Dear Northside families,

Before and during spring break, Northside ISD has continued to actively monitor developments regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) in conjunction with local and state public health officials and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

With the declaration of a public health emergency by the City of San Antonio regarding social distancing for groups larger than 500 and the alert from the World Health Organization designating COVID-19 as a pandemic, we understand that proactive measures are superior to reactive measures in terms of controlling the number of new cases.

Therefore, because of the rapidly evolving nature of this situation and out of an abundance of caution, Northside ISD is joining other San Antonio area districts to close schools the week of March 16 – 20 to help prevent exposure to students, staff and the community.

We do not make this decision lightly. I fully realize it presents significant difficulties to working parents who have young, school-aged children. But we are hopeful that these measures will better ensure the long-term health and safety of children, staff, and the larger community.

Additionally, all extracurricular activities, practices and athletic events are suspended while we are closed.

The district is finalizing logistics on distance learning options for students. More information and guidance will be made available on our website by the middle of next week. In addition, our Child Nutrition department will be announcing procedures for the distribution of food to address children's nutritional needs while school is out.

We will also take this week to further clean schools and buses and resupply custodial and nursing supplies.

At this time, we do not anticipate extending the school year in order to “make up” the days from this closure.

The coronavirus is thought to be spread via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person. As with controlling the spread of other viruses, we urge you to speak to your child about the following prevention measures:

Wash your hands regularly, especially after using the restroom and before preparing or consuming food. Using soap and hot water, wash for about 20 seconds. Be sure to also wash your fingertips.

Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, and then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your arm.

As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.

As a reminder if you have traveled during spring break, follow the CDC guidelines regarding the need for health monitoring and possible self-quarantine.

As you know, this is a rapidly-developing issue. We will remain in close communication with local and state health authorities and will provide updates to our community. Thank you for your support of Northside schools.

Dr. Brian Woods

Superintendent