Dear SAISD Staff:

We are continuing to closely monitor news around COVID-19 locally, and also across our state and nation. While there currently is no community spread among the general population in San Antonio, yesterday the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. This declaration indicates a level of worldwide spread for which we need to be prepared.  

As you may also have heard in the news, our city received more evacuees from a cruise ship off the coast of California. They were flown directly to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland under federally mandated quarantine, where they will remain for the entire quarantine period. According to Metro Health, none of the passengers are showing symptoms of the virus. Even so, their departure will also occur directly from Lackland to maintain the health and safety of San Antonio residents.

Our District already has been taking precautions to help prevent the spread of illness, and also making preparations in the event of any illness spreading in San Antonio.

This week, all SAISD campuses, buses, and administrative offices are being deep-cleaned with a hospital-grade germicidal solution. Our facilities and transportation teams have been working diligently to ensure all students and staff return from spring break to healthy environments.

Additionally, when school resumes on Monday, all students will receive instruction on the importance of healthy hand-washing habits, and principals will be asked to allow extra time for students to wash their hands throughout the day.

For those of you who have traveled over spring break to areas with known COVID-19 cases – both inside and outside of the country – we ask that you voluntarily self-identify and self-monitor for symptoms. For staff members, please notify Employee Benefits by calling (210) 554-8660. For families, we are requesting that they notify their child’s school nurse or other campus administration. More details will be provided on our website soon.

At this time, we anticipate continuing regular school instruction on Monday, March 16.

We understand that some local universities and colleges whose students and faculty travel are more likely to travel on school-sponsored trips during spring break are suspending in-class instruction temporarily. We will work with our early college high school students beginning next week to ensure they have devices to use from our schools to accommodate this change.

The decision to close schools is a serious one. For our families, school extends well beyond education to also include vital services related to nutrition and wellness.

This is a fluid situation, and we will continue to notify you with updates and guidance as we learn more.

Sincerely,
Pedro