SSISD Reminds Motorists, Parents To Be Aware Of School Zones, Drop Off, Pick Up Procedures
Sulphur Springs motorists are reminded to be aware of schools zones when traveling through town in the morning and afternoons starting next week, as Sulphur Springs ISD students will return to classes on Sept. 1.
School Zones
Motorist should be alert for students arriving and going home from school, as students will be out and about. Failure to slow down or put away cell phones school zones could result in costly fines.
“Lights in school zones should have started flashing yesterday, a friendly reminder school is quickly approaching,” Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson said Thursday, Aug. 27.
All SSISD campuses will begin and end classes at the same time this year, with the exception of Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center. Most schools will open at 7:30 a.m., although a few will be open at 7:15 a.m. The tardy bell will ring at 7:50 a.m. and school starting at 8 a.m. Students will be released from classes at 3:35 p.m., with the exception of Douglass, which has three staggered releases.
Thus, all SSISD school zones will be active with yellow flashing lights weekday mornings from 7:15 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. For afternoon dismissal Douglass ECLC’s school zone will be active from 2:50 to 4:05 p.m. weekdays. All other SSISD school zones will be active from 3:30 to 4:05 p.m. weekdays.
The speed limits through school zones are lowered to 20 and 35, depending on the location, during those times when the flashing yellow school lights are on. All zones by primary and elementary campuses except Barbara Bush are 20 miles per hours. Houston Street in front of Sulphur Springs High School, Hillcrest Drive (State Highway 19) in front of Bush Primary and Wildcat Way in front of Sulphur Springs Middle School will all be 35 miles per hour. Speed limits on city streets that run alongside the other primary and elementary schools are typically 20 mph.
Motorists should also keep in mind that on many of these roads will be stop and go lines of traffic and in some cases students and parents walking. Those who feel the need to travel at speeds in excess of the posted school zone limits or impatient with car traffic are recommended to find an alternate routes.
Drop Off, Pick Up Procedures
SSISD Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams and Police Chief Glynda Chester remind parents that they will not be able to walk their students in to the building and to their classes this year, as a precaution due to COVID-19. Parents who want to take those first day of school pictures will need to do so before leaving home or before exiting the vehicle they arrive in.
“This a measure to help mitigate COVID-19 by decreasing the number of visitors on our campuses,” Willams said.
Thus, visitors will be kept to a minimum. People who need to drop off or pick up a child during the school day or parents who need to meet with a principal, teacher or other school staff will check in at the office should be prepared to for COVID-19 related questions and precautions, including a temperature check.
The same rule will apply to parents who walk their children to school. Parents may do so provided they stay away from any crowds of student groups. Parents will not be allowed to enter the building upon arrival.
Similarly, parents who need to will be allowed to pick up their student from the school bus hub at the stadium, but must not go beyond the edge of the sidewalk.
Although school officials are sending information via Skyward and social media, Williams reminds parents to please follow the established drop off and pick up procedures for their child’s campus. Most will remain the same.
Douglasss ECLC students are to be dropped and picked up on the Calvert Street side of the campus. Buses and day care vehicles willload and unload on Freeman Street.
Bowie Primary kindergarten and first grade students are to be dropped off and picked up from the Mockingbird Lane parking lot. Second and third graders will load to and from cars on Duckworth Street.
Lamar Primary second and third graders will enter and exit cars on Milligan Street, and kindergarteners and first graders on the other side.
Most Travis Primary students will be dropped off and picked up on Garrison Street. In the afternoons a few kindergarteners will be collected on the circle drive off Main Street if directed.
At Barbara Bush Primary, morning drop off will be in front of the building. In the afternoon, kinder will be picked up on the north side of the building facing Houston Street. Student sin grades 2 and 3 (along with buses and day care vehicles) will be picked up on the south side of the campus. First grade pickup will be in front of the building.
There will be one change for afternoon pick up at Sulphur Springs Middle School. There will be no lefthand turns allowed onto wildcat way. Motorists will have to go to the right, then can go around and catch Rockdale to get onto State Highway 19, according to Williams.
