TEA to release information on all schools
After reopening in early to mid-August, Como-Pickton CISD and Sulphur Bluff ISD notified parents and the community Monday of a positive COVID-19 case on each of their campuses with both reassuring that custodial staff is conducting extra sanitizing measures.
“The local health department has begun a case investigation and, along with our principals, will contact any individuals determined to be in close contact with the positive-tested student,” the letter from SBISD Super-intendent Dustin Carr read. “Those that were in close contact will remain off campus for up to 14 days to ensure they do not have the virus and reduce the chance of spread.”
The SBISD student has not been on campus since Friday after an Aug. 18 start. Questions and concerns can be directed to the campus number 903-945-2460.
For CPCISD, the district has already contacted parents of students who were believed to be in close contact with the COVID-19-positive student, and those students have been sent home for self-quarantine.
“We believe the exposure to be limited and that the rest of the our students are safe to remain at school,” the letter from CPCISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Bower read.
The student has not been on campus since Aug. 18, a little more than a week after CPCISD started school Aug. 10. Concerns can be directed to 903-488- 3671.
Both districts urged parents to self-screen children for COVID-19 symptoms, such as a fever of 100, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell, before sending them to school.
In a Aug. 20 call with superintendents, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath said the state will soon release information related to COVID-19 cases on public school campuses. According to the Texas Tribune, Morath was sparse on details, which he said would be released next week, and the state will report the total numbers each week.