School activities on hold
San Jacinto News- Times - May 2009

COLDSPRING – Activities associated with the end of each school year were halted last week as the University Interscholastic League (UIL) altered events due to the outbreak of swine fl u. On Wednesday, April 28, all UIL interscholastic competition was suspended until Monday, May 11. “The health and safety of our students is of the utmost importance,” said Dr. Charles Breithaupt, UIL executive director. “Taking every possible precaution to prevent the further spreading of this disease is an important contribution to the welfare of our great state and altering the schedule of our events is a way to keep our participants safe.” In alignment with UIL guidelines, Shepherd Independent School District is canceling all out of district trips until May 11, with the exception of the senior trip, which is still planned as usual. Among activities cancelled were a State Academic and One Act Play Meet scheduled May 7 through May 9 in Austin, as well as all athletic games scheduled through May 11. According to SISD Director of Health Services Donna Turner, “There is a system in place to link schools with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). They provide us with information and direction as needed. We are in direct contact with them. As of April, 28, all cultures from our region of Texas, are negative for swine infl uenza.” Turner asked that parents continue to advise and require hand washing with their children as you have in the past. “If parents or community members have questions, tell them we are working with the CDC and DSHS at this time and will notify them if any changes that occur at the school district level. We will continue to monitor ill children and send them home with an elevated temperature,” she said. In an effort to protect students and community members, all school sponsored student activities, including fi eld trips that involve travel outside the district are suspended until May 11 in the Coldspring- Oakhurst Consolidated Independent School District. There was one exception and that was for the Coldspring- Oakhurst High School One Act Play performance scheduled Sunday at the Holocaust Museum in Houston. “All other scheduled UIL athletic and academic events, as well as out of district fi eld trips are on hold. We will work to keep you informed and provide you with any information we receive regarding the rescheduling of these events as soon as it becomes available,” said COCISD Superintendent LaTonya Goffney. “These events were suspended with the goal of creating social distancing. Since we know that close contact is required to spread this virus, you will see many directives, suggestions and measures that are focused on limiting large gatherings of people in the coming days. Of special concern are those gatherings that bring people from broad areas together,” Goffney said. COCISD Nurse Tammy Moore, director of health services, said, “If a member of your family should become sick with fl u like symptoms, call your healthcare provider or local emergency room and follow their direction. Symptoms of fl u are fever, headache, sore throat, body aches and possibly vomiting or diarrhea with this particular fl u virus. Children who are showing signs of illness should not be sent to school. Students can return two days after symptoms have disappeared and they are fever free.” Local school districts are encouraging students and parents to check their websites for any updates. San Jacinto County school websites can be found at the following addresses: • Coldspring: www.cocisd. org • Shepherd: www.shepherdisd. net