Swine Flu: Texas School Updates

KXAN - Check here for the most recent updates on schools affected by swine flu. Email your updates to news36@kxan.com or add them in the comments section.

The Austin Independent School District opened a hotline for parent questions about school operations during the flu outbreak. The number is (512) 414-9967. Parents with medical questions can call AISD Health Services at (512) 324-0195 or the Texas Department of State Health Services (888) 777-5320.

Thursday May 7

• Lucy Read Pre-kindergarton school opens Thursday.
• Comal ISD resumes classes Thursday.
• Timmerman Elementary in Pflugerville goes back school Thursday.
• NYOS charter school in North Austin returns to class Thursday.
• Private school Kirby Hall is the only one waiting until Monday to resume classes.
• The University Interscholastic League reinstates all games and scholastic activities Thursday.

Wednesday May 6

• Effective immediately all Round Rock ISD field trips and extracurricular events may resume.

Tuesday May 5- Statement from Health and Human Services

• U.S. health officials are no longer recommending schools close because of swine flu.
• Lucy Read Pre-K School will reopen Thursday, May 7. The ban on out-of-district field trips is also lifted.
• Comal ISD has decided to reopen all schools and offices earlier than scheduled. Everything will reopen on Thursday, May 7 at the regular time.

Monday May 4- Closings, reopenings and statements

• Kirby Hall School and Regents School of Austin reopen Monday May 11.
• The West Oso Independent School District closed after a probable case of swine flu at Kennedy Elementary.
• The Liberty ISD in Liberty County is closed due to a probable swine flu case. If the case is not confirmed, the district reopens Wednesday.
• Timmerman Elementary will be closed Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6 in response to a possible case of North American H1N1 influenza (also known as swine flu). The District is taking this precautionary measure to ensure the heath and well being of Timmerman students and staff members. Classes will resume Thursday, May 7.
•   Leander ISD announced on Monday that a student at Bagdad Elementary School has been identified as being a probable case for H1N1 (swine) flu. The district, in conjunction with Williamson County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control, is keeping the school open. Custodial services will disinfect Bagdad as an additional precaution.

Friday, May 1- Closing and statements

• NYOS campuses will be closed from May 1, 2009 through May 11, 2009. All school-related activities both on and off campus are also cancelled during this time.
• Austin ISD suspended all out-of-district field trips for students effective Friday and continuing through May 11.

Thursday, April 30- Closings and statements

• Regents School of Austin said it is closing its campus Thursday and Friday as a precautionary measure due to the flu issue in our region. The school said it plans on resuming classes Monday May 4 until further notice. The campus will keep their phone line updated at (512) 899-8095, as well as online.
• Round Rock ISD canceled all extracurricular activities due to swine flu concerns until May 11. All school field trips scheduled between Thursday and May 9 have been postponed along with the Hispanic Heritage Event orginally scheduled for May 2. All out-of-district trips or event involving more than one campus scheduled after May 10 will be reviewed pending the swine flu status.
• Manor ISD has canceled all extracurricular activities including field trips and evening events until May 11.
• The University of Texas public information officer said that the university has sent samples from five individuals to ths tate lab for testing. Two have already come back and shown signs of seasonal flu. Results from the other three have not yet returned.

Wednesday, April 29- Closings and statements

• Austin ISD is closing the Lucy Read Pre-K Center at 2608 Rickcreek Road until May 11. They have discovered a probably case of swine flu. A letter was sent home with kids.
• Comal ISD and New Braunfels ISD have both closed all schools in their districts after a teacher from an alternative high school campus showed possible signs of the swine flu.
• The Schertz-Cibolo ISD near San Antonio closed all 14 schools, including a high school where three of the state's six confirmed cases of swine flu were found.
• An elementary school in suburban Dallas is closed. More information pending.
• Canyon Creek Elementary School in Richardson ISD has closed its door due to swine flu suspicions for a week.
• A charter school in Dallas is temporarily closed after learning one of its students probably had the infection.
• Fort Worth schools will be closed through May 8 at least.
• Rio Grande City CISD has closed its campuses
• Cleburne school district spokeswoman Lisa Magers says district officials have closed all 11 of its campuses for the rest of the week for disinfection. The district about 50 miles southwest of Dallas has a total enrollment of more than 6,600.
• Hays CISD remains open as of 11:57 a.m. No confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Hays CISD. Officials say they are monitoring "a couple of situations" in the district.

 

NO PENALTIES FOR SCHOOL CLOSINGS

Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott says school districts that decide to close because of swine flu should not worry -- they won't be penalized academically or financially.

He said Wednesday the state will offer waiver days for the missed school so districts won't have to hold makeup days during the summer.

Scott said the affected districts shouldn't worry about the TAKS testing taking place this week. He said the students will be tested when they return to school.
 

 

UIL SUSPENDS ALL COMPETITIONS UNTIL MAY 11

The move suspends the baseball season and eliminates the regional track championships, said University Interscholastic League Executive Director Charles Breithaupt . He said UIL officials acted on the recommendation of public health officials.

The state golf and tennis championships are scheduled to begin May 11.

The state track meet, one of the largest high school track-and-field competitions in the country, remains scheduled for May 14 through May 16, but it will require shuffling the schedule significantly.

All UIL academic competitions are postponed as well.