EDGEWOOD INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
5358 W Commerce St. San Antonio, Texas 78237 Phone (210) 898-2000 Fax (210) 444-4602 [email protected] Dr. Eduardo Hernandez Focus on Student Success Superintendent of Schools Focus on Students, Families and Community Focus on Operational Excellence Focus on Employees & Organizational Improvement Focus on Financial Stewardship August 6, 2021
Edgewood ISD Students, Staff, Families and Community,
I hope you were able to get some much-needed rest over the course of the summer. Our summer break went by quickly and the last few weeks have been busy as we prepare for back-to-school. As a reminder, we will be ready to receive our students on the first day of school August 9, 2021. Our Gardendale Early Learning Program will be on a different calendar as they will begin classes August 16, 2021. More information on our academic calendars can be found at www.eisd.net .
As we prepare for the start of the 2021-2022 academic year, we are still encountering challenges from the COVID 19 pandemic. Many families, staff, and students have reached out with questions regarding the opening of schools for the upcoming academic year. As I often say, one of my main goals is to communicate early and often with our staff, families, students, and community so I’d like to share updates about our District.
Recent information indicates that about 85% of the EISD staff has been vaccinated and a significant number of our students, 12 and older, have also been vaccinated. While our staff vaccination rate is significantly higher than the Bexar County average of 63.4%, EISD will continue to work with our external partners to offer vaccines for staff, students and community members who are eligible. And although the Governor issued an executive order that prohibits Texas public schools from requiring the use of masks, EISD will encourage the use of face coverings for all students, staff, and visitors to our campuses.
With the start of school fast approaching, EISD will work diligently to continue to provide a safe learning environment for students and staff with the following guidelines:
• Handwashing and respiratory etiquette will continue to be taught and reinforced. • Daily cleaning and ventilation will continue along with additional sanitization. • Consistent and correct mask use will be strongly encouraged for all students and staff regardless of vaccination status. • We will maintain 3 feet of social distancing in classrooms to the extent possible. • Each campus has a registered nurse on site available to students. • Appointments will have to be scheduled to visit a campus. • Water fountains in our campuses will remain closed. Water bottle filling stations will be available, so students are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles. • Weekly COVID-19 testing will continue to be offered to EISD students and staff. • Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms such as loss of taste or smell, cough, difficulty breathing, headache, chills, muscle aches and pain, nausea, diarrhea, or fever over 100.0 degrees or more should stay home and refer to their health care provider for testing and care.
EDGEWOOD ISD Mission Statement Edgewood ISD provides an exceptional learning experience that engages, empowers, and prepares students to compete and reach their highest potential in an ever-changing World.
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I trust we can all work together and follow the safety protocols in place to help mitigate the spread of COVID 19 and ensure a successful school year. With state lawmakers failing to pass a bill that would allow districts to offer remote/virtual learning, it is even more imperative that we continue our safety protocols as we bring all of our students back for in-person learning.
Thank you for your continuous support of our district. I value your patience, commitment and flexibility demonstrated during these trying times. Please keep in mind that the information regarding COVID is continuously changing. You can stay informed by visiting the EISD website at www.eisd.net and all social platforms that include Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also reach out to your child’s campus should you have any additional questions.
Respectfully,
Dr. Eduardo Hernández Superintendent of Schools
EDGEWOOD ISD Mission Statement Edgewood ISD provides an exceptional learning experience that engages, empowers, and prepares students to compete and reach their highest potential in an ever-changing World.