- Houston Independent School District
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
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The Houston Independent School District is closely monitoring COVID-19 pandemic and is in contact with the Centers for Disease Control, Texas Department of State Health Services and Houston Health Department to ensure all students and staff members are safe and updated with the latest information.
Communications
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The Houston Independent School District remains in regular contact with local, state and federal health officials for the latest information and will continue to provide updates to the HISD Community when warranted. The following communications have been shared with the district community, beginning with the most recent:
Superintendent Updates
Web Stories
Press Releases
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02/10/2021 Board to consider increased COVID-19 safety measures
02.11.21 Board Approves Amendment to help mitigate COVID .pdf 190 KB (Last Modified on Monday at 5:09 PM) -
02/11/21 North Houston Early College nominated for Blue Ribbon honor
02.11.21 North Houston Early College nominated for Blue Ribbon honor .pdf 182.15 KB (Last Modified on February 11, 2021) -
02/11/21 Board approves amendment to increase COVID safety
02.11.21 Board Approves Amendment to help mitigate COVID .pdf 190 KB (Last Modified on February 11, 2021) -
02/11/21 HISD Interim Superintendent surprises Principals of the Year
02.11.21 HISD Interim Superintendent surprises 2021 Principals of the Year .pdf 183.28 KB (Last Modified on February 11, 2021) -
02/09/21 49 HISD schools make Texas Honor Roll list
02.09.21 49 Houston ISD schools make Texas Honor Roll list.pdf 192.84 KB (Last Modified on February 9, 2021) -
02/05/21 Black History George Floyd tribute at Yates HS
02.05.21 Black History Month George Floyd tribute at Yates.pdf 215.96 KB (Last Modified on February 5, 2021) -
02/04/21 HISD Career Readiness Department to hold virtual events during Career & Technical Education
02.04.21 HISD Career Readiness holds virtual hiring event.pdf 191.94 KB (Last Modified on February 4, 2021) -
02/04/21 HISD to host public meeting on TX Academic Performance Report
02.04.21 HISD to host public meeting on Texas Academic Performance Report.pdf 188.31 KB (Last Modified on February 4, 2021) -
02/02/2021 New HISD Neighborhood Supersite Opening Saturday
02.02.21 New HISD Neighborhood Supersite opening this Saturday.pdf 207.33 KB (Last Modified on February 2, 2021) -
02/02/2021 HISD food pantries to score big with KHOU 11 telethon
02.02.21 HISD food pantries set to score big with KHOU 11 telethon.pdf 157.05 KB (Last Modified on February 2, 2021)
Callouts
Videos
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
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What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, Hubel Province China. It is being closely monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
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How is the virus spread? Is there a vaccine?
COVID-19 is spread between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet) through coughing and sneezing. The virus also may be transmitted by touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands. There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19.
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What can I do to prevent the spread of the virus?
- Wash hands with soap and water frequently for at least 20 seconds
- Use alcohol-based sanitizers when soap and water are not available
- Use disposable tissues when coughing and sneezing, and dispose of them carefully and promptly
- If tissues are not available, direct your cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm/sleeve
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Clean and disinfect “high-touch” objects and surfaces
- Stay home when you are sick, and remain home until you have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication
- Avoid close contact with anyone who has cold or flu-like symptoms
- Maintain healthy habits that support your immune system
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Where can I find the latest information and updates about the impact of COVID-19 on HISD?
For ongoing updates and information, visit HoustonISD.org/HealthAlerts.
HISD Enhanced Cleaning Procedures
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How are you keeping schools clean?
HISD is enhancing standard procedures for cleaning and disinfection of schools. In addition to routine cleaning, custodial crews are regularly disinfecting tables, chairs, desks, cabinets, door handles, restrooms, sinks, water fountains, and other frequently touched areas, as suggested by local and state health officials and the Texas Education Agency. Additionally, the district uses antimicrobial floor wax as standard practice.
HISD has contracted with two commercial cleaning companies to assist with deep cleaning and sanitization efforts, as needed. This includes fogging all rooms with CDC-recommended disinfectant and cleaning all air ducts, a common practice for potential cases of airborne viruses.
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Does HISD have enough supplies?
Custodial teams also are making sure all schools and buildings are properly stocked with needed supplies, including soap, paper towels, and toilet paper. Surplus supplies also have been ordered and are on-hand, should schools need to be quickly restocked.
Campus staff should continue to follow the standard procedure for re-ordering supplies, as needed. If a campus is completely out of supplies, the plant operator should contact his or her supervisor for an immediate delivery, which also is standard process.
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Why doesn’t my teacher or classroom have cleaning supplies?
All school cleaning is done by in-house and contract custodial crews. Any additional cleaning and disinfecting supplies for teachers to have on hand in their classrooms must be ordered at the campus level.
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Are HISD custodians trained?
HISD custodians and plant operators undergo extensive, ongoing training related to proper cleaning and sanitization. Like all HISD employees, they also must complete the district’s annual required online training for health-related issues.
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How is my bus being cleaned?
Daily bus sanitization is taking place. Custodial managers are training transportation staff on proper cleaning and sanitization methods, and custodial crews are providing bus cleaning assistance, as needed.
Campus visitation — Childcare, tutoring, student work programs, meetings
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Can I still visit a school?
Beginning Monday, March 23, 2020, and lasting through Friday, April 3, 2020, HISD will temporarily limit ALL campus visitors, including parents and volunteers. Parents will only be allowed on campus to pick up or drop off their child. If a parent meeting is scheduled, they will be required to complete check in and check out at the school office or campus clinic.
Afterschool childcare will remain open. Tutoring and Admission Review Dismissal (ARD) and Intervention Assistance Team (IAT) meetings also will continue as scheduled. However, participants will be subject to screening.
Note: All tutors, student teachers, substitutes, hourly lecturers, vendors, and contract employees must be screened by an HISD nurse before they will be allowed access to the campus. This includes mandatory temperature screenings, as well as questions regarding recent travel and health-related symptoms.
All other visitors, including employee organizations, will be allowed entry at the principal’s discretion. Screening will be required before access to the campus is granted. Teleconferencing is strongly encouraged during this time.
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Will this impact students involved in work-based learning opportunities?
HISD is in communication with business partners that provide our students work-based learning opportunities. HISD students who work off campus will continue to do so unless the worksite closes or cancels student participation.
COVID-19 Testing
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How and where to get tested for COVID-19
The HISD Health and Wellness Centers are now available for COVID-19 testing at no cost to employees. Visit here for more details.
BinaxNOW Rapid Testing available at all campuses, Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. Visit here for more details.
Various free COVID-19 testing sites are available across Houston. Call 832-393-4220 for access code and directions to nearest site. Visit the Houston Health Department website for more information.
Resources for employees
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Work for HISD? Visit the HISD Human Resources website to learn how you can apply for COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave. Also, find out how to request accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
MORE RESOURCES
Questions about COVID-19?
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Houston Health Department COVID-19 Call Center
Houstonians can call 832-393-4220
to speak to a member of the HHD staff.
Mon-Fri: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Resources
- “Why 6 Feet?” – Harris County Public Health (English)
- “Why 6 Feet?” – Harris County Public Health (Spanish)
- Mask Guidelines – Harris County Public Health (English)
- Mask Guidelines – Harris County Public Health (Spanish)
- Poster: Stop Spread of Germs (English)
- Poster: Stop Spread of Germs (Spanish)
- Toolkit for schools
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- HISD Health & Medical Services