Dear Kingsville ISD Family,
I know the closure of schools is not easy for many of you. Logistics and schedules are hard to navigate right now. We are in unprecedented territory, and developments as they relate to the coronavirus (COVID-19) are evolving daily.
Kleberg County as well as the City of Kingsville have imposed limits on public gatherings to no more than 50. This includes schools and universities. On behalf of Kleberg County, Judge Madrid has expressed that “they are very sensitive to the burden this places on KISD. However, we have to ensure the safety of our children during this very critical time”. Judge Madrid has also shared that they are at our disposal with any resources KISD may need.
I want to be as transparent as possible with you, and I want to make decisions that will give families as much time as possible to plan. Kingsville ISD will remain closed for both students and staff through Thursday, April 16th. Effectively, this will close campus operations through April 16th. KISD hopes to re-open on April 17th. Currently, there is a professional development day scheduled on Friday, April 17th and classes will resume Monday, April 20th. I realize there are many spring events that students look forward to. There are field trips, proms, etc. I am sorry to say that events scheduled within the time of our closure are canceled. As far as graduation ceremonies, a decision cannot be made yet. It’s too early to determine how important events may be modified in the event of a prolonged closure. I will continue to closely monitor developments regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and will make informed decisions based on guidance from local and state officials to include the CDC and local and state health agencies.
Professional staff will be working remotely. Teachers will continue to communicate with their classes via “Remind” and/or “ClassDoJo”. Plans are underway to develop both online lessons and instructional packets for those families who may not have devices or internet access. KISD will be providing instructional packets both in paper copies as well as digitally, beginning Monday, March 23rd. Digital copies of packets will be available at www.kingsvilleisd.com. Paper copies will be available during breakfast and lunch curbside service at the following locations:
• Gillett Intermediate School
• H.M. King High School
• Harvey Elementary School
• Kleberg Elementary School
• Memorial Middle School
Kingsville ISD will continue to provide free curbside breakfast and lunch to children ages 3 to 19, from Tuesday, March 17th through Friday, April 17th. Breakfast will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and lunch will be available from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. while supplies last daily. One meal per child will be available to children in the car.
In an abundance of caution to keep our community healthy, KISD asks individuals to stay in their vehicle while picking up to-go meals. Buildings will remain closed during the curbside service. For more information regarding breakfast and lunch, please call (361) 595-8678 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
While we cannot require students and families to stay in the Kingsville area, we strongly recommend doing so to help ensure a safe environment when schools reopen. I urge everyone to follow all CDC, Center for Disease Control guidelines to minimize the spread of contagious illnesses. The coronavirus is thought to be spread via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person.
My commitment to you is that when decisions are made, I will share them with you as quickly as I can. I know this is a time of extreme uncertainty, and I will try to ease your concerns with factual, up-to-date information. I will continue to provide official updates as needed on the KISD website www.kingsvilleisd.com and as wells as the District Facebook account at https://www.facebook.com/Kingsville-Independent-School-District.
Thank you for your support of our district, our schools, our students and our teachers and staff.
Sincerely,
Kamara Adams, Interim Superintendent
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