Life School District Parent Updates

Check out the latest edition of the LifeLeader Newsletter!

Check out the latest edition of the LifeLeader Newsletter!

Dear Life School Families,

On Thursday, August 19th, the Texas Education Agency issued new public health guidance regarding COVID-19 protocols. While Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-38 voluntary mask recommendation is the law in effect, TEA has communicated that “...mask provisions are not being enforced as a result of ongoing litigation. Further guidance will be made available after the court issues are resolved.”

At this time, Life School strongly encourages masking for staff, students and visitors at all campuses, especially at those identified as a YELLOW or RED stage on our COVID-19 District Dashboard until the situation at the respective campus improves.

Additional guidance was provided by TEA regarding required actions for test-confirmed cases in schools. Life School has updated its COVID-19 protocols based on this new guidance. Life School’s COVID-19 Dashboard now includes COVID-19 cases by campus and grade level and will be updated at the end of each day.

The health and safety of our staff and students remains our top priority. To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our schools, Life School is implementing additional cleaning measures on all campuses. If you would like information on COVID-19 vaccines, the Texas Department of State Health Services has provided information to help educate, encourage and support community members in their decision to get vaccinated. 

Thank you for your partnership during these challenging circumstances.

Sincerely,

Brent Wilson, EdD
Life School Superintendent

Dear Life School Family,

On Sunday, August 15th, the Texas Supreme Court granted a temporary stay against Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins' order that required face masks in all Dallas County schools. As a result, Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-38 voluntary mask mandate is the law in effect at all of our campuses at this time. As of Monday, August 16th, Life School will not require face coverings for staff and students at our campuses located in both Dallas and Ellis Counties. 

The health and safety of our staff and students remains our top priority. To help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our schools, Life School recommends indoor masking for all staff, students and visitors.

To view Life School’s COVID-19 protocols and case dashboard, please view our COVID-19 Dashboard. We understand how confusing this past week has been as it relates to government mandates and mask policies. As state and local government officials continue to resolve this issue through the legal process, we will provide updates to you as quickly as possible.

Life School will remain focused on providing a safe, supportive and collaborative environment while closing the learning and opportunity gaps for all of our students. Thank you for your partnership during these challenging circumstances. 

Sincerely,

Brent Wilson, Ed.D.
Life School Superintendent

Dear Life School Staff and Families,

Thank you for a tremendous first day of school yesterday! It was great to see everyone back on campus together. I would like to take a few minutes to share some insight into the many conversations and decisions that are being made as it relates to our COVID-19 policy and protocols.

Mask Mandates

Yesterday, in response to a new mandate issued by Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, Life School updated its mask policy to follow the rule of law in the counties we serve. The orders issued by Judge Jenkins and Governor Abbott are in contradiction with one another. However, as advised by our legal counsel, we will be following the laws respective to the counties we operate within. (Read our recent update related to mask guidelines.)

#CITIZENSHIP

At Life School we teach the attribute of citizenship which says to follow laws and rules and participate in public affairs with wisdom. It is our intent to respect and adhere to the laws and rules within the counties we serve. Based on the current information available, Life School is not in violation of the Governor's Order by following the Dallas County mask mandate at our campuses located within Dallas County. However, we would be in violation of the Governor’s order if we mandated masks at our campuses within Ellis County.

Life School finds itself in a unique position as we operate campuses in two separate counties and are under the authority of both the county and the state. District leadership continues to monitor guidance from TEA, Governor Abbott, and Dallas and Ellis counties to determine the best course of action for our students and staff within our legal jurisdiction.

We understand that the complexity of this situation can create uncertainty. Our commitment to you is to provide communication regarding any updates and to demonstrate grace to staff, students and families as we navigate this rapidly-changing situation.

Mission

Regardless of the current environment in which we are operating, Life School’s mission is to develop leaders with life skills through strong academics, character training, and partnerships with parents and the community. We need your partnership now more than ever as we focus on providing a safe, supportive and collaborative environment while closing the learning and opportunity gaps for all of our students.

We thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these very challenging circumstances.

Sincerely,

Brent Wilson, EdD
Life School Superintendent

Dear Life School Family,

On August 10, 2021, a Dallas County District Court granted a temporary restraining order preventing the Governor from enforcing his July 29, 2021 Executive Order No. GA-38, which prohibited local authorities from mandating the wearing of a face covering. This temporary restraining order will be in effect until August 24, 2021, when the case is set for further hearing. On Wednesday, August 11th, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued an executive order on the required use of a face mask in a public space for Dallas County. This mandate orders all schools to develop a health & safety policy that requires, “at a minimum, universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors...regardless of vaccination status.” Effective Thursday, August 12, 2021, all Life School campuses located in Dallas County will be required to comply with Judge Jenkins’ order for the duration of the temporary restraining order, or until further guidance is received.

