Volume V, Issue 9 (March 20, 2020)

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” ― Nelson Mandela

Vol. V March 20, 2020

IN THIS

Sharing the good news about Longview Independent School District

TOGETHER District working to support community during difficult time

L

ongview ISD is providing meals (breakfast and lunch) for LISD students during the spring break extension.

Nutrition planned meals will be served on eight campuses from 10 a.m. to noon during the closure. Every child that

comes to these campuses will be given two meals. Any child attending LISD is welcome to get meals at the following locations: Longview High School, Forest Park Middle School, South Ward, Ware, FosMeals|Continued to page 6

City, county works against coronavirus CITY CANCELLATIONS

The City of Longview is canceling all activities, events, programs, and rentals at city facilities and parks through the end of March due to the threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Previously, only City-hosted events that were expected to draw large crowds had been canceled.

RECREATION CENTERS

Green Street Recreation will be closed through the end of the month.

Paula Martin Jones Recreation Center and Broughton Recreation Center will still be open.

LONGVIEW PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Longview Public Library will be switching to curbside service while temporarily suspending inside access to the public to implement COVID-19 procedures. The suspension of inside City|Continued to page 9

LISD takes proactive approach to outbreak With the spread of the coronavirus in the United States, both government and LISD officials have kept in communication and discussed how things currently stand. Assistant Superintendent of Administrative and Pupil Services Dennis Williams has talked with

THE

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ongview oice

Johnny Brown, the district’s public health emergency preparedness coordinator for Gregg County as well as school nurses to ensure the health of students and faculty.

LISD is committed to staying proactive in response to the potential

Opinion District Calendar

spread of the coronavirus.

WHAT LISD IS DOING

“This is something that we know we are going to have to prepare for as best we can. There are still a lot of unknowns out there,” Virus|Continued to page 7

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Longview City Transit

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Sports Census

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

OPINION

Has the coronavirus canceled culture?

By Mary McNamara Los Angeles Times Well, at least we now know what cancel culture actually looks like.

Cancel culture is when all the culture — parades, sporting events, conventions, classes, film premieres, poetry readings, art workshops — is canceled. When all the cultural institutions — the Louvre, the Prado, the Broad, Broadway, Disneyland, Disney World and the entire freaking nation of Italy — even the less highbrow gathering places — movie theaters, bars,

restaurants, yoga studios In Los Angeles, local — are closed. parks and beaches reWhen “cancelevmain open, as well as erything” becomes a — for now — the bigger hashtag and a mindgardens, including the set. When whatever Huntington, the Arboremained of even office retum and Descanso, culture dispersed into a which offers some respite cloud of laptops hastily from sitting at home trydecked out with Zoom, MCNAMARA ing to figure out how to Slack and dial-in numuse Zoom and/or falling bers. When members of Gens Z into a soul-deadening contemand Alpha, who have been critiplation of yourself as nothing cized since infancy for preferring more than a potential conveyor screens to physical social contact, of germs. have been sent home from school Except for the past two weeks, to perfect their “social distancthe Lord and an atmospheric riving” skills. er have seen fit to meet coronavi-

rus concerns with much-needed but perhaps ill-timed rainfall.

Even during a normal flu season, it’s not a terrific idea to go for a walk in the rain, or the dew for that matter.

Everything you want — art, poetry, theater, even the deconstruction of film — is available in books, and perhaps, with all these public-event restrictions, we can go back to the old ways and discuss things among ourselves, either with family members or online with virtual gatherings.

— Mary McNamara is a culture columnist and critic for the Los Angeles Times

The importance of an accurate census count

By Dr. Ray Perryman The Perryman Group Accurate Census counts are far more than just a matter of interest. They are important to ensure adequate federal funding for various programs, appropriate representation in Congress, and an understanding of demographic trends in order to plan for the future.

The economic and fiscal costs of a significant undercount would be substantial. Less funding has the potential to negatively affect the health and wellbeing of residents of the state, as well as reduce job training, infrastructure investments, housing, and other important programs and

initiatives.

Over the 10 years Because a major following the count, total portion of the funding losses including multiloss is in health-related plier effects are projected programs, an undercount to be $39.2 billion in can limit the ability to gross product and nearrespond to situations ly 418,500 job-years of such as the current coroemployment. navirus pandemic.

In addition, lower The Perryman Group PERRYMAN funding leads to substanestimates that the direct tial “downstream” effects losses due to a significant Census such as reduced wellness, less undercount in Texas would total infrastructure improvement, and an estimated $2.1 billion per more limited job training. year. These losses are from reDownstream effects over the duced funding for programs that 2021 through 2030 period inare based on the Census. clude an estimated $42.5 billion Direct losses generate negain gross product and nearly tive ripple effects through the 498,000 job-years in Texas (when economy which multiply the multiplier effects are considered). overall economic harms.

Reduced economic activity

would also lead to lost tax receipts including $1.98 billion to the State and $1.78 billion to local entities every year. These amounts are over and above the losses from reduced funding for programs.

Encouraging responses and ensuring all Texans are counted can assure that Texas receives fair and equitable allocations from Federal initiatives over the coming decade and, hence, enhance future prosperity in the state.

The Perryman Group has analyzed the potential economic and fiscal costs of an undercount in Texas as a public service. The report is available for download by clicking the button below.

— Dr. Ray Perryman is President and CEO of The Perryman Group

Coronavirus shows importance of credible news

By Evan Smith Texas Tribune What a moment for the world.

All of us at The Texas Tribune wish you and yours health, safety and peace of mind in the midst of something so many of us thought we’d never see in our lifetimes.

For the good of Texas and our communities, let’s hope the coronavirus pandemic is short-lived and that the social and economic consequences dissipate.

What a moment for the news as well. I can think of no time when a credible source of information has mattered more.

Public-service journalism — fair, thorough, and accurate, and faithful to its mission of hold-

ing elected officials and ductive Texans. taxpayer-funded instituNow, we’re providing tions accountable — has vigorously fact-checked always been a necessary updates on the number component of our democof known coronavirus racy, and it’s absolutely cases in Texas and conessential today. tinuing our strong traFor nearly 11 years, dition of accountability the Tribune has been journalism. We’re involvsearching for the truth ing our community in our SMITH and telling people, all reporting: We’ve heard of you, what we find. from more than 2,000 Through ordinary legislative ses- of you so far. We’re especially sions and elections and extraorinterested in hearing from Texas dinary events like Hurricane medical professionals, Texans Harvey and the humanitarian who live in rural areas and anycrisis at the border, our nonprofit one who has been economically newsroom has been singularly impacted by this pandemic. focused on giving our friends and This stuff matters. We knew neighbors the means to be more it when we launched in Novemengaged and thoughtful and pro- ber 2009, and we sure as heck

know it now. You can follow all our coronavirus coverage here or sign up here to receive evening updates in your inbox.

Thank you for the privilege of being your eyes and ears in the throes of all this — for trusting us to keep you reliably informed.

Thank you especially to the members, major donors, foundations, and corporate underwriters who enable us to produce this hard work every day.

