Sunday update: Port Arthur ISD has issued the following alert to parents of students at Memorial High and Career and Technology Education:
"On Saturday, December 12th, Memorial High School was notified that a student involved in an extracurricular activity tested positive for COVID-19. In order to mitigate the spread of the virus, Memorial High School and Career and Technology Education students and staff will close to in-person instruction and move to virtual instruction Monday, December 14th through Thursday, December 17th. The district will be closed December 18 through January 3, 2021 for holiday break and will reopen on Monday, January 4, 2021. All students are expected to continue their studies through the online portal.
"We have immediately implemented steps in our emergency response plan to minimize the impact, including sanitizing and disinfecting the school campus to keep all employees and students healthy and safe.
"We continue to encourage all to proceed with incorporating good hygiene and social distancing practices to minimize the risk of infection and to reduce the contraction of the virus by being intentional with their daily activities. Please monitor your health and contact your primary care physician if you develop any COVID-19 symptoms. We are vigilant with working with local and state health officials and investigating all reported or suspected cases of COVID-19 in our school community.
"We thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We will get through this together."
This announced closure means Port Arthur ISD will begin the week with three campuses moving online only.
Original story:
Students at Port Acres and Lucian Adams elementary schools in Port Arthur will move from in-person to online learning Monday due to cases of the coronavirus on campus, just days after Lincoln Middle School moved online for the same reason.
A letter to parents Saturday night said the district has implemented its coronavirus response protocols and will “transition to virtual learning for all students” through Thursday.
“While closed, the campus will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized,” the letter to parents said.
Students will have to complete their coursework online, and campus leadership will be available to assist parents and students.
The district will be close for the holidays Friday until Jan. 4, the start of the third nine-week instructional period. Students will return to the method of instruction chosen for the third nine-week grading period.
The Lincoln Middle campus will reopen on Tuesday.
The district’s tracker shows nine total cases for the district, but it has not been updated to reflect the most recent cases.
District officials did not immediately provide updated numbers.
