EPISD pauses athletics, fine arts, academic competition travel because of COVID pandemic
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
El Paso Independent School District is pausing student travel for athletics, fine arts and academic competitions because of the COVID pandemic.
But travel for those "who have earned spots in playoffs or other post-season participation that is merit based may continue," District spokesperson Gustavo Reveles Acosta said Wednesday.
The EPISD school board voted 4-3 to approve a temporary face mask requirement at district campuses and facilities at a Jan. 18 meeting, allowing parents to opt out conditionally.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people with COVID quarantine for a minimum of five days and wear a mask while indoors for 10 days total from the first day of exposure.
Students or staff who test positive for the virus and return to EPISD campuses after five days in isolation with no symptoms will need to wear masks.
Asymptomatic COVID positive students and "high risk exposure" students — those who are at a higher risk of exposure to the virus — can opt out of the quarantine requirement, per EPISD COVID protocols.
Ysleta ISD is not yet restricting student travel.
"There are no changes to announce in regard to student travel at this time," a district statement read. "However, the district continues to monitor the situation closely, both locally and in the areas students travel. The safety and health of our students and staff remain our number one priority."
Socorro ISD did not confirm whether or not the district was planning to restrict student travel due to COVID on Wednesday. But district spokesperson Daniel Escobar said no changes have been made to the district's current COVID protocols.
For Socorro ISD, this is because Texas school districts cannot mandate students wear mask for the second five days of quarantine, according to the district's website.
SISD highly recommends face covering usage indoors in district facilities. Masks are required on SISD school buses.
Per YISD's COVID safety protocols webpage: "Anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask may do so."
As far as more rural El Paso area school districts, Canutillo ISD spokesperson Liza Rodriguez said Wednesday the district has not banned any student travel, "...and I am not aware of any discussions of this matter."
San Elizario ISD Superintendent Jeannie Meza-Chavez said the district is not restricting sports, fine arts and academic programs or non-essential student travel at this time.
"While traveling, students are encouraged to assist in keeping themselves and others safe with the support of PPE supplies," Meza-Chavez said.
Though the CDC reduced the recommended quarantine period for COVID positive people, EPISD, SISD and YISD continue to require a 10-day quarantine for students.
COVID case stats in El Paso's three biggest districts
El Paso ISD
Students: 1,293 active cases out of 50,000 plus students, as of Jan. 26.
Employees: 282 active cases out of 8,300 employees, as of Jan. 26.
EPISD's COVID case online dashboard: https://bit.ly/3rS4HPB
Socorro ISD
Students: 992 active cases out of 47,000 plus students, as of Jan. 17.
Employees: 488 active cases out of 7,000 plus employees, as of Jan. 24.
SISD's COVID case online dashboard: https://www.sisd.net/Page/69682
Ysleta ISD
Students: 313 active student cases, as of the fifth week of the spring 2022 semester.
Employees: 20 positive teacher cases and 27 staff cases as of the fifth week of the spring 2022 semester.
YISD's COVID case online dashboard: https://www.yisd.net/Page/15851
More: EPISD will temporarily require face masks in response to COVID-19 surge with option to opt out
More: El Paso university, college leaders don't plan major changes as omicron variant arrives
More: Canutillo ISD considers closing Davenport Elementary, consolidating it with Childress
Cristina Carreon may be reached at ccarreon@elpasotimes.com and @Cris_carreon90 on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: EPISD pauses student travel. Other El Paso school districts hold back.
