.m. regarding how your child will start the new school year, please know we understand that you are having to make this decision based on the current situation with COVID-19 and with potentially changing information. As a result, parents will be able to change their students' learning model after the school year begins at the end of each grading period.
Elementary Grading Periods:
Secondary Grading Periods:
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1st 6 weeks ends Oct. 2
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2nd 6 weeks ends Nov. 6
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3rd 6 weeks ends Dec. 18
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4th 6 weeks ends Feb. 19
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5th 6 weeks ends Apr. 16
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6th 6 weeks ends May 27
If a change in learning commitment occurs, there is no guarantee of placement back into the original on-campus/virtual classroom.
Can my family delay our answer to the commitment form until the District provides additional information to families?
The virtual instruction option is an opt-in program. If the District does not receive a commitment form for a student by August 9, it will be automatically assumed that the student will attend on-campus classes on the first day of school.
What happens after my commitment?
If you select on-campus instruction, Lamar CISD will automatically schedule your student into the course requests they made earlier in the year for 2020-2021 (secondary) and their homeroom (elementary).
If you select virtual instruction, Lamar CISD will communicate your student’s elected courses for secondary students, and the assigned grade level and homeroom for elementary students after August 9. If an elected course is not being offered virtually, the District will also communicate this information after August 9.
A detailed process for changing between virtual and on-campus instruction will be shared at the beginning of the school year.
Why does Lamar CISD need to hear back from families sooner rather than later?
While Lamar CISD understands that many questions remain regarding the new school year and that family sentiments may change as COVID-19 conditions evolve, timely feedback is critical for Lamar CISD to prepare for the first day of school on August 24. The District must have data to work with when planning for master schedules, classroom space, virtual instruction and how we can best meet the social-emotional needs of our students when they return.
The commitment form is due on Sunday, August 9. This leaves two weeks before the first day of school. The District wants to provide all staff with the strongest foundation possible to prepare for the needs of all students.