Career and Technical Education Options

At the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, CTE course offerings will be available in all learning environments, with more limited course offerings in the Ysleta ISD Virtual Academy.

Face-to-Face Instructional Model

CTE will follow all Ysleta ISD school opening procedures with additional safety precautions and protocols in all of its courses.

• We will follow district and state protocols regarding social distancing, safety procedures, and sanitizing surfaces and materials.
• If necessary, additional supplies will be purchased to prevent the sharing of materials.
• Parent permission forms will be updated.
• Interactions with internship mentors will be guided by both YISD protocols and participating mentor institutions.
• Some course requirements may be adjusted to ensure adherence to the necessary safety protocols from Ysleta ISD or other governing bodies.

School Closure Virtual Instructional Model

CTE will follow all Ysleta ISD protocols and will close in the event that the school district closes. During a school closure, all CTE courses would move to an online platform.
In the event that one or more high school campuses are closed, the Career Center may remain open if it is deemed that there was no exposure at the Career Center. Students from a high school campus that has closed due to a safety concern will not be allowed to participate in Career Center courses in a Face-to-Face format and would need to access their learning temporarily through our online platforms.

• Adjustments will be made to the curriculum so that transition to virtual instruction is streamlined.
• Parent permission forms will be updated.
• Interactions with mentors will be guided by both YISD protocols and participating mentor institutions.
• Teachers and students will have the tools they need to be successful in this learning environment. Some course content may be adjusted to accommodate for software and hardware issues. To the greatest extent possible, electronic access to learning materials and platforms, including a district supplied Chromebook for home use, will be made available if needed.

Virtual Instructional Model

For students who opt to take virtual courses, a limited number of CTE courses will be available online. High school students may elect to take CTE courses that are in a Face-to-Face format at their home campus or the Career Center while taking non-CTE courses in virtual format.
The following courses will be developed and taught in Canvas or Google Classroom by an Ysleta ISD CTE teacher in the virtual format.

Virtual CTE Courses

TEA On-Campus Course Recommendation

• Teachers and students will have the tools they need to be successful in this learning environment. Some course content may be adjusted to accommodate for software or hardware issues. To the greatest extent possible, electronic access to learning materials and platforms, including a district supplied Chromebook for home use, will be made available if needed.
• A guaranteed and viable curriculum is outlined in the YISD curriculum documents which are aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge Skills (TEKS).

Career Center Classroom Safety Protocols

It is our primary goal to ensure that students have a safe learning environment. At the Career Center and in CTE classrooms, specialized equipment may be used. Based on guidelines from the industry, TEA, CDC, and Ysleta ISD, CTE teachers will follow updated safety procedures and students will be taught and expected to follow the procedures. As safety guidelines continue to change depending on the nature of the public health situation, we will continue to monitor and adjust as needed.

Work-Based Learning/Internships

Some CTE courses require a student internship or require students to participate in learning activities at a worksite. Due to the current public health situation, some internships or student worksites may not allow students on-site. If students are unable to complete an internship or work hours, alternative options will be provided to complete their Ysleta ISD coursework. However, it may not be possible to complete some industry certifications without the required internship or work experience hours.
If students are allowed to participate in an internship or off-site work experience, students and parents/guardians will be required to complete additional documentation to allow student participation. Students will be required to follow the safety protocols utilized by the internship site.

Culinary Arts

The Culinary Arts program will follow the CDC, TEA, and Texas Restaurant Association guidelines to ensure proper food handling safety and kitchen safety.

Kitchen

In addition to the safety protocols utilized in every YISD classroom, the Culinary department will follow these additional guidelines:

• Practice safety protocols during food preparation - gloves, masks, etc.
• Take temperatures of students working in the kitchen.
• Additional spacing between workstations.
• Use of disposable items used when available.
• Mandatory stops throughout the class for hand-washing, sanitizing, and disinfecting.
• Use of stainless steel utensils and food preparation equipment when available.
• Sanitize all equipment with 185° degree sanitizing setting on the dishwasher.

Restaurant

When open, the restaurant will follow the following guidelines:

• Follow guidelines published by the Texas Restaurant Association.
• Require patrons to sanitize hands before entering the restaurant.
• Students sanitize hands between interaction with customers, wear masks and gloves.
• Tables spaced 6 feet apart.
• Limit reservations.
• Maximum five patrons at each table.
• Regularly and frequently clean and disinfect any regularly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, tables, and chairs.
• Disinfect any items that come into contact with customers.
• Clean and disinfect the area used for dining (table, etc.) after each group of customers depart, including the disinfecting of tables and chairs.
• Use of disposable menus.
• Use of disposable items used when available (pre-packaged utensils, plastic cups, paper napkins, pre-packaged salt/pepper packets).

School Store

When open, the school store will follow the following guidelines:

• Limit number of students in the school store to five at a time.
• Store patrons will be asked to follow social distancing practices and keep six feet away from each other.
• Disinfect surface areas between customers.
• Practice safety protocols while stocking and running school store - gloves, masks, etc.
• A safety partition may be utilized at the cashier area.

Shop Classes (Auto Tech, Body Shop, Welding, etc.)

In addition to the safety protocols utilized in every YISD classroom, the Shop Classes will follow these additional guidelines:

• Practice safety protocols while working in shop - gloves (required for shop work), masks, etc.
• One student at a time working at each workstation (tool).
• Disinfect surface areas between students.

Career Center Arrival & Dismissal

Arrival Procedures

• Doors open at 7:30 AM
• Students will enter the building at designated entrances close to their classrooms.
• Students will remain socially-distanced in the hallways and common spaces.
• Students will sanitize hands upon entry.
• Standing hand sanitizer stations will be created at each designated entrance.
• All students will be directed to their first period classroom.
• Additional bus drop-off points may be designated.

Dismissal Procedures

• Students will be dismissed in a manner to minimize hallway interactions and student capacity.
• Students should avoid congregating in the parking lot.

Parent Pick Up & Drop Off:

• Parents picking up their student(s) will need to call ahead. Upon arrival, the parent should notify the campus by phone.
• The student(s) will walk out to the parent.
• Parents drop off students without exiting cars.
• Nonessential visitors, and volunteers will not be allowed on campus.

Meals

• Students will be provided with lunch if classes span into lunchtime.
• Areas will be designated for students to eat lunch in a socially-distanced manner.
• Lunch areas will be sanitized between lunches.

Parent/Guardian Communication Plan

• Information will be provided to all parents/guardians outlining the arrival and dismissal plan and safety measures that will be in place.
• Parents will be updated regularly on any changes in protocol.

Guidance Documents & Resources