And if you’re not yet a supporter, please consider becoming one to help us continue to be a trusted source for you to find out what’s going on and how it affects you.

— Evan Smith is the CEO and Co-founder of The Texas Tribune

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

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Board approves 2020-21 district calendar While the future of the 201920 school year remains unclear due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, at least next year’s schedule is now in place.

Longview ISD Board of Trustees approved the 2020-21 District Calendar during their March 18 special meeting.

Classes will begin Aug. 17, 2020 and end May 25, 2021.

Commencement ceremonies are tentatively set for May 21, 2021.

Important dates for next school year include: • Aug. 17 – First day for students • Sept. 7 – Labor Day (observed) • Nov. 23-27 – Thanksgiving Break • Dec. 21-Jan. 4 – Winter Break • Jan. 18 – Dr. Martin Luther King Day (observed) • March 15-19 – Spring Break • April 2 – Good Friday (observed) • May 27 – Final day of school • May 26, 27 – Bad weather makeup days (if needed) • May 31 – Memorial Day (observed) Dr. James Hockenberry,

provide collaborative and themebased options for students.

LEDCO LAND SWAP?

Assistant Superintendent of District Services said that, although this calendar is now in place, “obviously anything could change between now and August.”

“We’re going to continue to observe and analyze the ongoing situation,” he said. “Should the need arise, the administration will consider all the various factors and possibly make amendments or modifications at a later date.”

“But, for the foreseeable future, this is the district calendar we’ll be working from for the 2020-21 school year,” Hockenberry added.

For the complete 2020-21 Aca-

demic Calendar go to LISD.org .

FURNITURE UPGRADES

Board members approved expenditures up to $500,000 of grant funds for miscellaneous classroom furniture and equipment. Of those funds, $300,000 of MSAP grant funds will be allocated toward equipment in the Longview High School library and the Ware campus. $200,000 of grant funds are allocated for the Bramlette campus.

Dr. Craig Coleman, LISD Director of Innovation, explained to board members there are some furniture purchases that the campuses wish to make in order to

During executive session Trustees also discussed a land exchange with the Longview Economic Development Corp.

(LEDCO) for property at 400 N. Second St. The board declined to take action in open session.

The measure will be included on the agenda for consideration during Monday night’s regular meeting.

Back in January the LEDCO board approved giving LISD four lots in the Longview North Business Park — next to the Judson campus — in exchange for the Second Street property.

LEDCO plans to build a new home at the site of the former Longview High School and T.G. Field Auditorium.

FOR MORE INFO

Trustees usually meet in the boardroom of the LISD Education Support Center, but often set special-called meetings at various locations around the district. The next regular meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. March 23rd.

For more information about the Longview ISD Board of Trustees go to LISD.org .

DeVos releases new resources during coronavirus outbreak U.S. Department of Education WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos issued new resources today that will assist education leaders in protecting student privacy and ensuring students with disabilities continue to receive services required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the event of school closures due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The Education Department also released importantinformation for K-12 educators on flexibilities the Department could grant when it comes to the accountability standards required by law under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

The new guidance on student privacy provides clarity about the requirements of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as it pertains to the COVID-19 outbreak. For example, it advises school officials on working with public health officials to manage COVID-19-related

issues while protecting the privacy of students’ education records.

In addition, the Department has posted a fact sheet for K-12 DEVOS schools about their considerations related to assessments and accountability should a school be closed for an extended period. If a school is unable to meet certain benchmarks due to absenteeism or school closure, the Department would consider a targeted one-year waiver so that the participation rate or absenteeism metric would not be factored into the school’s Academic Achievement indicator.

In order to ensure that students with disabilities continue to receive the services guaranteed by IDEA and Section 504, the Department has published a Q&A document for state and local educational authorities. This information answers the most common questions schools have about

when and how they must provide instruction, including when to consider use of online or virtual instruction and other curriculum-based instructional activities.

“We are working closely with our inter-agency partners to provide state and local leaders the information they need to ensure the health and safety of their students and educators,” said Secretary DeVos. “We will continue to work alongside them and provide them the flexibilities they need in order to best support their communities.”

This communication is the latest step in the Department’s ongoing effort to assist students, teachers, and education leaders as part of the Administration’s unprecedented, whole-of-government response to the viral outbreak.

It follows the earlier-released guidance to institutions of higher education and a letter on protecting civil rights in schools during this time of heightened concern.

The CDC has issued interim guidance to help K-12 schools and childcare programs plan

for and prevent the spread of COVID-19 among students and staff. See Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 available at: cdc. gov/coronavirus .

Additional guidance will be announced in the coming days and posted at ed.gov/coronavirus .

For more information about the Coronavirus, please visit: cdc.gov .

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

Questions and answers about public ‘charter’ systems at Longview ISD Last year the LISD received the green light from the TEA to turn six campuses into “in-district” charter schools. The approval came after the passage of Senate Bill 1882.

Since then, there’s been a lot of discussion about potential charter partnerships at the campuses of Longview Independent School District. There’s also been a lot of faulty and inaccurate information being passed around.

Here’s the story about why we’re pursuing these opportunities for our students and how it will work here in Longview.

Why is Longview ISD doing this?

Families are making choices for other options — private schools and charter schools — and of course we want them to choose our district schools. We are committed to building a system in which every experience that families want to choose is part of what we offer within LISD. “Change is inevitable and the gradual move toward charter schools nationwide is only going to increase,” said Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox. “Longview is going to get ahead of the changes in order to ensure public school accountability, and also to prevent tax funds being taken from public schools.”

A Senate Bill 1882 partnership provides the district with the ability to protect, sustain, build and replicate a successful model while providing additional options for families within the district.

Here are the primary goals for this kind of partnership: Protect: Longview ISD’s high-performing school leaders and educators have refined and implemented innovative programs that provide Longview students with access to exceptional programs, including Montessori, IB, STEAM, and career and college experiences. A Senate Bill 1882 partnership with a contract codifies and protects those innovative models from any future changes in district leadership or policy, ensuring they will last and serve students long after personnel retire or leave.

Sustain: A Senate Bill 1882 partnership provides additional per-pupil funding that contributes to the long-term financial sustainability of successful programs.

Build: Knowing what works for students within a current structure doesn’t mean there are not additional ideas for how to improve.

Additional autonomies available in a partnership will open new options to build upon the success of the model.

Replicate: Replicating a model in a Senate Bill 1882 partnership will allow the ability to reach more students. The replication will ensure that more students in the district are able to attend high-quality best-fit schools and that parents

have more access to high-quality options. What’s already working for some students, such as a rigorous International Baccalaureate education, can be accessed by every child across every neighborhood and not limited to just some.

What does this mean for teachers?

Teachers will still be employees of the district. Charter partners are able to utilize the additional resources that come with a Senate Bill 1882 partnership to increase teacher salaries, in addition to providing more educational resources, professional development opportunities, and classroom autonomy.

The teachers will remain LISD teachers, and as such will retain all of the same benefits and protections of other district employees.

Will teachers be fired/replaced?

