HOUSTON – Thousands of students went back to the classroom this week following the winter break.
Students enrolled in the Houston Independent School District returned to the classroom Monday morning.
The district said it will continue to enforce its mask mandate at all district offices, facilities, campuses and school buses. HISD will also suspend all non-athletic field trips until further notice.
While some families are ready for kids to return to school after winter break, others are a bit more anxious as the omicron variant continues to spread.
“He’s a little boy. He cannot do online because he’s not going to learn a lot compared to when he’s in class,” said parent Antonio Morris.
Zemanay Wanda also has a child enrolled in HISD and said, ”It’s dangerous and it is spreading fast. A lot of people (are) getting it.”
Families with students at Fort Bend Independent School District have similar sentiments.
“We want to be vigilant. We want to get out of this COVID crisis,” said Brenda Stewart.
She and others waited at Progressive High School in Missouri City to get tested.
Fort Bend ISD opened the site to encourage families to get tested beforehand. The site will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
All Katy Independent School Districts will begin the spring semester at Stage 3 Modified Operations through Jan. 31. The district encourages face coverings when indoors and on school buses “to the extent, it is developmentally appropriate,” according to the district’s safe to return to school plan. The district no longer allows lunchroom visitors. Also, noting large indoor events will not be permitted during the school day.
Alief ISD Superintendent HD Chambers said to slow the spread, they are limiting visitors to campus, in-person activities that are not necessary, and large group settings.
Chambers said they will continue testing students, with parental approval, and staff members at LeRoy Crump Stadium located at 12321 High Star Dr. with rapid tests between 7 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. each day, while supplies last.
“We feel like we can get through the next week or so with the inventory we have, but we will need more if it’s needed for the rest of the month,” Chambers said.
Chambers said he’s ordered more, but as testing across the state grows, their supply diminishes.
“Our inventory is being used on a daily basis,” he added.
Conroe Independent School District raised its safety alert to Level 3. Under the response and mitigation effort, the district recommends mask-wearing, limiting the size of indoor gatherings, and recommends placing students in cohorts.
In a video, Dr. Curtis Null said the district will use IVP air cleaning systems.
“These units clean and kill, not only COVID-19, but all of the airborne viruses in our schools.”
Chambers said school leaders are working hard to safely keep students in the classroom.
“Just as a parent know the schools are doing everything that they can do, that they have been doing the last year and a half, to provide a safe place for your children to be educated,” Chambers said.
WATCH: More on COVID cases in Houston-area school districts
