Paris, North Lamar, Detroit ISDs have discontinued remote learning through the rest of the week because of technical issues due to rolling blackouts.
Although many area schools were off today for President's Day or for a teacher in-service day, some are planning to stay physically closed for the week due to the severe winter weather that's blanketed Texas in ice and snow.
State lawmakers had previously asked the Texas Education Agency to seek a federal waiver to cancel the standardized tests.
Covid-19 cases remain steady at Red River Valley schools while the number of cases reported in Lamar County surge with an additional 207 cases reported last week by the Paris/Lamar County Health District.
The number of students quarantined because of close contact at school with individuals testing positive for Covid-19 continues to climb.
Tomorrow is the last day to buy a “Pink Out” shirt in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month from the Cooper High School varsity cheer squad. The $15 shirts will be worn at Cooper’s Oct. 22 football game and all proceeds will be donated to a breast cancer charity.
Covid-19 infections continue at some Red River Valley schools while others remain free of the novel coronavirus.
With the exception of Clarksville ISD and Detroit ISD, all schools in the Red River Valley are reporting at least one confirmed Covid-19 case among students and/or staff members.
As of Thursday, every district in the region, with the exception of Clarksville and Detroit, has at least one staff member or student out with the novel coronavirus. As of press time, it was not clear whether Rivercrest had reported a confirmed case.
Starting Sept. 8, Texas education officials will require all school districts to fill out forms weekly reporting new cases, including whether the infections occurred on or off campus and if the campus closed as a result.
The state is facing “a severe drop in revenue” as lawmakers look to fund state programs already in place, State Rep. Gary VanDeaver said Tuesday during a visit with the Kiwanis Club of Paris. Education remains a priority, he said.
Cooper ISD started back to school today, with masks in place for educators.
Texas' low number of tests and large percentage of positive results suggest inadequacies in the state's public health surveillance effort at a time when school reopenings are certain to increase viral spread, health experts said.
Abbott’s decision to curb the role of local health authorities in school reopening decisions has added to the ongoing conflict between him and local governments during the pandemic, with mayors and judges voicing frustration over having their hands tied by the state’s response.
Abbott said local health authorities can't shut down in-person instruction before school has even started. He said an outbreak on campus once students have arrived could prompt a closure by health authorities.
The families of more than 20% of the 3.6 million eligible school children across the state have yet to apply for federal aid under the Pandemic EBT program.
“With currently low local case counts, as well as staff and parent input, Cooper ISD plans to begin school on Aug. 13,” Superintendent Denicia Hohenberger said. “We have two options for our students, according to parent choice: on-campus or remote learning..."
Paxton's guidance contradicts earlier information the Texas Education Agency gave school districts that said local health authorities had the power to delay or close schools to in-person instruction.
Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday that Texas students must take the state standardized test next spring, but fifth and eighth graders can graduate without passing it.
This summer found the Paris ISD Future Problem Solvers finding a new way to compete at the State and International level.
Facing backlash from educators, parents and public health officials, the Texas Education Agency is giving schools more time before they must resume teaching students in person, and allowing districts hard hit by the coronavirus to seek waivers.
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