We have an excellent school system because of our high-quality teachers, and we are committed to retaining our teachers in Longview ISD. All of our teachers will maintain their chapter 21 protections. The partners under these Senate Bill 1882 partnerships seek to collaborate with and build from the expertise of our talented educators.

What does this mean for students?

Students will obtain access to resources and programs that are not dependent on where they live, their family’s income or their demographics. LISD will be expanding the digital and technology footprint which will enable us to create opportunities for teachers and students that the district has not been able to in the past.

How will this change my student’s day-to-day?

From the student perspective, there will be very little change in their basic schedule and academic expectations. Many of the shifts that may occur will involve details behind the scenes, mostly on an administrative level. What students will notice is increased access to resources and programs that are not dependent on where they live, their family’s income or their demographics.

How will this affect my Special Education student?

Special Education services and 504 accommodations will not change. Longview ISD will continue to give our SpEd students the best possible education and services that are available.

Will students no longer be LISD students?

Yes. Just as all campuses and teachers remain a part of the district, students also remain part of the district.

Is LISD “surrendering control” to an appointed board?

No, the district is not losing control over the campuses. The publicly elected LISD Board of Trustees are the final deciding

authorities, delegating day-to-day operations to the charter boards with high accountability for results.

The non-profit charter boards have authority over their organizations, but they are subordinate to the LISD board’s authority. The LISD board can sever the contract if the terms are not met.

Legally, Senate Bill 1882 partnerships are in-district charters, which means the students are still district students and the school board continues to maintain responsibility for the schools.

By having LISD be the authorizer of charter schools, the district maintains the authority to set the ground rules the partners have to follow. This way, LISD board can ensure a level playing field for all LISD campuses, as well as allowing the district a mechanism to intervene if partners breach the contract.

What does it mean for a partner to “run” a district campus? Who manages the principal, teachers?

The partner has sole responsibility for personnel as well as authority over decisions related to curriculum and assessment, schedule and calendar, and allocation of the budget. The district and its board of trustees holds the partner accountable through a performance contract outlining academic, financial, and operational goals for the school as well as the division of roles and responsibilities. For a partnership school to be eligible for Senate Bill 1882 benefits, the partner must manage the principal and faculty.

How will these changes affect our high school’s identity and role as a central institution in our community?

The new administrative structure will not affect the core values or identity that our high school represents. The community will continue to see school faculty at district-wide gatherings and the community will continue to join the school’s athletic and other extracurricular events. Further, the nonprofit board members will be selected on the basis of their commitment to this community, and maintaining the high school’s role in the community, as well as their expertise.

Will campuses be run by someone who doesn’t know the community?

No, the goal of the application process is to make sure there is a good match between the community and the partner. Longview ISD has conducted a rigorous authorizing process to evaluate each nonprofit organization’s capacity, expertise, and commitment to our community.

Many of the partner staff and board members are local leaders with strong ties to Longview schools, and we are confident that they will be responsive to our unique context and leverage the amazing assets we

have here in Longview.

Will the partner be making money off of the students?

No, all partners are nonprofit organizations and the performance contract will require that they spend all of the money for the benefit of our students. Partner board members serve as volunteers and all partner board members and leaders are subject to the same ethics and conflict of interest requirements as other public employees.

Will the school board play any further role?

Yes, the school board is crucial in executing the performance contract, making sure the district is operational and monitoring school performance. They are the ones who will need to take action to either con nue or end the partnerships. They will monitor and hold the partner accountable for their progress in meeting the performance goals outlined in the contract. The elected school board does not and cannot under state law give up its ultimate responsibility for a district school.

The difference is that rather than contracting with a principal to oversee educational services at the school, the elected board contracts with an organization to provide services that the school board specifies in the contract. The school board is therefore delegating day-to-day decision-making to the nonprofit organization without losing the obligation to hold the school accountable for its outcomes.

This will allow more decisions to be made at the campus level, where those discussions are closest to the students and teachers.

How does the LISD school board carry out its oversight responsibilities when it contracts with a nonprofit under a performance contract?

Contract terms: The school board carries out its governance responsibilities by se ng clear performance expectations in the contract it enters into with the nonprofit and monitoring whether the nonprofit is meeting those expectations.

Contract continuation or termination (revocation): The performance contract under consideration ensures that the school board is able to intervene or terminate the contract if student performance or financial compliance requirements are not met.

For more information How will information beabout communicated to the teachers these programs check out the and administrators? website at w3.lisd.org/charters LISD administrators will be . Do you have a question that visiting all LISD schools to meet is not included here? Let us with teachers andon campus adminknow! You can disseminate send your quesistrators to help this tions to ask@lisd.org go to information as well as to, address any or concerns.

Furourquestions Contact page at LISD.org thermore, developments of this or call thethe LISD Department of endeavor have been consistently Innovation at 903-381-2200. covered in various LISD communi-

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

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City declares local disaster over coronavirus Mayor Andy Mack has declared a local disaster and public health emergency for the City of Longview in response to the threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19). See Public Notice The declaration coincided with Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt’s similar declaration for the county.

Text of Declaration: Declaration of Local Disaster and Public Health Emergency Related to Communicable Disease WHEREAS, the disease Covid-19 currently poses a significant health risk to the residents of the City of Longview and has been declared a World, National and State Health Emergency; and, WHEREAS, the Covid-19 disease was confirmed to exist in Gregg County and the City of Longview as of March 9th, 2020; and, WHEREAS, as City of Longview Mayor, I have concerns regarding inappropriate accommodations for an influx of local Covid-19 patients, personal protective equipment shortages for emergency response personnel and the potential for the escalating spread of the disease in pandemic form; and, WHEREAS, it is necessary

to preserve and protect the local state of disasthe public health of the ter and public health residents of the City of emergency shall conLongview with the distinue for a period of ease already present in not more than seven the City; and, days from the date of WHEREAS, on the this declaration unless date of this declaration, continued or renewed the Gregg County Judge by the Longview City has also issued a declaCouncil.

MACK ration of a public health Pursuant to emergency; §418.108(c) of the Texas GovNOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ernment Code, this declaration PROCLAIMED BY DR. ANDY of a local state of disaster and MACK, MAYOR OF THE CITY public health emergency shall OF LONGVIEW, TEXAS: be given prompt and generThat a local state of disaster al publicity and shall be filed and public health emergenpromptly with the City Secrecy is hereby declared in the tary.

City of Longview pursuant to Pursuant to §418.108(d) of §418.108(a) of the Texas Govthe Texas Government Code, ernment Code. this declaration of a local Pursuant to §418.108(b) of state of disaster and public the Texas Government Code, health emergency activates the

Longview Emergency Management Plan.

Pursuant to §418.108(g) of the Texas Government Code, this declaration of a local state of disaster authorizes the Mayor to control ingress to and egress from the City of Longview and to control the movement of persons and the occupancy of premises within the City of Longview.

All officers and employees of the City of Longview, including without limitation all law enforcement officers employed by the City of Longview and all emergency medical personnel employed by the City of Longview, are hereby authorized and directed to cooperate to the fullest extent allowed by law with the health authority designated by the City of Longview pursuant to Chapter 121 of the Texas Health and Safety Code to enforce any and all communicable disease control measures imposed by said health authority pursuant to Chapter 81 of the Texas Health and Safety Code or other applicable law.

