List of 13 items.

• What are the school's plans for reopening?

  Following orders from Dallas County issued July 16, 2020, Dallas International School will start in the fall on August 24 and continue offering Distance Learning to its students until September 8. During this time, we will continuously be monitoring updates from the authorities to make a more informed decision about being able to reopen both campuses safely for our students, staff and faculty. 
  
  Below you will find the school's reopening plan once we are  back on campus.Our next phase will look at four different learning models. Students will be able to choose from various learning models based on their grade levels that is summarized below.
  
  Given local authority and CDC guidelines at this current time, we will not unfortunately, be able to accommodate all students on campus full time. We will do our best to meet the needs of our families as best as we can with the current restrictions. The fluidity of the situation may also modify current plans and learning models. I ask for your patience as we plan ahead as much as we possibly can.
  

   

  An initial survey to gauge your sentiments for returning to school has been shared with our DIS community. We will check in again with a final survey in August to confirm your decision. Once a decision has been made in August, it should remain unchanged so the school can make final class group arrangements to ensure we can keep the school as safe as we can for our students and faculty. We may be in a better position to modify groups after the fall break as further updates on how the situation evolves.

   

• What health and safety protocols will DIS have in place?

  Once restrictions are lifted and we are able to welcome back students on campus, both campus locations will respect the following guidelines:
  
  

  • Social distancing at 6 feet distance between desks
  • Face coverings for students will be mandatory.
  • Face coverings for staff will be mandatory.
  • Social distancing signage will be placed across school campuses
  • Students, teachers and staff will wash hands frequently.
  • Hand sanitizer stations, temperature check points, an isolation room will be implemented.

• What happens in the case there is a confirmed case at the school?

  Please find attached a document to review the protocol that we have outlined based on a number of scenarios: suspected COVID-19 cases, close contact with confirmed cases and confirmed cases on campus. The document has been created with guidance and information provided by the CDC and the TEA.

• What is the 1st learning model (FACE-TO-FACE)?

    

   FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING
  (FULL TIME): 

  Available to Maternelle (all pre-K to Kindergarten), CM2 (5th grade), 10th, 11th and 12th grade. 
  
  

  • Classes will be divided into small groups. Depending on the classroom size, these groups may vary between 5 to 11 students. This will allow us to respect the social distancing safety guidelines and the ratio of children to adults. This will also mean a limited number of students per room.

  • These groups will remain the same throughout class time and recess to minimize cross-contamination risks.

  • For Maternelle students, each group will be assigned to a room. Each group will either be with a teacher or a teaching assistant (TAs). We will rotate between teachers and TAs so that each group has equal time with the teacher. 

• What is the 2nd learning model (DISTANCE LEARNING 2.0)?

   DISTANCE LEARNING 2.0
  (FULL TIME):

  Available to most students :

  • The school will provide distance-learning on a full time basis designed for most students who are not ready to return on campus.

  • Distance learning classes will be live-streamed. This means that students sitting at home will virtually attend a class that is happening on campus in real-time.

  • Live-streaming will be a new online experience compared to the experience students have had over the past few months.

  • With real-time interaction, students at home can engage and communicate at greater levels with their classmates and teacher physically sitting in the classroom.

  • Please note that in efforts to reduce risks of cross-contamination, students will remain in the same groups until the end of the October break. We will reassess the situation and may then have the flexibility to adjust groups accordingly.

• What is the 3rd learning model (HYBRID MODEL A)?

   HYBRID LEARNING MODEL A:

  Available to 1st-4th & 6th-9th grades:

  This model divides students into two groups based on a 1-week rotation:

   

  Week 1:

  • Group A would receive face-to-face learning on-campus with a teacher in class.
  • Group B would follow the same class as group A via a live-stream at home.

   

  Week 2:

  • Group B would receive face-to-face learning on-campus.
  • Group A would follow the same class as group B via a live-stream at home.  

  In efforts to reduce risks of cross-contamination, students will remain in the same groups until the end of October break. We will reassess the situation and may then have the flexibility to adjust groups accordingly.

• What is the 4th learning model (HYBRID MODEL B)?

   HYBRID LEARNING MODEL B: 

  Available to 1st-4th & 6th-9th grades:

  • This model will allow students to be on-campus on a full time basis.
  • This model is designed for students who need to be at school at all times due to child care constraints at home.
  • For example, both parents are unable to work from home and are mandated to work from their office premises.
  • Students will be divided into two classrooms to respect social distancing ratios. The two groups would rotate on a weekly basis.

              Group A: students would receive face-to-face learning with a teacher in classroom A.
              Group B: students would follow the same class as group A via a live-stream in classroom B. (See diagram above).

  • A member from the student affairs department will ensure there is adult supervision during live-streamed classrooms.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Students will still be expected to work independently as though they were at home. The group may also be mixed with other grade level students.

• How will lunch and recess be organized?

  Lunch will be taken in the classroom for classes across both campuses. This is subject to change.
  
  Recess: 
  Churchill Campus:  The playground will be sectioned off into smaller play areas so that each group will play in their respective sections of the playground. We will rotate locations on a daily basis to allow our students to have equal access to  different games.
  
  Waterview: recess times will be staggered

• What happens with afterschool care, activities and Physical Education classes?

  UPDATE on August 3, 2020: Due to recent developments, registration for after school activities registration has been postponed. We are in the process of finalizing what back-to-school will look like and will inform the community once we have better clarity on plans moving forward. 
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  After school activities:
  Click here for Churchill's schedule: 
  Click here for Waterview's schedule.
  
  
  After school care: This will also be organized into small groups.
  
  PE classes: As of today, practicing sport inside the gym is not permitted. PE will be outside practising activities with no contact.

• What financial support can the school offer for those affected?

  Financial Assistance is offered at DIS. For the next school year, we have doubled the overall financial aid envelope.  Parents need to contact the accounting office if they want to apply.

   

  Also, for any difficulty encountered to meet the deadlines of contractual payments, parents may contact Amber in order for the accounting office to work (on a case by case basis) with them on a specific payment schedule.

• When will the exam results be made available?

  Please note the following dates that exam results will be released:

  • June 12th: French Baccalaureate (FB)
  • June 19th:  Diplôme National du Brevet(DNB) 
  • July 6th: International Baccalaureate (IB) 

• What's happening with DIS summer enrichment camp this year?

  UPDATE July 17, 2020: As per the order of Dallas County on July 16, DIS Summer Enrichment Camp will close its on-campus camps in efforts to curb the spread COVID-19 virus.
  
  Online summer camp will continue until July 31st. Students currently enrolled to on-campus camps will be able to transfer their enrollment to online learning if they wish.
  
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• What can my child do to practice speaking French over the summer?

  No worries. We are pleased to announce the DIS French Conversation Meetup Program for elementary students looking to practice speaking French over the summer break.
  
  Click here for a list of approved high school students who you can directly contact and arrange a time and date to set up a virtual meeting.