At Sulphur Springs Elementary, fourth graders will be dropped off and picked up from the drive on Lee Street. Fifth grader will arrive and leave from the Bell Street parking lot.
At high school, parents may drop off students on Connally Street from the Buford Park entrance. Students will park in the student parking lot off Houston Street, and may be picked up there in the afternoons.
High school ride bus will be required to ride a bus from the high school to the bus hub. They will not be allowed to walk through the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center area to the bus hub.
For additional information about drop off or pick up procedures, contact the child’s campus.
2 Additional COVID-19 Deaths Assigned To Hopkins County Aug. 27
While no new positive COVID-19 cases were reported in Hopkins County on Thursday, there were no recoveries either. Two additional deaths were assigned to Hopkins County by the state and three additional patients were reported to have been admitted to the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs.
Texas Department of State Health Services on August 27 showed 7 fatalities assigned to Hopkins County based on cause of death listed on death certificates. The state had previously reported 5 Hopkins County COVID-19 fatalities: one each on July 17, July 23, Aug. 2, Aug. 4 and Aug. 17. In Thursday’s reports, DSHS reported one additional Hopkins County death on Aug. 17 and one on Aug. 7.
Hopkins County Emergency Management officials reported there were four patients in the COVID-19 Unit at CMFH-SS, the number reported on August 3, August 5, August 8 and August 10.
There have been 86 new COVID-19 cases reported August 1-27, just three less than July’s case total. So far, 94 recoveries have been reported in August, nearly twice as many as during the whole month of July, when only 48 Hopkins County residents were reported to have recovered from COVID-19. The last time officials reported any Hopkins County residents recovering from COVID-19 was August 17.
Cumulatively, 238 positive COVID-19 results have been reported for Hopkins County, including 193 patients who have recovered, since midMarch, Hopkins County Emergency Management officials have reported. That leaves only 45 active COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County.
According to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, all three of the employees at Wesley House who tested positive for COVID-19 had recovered on Aug. 13.
There continued to be six active cases among residents at the facility and two resident recoveries at the facility on Aug. 13. The other assisted living facility in Sulphur Springs, Hopkins House, had reported no COVID-19 cases among either employees or residents through Aug. 13.
Texas Health and Human Services reported no active COVID-19 cases among the four licensed child care centers in Hopkins County as of Aug. 26. Annekes Preschool and Sulphur Springs Christian Preschool have each reported one employee who has tested positive for COVID-19 since midMarch. Little Texans Learning Center has had two employees test positive since March. His Kids Learning Center has had one enrolled student and one employee test positive for COVID-19 since March, according to the Aug. 27 HHSC child care center report.
This state report includes only data licensed child care centers, school-age programs, and before or after-school programs had self-reported to Texas Health and Human Services Commission as of Aug. 24.
Hearts of Life Presents Leo and Tigger
“Leo and Tigger are four month old domestic shorthair kittens. The brothers were found and raised together. Leo and Tigger complement each other perfectly with Leo’s rambunctious and playful nature along with Tigger’s more reserved and lazy attitude. The two work best as a team and, because of that, we would prefer them be adopted together. To help get them adopted together, the adoption fee is $100 total for the pair which includes all previous vetting, neuter and rabies shots. The two were previously adopted together, but for no fault of their own ahd to be returned. We would love to give them another chance at finding a home together. For adoption, these kittens can be found at PetSense in Sulphur Springs. For more information on all animals available, please contact Hearts of Life Animal Rescue by phone at 903-439-5019, email at [email protected], Facebook.com/heartsoflife or Petfinder.com.”