This declaration shall take effect immediately from and after its issuance. ORDERED and DECLARED this 16th day of March 2020.

— Dr. Andy Mack - Mayor

Library switches to curbside service through March 31 The Longview Public Library will be switching to curbside service while temporarily suspending inside access to the public to implement Coronavirus (COVID-19) procedures.

The suspension of inside services, which includes cancellation of all public programs and events in the library, is currently scheduled through March 31, but future dates will be re-evaluated as necessary.

Curbside services will be available at the main branch of the Longview Public Library only; the Broughton Branch Library will be closed during this time.

Curbside services will be made available to anyone with a good standing library account.

The service will be available Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. At least 24 hours prior to pick up, patrons will place a hold on their online account at LongviewTexas.gov/Library or call 903-237-1350. Library staff will notify customers when items are available and then bring the pre-ordered library items to patron’s cars in the

back of the library.

To request curbside items online, patrons can log into their account and search the library catalog for materials. Patrons may select any material in the catalog, whether checked out or not, and place that item on hold.

Library staff will have up to 24 hours to pull those items and will then call the patron when the items are available for pick up. Please do not come to curbside services until you have been notified materials are ready for pickup. Patrons are limited to

15 items per library card and 5 of those items can be DVD’s or Blu Rays. Curbside pick up will include taking items on hold to the patron’s car and taking items from the patron to return.

All fines will need to be paid online and must be over $2.00 to process. Patrons are not permitted to leave their car unattended during Curbside Pick Up. Please remember that the Longview Public Library’s many free online resources and digital services are always available 24/7 with your Library Card at

LongviewTexas.gov/Library, including e-books and e-audiobooks, streaming TV, movie and music services, online classes and tutoring, and databases.

Library materials can continue to be dropped off in the book drops located behind the building. Children’s programs will be streamed via Facebook Live.

Library staff will also be available via phone services Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Any library materials due during this time will be renewed for after March 31.

Page 6 MEALS |Continued from page 1

ter Middle School, Bramlette STEAM Academy, J.L. Everhart and Judson STEAM Academy.

Since the meal update went out on Sunday, March

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

15, we have had some new developments. All students will need to present their ID number when they pick up meals and this will happen in the back of the campus (near the cafeteria) to receive their grab-and-go

meal. The high school layout is different, they will simply go to the cafeteria.

Child Nutrition has generously offered to deliver meals and they will do so Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to

Noon. Families may request delivery by emailing ask@ lisd.org with their student’s ID, delivery address, and home campus. The cutoff time for delivery requests is 9:30 p.m. the night before the delivery date.

What do I tell my kids about the Coronavirus?

The importance of good communication

Talking to Children and Teens is Necessary Whether you realize it or not, your children and teenagers are taking in a lot of information about this new virus. Unlike adults, they do not have the ability to sift through the information and determine what is correct and what is incorrect to develop an appropriate course of action. They are relying on you to do this for them.

The top 5 things to discuss with your kids about COVID-19

1 3 5

What is it?

Kids can clearly see this situation is making adults worry and because of this it can be very scary to them.

A parent should adjust the amount and type of information they give to their child based on the child's age level.

Follow the Guidelines: COVID-19 is spread through contact with someone who is infected. Remind your child to wash their hands properly on a regular basis and not to touch their face or mouth area. If they cough due it in the crook of their arm.

2

Reassure them: The fear of the unknown can be greater than the known. Let kids know that yes, this is a problem right now but there are many adults working together to make everyone safe.

4

Monitor Media Information: Our televisions, radios and social media feeds are being inundated with information about this virus.

Hearing other talk repeatedly about this scary topic can be overwhelming for kids. Adult supervision is necessary.

Leave the Lines of Communication OPEN: Due to the situation, parents should check in on their kids often. Let them know you are available if they have any new questions or just want to talk about this topic. And remember they are looking to you to be a role model during this challenging time.

Well-being Safety Assessments, LLC 573.451.2151

www.well-beingsafetyassessments.com

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

Page 7

City transit issues alert for riders Longview transit has put out a statement, telling riders what they can do to protect themselves, other riders and the driver from COVID-19.

What you, as a rider, can do: — Cover your coughs and use tissue.

— Stay at home if your sick.

— Only use transit for essential trips.

— Keep drivers healthy so we can continue to serve you, use the back rows when possible.

Longview Transit has also told the public what they are doing to protect

the public.

What Longview Transit is doing for you: — Cleaning and disinfecting buses daily, plus adding additional disinfectant during the day.

— Extra cleaning in the public bathrooms.

— Continuing to provide FULL service during this critical time, until further notice.

Please be mindful, we could shut down at anytime without notice.

STAAR test requirements waived due to outbreak

By Aliyya Swaby The Texas Tribune In an unprecedented move, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday he would waive testing requirements for this year’s STAAR exam, as many schools expect to be closed at least through the April testing window due to the new coronavirus.

He also said he would ask the federal government to waive this year’s federal standardized testing requirements, which apply to all states. According to the state, as of Sunday afternoon, 569 school districts had announced closures due to coronavirus concerns.

Texas is not alone; more than 30 states have closed schools due to coronavirus, affecting at least 30 million public school students nationwide.

Some of the state’s larger school districts announced Monday they would extend the length of their closures. Hous-

ton ISD, the largest, will be closed through April 10; Dallas ISD, the second largest, will be closed indefinitely.

The federal government has previously said it might give out targeted waivers from testing for areas where the COVID-19 disease has had significant impact.

The state will not mandate that districts offer the exam, but some superintendents may want the test data to see how their students are doing, ac-

cording to the Texas Education Agency. Agency officials are working to support those school districts, if necessary.

The governor’s announcement comes a day after Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told superintendents and lawmakers on two separate phone calls to prepare for longterm school district closures, potentially through the end of the school year, especially in areas where the new coronavirus has spread.

Lawmakers from both parties, as well as school superintendents, had been calling on the state to cancel the test since it became clear students would miss many days of school when districts started extending their spring breaks for a week or two.

Morath said in a statement Monday morning that Abbott had made the right decision on testing: “We are thankful for Governor Abbott’s willingness to waive the STAAR testing requirement, as it allows schools the maximum flexibility to remain focused on public health while also investing in the capacity to support student learning remotely.”

State leaders are giving schools more leeway than they have in the past, showing the increasing seriousness surrounding the COVID-19 disease.

When Hurricane Harvey decimated Houston-area and CoastTest|Continued to page 15

VIRUS |Continued from page 1 Williams said. “The coronavirus is a lot like the flu, although a few symptoms are a little bit different.”

Brown has given the school district online resources that allow for current global information, such as where the virus has been found, to be tracked. Vigilance will be maintained to track the spread of the virus.

