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In Runge, Texas, a school district is facing a significant challenge as it grapples with a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases among its students and staff members. This surge has prompted the district to make the difficult decision to temporarily close its schools in order to prioritize the safety and well-being of its educational community.
The superintendent of Runge Independent School District (ISD), Hector Dominguez Jr., conveyed this decision through a letter to parents and stakeholders on Monday. In his statement, he emphasized that the safety of students, staff, and the wider community remains the utmost priority for the district.
The school district had been monitoring its COVID-19 situation closely and had been updating its case numbers regularly on its official website. By August 21, the district had identified 10 active COVID-19 cases within its schools.
In response to the increasing number of cases and to prevent further spread, the district has opted not only to close its schools but also to cancel all extracurricular activities and practices during this period.
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The temporary closure of schools and the suspension of extracurricular activities are precautionary measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus within the school community and beyond. Such actions are in line with broader public health efforts to minimize close contacts and reduce opportunities for the virus to spread.
The closure period, which is scheduled from Tuesday, August 22 to Friday, August 25, gives the district time to assess the situation, conduct necessary cleaning and disinfection procedures, and potentially identify any additional cases that might arise. The superintendent has communicated that students and staff members can expect to return to the classroom on Tuesday, August 29, at 7:50 a.m.
Hector Dominguez Jr. also indicated that the district is in the process of developing a new instructional calendar, which will outline revised dates for instructional activities once schools reopen. This demonstrates the district’s flexibility and commitment to ensuring that students’ educational needs are met, even amid these challenging circumstances.
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Source: KSAT