Wood County Sheriff Report For August 19-25, 2020
Wood County Sheriff’s Office provided the following activity report for Aug. 19-25, 2020:
- Abandoned Vehicle: 2
- Driving While Intoxicated: 1
- Found Property: 1
- Missing Person: 1
- Public Assist: 2
- Traffic Cleared by Arrest: 1
- Traffic Hazard: 2
- Alarm: 8
- Traffic Stop With Arrest: 0
- Animal Complaint: 7
- Unauthorized Use of Vehicle: 1
- Arrest/Warrant Service: 6
- Welfare Check: 6
- Arson: 0
- Assault: 4
- Burglary: 3
- Criminal Mischief: 1
- Criminal Trespass: 7
- Disturbances/Disputes: 11
- Fire – Structure: 1
- Fraud: 1
- Funeral Escort: 0
- Harassment: 1
- Inquest: 1
- Livestock At Large: 16
- Motorist Assist: 8
- Noise Complaint: 1
- Reckless Driver: 7
- Shots Fired: 3
- Suspicious Activity: 31
- Theft: 7
- Terroristic Threat: 1
Sulphur Buff ISD Reports Additional Students Receive Positive COVID-19 Results
Sulphur Bluff ISD Superintendent Dustin Carr Thursday afternoon, Aug. 27 in a letter posted on the district website to the “Sulphur Bluff Bear Family,” reported district officials were notified Aug. 26 of additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 on campus, this time for a household. SBISD students in the household were reported to have last been present on our campus Friday, Aug. 21, and Monday morning, Aug. 24.
This follows the announcement on Monday of 1 student who tested positive; that student was last on campus on Aug. 21, according to the Aug. 24 release.
The district at that time contacted parents of any students who might have been considered to have close contact with the student who tested positive for COVID-19. All were asked to self-quarantine at home as a precaution.
Including additional students in the household that tested positive, the district has had three individuals from campus who have tested positive, according to the superintendent.
School officials have contacted any individuals determined to have been in close contact with those who tested positive; they are to remain off campus for up to 14 days to ensure they do not have the virus and reduce the chance of spread.
“We are taking a little bit more precautions to make sure we are covering all our bases. We went ahead and closed both of those classes, two classrooms,” Carr said.
That does not mean school is closing down, however, Carr said. Only the three who have tested positive and those identified as being in close contact, with them will be off campus engaging in asynchronous learning during the required incubation period in an attempt to reduce of COVID-19 the spread on campus, per CDC and TEA guidelines. The district is working in conjunction with the Local Health Authority nurse.
Students who have connectivity will work online on iPads and Chromebooks. The district has ordered some devices to help with that but they are on back order due to the high demand from schools. The district will work to get paperwork to students who are struggling with or have no connectivity and are unable to do the online work. Administrators or teachers will be touching base with those students to check on them and offer educational assistance where possible.
There are a few ways students can be counted as present and participating in class: turning in assignments online or if necessary snapping a photo of their photo and sending it to teachers on their phone or smart device, checking in with teachers, showing “curricular progress” in a learning management system.
“It’s stressful on the teachers, on the administration, for the parents. It’s definitely a new world,” said Carr. “It’s a learning curve for sure. We appreciate everyone being patient with us as we are making sure everyone is on the same page.”
At school, every precaution possible will be taken to help ensure the health safety of students and staff, Carr said, including continuing to use special sprayers, spraying a special disinfectant spray every other day, and staff cleaning multiple times a day. Custodial staff this evening are conducting additional cleaning and sanitizing to ensure all areas of instruction are safe for return of students, according to Carr.
While SBISD officials do not believe those who were not considered in ‘close contact’ with the infected individual have reason to be concerned, all are asked to continue to the safety practice in place this year of monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19, including self-screening each day before returning to school, as a precaution, according to Carr.
Students age 10 and up and adults will continue to wear masks, dividers are in use , social distancing and other guidelines will continue to be observed as school as well. While a few students have required reminders, most students have been very diligent in wearing their masks, particularly at the lower and middle grade levels, according to Carr.
“If kids are wearing masks and a COVID-19 case person wears a mask before diagnosis, it decreases the probability of getting the coronavirus. That wouldn’t necessarily be considered close contact,” Carr said.
School officials encourage anyone who does experience potential COVID-19 symptoms are asked to let school officials know and to contact heir physician.
Otherwise school is continuing as planned with most students enjoying being back at school interacting with friends and staff, participating in cross country, volleyball and junior high baseball while following the necessary precautions and UIL guidelines.