The district has reviewed protocols in case the virus gets to a pandemic level in Gregg County. The Pandemic Plan that the district has in place is being reviewed with all campus nurses’ in person at the School Health Advisory Council as well as ensure that all nurses are getting information about prevention, detection, and symptoms. Signs, symptoms, and prevention will be posted at all campuses in Longview ISD for students, staff, and parents.

SSC, LISD’s custodial services have been disinfecting schools throughout the school year but have ramped up the frequency of this on an as-needed basis along

with “deep cleaning.” During Spring Break, all campuses along with buses were disinfected. Campuses may also request additional disinfecting which will be done when students are not present.

An informative letter has been sent to all parents which included the type of illness, transmission, and steps parents can take to help. Nurses are attempting to purchase additional masks, rubber gloves, hand sanitizer, and aprons/gowns.

PREVENTATIVE STEPS

Health authorities are instructing LISD schools to do what is normally done for students who have the flu at this time. Much is being learned about the coronavirus, but health professionals are recommending the following steps to prevent the spread of this disease as well as any other related sickness: Wash hands with soaps and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue away. If you do not have a tissue, use the bend of your arm to stop the spread of germs.

Avoid contact with people who are sick.

If you have a fever, you must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.

This is for your benefit as well as the other students and teachers to help prevent the spread of disease.

If you have any questions or concerns, please notify your child’s school nurse for further information.

CLOSED CAMPUSES

With all campuses being closed for an extended two weeks, LISD administrators are keeping an eye on how things are shaping up.

Any updates that the district puts out will be posted on our social media as well as our website, lisd.org.

Classes may potentially resume on March 30.

Page 8

• LISD schools earned 40 total distinctions on state accountability ratings, an increase from 34 earned last year, and the highest in the region.

• Each year HUNDREDS of out-of-district students transfer INTO into Longview Independent School District, citing “education opportunities” as their reason.

• International Baccalaureate project partners with “We Help Two” and sells “funky socks” to help supply legs and feet to amputees all over the world.

• Brand new partnership for innovation with East Texas Advanced Academies which will bring new funding and ideas to public education.

• Three campuses with national STEM certifications (Judson STEAM Academy, Bramlette STEAM Academy, and Ned E. Williams).

• Largest FREE public Montessori school (for 3-to-5 year-olds) in the Nation. Provided free of charge to Longview area children.

• Partnership with Longview Chamber of Commerce to help foster community partnerships and mentors for Ware students.

• Went totally ‘green’ on all building projects resulting in a $200,000 award from SWEPCO for energy conservation • Graduates matriculating to EMT, Cosmetology, welding, Culinary Arts, Meat and Butchering programs nationally.

• Eight-week Montessori training for other districts in Texas hosted by East Texas Montessori Prep Academy • Award-winning Theater Arts program with a director who has been with the district for more than 50 years.

• Raising Highly Capable Kids parenting class in partnership with Longview Chamber of Commerce.

• Horticulture Program harvests own bee hives to sell honey, wax, and wax products at FFA shows.

• LIFT program annually paying out close to $1 million in staff bonuses for improved testing scores.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

• Hosted Adjunct Fair for SFA to help employ Adjunct staff in Longview and through Longview ISD. • Purchased multiple pieces of strategic real estate, without increased debt, for future expansion.

• Every year of Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox tenure the LISD budget has been “in the black.”

• Local corporate partnerships with Eastman and Komatsu and Longview Manufacturing Academy.

• Hosted “Axe”epted East Texas meet and greet for area students attending SFA in Fall 2019.

• Lobo Band continuing their string of 69 consecutive first-level honors at State Sweepstakes.

• Bramlette STEAM Academy as National Capturing Kids’ Hearts national recognition/award.

• Partnerships in education with UT, SMU, Texas Tech, SFA, KC, Letourneau, and UT-Tyler.

• “Playing for Keeps” childcare program for students with children, as well as LISD staffers.

• May 2019 hosted first LHS CTE Signing Day for students going to college or workforce.

• More than 100 teachers earned Project Based Learning certifications in Spring 2019.

• Multiple graduates with offers to Ivy League and other prestigious universities.

• Lobo University to help prepare students and parents for life after high school.

• 36 students graduate with Associates Degrees (50 projected in class of 2020).

• Longview ISD middle school students earn “Duke Scholar” honors every year • LISD farm-to-table program, partnering with local farmers for cafeteria produce.

• Award-winning elementary, middle school, and high school choir programs • Perfect scores on PSAT as middle schoolers from Foster Middle School.

• Only free public K-12 International Baccalaureate program in the world.

• Fall 2018 LHS donated more than 400 coats to KLTV’s Coats for Kids.

• Summer backpack program to make sure kids get fed year-round.

• Signing Santa to help deaf ed students communicate with “Santa.”

• Culinary Arts CTE student-led catering program began Fall 2018.

• Only International Baccalaureate program east of Interstate 45.

• More than 500 LHS students were taking dual-credit last year.

• 116 incoming Freshman applying for dual credit courses.

• State and National Technical Student Association winners.

• Orchestra offered at elementary, middle and high school.

• Named 2018 School Board of the Year from Region VIII. • More than 30 teachers with national STEM certifications.

• Wall of Honor honors Veteran alumni and their families.

• LHS music students annually perform at Carnegie Hall.

• Privatized custodial services to save taxpayer dollars.

• Gold Standard Award yearly for financial transparency.

• Less than 2 percent dropout rate at Longview High.

• Class of 2019 earned $8.5 million in scholarships.

• 236 unduplicated seniors with dual credit hours.

• Over 6500 hours of college by 2019 graduates.

• 6,531 semester credit hours for dual credit.

• Award-winning high school art program.

• 2018 UIL Academic District Champions.

• Class 6A State Football Champion.

• 2,601 Workforce hours earned.

• National Welding Champions.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

Page 9

COVID-19 closes schools for half of all kids, now what?

By Lauren Camerca U.S. News School is closed for more than half of all children in the U.S. in response to the rapid spread of coronavirus – an unprecedented moment in the nation’s history that’s likely to have major and long-lasting implications for the country’s K-12 education system.

“The last time we had a lot of cities closing down was during the Spanish influenza,” says Linda Darling-Hammond, education professor at Stanford University and president of the Learning Policy Institute. “This is, in our lifetime, a pretty unique experience.”

Millions of children and their families awoke to a new reality Monday, as governors ordered the closures of all K-12 schools in 33 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and several big cities where governors had yet to force state-wide closures that shuttered their school systems — like Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York— closed on their own.

According to Education Week, which has been tracking closures in real-time since last week, at least 64,000 schools

enrolling 32.5 million students are closed, scheduled to close or were closed and later reopened.

That’s more than half of the 51 million students in public schools across the U.S., according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

“This will be interesting to figure out,” Darling-Hammond says. “Some of it will be challenging and problematic.

I wouldn’t say we are going to figure it out in a perfect way.

But I think in a year from now schools will be in a different place with respect to where and how kids will do their learning.”

But for the millions of students and their parents, what

happens now?

Most of the questions surrounding school closures are driven by concerns about equity issues and land in three buckets: How will students who count on school for breakfast and lunch continue receiving those meals? How will students keep up with their coursework at home, or will they at all?

