Back to School

After quickly pivoting to virtual instruction in the spring of 2020 and offering families the choice of virtual or on-campus learning during the 2020-21 school year, all students will return to in-person instruction for the 2021 school year. As Kennedale ISD continues to respond and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope to resume school in a more traditional manner. KISD knows the best environment for student success is in the classroom with their teachers and we look forward to welcoming all of our students back in the buildings August 12th.

The District will implement a number of strategies to address the impact of COVID-19 on student learning and mental health. This includes the use of evidence-based interventions to address learning loss and investments in additional support for students’ social-emotional and behavioral needs. 

Thanks to a third round of Elementary and Secondary School Relief (ESSER) grant funds, KISD has additional resources available to support COVID-19 recovery efforts. KISD has conducted meetings and a survey to solicit stakeholder feedback and to formulate a plan to utilize the ESSER III funds. Learn more about our plans for these federal dollars.

Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan
As previously stated, Kennedale ISD looks forward to welcoming all students back to in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year. Students, staff and families can expect a return to standard operations after significant impacts to the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For our summer programs we returned to level green on our status chart and we will open the school year under this level until we receive different guidance or mandates from the state.

The following protocols will be in place in all KISD facilities. Please note these are subject to change:

• Staff, student, and parents will continue to be expected to self-monitor and If not feeling well, to stay at home.
• Masks will be optional for students, staff and visitors.
• All campus visitors will continue to be required to make an appointment unless it is a scheduled school event.  
• Campuses will promote and encourage social distancing where feasible.
• Staff and students will continue to be expected to wash their hands frequently throughout the day and hand sanitizing stations will be distributed throughout the campuses for this purpose.
• Electrostatic spraying of buildings will continue.
• Parents and employees will continue to be required to report confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 to campus administration or their supervisor, but this information will no longer be tracked on a District COVID-19 Dashboard.
• At this time, TEA has removed all notification requirements except for those listed in their public health guidance.

Restrictions and guidelines throughout the school year will continue to be dependent on health-related circumstances in Tarrant County and our community as we continue to follow the guidance from our local, state, and national agencies.

Masking and Vaccine Policy
On May 18, 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that public schools cannot require masks on their campuses for students, teachers, parents, staff members or visitors starting June 5, 2021. This decision was part of an executive order that banned government entities in Texas - like cities, counties, school districts and public health authorities from mandating masks. On July 29, Governor Abbott refiled his executive order to include additional clarifying language on requirements for vaccines. School districts are not allowed to require vaccines as a requirement for enrollment or employment.

As a result of the Governor’s Executive Order, Kennedale ISD is not permitted to mandate masks or vaccines for students, staff or visitors.  KISD’s masking policy allows students, staff and families to make personal decisions regarding the use of face coverings based on their unique circumstances. KISD has offered opportunities for staff to be vaccinated and we have provided opportunities for students who are eligible to be vaccinated.

2021-2022 Free Meals 
Kennedale ISD will offer daily meals to all students at no cost for the 2021-2022 school year. Typically, a student’s household must meet income eligibility requirements to qualify for free or reduced-price meals. However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued guidance that allows schools to offer meals to all students at no cost this school year.