TAFT INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

400 College Street, Taft, Texas 78390

361-528-2636, ext. 2224 361-528-2223 (fax)
www.taftisd.net
Angelita Lopez, Interim Superintendent of Schools

TOGETHER ACHIEVING FOR TOMORROW

April 13, 2021

Dear Taft ISD Families,

The Taft Independent School District would like to thank you for your cooperation as we continue to work together to
provide our students the educational opportunities they deserve. With Governor Greg Abbott’s Executive Order (GA-
34) to reopen Texas and the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) efforts to reopen schools, we are prepared to accept all of
our students back to school for On Campus Instruction on April 19, 2021.

As a school district, we closely monitor the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic within our region. Our Taft community
and school district have seen a decrease in COVID-19 cases, which we attribute to the responsiveness of community
members abiding by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, as well as an increase in community members and
staff receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The increase in vaccinations and our safety protocols will allow us to continue to
provide a safe learning and working environment for both staff and students.

The last six weeks of the school year will be critical for determining students’ current level of learning, supports, and
instructional plans for next year. With 32 instructional days left after today, every minute of every day counts. Students
will be expected to abide by the State of Texas compulsory attendance law.

In reviewing On Campus Participation and Attendance data, the data confirms the negative impact COVID-19 has had,
and continues to have, on our students. We are seeing an increase of students regressing academically and failing
multiple subjects, putting them at risk of failing for the year. Students will NOT receive a Pass/Fail like last year when
the pandemic first started. If students do not pass their classes or earn their credits, they may not be promoted to the
next grade/graduate and will be required to attend Summer School. Seniors who have not passed the End-Of-Course
test to meet graduation requirements will not graduate.

As our previous notification stated, the state is requiring school districts to increase the number of students attending
school on campus. We strongly encourage all students to return to school. However, we are not meeting our On
Campus Participation and Attendance target at Taft High School. Therefore, at Taft ISD:

• Remote learning at Taft High School will end Friday, April 16, 2021.
• Taft High School Students will return to campus for face-to-face instruction beginning Monday, April
19, 2021. Masks will continue to be required.

Please prepare to make a decision that best addresses the appropriate needs of your children from the options that
follow:
 Beginning April 19, 2021, Taft High School students who have been remote for the 2020-2021 school year must
choose one option from the list below:

• Option 1: Return to campus for face-to-face instruction, OR

• Option 2: Provide an approved Medical Certification form by a Health Care Provider to continue with
Remote Learning, OR
• Option 3: Withdraw from Taft ISD and enroll in another school district or home school setting.

We look forward to having our Greyhounds back on our campuses in order to plan for success. We sincerely hope you
select “Option 1: Return to campus for face-to-face instruction.” If you choose option 3, please keep in mind:
• Choosing “Option 3: Withdraw from Taft ISD and enroll in another school district or home school setting” will
require you to provide transcripts prior to re-enrolling your child for Fall 2021 classes at Taft ISD.
• Also, only transcripts from accredited schools/programs will be accepted and evaluated to determine your
child’s Taft ISD placement next fall should you choose to re-enroll your child.

Also, please be aware that truancy rules will be enforced which can have financial and legal implications on parents.
Please know we want your child at school, and school attendance is required in Texas.

Students who are quarantined due to COVID-19 or have a positive COVID-19 test will be supported instructionally just as
we do any other illness.

Parents of Woodroe Petty Elementary and Taft Junior High students should be aware of the following:

• We will continue to monitor the data at Woodroe Petty Elementary and Taft Junior High. We may
decide to terminate Remote Learning if On Campus Attendance decreases. Parents can help prevent
terminating Remote Learning by sending students to school and increasing On Campus Participation by:
o 1) ensuring On Campus Learners attend school regularly and
o 2) sending Remote Learners to school for On Campus Instruction for a minimum of 13 days this
last six weeks.
• STAAR Review will occur during school April 26 - May 7, 2021. We highly encourage ALL students to
attend school for On Campus Instruction during this two-week review period.
• In order to support our increasing number of students On Campus at Woodroe Petty Elementary and
Taft Junior High, Remote Learning may differ this last six weeks. Students can expect more
Asynchronous (Independent) Lesson Activities and less Synchronous (Live) teacher support. The
structure will differ by grade level, as approved by campus administration.

To better serve you, please contact your campus Principal if you have specific questions regarding your child. We look
forward to seeing all our students as we finish the 2020-2021 school year Strong!

Respectfully,

Angelita Lopez
Interim Superintendent