Fans this year will also be required to wear masks and will be required to sit every other row in the bleachers. At this time, game entry will remain the same as the gym typically does not exceed the 50 percent capacity during regular games. Other measures may be enacted during games which typically draw larger crowds, such as homecoming and playoffs, but not at this time, according to Carr.
3 Additional COVID-19 Cases Reported At Como-Pickton; Classes Continue On-Campus
Como-Pickton CISD Superintendent Greg Bower Thursday afternoon, in a letter posted to the district website Aug. 27, reported three additional high school students have tested positive for COVID-19, including one student who was already in quarantine. That’s a total of 4 students who have tested positive for COVID-19 since Como-Pickton started school.
The district reported being notified Sunday night, Aug. 23, that one high school student has tested positive for COVID-19. The student had not been in attendance at school since August 18. Parents of students who were believe to have been in ‘close contact’ with the student within the last several days of his attendance were notified. Those students were sent home for self-quarantine, Bower reported on Monday.
On Thursday afternoon, Bower reported that exposure to the three students the district was notified about earlier in the day was believed to be limited. However, per TEA and school protocols, officials began contacting parents of students they believe may have been in close contact with the students over the last several days of attendance upon notification. Those students’ parents have been notified and the students sent home for self-quarantine
He reminded that “close contact” which would require quarantine would include either of the following if it occurred during the infectious period of the case (2 days prior to symptom onset to 10 days after symptom onset or for asymptomatic individuals who are lab-confirmed with COVID-19, 2 days prior to test confirmation and 10 days after test confirmation):
- Being directly exposed to infectious secretions such as being coughed or sneezed on; or
- Being within 6 feet for a cumulative duration of 15 minutes; however, additional factors including/case/contact masking (both the infectious individual and the potentially close contact have been consistently and properly masked), ventilation, presence of dividers and case symptomology may affect this determination
Parents are reminded to continue daily self-screening of children for potential COVID-19 symptoms, and do not send them to school if they display any symptoms.
Any parents who thinks their child may have been exposed to COVID-19 can register online at GoGetTested.com to be tested at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center during the free testing offered every day except Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The CPCISD custodial and maintenance staff are preforming extensive cleaning and sanitizing of all areas of campus to provide as safe a place for students as possible.
Dr. Bower made it clear that classes will continue to be held on campus as scheduled.
“If at any time we feel it necessary to close school as a result of the number of cases that we may have out during a specific period, we will let our community know as soon as possible and transition to our online platforms for a couple of weeks before trying to transition back. We are far from that point,” Bower posted in the letter to the “Como-Pickton CISD Family.”
While other schools in the area may have closed for specific periods already, CPCISD has been fortunate so far in being able to avoid that, the superintendent stated.
“As you are well aware, it is a difficult time and we ask for your continued prayers as we try to navigate through the uncertainties of all of this,” Bower wrote.
Parents of CPCISD students may direct their comments to the campus principal by calling 903-488-3671.
Veteran Wildcats Team Tennis Coach Has Kept Players Fresh by Delaying Intrasquad Competition
The Wildcats Team Tennis squad first got together when The Edge conditioning, strength and skills sessions began back on June 8. You might think the team would be tired of playing each other over all these weeks, but they aren’t and Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez explains why. The veteran coach says when The Edge began he did not have the players competing against each other. Instead he kept them busy with drills. Just a couple of weeks ago, Coach Martinez finally had them begin to play each other head to head. He says the players were eager for the competition and he says they ate it up. Coach Martinez says this week and next week will be a time to determine seeding for his players based on head to head competition. Boys and girls will be seeded #1 through #6 and there will be doubles teams seeding #1 through #3. Then the Wildcats will be set for their first match. The Wildcats have their season opening match against Mount Pleasant at home on September 8 at 4 p.m. and it’s an important district match.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Paris Junior College Board of Regents Approves 2020-21 Budget
The Paris Junior College Board held a formal public hearing on the 2020-21 budget, receiving no public comment, prior to their regular meeting held Monday, August 24, 2020. During the meeting that followed, Regents approved the budget of $33,360,516, about $2.9 million less than the previous year’s budget.
