Snyder and Hermleigh ISDs have decided to cancel classes on Monday and Tuesday in response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, instead holding teacher workdays. Although Scurry County has yet to experience its first case of COVID-19, Snyder ISD Public Information Officer Valerie Morris said the closure will give school officials, returning to work following spring break, time to examine the situation more closely and develop a response to developing coronavirus reports.
“This time will be used to plan and prepare should we need to offer instruction online or by alternative methods,” Morris said.
“This will also give SISD administration an opportunity to identify and communicate with staff and families who have traveled to areas where COVID-19/Coronavirus has been identified.”
Hermleigh ISD posted on its social media page that while there wasn’t “a risk of exposure for our students or staff, (school officials) want to be prepared should we become a risk.
According to Lori Butler, J.E.T.S. Early Head Start, Head Start and Child Care will be closed to children Monday and Tuesday “to prepare for COVID-19 and screen.”
At press time, Western Texas College, Ira ISD and Snyder Christian School were all planning to hold classes on Monday.
Dr. Barbara Beebe posted a letter stating, “While the situation remains fluid and subject to change, Western Texas College classes will resume on Monday, March 16th. In the event that a change in college operations becomes necessary, a decision to provide online or alternate instruction may be made.
“Although there are no reported cases of COVID-19 in our immediate area, we are taking all necessary precautions to provide as healthy an environment as possible for our faculty, staff and students. In order to do that however, as with any communicable respiratory disease, we all need to be mindful of using appropriate precautions such as frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are asking our students, faculty and staff to be mindful of our campus and community and self-report any travel to CDC Level 2 or 3 areas (https://www.cdc.gov/). In addition, if you do not feel well, we ask that you please stay home. If you have traveled, or have had contact with someone who has traveled to a Level 2 or Level 3 area and do not feel well, please contact a medical professional and follow their advice, including any self-quarantine time limit.”
All three local public school districts reported they are taking steps to ensure the schools are well disinfected before students return to school and during the course of the disease.
“The district is disinfecting the school buildings and busses routinely,” Snyder ISD Superintendent Dr. Eddie Bland said. “Janitorial staff is disinfecting high-touch surfaces throughout the day, utilizing the E-mist disinfectant system when students are out of the building, and ensuring soap and sanitizer dispensers are filled.”
In a letter posted on the district’s Facebook page, Petty said Hermleigh is also being proactive when it comes to keeping the school disinfected.
“The health and safety of our students is our number one priority,” Petty said in the letter. “Hermleigh ISD custodians continue to disinfect high touch areas such as desks, doorknobs, light switches, sink faucets and water fountains multiple times a day. Our teachers will continue to remind students of good hygiene practices such as:
•Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
•If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
•Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
•Limit food sharing.
•Stay home when you are sick.”
Ira Superintendents Brian Patterson said his district is also carrying out extensive disinfection protocols.
“During spring break our custodians disinfected everything,” Patterson said. “We’ve been doing it every other day. One thing we’re considering is disinfecting every day. Watching TEA, seeing what TEA is sending. Just trying to watch and make sure there’s nothing out there. At this point, that’s the main thing, is disinfecting. We’re looking at maybe limiting water fountains, if we can get enough bottled water. Watching the news as much as we can, trying to stay on top of it.”
Several school related event cancellations have been announced, including Snyder Primary School’s Independence Day celebration planned for the dual-language program, all Snyder field trips and celebrations scheduled to be held within the next two weeks including the Snyder Intermediate School trip to the bowling alley and upcoming Parent Night.
The UIL canceled all competitions at least through the end of March. More details about those cancellations can be found on the Sports page.
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