- Huntsville Independent School District
- Student Health / School Wellness
- Communicable Diseases
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Updates & Information
2022-2023 School Year - COVID-19 Information

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Huntsville ISD continues to monitor the ongoing 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We work closely with the Walker County Health Authorities and follow the Communicable Disease Chart for Schools and Child-Care Centers from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Families are encouraged to visit the CDC website for more information and guidance regarding COVID-19.
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2022-2023 Public Health Guidance
August 1, 2022Executive Order GA-38 (GA-38), which has the effect of state law under Section 418.012 of the Texas Government Code, requires Texas public school systems to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic in compliance with the published guidance of the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This document constitutes TEA’s guidance under GA-38 and takes effect immediately, replacing all prior guidance.
Public school systems are to operate in compliance with existing state laws and regulations, including all executive orders issued by the governor of Texas in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that are currently in effect.
The following are examples of existing state laws and regulations applicable to the operations of Texas public school systems during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- If an individual who has been in a school is test-confirmed to have COVID-19, the school must notify its local health department, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations including confidentiality requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Per GA-38, school systems cannot require students or staff to wear a mask. GA-38 addresses government-mandated face coverings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- As provided in this Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Rule, school systems must exclude students from attending school in person who have or are suspected of having COVID-19, and must immediately notify parents if this is determined while on campus. As noted in the rule, exclusion shall continue until the conditions for re-entry are met:
- For children with symptoms, at least 5 days have passed since symptom onset, and fever free, and other symptoms have improved.
- Children who test positive for COVID-19 but do not have any symptoms must stay home until at least 5 days after the day they were tested.
- Parents must ensure they do not send a child to school on campus if the child has COVID-19 symptoms or is test-confirmed with COVID-19, until the conditions for re-entry are met. TEA recommends that public school systems consult with their local public health authorities and local legal counsel before making final decisions regarding implementation of the state requirements referenced by this guidance.
This guidance is subject to change as new information becomes available.
COVID-19 VACCINATION INFORMATION
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Texans Recovering Together Crisis Counseling Assistance & Training Program
Tri-County Outreach Program Flyer in English
Tri-County Outreach Program Flyer in Spanish
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Other Helpful COVID-19 Resources
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information/Updates
- Talking to Children About COVID-19
- Coronavirus.org
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- Walker County Office of Emergency Management
- City of Huntsville
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Tips for Families with English Language Learners
Access to Internet & Technology
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Free Public WiFi Access & Hornet Hotspots
The wireless network inside of our campuses & buildings reaches beyond our walls & is accessible outside.
Therefore, you can access HISD Public wireless network from outside any of our campuses or buildings.
Please maintain social distancing requirements by staying at least 6 ft apart & do not form a crowd. Best practices dictate that you stay in your vehicle during your visit. We hope to continue this service during the COVID-19 experience.
We reserve the right to ask people to disperse & will discontinue this service, if we feel it is jeopardizing the health & safety of others.
Additionally, many of our campuses have a designated external location with covered place to sit for the public to access the internet over a WiFi connection or "Hornet Hotspot."
Each of these designated areas has a posted sign that looks like the Hornet image shown below.
Hornet Hotspot Campus Locations:
- Gibbs PreK Center - picnic table at the back of the school
- Huntsville Elementary - awning in the back of the school
- Samuel W. Houston Elementary - awning by playground
- Scott Johnson Elementary - awning at the back of the school
- Stewart Elementary - courtyard
- Huntsville Intermediate - area outside of the library
- Technology Department - awning at the intersection of Avenue M and 7th Street
These HISD locations provide FREE public wireless where our access is broadcast OUTSIDE the buildings in designated areas. -
Internet Service Providers
Internet Providers in the Huntsville Texas area and their offerings: Please check these sites as the information is constantly changing.
Suddenlink:
Free Internet for 60 days. Click the link to view.
Suddenlink (also know as Altice)
Sprint info:
Sprint
Follows FCC Agreement, provides unlimited data to existing customers, and , starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.
T-Mobile Info:
https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/ongoing-updates-covid-19
Starting now - ALL current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers who have plans with data will have unlimited smartphone data for the next 60 days (excluding roaming).
AT&T Info:
Offers open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low income families.
AT&T
Verizon Info:
No special offers, but following the FCC agreement.
Verizon page
Providers that do not work in the Huntsville area:
Comcast
Spectrum
Remember all of our campuses have internet that bleeds beyond the building, so if you sit or park your car outside, you should be able to access the internet to do your homework. **Please remember the social distancing rule and stay 6 feet away from others.