By Austin Lewter, Jimplecute
Jefferson ISD will return to 100 percent virtual learning for all students starting Friday, Dec. 4 due to increased cases of COVID-19 within the district.
According to a statement released late Wednesday by JISD superintendent Rob Barnwell, classes will remain virtual until Christmas break and the district anticipates a return to in-person learning on Jan. 6, 2021.
“Absences have become our biggest issue, and we are experiencing situations in which there are not enough substitutes to fill all the vacancies associated with those absences/cases, which have continually increased over the past several day… All students who participate in UIL or other extra-curricular activities will be contacted by coaches and/or sponsors in order to communicate information related to practices, games, and other events,” the statement read.
Barnwell confirmed Wednesday morning that all Jefferson Bulldog basketball games were cancelled this week due to a spike in student and staff quarantines.
“We are just nine and a half days away from Christmas break,” Barnwell said Wednesday morning alluding to the the possible decision that came later that evening. “We very well could finish it up virtually”
The statement went on to say, “JISD staff are prepared to assist students with remote instruction through the use of technology devices and hot-spots, as necessary. There may be specific situations or circumstances that requires the utilization of paper/hardcopy work-packets, as needed. Please communicate with your child’s teachers and/or administrators if you have questions or need help with anything. Our teachers and staff will continue reporting to work/campus to provide remote instruction for all of our students. We will be communicating specifics to you as necessary and details will be given to students tomorrow related to the delivery of instruction. Information will also be posted on the school’s website and Facebook pages as needed. Our teachers and staff will use Friday, Dec. 4 as a preparatory day for remote instruction to begin on Monday, Dec. 7.
The district also plans to provide meals to each student during the virtual school day.
“Those deliveries will be done by utilizing our normal bus routes and dropped off at the routine stops,”the statement reads. “Expect delivery times to be approximately two hours later than the normal (morning) pick-up times. We will also have food available for pick up here at school. “
Pickup times and locations are as follows:
- High School Campus: Parent Pick-up Line from 8-10:30 a.m.
- Elementary Campus: Front of the school near the flag pole from 8-10:30 a.m.
- Students/Parents from all campuses may pick up from either of these two sites.
To read the statement in it’s entirety, visit www.jimplecute.com
The increased concern at JISD contrasts with the consistent, and largely unchanging, case COVID case numbers being reported by the county.
According to a representative with the Marion County Judge’s office, as of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night, the Texas Department of State Health Services reports the following COVID-19 numbers for Marion County as the county does not have its own health department:
- 184 positive cases
- 16 fatalities
- 161 recoveries
- 7 active cases
These numbers mirror the most recent numbers reported by County Judge Leward LaFleur Saturday on Facebook.
Prior to that, the next most recent COVID Facebook update from Judge LeFleur came on Nov. 23 when he reported the following:
- 182 cases
- 15 fatalities
- 161 recoveries
- 6 active cases
The most recent press release concerning COVID was posted to the County’s website the same day— Nov. 23.
LeFleur did take to social media on Monday to share a personal story about his family being tested for COVID-19. His statement read as follows:
“I was recently informed that my family came into contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19.
“We took recommended precautions and then got tested in Marshall.
“Today I’m very happy to report we have tested negative for the Corona Virus.
“As a servant to the people, I feel that it is my duty to report these things to you! My family, like yours, has been affected by this pandemic and like you, we believe that knowledge gives us power over the unknown.
“As Americans and Texans we know what’s best when it comes to our own health choices, and we also respect the personal choices of our friends and neighbors.
“If anyone has any questions or is looking for a first hand account about how the testing process unfolds, I’m here to give you my first hand account. I want to thank our amazing front line heroes at Healthcare Express in Marshall and all the other frontline workers who put themselves at risk everyday!
“I ask your continued prayers for those in our community who are affected by COVID-19 and may God’s mercy shine upon them.”
No further updates have been received or posted by the county judge as of press time.
All of this comes on the heals of a White House recommendation released earlier this week that Texas leaders implement increased protocols to curtail the spread the virus.