#5 DSISD extends campus closures to the end of school year
On April 17, the Dripping Springs ISD announced that it was extending its campus closures to the end of the 2019-2020 school year in accordance with the order given by Gov. Greg Abbott, which was issued the same day.
“This is not an easy announcement to make… However, [student] safety and well-being, as well as the safety and well-being of our staff and community, must be our highest priority,” Todd Washburn, DSISD Superintendent, said. “As we have been doing over the past three weeks, DSISD and all seven schools will continue our commitment to providing purposeful learning to all students via a remote platform. Our remote learning model continues to be refined based on feedback from our students, parents, and staff.”
The complete letter published on the school district’s website, dsisdtx.us, reads:
Dear DSISD Families,
On April 17, Governor Abbott issued an order to close schools statewide for the remainder of the 2019- 2020 school year to slow the spread of COVID-19. To fully support this state directive and help keep our community safe, Dripping Springs ISD will be extending our school closure/ remote learning format for the remainder of this school year.
This is not an easy announcement to make. We miss being with our students every day to provide a personal and caring touch to their learning. However, their safety and well-being, as well as the safety and well-being of our staff and community, must be our highest priority.
As we have been doing over the past three weeks, DSISD and all seven schools will continue our commitment to providing purposeful learning to all students via a remote platform. Our remote learning model continues to be refined based on feedback from our students, parents, and staff. We are committed to supporting your student(s) and partnering with you as we continue this journey.
Later today, I will be sending a message specifically to members of the DSHS Class of 2020 and their parents addressing some topics relevant to them. We have been brainstorming meaningful ways we can honor this group in these unusual circumstances. One example of this will begin tonight, and each Friday night for the remainder of the school year, we will be turning on our DSHS Tiger Stadium lights at 8:20 p.m. (20:20 military time) for 20 minutes as a public display of our appreciation, respect, and gratitude for the Class of 2020.
Thank you for partnering with us through this past month. We know that if we continue to work together to put our students first and practice CARE (Collaboration, Adaptability, Resilience, and Empathy) we will come out the other side stronger than ever. Please stay safe and well during our time apart.
Sincerely,
Todd Washburn
Superintendent
In a separate communication addressed to the Dripping Springs High School Class of 2020, Washburn expressed uncertainty as to whether a physical graduation ceremony would be possible.
“Our graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 is scheduled for Friday, May 29, at Dripping Springs High School Tiger Stadium from 8:00-10:00 p.m. The million-dollar question is: will we be able to graduate on this date? My truthful answer is, I do not know yet,” Washburn said. “The COVID-19 pandemic situation is still evolving… We want to assure you that we have and will continue to explore a variety of options for our high school graduation. We are collaborating with other school districts, and reflecting on college and university plans for graduation to identify potential solutions should the need arise. One potential solution would be moving the date of graduation to later in the summer. We are committed to doing everything within our scope and authority to find a way for our students, parents and community members to honor our seniors.”
For more information related to the coronavirus closure visit dsisdtx.us/coronavirus