For campuses not located in Dallas County, Life School will continue to follow Governor Abbott’s order that no “school district may require any person to wear a face covering or to mandate that another person wear a face covering.” However, Life School encourages everyone to take personal responsibility for their health and safety. We strongly support any staff member or student who chooses to wear a face covering.

Life School’s Health and Safety Policy includes a phased approach to mitigate COVID-19. You can review these procedures and plans here under the “MITIGATE” section. You can view the number of active cases on campuses by viewing the COVID-19 dashboard here. This dashboard will be updated regularly.

We recognize that you are entrusting your children with us by sending them to school. Life School is working tirelessly to demonstrate ethical leadership by respecting orders and mandates issued by local and state officials while also exercising social awareness to do what is best for the safety of our staff and students. This is a rapidly changing situation and we will make changes and adjustments as necessary.

Sincerely,

Life School Communications Team

Life School campuses in Dallas County:

• Life School Carrollton
• Life School Cedar Hill
• Life School Lancaster
• Life School Mountain Creek
• Life School Oak Cliff

Life School campuses in Ellis County:

• Life School Red Oak
• Life Middle School Waxahachie
• Life High School Waxahachie

Estimada familia de Life School,

El 10 de agosto de 2021, un Tribunal de Distrito del Condado de Dallas otorgó una orden de restricción temporal que impedía al Gobernador hacer cumplir su Orden ejecutiva No. GA-38 de 29 de julio de 2021, que prohibió a las autoridades locales exigir el uso de una cubierta facial. Esta orden de restricción temporal estará vigente hasta el 24 de agosto de 2021, cuando el caso esté programado para una audiencia adicional. El miércoles 11 de agosto, el juez del condado de Dallas Clay Jenkins emitió una orden ejecutiva sobre el uso obligatorio de una mascarilla en un espacio público del condado de Dallas. Este mandato ordena a todas las escuelas que desarrollen una política de salud y seguridad que requiere, "como mínimo, un enmascaramiento interior universal para todos los maestros, personal, estudiantes y visitantes ... independientemente del estado de vacunación". A partir del jueves 12 de agosto de 2021, todos las escuelas de Life School ubicadas en el condado de Dallas deberán cumplir con la orden del juez Jenkins mientras dure la orden de restricción temporal o hasta que se reciba más orientación.

Para las escuelas que no se encuentran en el condado de Dallas, Life School continuará siguiendo la orden del Gobernador Abbott de que ningún "distrito escolar puede exigir que ninguna persona use una cubierta facial o que obligue a otra persona a usar una cubierta facial". Sin embargo, Life School anima a todos a asumir la responsabilidad personal de su salud y seguridad. Apoyamos firmemente a cualquier miembro del personal o estudiante que decida usar una cubierta facial.

La Política de Salud y Seguridad de Life School incluye un enfoque por fases para mitigar el COVID-19. Puede revisar estos procedimientos y planes aquí en la sección "MITIGAR". Puede ver la cantidad de casos activos en las escuelas viendo el panel de COVID-19 aquí. Este panel se actualizará periódicamente.

Reconocemos que, al enviar a sus hijos a la escuela, nos está confiando. Life School está trabajando incansablemente para demostrar liderazgo ético respetando las órdenes y mandatos emitidos por funcionarios locales y estatales, al mismo tiempo que ejerce la conciencia social para hacer lo mejor para la seguridad de nuestro personal y estudiantes. Esta es una situación que cambia rápidamente y haremos los cambios y ajustes necesarios.

Atentamente,

Departamento de Comunicaciones de Life School

Life School campuses in Dallas County:

• Life School Carrollton
• Life School Cedar Hill
• Life School Lancaster
• Life School Mountain Creek
• Life School Oak Cliff

Life School campuses in Ellis County:

• Life School Red Oak
• Life Middle School Waxahachie
• Life High School Waxahachie

We are looking forward to the new school year! The first day of school is Wednesday August 11, 2021 and we are excited to welcome back our students to campus! 

Welcome to The LifeLeader, Life School's new monthly newsletter. In these newsletters, we will bring you important district information as well as highlight stories from around the district.

Welcome to The LifeLeader, Life School's new monthly newsletter. In these newsletters, we will bring you important district information as well as highlight stories from around the district.

Welcome to The LifeLeader, Life School's new monthly newsletter. In these newsletters, we will bring you important district information as well as highlight stories from around the district.