And how flexible will state and federal officials be when it comes to schools not meeting academic requirements as a result of the pandemic?

“Whenever schools are closed and education comes to a halt, low-income students suffer disportionately,” Richard Kahlen-

berg, director of K-12 equity at The Century Foundation, says.

“They may go hungry if they are cut off from school meals, and they may be endangered if their parents have to work and they are left alone.”

“Their learning also suffers more than that of other students,” he says, underscoring how a long line of research has found that during summers off, the reading skills of middle-class kids typically continue to develop, while low-income students, on average, suffer a setback.

“School closings during the year just compound this problem,” Kahlenberg says.

As more states and school districts announce system-wide closures that span weeks at a time, education advocates are most concerned with how the 22 million students who qualify for free breakfast and lunch at school will continue to receive those free meals. Some schools established grab-and-go style meal centers at specific locations throughout their districts while others are still mulling delivery options, especially for medically fragile students.

Closed|Continued to page 19

CITY |Continued from page 1 services, which includes cancellation of all public programs and events in the library, is currently scheduled through March 31, but future dates will be re-evaluated as necessary. Curbside services will be available at the main branch of the Longview Public Library only; the Broughton Branch Library will be closed during this time.

Curbside services will be made available to anyone with a good standing library account. The service will be available Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. At least 24 hours prior to pick up, patrons will place a hold on their online account or call 903-237-1350. Library staff will notify customers when items are available and then bring the pre-ordered library items to patron’s cars in the back of the library.

To request curbside items online, patrons can log into their account and search the library catalog for materials. Patrons may select any material in the catalog, whether checked out or not, and place that item on hold. Library staff will have up to 24 hours to pull those items and will then call the patron when the items are available for pick up. Please do not come to curbside services until you have been notified materials are ready for pickup.

Patrons are limited to 15 items per library card and 5 of those items can be DVD’s or Blu Rays. Curbside pick up will include taking items on hold to the patron’s car and taking items from the patron to return. All fines will need to be paid online and must be over $2.00 to process. Pa-

trons are not permitted to leave their car unattended during Curbside Pick Up. Please remember that the Longview Public Library’s many free online resources and digital services are always available 24/7 with your Library Card, including e-books and e-audiobooks, streaming TV, movie and music services, online classes and tutoring, and databases. Library materials can continue to be dropped off in the book drops located behind the building. Children’s programs will be streamed via Facebook Live. Library staff will also be available via phone services Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Any library materials due during this time will be renewed for after March 31.

CITY OFFICES

City offices remain open; however, customers are encouraged to conduct business by phone or online if possible. Many city services can be accessed online. City of Longview officials and public safety personnel will continue to monitor the situation closely.

LONGVIEW MUNICIPAL COURT

Longview Municipal Court In compliance with the Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals, the Longview Municipal Court has suspended all Bench and Jury Trials until further notice. All other hearings (Juvenile Docket, Show Cause Hearing, Reconsideration Hearing, and Indigent Hearing) are temporarily suspended until a means of par-

ticipating remotely such as teleconferencing is established.

If you are currently scheduled for a court hearing or trial you should contact the Municipal Court to ensure that we have your current telephone number and mailing address so that you will receive future notifications concerning your case.

The Court encourages you to call or use electronic means to contact the clerk’s office and avoid appearing in person.

For more information, contact 903-2371186 or visit Municipal Court online.

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

The City of Longview will continue to hold public meetings related to City Council functions. The City of Longview is asking residents who are experiencing symptoms such as fever or cough or who have traveled to affected areas to refrain from physically attending these meetings. Residents may stream City Council meetings remotely on CityView Municipal Television or on the City of Longview’s Facebook page.

CANCELED EVENTS

Currently, the following City of Longview-hosted events have been canceled.

March 20 — Grassroots at the Green March 21 — Longview 150: Transportation Show March 23 — District 6 Town Meeting March 26 — 2020 Census Pep Rally March 28 — 2020 Strut Your Mutt 1-Mile Wag Walk March 28 — Chautauqua Festival

Page 10

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

SPORTS

Page 11

WAITING ‘ON-DECK’ Despite shutdown of season, Lobo baseball and softball see great success

T

he Lobo baseball team defeated Malvern, 10-2 on Friday, March 6, in Texarkana. They won against Lakeside, 7-2, in the Border Battle 2020 tournament on Friday, March 6, but lost to Lake Hamilton, (3-2), the next day.

Lady Lobo softball beat out Rockwall on Tuesday, March 3, with a 3 to 0 score. They then lost to North Lamar, (2-0), in Midland on Friday, March 6, but they defeated Forney, (5-3), on Saturday.

Reagan Fleet got two home runs! Great job, everyone!

How athletics are dealing with COVID-19 The UIL announced Monday, March 16, that no team practices or workouts can be conducted through March 29 because of the outbreak of the coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

That won’t affect most area high school teams, because most weren’t being allowed to practice by their school district before Monday’s news came out.

“Just like the rest of the school district, the athletic department is following the recommendations and orders set down by the TEA and the UIL,” said Coach John King. “Every single coach and trainer on our staff makes the safety and health of our students as the absolute number one priority.”

The City of Longview has cancelled all activities, events, programs, and rentals at city facilities and parks through the end of March due to the threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19). PreviSports|Continued to page 17

Page 12

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

Census Bureau aims to count college students The U.S. Census Bureau continues to carefully monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and follow the guidance of federal, state and local health authorities. We are adjusting some operations as outlined below with two key principles in mind: protecting the health and safety of our staff and the public and fulfilling our statutory requirement to deliver the 2020 Census counts to the President on schedule.

As of today, over 5 million have responded online to the 2020 Census. Currently, the planned completion date for data collection for the 2020 Census is July 31, 2020, however, that date can and will be adjusted if necessary as the situation evolves in order to achieve a complete and accurate count.

It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone or by mail—all without having to meet a census taker.

We are adjusting operations to make sure college students are counted.

College students living in on-campus housing are counted through their university as part of our Group Quarters Operation, which counts all students living in university-owned housing. In addition to college dormitories, the Group Quarters Operation also includes places like nursing homes, group homes, halfway houses and prisons.

During our recent 2020 Census Group Quarters Advance Contact operation we contacted college/university student housing administrators to get their input on the enumeration methods that will allow stu-

dents to participate in the 2020 Census.

The majority, about 47 percent, have chosen the eResponse methodology and about 7 percent chose paper listings, both of which provide the Census Bureau directory information (electronically or via paper records) about each student.

About 35 percent, however, chose drop-off/pick-up which allows students to self-respond using an Individual Census Questionnaire (or ICQ). We are contacting those schools to ask whether they would like to change that preference in light of the emerging situation.

In general, students in colleges and universities temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 virus will still be

spond. We’re encouraging administrators of group housing to choose a way to count their residents that requires less in-person contact.

For the “group quarters” operation, which counts people in nursing homes, college dorms, prisons and other institutional living facilities, we offer a myriad of ways to respond, such as via eResponse, paper listing or self-enumeration by the facility.