“The pandemic has definitely affected us financially,” said Dr. Pam Anglin, PJC President; “it has had a negative impact on us.”
In other business, the Regents:
• Welcomed new PJC Controller Cody Helm to his first regents’ meeting.
• Approved a policy requiring a property deposit fee of zero. Procedures to collect damages for destruction of property from students continue to work without deposits.
• Proposed a 2021 tax rate of $0.089/$100 valuation, a slight increase over the current tax rate of $0.084/$100 valuation.
• Designated the Lamar County Tax Assessor Collector as the officer to calculate tax rate information required under the Texas tax code.
• Accepted the Certified Tax Rolls of $3.695 billion for property taxable by Paris Junior College, as presented by the Lamar County Chief Appraiser.
• Approved Dr. Pam Anglin and Controller Cody Helm as Investment Officers of the College.
• Accepted updates to college policies by the Texas Association of School Boards Updates 38 and 39.
• Set a tax rate hearing for September 14 at 11:30 a.m. The tax rate will be set at the regular Board of Regents meeting on September 28.
• Received a preliminary fall enrollment report showing contact hours down 29 percent from one year ago and 32 percent down from two years ago.
“What we’re seeing across the state is that greater numbers of this spring’s graduating class are not enrolling in higher education due to COVID-19,” said Dr. Anglin. “The data shows nationally that if a high school graduate does not enroll in college that first fall after graduating from high school it is very unlikely that they will ever go to college. This could have a long-term impact on our future workforce.”
• Learned more of the college’s COVID-19 practices that include requiring properly-worn face masks and social distancing of six feet on campus, pick-up meals available from the cafeteria, single instead of double room occupancy in the residence halls, installation of plexiglass shields and hand sanitizer stations, procurement of face shields and masks, and face masks with clear insets for instructors who have students with hearing disabilities. Those passed through the entry checkpoints will receive a paper wrist band daily.
• Accepted the employment of Associate Degree Nursing Instructors Lance Neill and Tamera Lewis, Criminal Justice Instructor Paul Guidry, and Controller Cody Helm.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Local AMBUS Deployed For Hurricane Laura
Before Hurricane Laura hit the coast early Thursday morning, the AMBUS stationed in Hopkins County had already gotten the call on Monday and headed to a staging area near Beaumont to be ready to assist. They first transported eleven patients from a rehabilitation hospital to San Antonio and spent the night in San Antonio. The next day they were involved in a “heavy strike” team that involved 4 busses, 5 ambulances and strike team leader. A total of 68 patients were moved out of a nursing home in Newton in one hour with 22 of the patients on the Hopkins County AMBUS being relocated to Henderson. Those 22 patients transported at one time is equivalent to eleven regular ambulance transfers.
The newest team member, Dixie, is a purpose trained support canine that puts both patients and first responders at ease during these tumultuous times. The Hopkins County team also includes 2 additional ambulances and a command vehicle and involves 12 total crew members.
The AMBUS is a state sponsored emergency response vehicle program. The vehicle which is housed in Hopkins County is owned by the State of Texas and deployed (along with 12 other busses around the state) when disasters strike. All Hopkins County personnel and expenses involved in the state responses are reimbursed by the State of Texas.
5 Of 6 Hopkins County School Districts Reporting COVID-19 Cases, Confirm Classes Still Being Held On Campus
While 5 of the 6 Hopkins County school districts have reported at least one positive case of COVID-19, all except 1 were confirmed to have classes are still being held on campus today, despite rumors to the contrary. Sulphur Springs ISD is also moving forward with plans for class to begin Sept. 1 on scheduled.
Como-Pickton CISD
Como-Pickton Superintendent Greg Bower said the district as of Thursday morning has had only one student who has tested positive for COVID-19. That students has been quarantined, along with any determined to have been in “close contact” with the student.
