Fall 2020 Guidance – Career and Technical Education

General Guidance

At the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, CTE course offerings will be available in all learning environments, with more limited course offerings in the Lamar CISD virtual instruction option. 

On-Campus Instructional Model

CTE courses taught on high school campuses will also continue to be offered and follow all District and campus safety protocols.  

• We will follow District and state protocol regarding social distancing, safety procedures and sanitizing surfaces and materials.

• If necessary, additional supplies will be purchased to prevent sharing of materials.

• Parent permission forms will be updated.

• Interactions with internship mentors will be guided by both Lamar CISD protocols and participating mentor institutions.

• Some course requirements may be adjusted to ensure adherence to the necessary safety protocols from Lamar CISD or other governing bodies.

School Closure Virtual Instruction Option

During a school closure, all CTE courses would move to an online platform.

• Adjustments will be made to the curriculum so that a transition to virtual instruction is streamlined.

• Parent permission forms will be updated.

• Interactions with mentors will be guided by CDC guidelines, Lamar CISD protocols and participating mentor institutions.

• Teachers and students will have the tools they need to be successful in this learning environment. Some course content may be adjusted to accommodate for software and hardware issues. To the greatest extent possible, electronic access to learning materials and platforms, including a District-supplied electronic device for home use, will be made available if needed.

Virtual Instruction Option

For students who opt to take virtual courses, a limited number of CTE courses will be available online. High school students may elect to take CTE courses that are not offered via virtual instruction in a face-to-face format at their home campus while taking non-CTE courses virtually. CTE courses available through virtual instruction will be determined and provided at a later date.

• Teachers and students will have the tools they need to be successful in this learning environment. Some course content may be adjusted to accommodate for software or hardware issues. To the greatest extent possible, electronic access to learning materials and platforms, including a District supplied laptop for home use, will be available if needed.

• A guaranteed and viable curriculum is outlined in the Lamar CISD curriculum documents which are aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge Skills (TEKS).

Classroom Safety Protocols

It is our primary goal to ensure that students have a safe learning environment. In CTE classrooms, specialized equipment may be used. Based on guidelines from the industry, TEA, CDC and Lamar CISD, CTE teachers will follow updated safety procedures and students will be taught and expected to follow the procedures. As safety guidelines continue to change depending on the nature of the public health situation, we will continue to monitor and adjust as needed.

Work-Based Learning/Internships

Some CTE courses require a student internship or require students to participate in learning activities at a work site. Due to the current public health situation, some internships or student work sites may not allow students onsite. If students are unable to complete internship or work hours, alternative options will be provided to complete their Lamar CISD coursework. However, it may not be possible to complete some industry certifications without the required internship or work experience hours.

If students are allowed to participate in an internship or off-site work experience, students and parents/guardians will be required to complete additional documentation to allow student participation. Students will be required to follow the safety protocols utilized by the internship site.

Culinary Arts

The Culinary Arts program will follow the CDC, TEA and Texas Restaurant Association guidelines to ensure proper food handling safety and kitchen safety.

Kitchen

In addition to the safety protocols utilized in every Lamar CISD classroom, the Culinary Department will follow these additional guidelines:

• Practice safety protocols during food preparation including gloves and masks

• Take temperatures of students working in the kitchen

• Additional spacing between workstations

• Use of disposable items when available

• Mandatory stops throughout class for hand washing, sanitizing and disinfecting

• Use of stainless-steel utensils and food preparation equipment when available

• Sanitize all equipment with 185-degree sanitizing setting on dishwasher

Café 

When open, a campus café will adhere to the following guidelines:

• Follow guidelines published by the Texas Restaurant Association: https://www.txrestaurant.org/

• Require patrons to sanitize hands before entering restaurant

• Students sanitize hands between interaction with customers, wear masks and gloves

• Tables spaced 6 feet apart

• Limit reservations

• Only five patrons at each table

• Regularly and frequently clean and disinfect any regularly touched surfaces such as doorknobs, tables and chairs

• Disinfect any items that come into contact with customers

• Clean and disinfect the area used for dining (table, etc.) after each group of customers depart, including the disinfecting of tables and chairs

• Use of disposable menus

• Use of disposable items used when available (pre-packaged utensils, plastic cups, paper napkins, pre-packaged salt/pepper packets)

Shop

In addition to the safety protocols utilized in every Lamar CISD classroom, the Shop will follow these additional guidelines:

• Practice safety protocols while working in shop including gloves (required for shop work) and masks

• One student at a time working at each workstation (tool)

• Disinfect surface areas between students

Ag Barn Safety Protocols

• Limit risk of exposure by maintaining social distancing throughout all activities conducted at each Lamar CISD Ag Barn.