We’re contacting all group counted as part of this proquarters administrators that cess. Even if they are home have requested an in-person on census day, April 1, they visit and asking them to considshould be counted according er an eResponse or offering to to the residence criteria which drop off and later pick up paper states they should be countforms to minimize in-person ed where they live and sleep contact with our census staff. most of the time. We are askWe’re working with service ing schools to contact their providers to determine the best students and remind them to way forward. respond.

We are working with serPer the Census Bureau’s res- vice providers at emergency idence criteria, in most cases, and transitional shelters, soup students living away from home kitchens and regularly schedule at school should be counted at mobile food vans to adapt plans school, even if they are temto count the populations they porarily elsewhere due to the serve.

COVID-19 pandemic.

The plan has been to interWe’re working with group view each person served a meal quarters administrators to enor staying at the facility at a sure we count their residents. date and time the service proThe 2020 Census is designed viders choose between March to offer multiple ways to re30 and April 1.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

Page 13

Why COVID-19 is worse than the flu, in one chart

By Brian Resnik, Vox.com

A question we keep hearing about the COVID-19 pandemic: Isn’t this disease a lot like the flu?

A quick unambiguous answer: No, this is not like the seasonal flu. It is worse.

Yes, some of the symptoms of COVID-19 resemble flu — especially fever and coughs.

But this virus is worse for the destruction it may cause, not only in human lives, but to our society.

This is not to downplay the flu; that disease is still an annual blight we could be even more proactive about fighting (annual flu shots are important!). And it’s still true that tens of thousands of people die from the flu each year in the US. But also, keep in mind: That’s in a given year. COVID-19 hasn’t been around a year — or even half a year. Before January, this virus was not known to science, at all. It’s just getting started. And while there is still a lot of uncertainty over this virus, and how it will play out, from what we know so far, this is a threat to take extremely seriously.

WHY COVID-19 IS WORSE THAN THE FLU

While the exact death rate is not yet clear, the evidence so far does show the disease kills a larger proportion of people than the flu (and it’s particularly lethal for people older than 80).

It also has a higher potential to overwhelm our health care system and hurt people with other illnesses.

Currently, there is no vaccine to combat it, nor any approved therapeutics to slow the course of its toll on the human body. (Doctors can treat cytokine storm syndrome, an immune response that may in some cases be dealing the fatal blow to those dying of COVID-19.)

Sober-minded epidemiologists say that 20 to 60 percent of the world’s adult population could end up catching this virus.

Biologically, it behaves differently than the flu. It takes one to 14 days for people with COVID-19 infection to develop symptoms (five days is the median). For the flu, it’s around two days. That potentially gives people more time to spread the illness asymptomatically before they know they are sick.

Around the country, health care provid-

ers are worried about their facilities being overrun with an influx of patients, and having to ration lifesaving medical supplies.

Some flu seasons are worse than others — but facilities are anticipating flu cases, and prepare for them.

Many hospitals, as Vox’s Dylan Scott has reported, and struggling in their preparations for Covid-19.

Four or so months ago, this virus is believed to have made the leap from animals to humans for the very first time. No human immune system had seen it before November, so no human had any natural immunity to it. That means it’s more contagious than the flu — about twice as contagious, perhaps more; the numbers are still being worked out.

The threat of it causing massive outbreaks that overwhelm health systems around the world is serious.

Again: Yes, flu variants kill tens of thousands of people a year in the US. But imagine if there was another kind of flu, “except potentially with a higher case fatality rate,” Angela Rasmussen, a Columbia University virologist, told me recently.

“Which is definitely a problem because the

Page 14

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

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Registration Begins Soon Now, it’s your turn to learn more:

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Paid for by the MSAP funds.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

Page 15

Many schools are completely unprepared for COVID-19

By Tara Garcia Mathewson The Hechinger Report The threat of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, is forcing educators across the country to think about what they’ll do if they have to close their schools for weeks or even months at a time. State and federal agencies have advised schools to create online learning plans to minimize the disruption to student learning. For some schools, that’s a small leap. Their students have internet connections at home, laptops they can work from, teachers who know how to design online lessons and a strong foundation of in-school blended learning experience.

But the fact is, these schools are rare. Most schools are completely unprepared – or, at best, woefully underprepared – for coronavirus and virtual learning. Unequal internet access is just the tip of the iceberg of a massive equity crisis facing U.S. schools should coronavirus force education online.

“People think it’s about boxes and wires and that’s just the beginning,” said Beth Holland, digital equity and rural project director at the Consortium for School Networking, an industry association for tech directors across the country. CoSN members have been turning to each other for advice and support about how to approach coronavirus and virtual learning. But Holland is not optimistic. The data just

don’t support optimism.

According to the latest survey data from the Pew Research Center, 73 percent of adults have broadband internet at home. But the differences based on income are striking. While 92 percent of adults from households earning $75,000 or more per year say they have broadband internet at home, just 56 percent of adults from households earning below $30,000 say the same. About 17 percent of adults access the internet from home through a smartphone only. For the kids in their homes, that means trying to read assignments, write papers, do research and take quizzes with tiny screens and tinier keyboards.

TEST |Continued from page 7 al Bend communities in 2017, Morath hesitated to give them a break on testing or accountability requirements, arguing that doing so would harm student learning. He argued that getting rid of state testing requirements would violate federal requirements and put federal funding at risk.

Eventually he agreed not to hold poor STAAR results against schools and districts, though he did not waive the requirement that they test students.

“Accountability results have been waived for Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ike, Hurricane Harvey. But never has testing itself been waived,” said Dee Carney, a longtime school accountability consultant in Texas.

“It’s absolutely an unprecedented event requiring extraordinary measures of our schools and our teachers and our communities.”

It is not clear exactly what the implications are for students who

need to take certain state tests in order to graduate from high school or move on to the next grade. Morath said he would send more specific guidance on student testing and school accountability this week, likely before Thursday.

State leaders have urged school districts to continue to instruct students remotely while they are absent or while schools are closed due to COVID-19, including providing equal access to students with special needs.

Morath has said districts will not be financially penalized for student absences as long as they show they are providing remote instruction.

Not every school district has the resources or training necessary to provide quality online instruction, and many low-income students do not have access to reliable internet or have computers at home.

Beyond the “boxes and wires” that get kids internet access in the first place, what happens when they’re online is another problem entirely.

As Holland points out, successful remote learning experiences depend on teachers who know how to create and deliver engaging lessons online and students who have the digital literacy skills to access them. If entire K-12 districts move online, what can schools expect of early elementary schoolers? Not

much. Younger children don’t have the independent learning skills, attention spans or social-emotional maturity to succeed in virtual learning environments for very long, let alone the troubleshooting skills they will inevitably need to manage whatever technology they’re using. Many middle and even high schoolers aren’t much better equipped. And what’s more, many of those School|Continued to page 16

Page 16 SCHOOL |Continued from page 15 older students may have to help watch their younger siblings during extended school closures, leaving them little time to tackle assignments of their own.

A host of organizations have stepped into the fray offering training and advice for teachers contemplating online learning for the first time.