“We are still plugging along. Things are pretty smooth sailing for us,” Dr. Bower said. “We are excited to have the kids back.The teachers are doing really well with it. We are following all CDC guidelines, masks for 10 years and older for times when they are not able to social distance. It’s a change for everyone. Everybody gets their temperature checked. We have machines at the campus entrances to do that.”
School and activities continue as normal during this time of increased health safety measures. The girls have been playing volleyball and students and the boys are scheduled to play football Friday night.
“We are excited about the football game tomorrow night,” Bower said. “The stadium will be at 50 percent capacity as required for social distancing. There will be no full stadium, but it will be good to get back in the swing of it.”
This is the district’s third week of school, so students can expect progress reports to go out soon.
Cumby ISD
Cumby ISD also remained open for classes as of Thursday morning, Aug. 27. The district has had 2 high school students who have tested positive for COVID-19. Parents and community members can check the red “Updates on COVID-19 Cases” link at the bottom of the school website, www.cumbyisd.net, for the latest information regarding cases. The link includes a “case counter” that lists when a student or staff member has tested positive and when that individual is expected to return to school.
As soon as a person tests positive or is confirmed to have been exposed through close contact with someone who has COVID-19 per the school plan, the individual will be required to stay off the campus and asked to quarantine at home. That could mean that if students or staff were in close contact with the individual before being tested, those individuals would go into quarantine as well as a precaution against the spread of the virus..
As of Aug. 27, the district was confirmed to have 2 students who had tested positive for COVID-19.
Cumby ISD COVID-19 protocols went into effect The week of Aug. 10 after some students reported virus symptoms, then, one confirmed COVID-19 case was reported, according to school officials. School athletic activities and scrimmages were canceled until Aug. 24, but classes began on schedule Aug. 13.
The first student was reportedly positive on Aug. 7 and was to return to school Aug. 24. The second was positive on Aug. 20 and is expected to return to school Sept. 2. School continues as usual, with the added health safety precautions in place this year. Students will continue to be temperature checked up on entry to the building and all other health, safety precautions and guidelines are being followed.
Miller Grove ISD
As of Thursday morning, Miller Grove ISD Superintendent Steve Johnson reported the school is still in class as usual, with health safety measures in place.
The district reportedly had one student in quarantine, and has had student and one employee who have tested positive for COVID-19. The student reportedly became sick or exhibited signs over a weekend and switched to home learning, but had returned to school on Aug. 27. The school employee reportedly became sick away from school and is “just about finished with quarantine,” according to Johnson.
“We are fogging the building every day. As soon as we find out someone has it, they don’t come back in until they’ve done their time in quarantine. We wear masks, even the athletes during athletics,” said Johnson.
Classes seem to be going well, with social distancing observed and students ages 10 and up wearing masks. Food is brought to younger students. Older students are sent two grades at a time to the cafeteria for meals. Students have seating charts, and time was added to first period so that students have time to arrive at school and have breakfast brought to their class. Students sit 6 feet apart in class, including for meals.
North Hopkins ISD
North Hopkins ISD had not had any positive COVID-19 cases among students or staff as of Thursday morning, Aug. 27, according to Superintendent Dr. Darin Jolly.
In the event of a positive case, the district would follow the established guidelines, including notifying the Local Health Authority nurse so she can begin contact tracing, establish a timeline of where the student or staff member has been, and first onset of symptoms or date of positive result, then whether the people that individual was around was considered to be “in close contact” with the person with the positive result. The infected person and those considered exposed due to close contact would be in quarantine for 10-14 days.
While the district is well, thus far, health safety measures continue to be observed as a precaution.
“Everything is looking good. We are taking extreme measures for safety,” Dr. Jolly said.
After talking with teachers, the district ordered 40 more pieces of plexiglass, used on desks classroom desks and in settings where social distancing isn’t possible or in which students may be considered “high risk” or unable to wear masks due to health issues.
Also applied daily in classrooms, buses and areas where people are is a special treatment to better sanitize. They also will be applying weekly another treatment that is supposed to protect surfaces.
Monday, Aug. 6 has been designated as a school work day, to provide more training time for teachers to become more proficient with the cameras and other technology now used in their classrooms.
