To slow the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the community, all Dallas ISD schools will close indefinitely. This action follows advice from the Dallas County Health and Human Services department (DCHHS). We recognize the significant impact this extended closure will have on the entire community, especially families who depend on the district for critical services. While our classrooms are empty, our work on behalf of children continues. We have activated at-home learning, our teachers are prepared to begin distance instruction, and Dallas ISD Food and Child Nutrition Services (FCNS) will distribute meals at select campus locations. These sites…

The Dallas ISD Food and Child Nutrition Services Department is currently scheduled to offer free meals at 20 select campuses over Spring Break. The meals are available for all students through age 18 and special needs students regardless of age. Students can pick up the meals from the participating schools and then eat them off site. Morning snack will be served from 9 a.m.–9:30 a.m. and lunch will be served from 12:30–1 p.m. Go here to see the current Spring Break Meal sites.

As of 8:45 a.m. on March 13, Dallas County has eight presumptive coronavirus cases, none of which have a known connection to Dallas ISD. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins announced a declaration of local disaster for public health emergency late on March 12. As a precautionary measure, any Dallas ISD school with more than 500 students on March 13 will serve lunch in the classrooms to avoid large groups from gathering together. Schools with more than 500 students will also hold modified dismissal times so students leave the building in small groups. The overall dismissal time for the schools will…

While as of March 12 there are no reported coronavirus cases in Dallas ISD, the district has detailed plans in place to address the virus if the threat escalates. Dallas ISD officials today briefed trustees on the district’s coronavirus response plan that has been in development for several weeks. From deep cleaning and disinfecting all district facilities over spring break to a learning contingency plan if schools have to close after spring break, Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said the district has proactively prepared to respond to the coronavirus threat. “The (virus) is evolving. All of this is situational and we will…