Schools face extended closure due to COVID-19

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  • A group of Ira teachers handed out packets to parents. Pictured on the left is kindergarten teacher Candice Poole and in front of the table are junior high school science teacher and coach Marcy Reneau, instructional aide Macy Garcia, and secretary Keva Fowlkes, amongst others.
    A group of Ira teachers handed out packets to parents. Pictured on the left is kindergarten teacher Candice Poole and in front of the table are junior high school science teacher and coach Marcy Reneau, instructional aide Macy Garcia, and secretary Keva Fowlkes, amongst others.
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Some local school districts changed their responses to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic after Texas Governor Greg Abbott released new directives Thursday.
Abbott’s order stated, “In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, schools shall temporarily close.”  
The measure is the fourth of four executive orders issued so far in response to the virus. The others involved limiting the size of social gatherings to 10 or less; prohibiting indoor use of bars or restaurants and visits to gymnasiums or massage parlors, while encouraging use of drive-through, pick-up or delivery options; and prohibiting visits to nursing homes or long-term care facilities other than for critical care.
The orders took effect at 11:59 p.m. Friday, and will remain in effect until April 3, unless otherwise extended.
Snyder ISD had already decided to close through April 3 before the governor’s order was announced.
“We announced yesterday that we were going to be closing Snyder ISD through April 3, with plans to open back April 6, and we would make the decision by April 1,” said Snyder Superintendent Dr. Eddie Bland. “Today, the governor’s mandatory order closed all public schools in the state through April 3. So we were a day ahead of the state. ‘Subject to extension’ I believe the proclamation said.”
Snyder ISD will be offering free breakfast and lunch during the pandemic to children 18 and younger. Adult meals will be provided for $2. The meals will be served to go only, and will be available for pickup Monday through April 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Locations for pickup include: Snyder Primary School at the west side driveway by the cafetorium; The Coliseum; Travis Gym; and at the intersection of Andress and North College Ave. in the Greenhill Area. For questions, call 574-8620, or email questions@snyderisd.net.
Hermleigh ISD Superintendent Cassie Petty announced in a video address on Wednesday that Hermleigh will close through April 3.
“The COVID-19 situation continues to intensify across our state. Many school districts are announcing extended closures,” Petty said. “In an effort to protect our staff, our students and our community, Hermleigh ISD will transition to at-home learning through April 3. We have created a platform that you can find on our school website to help guide you through these times. We will continue to communicate information with you through our social media channels as well as our school website.”
Hermleigh ISD is also providing meals to students. Meals, including lunch and the next day’s breakfast, are available starting at 11:30 a.m. in front of the school, or at The Coliseum for students who live nearer to Snyder. The school asks that families who need meals contact Belinda Lara at blara@hermleigh.esc14.net by 7 p.m. the previous night to let her know.
In a letter dated Friday and posted on the school website, Ira ISD Principal Dale Jones said Ira schools will also be closed through April 3. 
“As most of you have probably seen, Governor Abbott has closed all Texas schools until Friday, April 3,” Jones said in the letter. “We have made adjustments to our plan. This is new for all of us, so if you have questions, please make sure to let us know.”
The letter goes on to lay out plans to distribute lessons by packet to elementary students, and through online platforms to secondary students. The letter outlines that teacher assistance will be available by phone and email between 9 and 11 a.m. each morning, and daily for students receiving special education and/or 504 services. 
The letter indicates that Ira ISD will serve breakfast from 8:30 to 8:45 each day, at the Western Texas College parking lot at the bus drop-off zone, and in front of the Ira ISD campus. 
Lunch will be served at 11:30 daily at the same locations. 
Lunches must be pre-ordered by calling (325) 573-2628 by 9:30 a.m. each day.
Snyder Christian School Principal Jennifer Haynes had already decided to close in-person schooling through April 10. During that time, Haynes said students will use the Abeka online Christian curriculum to keep up with their schoolwork. 
“They have amazing online resources,” Haynes said. 
Western Texas College also had already made plans to discontinue in-person classes for the remainder of the spring semester. WTC President Dr. Barbara Beebe said the college will finish out the semester through online lessons.
“We are doing all of our classes online. All of the academic classes will go online,” Beebe said. “We do have a number of students on campus and we will service them as best we can with the online classes as well.”