More than 40 schools in Dallas start
their school year two day alive look
this morning as school buses get ready
to pick up the kids and take them to
class today as one of three different
start dates for Dallas ISD students,
you're looking at a live picture right now.
Some went back last Monday and
most will go back next Monday.
Tiffany Leo is with us live
this morning outside the Adele
Turner Elementary in Dallas,
with a look at what the district
is doing differently this year.
Yeah, good morning.
Yeah, a lot of kids are going back to
school today and here at Adele Turner.
They're actually getting a special visit
today from the Superintendent Doctor Kenosa.
He's going to be here later
this morning now across DSD 41.
Schools are starting this morning,
mostly elementary,
some middle schools as well and
teachers are going all out to welcome
their students back to class.
Many of them are ready for
this full in person year again,
but of course there are people
who are worried about COVID-19.
And because Texas public schools can't
legally issue their own mask mandate,
Dallas is instead offering
free rapid COVID testing.
At every campus for staff and
students who have written permission.
Now DSD is not offering virtual learning
this year other than at one hybrid campus.
But they will be recommending and
providing masks to people who want
to wear it now late last night over
in Richardson at Richardson ISD they
posted a note to parents on Facebook.
Take a look at this doctor,
Jeannie Stone, the Superintendent.
She says she knows it's a time of
concern for many due to COVID-19 she's
read every email and every message and
her team is working to finalize their plans.
And today she says the district
will be releasing more information.
Hopefully that will provide some
relief for the parents who are
concerned about the delta variant.
Now this is just a week before
Richardson ISD starts on August 17th.
Now we know that Dallas ISD isn't the only
one that's welcoming back students this week.
A lot of districts across the metro are
doing the same in the upcoming days,
and they all have their own
COVID protocols as well.
Let's send it back to you Mark and Cara.
Alright,
Tiffany, thank you for that.
We certainly know a lot of parents have
questions and concerns about COVID.
As we start this new school year,
especially since kids under the age of
12 or not yet eligible to get a COVID
shot, well, let's go out to our health
and Wellness reporter. Sony's odd.
She's with a nurse practitioner to answer
some of those questions. Good morning.
Hey good morning you guys.
Yes we are outside a CVS.
Actually when I go to all
the time with Melody Mateo,
she's a nurse practitioner
and I want to first talk about
routine immunizations with,
you know, regard to your children,
so whether they're in elementary
school or even going into college,
what do parents need to know and sort
of be ahead of the game on right now?
Yeah, so any childhood facility is
going to recommend routine vaccinations
for all children. OK, of all ages.
From childhood to above to high school,
so it's very important to make sure
those are up-to-date at the beginning of
the school year and you know, people
going out of state and coming to Texas.
It's very important because Texas does
recommend other childhood vaccinations
versus other states 7th grade boosters.
They're supposed to get a meningitis
in a T DAP, so that's also important
to know for the 7th graders.
So and is there anything?
I know you have a little
one going into kindergarten.
For the first,
you know first time in school.
What do parents need to know?
If they're sending
their kids to school for the first time,
so typically at their four
year old immunizations they
get four different vaccines,
and so you just need to make
sure with your pediatrician that
they did receive those vaccines
at their four year visit,
and if they are behind,
just make sure they catch it
before they get into school.
Now Melody, I've been getting a
lot of questions from parents.
As you can imagine about you know,
what do I need to know
about my schools COVID-19?
Policies, protocols.
You know my kids school, you know,
hasn't sent me anything yet.
Are you supposed to contact them? Do
you wait? What would you do so every school
has their current policies guidelines?
OK, so it's very important
to check their website.
Also, some have sent out notifications,
so make sure you're checking your email.
You can also just call them and say,
hey, what's your policy?
You know, are you going to
require masks or you not?
You know unfortunately,
with the executive order here in Texas.
They're not mandating mass at most schools,
so it's really up to the parents decision
along with the pediatricians recommendations
and the school policies to where you can
make the best decision for your child.
Whether masks are going to be,
you know, needed or not for your child.
OK, so we're going to come back and chat more
with Melody. If you have any questions,
you're welcome to tweet me.
Just use the hashtag I am up so we
make sure to see your question and
we'll see you again here about 6:45.
Mark some great information.
Thank you for that.
So when you see it.