Saltillo ISD
Saltillo ISD confirmed the district so far has had only one student and one employee who have tested positive for COVID-19.
The district received notified on Aug. 12, that a district employee had tested positive for COVID-19. The employee who tested positive had last worked on the Saltillo ISD campus on Aug. 6. The employee did not have contact with students or non-district employees while on campus.The area in which the employee worked was deeply sanitized.
On Aug. 26, Saltillo ISD reported a student who was lab-confirmed on Aug. 26 to have a positive COVID-19 result was last on campus on Aug. 24. “The Local Health Authority has begun a case investigation and will contact any individual determined to be in close contact with the infected individual. All students and staff that came into close contact have been directly notified on Aug. 25. These individuals will remain off campus for up to 14 days to ensure they do not have the virus, so that there will not be any further spread,” Superintendent David Stickels noted in a released to “Saltillo ISD Family” ont he district website, www.saltilloisd.net.
According to school personnel, the student who tested positive and the rest of that grade level are in quarantine. However, those students are continuing their school work; they have switched to the district’s at-home learning plan.
Sulpur Bluff ISD
On Aug. 24, Sulphur Bluff ISD Superintendent Dustin Carr posted a letter notifying the “Sulphur Bluff Bear Family” that one student who had been on campus had tested positive for COVID-19. The district was notified Monday afternoon. The student was last reported to have been on campus on Friday, Aug. 21.
While the phone at the school was answered, all questions including whether or not the district is having classes at campuse were referred to the superintendent, who was not available Thursday. Messages left by KSST Radio for Carr had not been returned by noon. Thursday, Aug. 27.
Sulphur Springs ISD
Sulphur Springs ISD has measures in place and anticipates having students return to classes as scheduled on Sept. 1, with academic UIL speech and debate meets planned, band and football resuming activities as allowed. Officials are working on logistics of game seating, and way to help visitors to games follow required safety guidelines.
Staff are training no only on use of technology for the Virtual Academy and classroom use, but also for potential full digital learning, in case the district has to close due to COVID-19 or other reasons. All teachers would be ready to teach remotely should that become necessary.
Sulphur Springs ISD Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams Friday, Aug. 14, confirmed five district staff have tested positive for coronavirus since March. One staff member was on campus before finding out the individual had it earlier that week.
Williams said he is not aware of any more staff members testing positive for COVID-19 since that time. However, there have been instances in which staff members have potentially been exposed to COVID-19 from a family members. The district follows CDC and TEA guidelines regarding quarantine and return to work are being followed. The school nurse and Local Health Authority nurse are contacted and cases investigated.
In instances, in which staff or student exhibit COVID-19 symptoms that could be another illness, such as a stomach bug or summer sinuses, they would be sent home and symptoms evaluated to determine what kind of test would be appropriate for that individual. The area the individual was in would be cleaned, and if needed, detrmination of exposure assessed and appropriate people notified.
Williams said as far as he knows, only 1 district student has tested positive for COVID-19, but the student was not on campus involved in school activities. Students who may have potentially had exposure from a family member are also required to quarantine and follow required steps before returning to campus.
He encourages to prepare their students for school by loving and encouraging them, teaching them school is an important part of their future. He said parents can also help reaydy their students for classes by ensure they’ve had adequate rest, and a good meal to eat that morning if the student will not be eating a school, then “Love them out the door and love them back home.”
Parents should before school each day screen their children for symptoms on website, and potentially take the child’s temperature. Any child who exhibits potential symptoms of COVID-19 or illness should be kept at home. Parents are encouraged to call their campus nurse if their child has any symptoms, to help determine whether to keep their child at home or not.
“Our goal is to mitigate the spread of COVID 19, if we can. We needs parents’ help to do this,” Williams said.
Symptoms for COVID-19 include:
- Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees
- Loss of taste or smell
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Shaking or exaggerated shivering
- Significant muscle pain or ache
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
The district COVID-19 mitigation plan, including numbers for school nurses, can be found on the link on the main page of the district website, www.ssisd.net.