Noah Dougherty, a senior design principal at the education consulting firm Education Elements, wrote in a blog post last week that “the biggest shift virtual learning requires is flexibility and a recognition that the controlled structure of a school is not replicable online.” Some districts have already described their school closure plans as though students will be able to cycle through their regular school schedules from home. This ignores a host of equity concerns

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020 around access and flies in the face of research-based best practices for online learning.

Students cannot be expected to sit in front of their computers for seven hours per day.

There are the companies offering free use of their products should crisis hit a school community. BrainPop, Kahoot!, PearDeck, Google and GoGuardian are among them.

Common Sense Media has curated a suite of recommendations for the best student collaboration tools, messaging apps, lesson-planning websites, interactive video apps, tools for project-based learning, and apps and websites for flipped classrooms and virtual field trips to help educators wade through what’s out there.

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020 SPORTS |Continued from page 11 ously, only City-hosted events that were expected to draw large crowds had been canceled. LISD, Spring Hill, Pine Tree and other East Texas districts have extended spring break, postponing all school activities.

The UIL had previously said that practices and workouts could be held at the discretion of the local school district, but most districts weren’t allowing it, so coaches were using text messages, Google Classroom and other apps to send workout plans for athletes to do on their own.

UIL communications coordinator Julia Atkins said that coaches can still do that, but athletes will now be prohibited from working out on school grounds.

The UIL announced Friday, March 13, that it was suspending all UIL-sanctioned contests through March 29. TAPPS has suspended all interscholastic competition for its private schools through April 12, and the Southwest Preparatory Conference canceled all conference games from March 25 (the first games scheduled after most schools return from spring

break) through April 13.

“Hey, we’re the Longview Lobos [...] a little bit of adversity, challenges, and obstacles is just par for the course,” King said.

“No matter how much or how little time we’re given; we’re going to be giving it 110 percent from start to finish.”

One Texas football team is using an app from Volt Athletics to send athletes modified workouts that they can do from home, either in the backyard or inside.

Players use that app to challenge each other in competitions such as who can do the most push-ups in a minute — shooting videos and sending those to the rest of the team — and one team holds meetings through Google Class-

room and Zoom video conferencing.

The UIL has delayed the start of the boys and girls soccer playoffs by two weeks, tentatively planning to start those April 14.

One school district wasn’t going to follow the others and was planning to allow its teams in all sports to hold organized practices this week, with coaches in attendance.

If UIL competition is able to resume after March 29, which is far from a given at this point, track teams won’t have any more

Page 17 regular-season meets. They have been told by the UIL that they can either start back with their district meet or combine their district and area-round meets.

The UIL said in an email to coaches that if spring football has to be canceled, football workouts would resume Aug. 3 — a week earlier than the 2019 start date for teams that had spring practice a year ago — and teams would be able to have an additional scrimmage. There is not one uniform start date for spring workouts, but area teams were going to start in late April or early May. COVID-19 has impacted club sports as well. The Texas Glory softball organization suspended all competitions and activities through March 29, forcing athletes to find batting cages in the area to work out in.

USA Volleyball shut down competitions, practices and individual training sessions through March 31 for club teams nationwide.

Let's Talk! is right at your fingertips!

Scan the QR code to download Let's Talk! for Apple or Android.

LHS College Fair returns Numerous colleges and universities will be attending the LHS College Fair on Monday, April 6, during all lunches in the hallway and foyer by the LHS downstairs library. LHS students and their parents are welcome to come and see what the future could hold!

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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020

SPOTTED ON SOCI AL

THE LONGVIEW VOICE — March 20, 2020 CLOSED |Continued from page 9 The Cleveland Metropolitan School District, for example, which is closing for three weeks, is providing two meals a day at 22 sites across the city for children under the age of 18, whether they attend district schools or not. School districts in Washington state plan to use their bus drivers to deliver meals.

The Department of Agriculture gave Washington state, California and others the ability to provide free meals on their summer schedules, and officials from the department said that they would approve within 24 hours any state or district that also wanted that option.

When it comes to academics, some school districts are shifting their instruction online, sending students home with devices and schedules for times to log on, along with directions

for parents to help them stay on top of assignments.

Northshore School District, one of communities hardest hit by the coronavirus about thirty minutes outside Seattle, canceled school March 5 in order to train teachers how to effectively provide online instruction.

Monday marks the start of their second week of online instruction.

The reality for the majority of public school students, however, is that online learning isn’t an option. Not only do an estimated 12 million students lack internet access at their homes, but many also don’t have parents who can afford to stay home from work to help them. That’s to say nothing about compatibility for students with disabilities or for those who don’t speak English, as well as the varying levels of knowledge and ability among teachers to make online instruction effective.

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FACTS about the Coronavirus Disease and how to be better prepared at your school

The Coronavirus is being discussed every time you turn on the radio or the television. Getting the right information and knowing the FACTS will help all of us care for our students and our school system.

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The Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses causing illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.

The COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus; meaning it is a new strain that has not been previously identified.

The Coronavirus is a respiratory disease that is mainly spread person to person.

When someone with the virus coughs or sneezes, the virus is spread.

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At this time, children are NOT as affected by COVID-19 as adults are. Kids typically have a better immune system to fight against the disease.

However, children with preexisting illnesses may be more vulnerable.

To reduce the spread of the virus, a variety of approaches are recommended.

It is important to keep your child at home if they are feeling sick.

AND Taking your child to see a doctor to rule out the COVID19. It will prevent the uneasiness of not knowing and will also start treatment if necessary. Addressing the problem early is the key to a quick recovery.

Knowing what to do in case of an outbreak in your areas is the key to protecting your family.

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What can parents do at home to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus?

Hold a family discussion about the virus to ease any uncertainties. *Explain how it is contracted *Protective steps to prevent it *Recommend kids to tell you when they start feeling bad

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WASH THOSE HANDS REGULARLY

KEEP KIDS HOME WHEN THEY ARE ILL

Reminding your child to wash their hands for 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol

Staying home is very important to contain the spread of viruses.

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Even if your family is quarantined, realize this will only be temporary.

7 What can schools do to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus?

Practice Preventive Behaviors.

Regularly washing hands for 20 seconds with soap and water (sing the ABC song) or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Remind students to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or with the bend/crook of their arm when coughing or sneezing.

Send students home who are feeling ill.

A child who is sick, regardless of the cause should not be in contact with other students if not feeling well.

Avoiding close contact.

Students love their friends and their teachers however hugging, touching, shaking hands, high-fives and whispering should be kept to a minimum.

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Keep updated about what is happening in your community.

Turn to credible media outlets, local public health authorities and updates from public health websites (ie.CDC)

Minimize exposure to media outlets or social media that promote fear or panic. Be particularly aware of/limit how much media coverage your child is exposed to about an outbreak.

Focus on supporting children during this time *Talk to them about their feelings and validate them *Help them express their feelings by drawing and other activities *Provide comfort and patience *Check back with them on a regular basis to see how they are doing

Well-being Safety Assessments, LLC - www.well-beingsafetyassessments.com 573.451.2151

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