2020-2021 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. We are aware of the positive cases of COVID-19 Walker County and surrounding area. Families are encouraged to visit the CDC website for more information and guidance regarding COVID-19.
COVID-19 Quick Links for Parents
NEW COVID-19 Positive Case Weekly Reporting
Cumulative Total Breakdown since 1st Day of School & Current ACTIVE Case Snapshot
Notification Protocol for Positive Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Case
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As outlined in the Hornet Return to School Plan for Fall 2020, parents of students and employees who are directly impacted by a positive lab-confirmed COVID-19 case will receive notification per protocol.
The notification protocol details can be found on page 23 of the plan and are highligted as follows:
• If a positive lab-confirmed case is identified for a school participant (student or employee), the District will identify and notify any individuals who had regular or close contact with the affected participant as soon as the district notification is received. This may include the entire class (students, teachers, and staff). These individuals will be required to quarantine before returning to in-person school.
• School Nurses will notify the local health department of any positive case(s). Huntsville ISD will work with Walker County Health Department for Contact Tracing for any individual with a positive COVID-19 test.
• For contact tracing, the District will assume that an individual is infectious two (2) days prior to showing symptoms or two (2) days prior to an asymptomatic positive COVID-19 test.
• Close contact is defined as within 6 feet for at least 10 minutes while not wearing a mask or face shield.
NOTE: If parents (or employees) do NOT receive a notification, then contact tracing did NOT identify your child (or you, if employee) as having regular or close contact to the affected individual.
You are welcome to contact your campus principal (principal or immediate supervisor, if employee), if you have individual concerns. Due to HIPPA & FERPA, understand they are very limited on what can be shared on case specifics but they will be glad to visit with you.
District Communication for Parents including Notifications re: COVID-19 & Return to School Plan
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*Please frequently check your parent/student school emails (SPAM/JUNK folder, too) and monitor the district website, teacher webpages and Google Classrooms for all updates and important school information.
To read District mass notifications sent to HISD parents/guardians this school year CLICK HERE.
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.
COVID Outreach Information for HISD Families
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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
Helpful 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