• Emphasize personal hygiene such as hand washing and use of hand sanitizer upon entry and exit of any Ag Barn.

• Implement routine and enhanced cleaning and sanitization of equipment, Ag barns, trucks and trailers.

• Plan and communicate safe access to facilities to minimize personal interaction and facilitate social distancing.

Prevention Strategies & Sanitation 

• Each Lamar CISD Ag Barn will be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected prior to opening.

• Equipment such as scales, treadmill and stands will be disinfected after each use. It is the responsibility of each student to clean equipment before and after use.

• Equipment such as buckets and sifters will be provided to each student and will not be shared. They will be cleaned before and after each use.

• Hand sanitizing stations will be located at each entrance, exit and common working area.

• Adequate supplies will be on hand for staff and students to disinfect throughout the day.

• Large items shared by the team must be wiped down before and after use. Disinfecting sprays or wipes will be provided.

Staff Requirements

• Limit contact with others. No handshakes, high fives, back slaps, hugs, fist bumps, etc.

• Six feet of space should always be maintained between exhibitors and staff while monitoring the facilities.

• Staff will sanitize their hands before, during and after working at any Ag Barn.

• Ag Barn Manager will be responsible for disinfecting high-touch areas.

• Staff will wear face masks.

• The walkthrough gate must always remain closed.

Student Exhibitor Requirements

• Students will park or be dropped off and picked up each day at designated areas and times. Parents are asked to remain in their cars. One parent will be allowed to assist their child if needed. The parent will be required to wear a face covering and follow social distancing guidelines.

• Students must use the key card to gain access into the barn.  

• Six feet of space should always be maintained between students while they report to a predetermined location.

• Students will sanitize their hands before, during and after working at the Ag Barn.

• There should be no contact with others. No handshakes, high fives, back slaps, hugs, fist bumps, etc.

• Students will be given designated areas to keep their tack.

• Students should not enter or touch other students’ tack, animals, feed containers and gates.

Student Exhibitors

• Ag Barn manager will work with Ag teachers to organize groups so it will be limited to no more than 10 students/family members at the Ag barn.

• Indoor Ag barn facilities will be limited in capacity.

• Only one student allowed in the wash rack at a time

• Only one student allowed in the clipping area at a time

• Face masks are required at every Ag Barn. Student exhibitors should bring their own.

COVID-19 Symptoms, Testing & Management (UIL/TEA Protocol)

• If you or someone you’ve come in contact with test positive for COVID-19, the Ag Barn manager and Ag teacher must be notified immediately.

• When a staff member or student exhibitor experiences any of the symptoms of COVID-19, they should self-isolate until the following conditions have been met:

• In the case of an individual who was diagnosed with COVID-19, the individual may visit when all three of the following criteria are met: At least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications); the individual has improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared; or

• In the case of an individual who has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and does not get evaluated by a medical professional or tested for COVID-19, the individual is assumed to have COVID-19, and the individual may not return to campus until they have completed the same three-step criteria listed above; or

• If the individual has symptoms that could be COVID-19 and wants to return to campus before completing the above self-isolation period, the individual must obtain a medical professional’s note clearing the individual for return based on an alternative diagnosis.

• When a staff member or student exhibitor is living with someone who experiences any of the symptoms of COVID-19 (whether they have a positive COVID-19 test or not), they should self-isolate for two weeks. If they do not experience any COVID-19 symptoms during that period, they can return to an Ag Barn. If they experience symptoms, they must self-isolate until the conditions outlined above have been met.

Parent/Guardian Communication Plan

• Information will be provided to all parents and guardians outlining the arrival and dismissal plan and safety measures that will be in place.

• CTE staff will contact and educate student exhibitors on expectations and protocols prior to entering livestock to an Ag Barn.

• Parents will be updated on a regular basis on any changes in protocol.