Though the celebrations were anything but typical, the behind-the-mask smiles were plenty as La Porte ISD representatives on May 21 surprised the 2020-21 district and rookie teachers of the year with the announcement of their selection.
The La Porte High School Indoor Drumline knows a thing or two about perseverance. The group of marching percussionists on February 29 performed its way to a finalist spot in the Winter Guard International Houston Regional Contest at Klein Oak High School.
La Porte High School’s competition gym underwent a transformation of sorts on the morning of February 12 – from a basketball court to a career idea center.
The Gatorade Company on February 10 announced Ryan Schoppe of La Porte High School as its 2019-20 Gatorade Texas Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. Schoppe is the first Gatorade Texas Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year to be chosen from La Porte High School.
La Porte High School will compete in Districts 9-5A and 22-5A beginning the 2020-21 school year, according to realignment information released Monday morning by the University Interscholastic League.
Five La Porte Jr. High School students are set to compete at the Science & Engineering Fair of Houston on February 15, after winning over the judges at the annual campus science fair.
The scene at Heritage Elementary School on January 25 was reminiscent of any other normal day – hundreds of students, dozens of teachers and full parking lots ... Except January 25 was a Saturday.
Earn a free associate degree through La Porte ISD's Accelerated College Education Program.
Students receive free tuition and books at San Jacinto College as they complete their associate degree while at La Porte High School. Traditional dual credit classes are also offered for students who want to earn college credits while in high school.
National Blue Ribbon Schools
La Porte ISD is home to two campuses – Jennie Reid Elementary and Lomax Elementary – that have earned distinction as National Blue Ribbon Schools.
...from the cradle
La Porte ISD provides a nurturing environment for our youngest children, from six weeks through prekindergarten, at our Early Childhood Center. This tuition-based program is conveniently located at Heritage Elementary School.
Outstanding athletics programs
From athletic training to water polo, our athletics program has produced numerous standouts, including state and Olympics champions.
And the award goes to...
La Porte ISD's performing and visual arts programs consistently feature individual and group award-winners. Make plans to attend La Porte High School's annual musical, which is known statewide for its production value.
Online registration temporarily unavailable; New to-go meal schedule
June 2
Online enrollment is temporarily unavailable while we work with our outside (enrollment solutions) provider to resolve some technical issues. We apologize for the inconvenience and we are making every effort to get the enrollment module properly operational.
May 27
Did your child receive a laptop or hot spot from La Porte ISD? Due to the uncertainty of instruction for the coming school year, we are asking that families whose children will attend La Porte ISD in 2020-21 keep the technology just in case. The difficulties of returning and then re-assigning all of the gear could be disruptive for families and La Porte staff not to mention the possibility of transmission of the COVID virus.
May 22
2020 Commencement exercises are set for 7 p.m. on May 28 (The Academy at Viola DeWalt High School) and 7 p.m. on May 29 (La Porte High School). The broadcast is available at LPSportsNet's YouTube Channel.
May 21
Champions on June 1 will begin the Summer Camp Program. They are extremely grateful for the opportunity to provide childcare during this unusual time.
Spaces will be limited, so please act fast. Enrolment for Champions Summer Camp will be a little different this year. Families MUST submit a Champion's specific interest form, to help us understand the need specifically in the LPISD area and will allow us to plan according to our student headcount.
See below for details.
Step 1. Full-day Care Request: If you have more than one child, please fill out a different interest form for EVERY child.
Though the celebrations were anything but typical, the behind-the-mask smiles were plenty as La Porte ISD representatives on May 21 surprised the 2020-21 district and rookie teachers of the year with the announcement of their selection.
La Porte Elementary teacher Shannon Fanning and Lomax Jr. High teacher Faith Miller will represent the district as the Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year, respectively, for 2020-21. Bayshore Elementary teacher Yelitza Cienfuegos is the 2020-21 District Rookie Teacher of the Year.
The three superlatives received their honors in the form of small group celebrations at their home campuses under the guise of a required meeting. Traditionally, the teachers of the year are announced at the annual Service Awards Banquet in the presence of about 300 colleagues.
“We didn’t want the COVID-19 social distancing requirements to put a damper on celebrating our honoree, so we had to be creative with it,” said Dr. Kade Griffin, Lomax Jr. High School principal.
La Porte Elementary Principal Carol Williams and Bayshore Elementary Principal Donna Spaugh concurred.
The teachers received yard signs, flowers and balloons — not to mention some in-person fanfare from co-workers, campus, and district administrators. Additional celebrations will take place throughout the year, including being honored by the Board of Trustees.
A panel of community and industry volunteers selects the district honorees from among the campus teachers of the year. A district committee reviews nominations to determine the rookie award.
Fanning and Miller will represent La Porte ISD in the Region 4 Teacher of the Year program, from which the honorees qualify to be considered for Texas Teacher of the Year.
Rookie of the Year – Yelitza Cienfuegos
Cienfuegos is a first-year kindergarten teacher at Bayshore Elementary School. She is a 2018 graduate of the University of Houston-Clear Lake, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education.
Elementary Teacher of the Year – Shannon Fanning
Fanning is a 17-year veteran educator who has taught 12 years of her career in La Porte. She has been a GT instructor, and has also taught dual language, and – for the past eight years – fifth-grade science. Fanning holds an M.A. in Teaching Leadership from Grand Canyon University and a B.A. in Education from Regis University.
Secondary Teacher of the Year – Faith Miller
Faith Miller has taught in La Porte since she graduated from East Central University in 2015. She is an eighth-grade math and algebra teacher and is also the math instructional team lead on her campus. Miller holds a B.S. in Mathematics with a Math Education concentration.
2020-21 Campus Teachers of the Year
James H. Baker Sixth - Jeff Collier
Bayshore Elementary - Kelsey Smith
College Park Elementary - Lynnsey Jackson
DAEP - Gloria Solomon
Heritage Elementary - Kimberley West
Jennie Reid Elementary - Kelli Llewellyn
La Porte Elementary - Shannon Fanning
La Porte H.S. (core) - Sarah Kotasek
La Porte H.S. (non-core) - Adrian Wiltz
La Porte Jr. High - Amy Woodall
Lomax Elementary - Denise Pool
Lomax Jr. High - (Donna) Faith Miller
Rizzuto Elementary - Courtney Prewitt
The Academy of Viola DeWalt - Jessica Emmons
May 12
The La Porte ISD Board of Trustees on May 12 named Dr. Walter Jackson, Brenham ISD superintendent, as the lone finalist for the district’s superintendent of schools.
The Board selected Dr. Jackson after months of candidate reviews and interviews, and community focus groups led by search firm Thompson & Horton LLP. By law, the Board must wait 21 days – June 3 – before voting to hire the new superintendent.
He will succeed Superintendent Lloyd W. Graham, who announced his retirement in November.
“We had some big shoes to fill,” said Board President Lee Wallace, “and Dr. Jackson checked all of the boxes.”
Wallace said that trustees reviewed almost 40 applicants from across the country before narrowing the field to five candidates, and then to two.
“Walter is an excellent fit for the La Porte community,” said Kathy Green, who was Board president when the search began several months ago. “I have such high confidence in him, not only because of his credentials but also because of his personality.”
Dr. Jackson was born in Liberty, Texas, and has served in public education for 27 years, including as a teacher and principal. He has been at the helm in Brenham for five years and was named Region 6 Superintendent of the Year in 2019.
“It is my and my family’s pleasure and honor to be coming to La Porte,” Dr. Jackson said. “I look forward to working with everyone there, meeting with students and staff, and continuing the level of excellence that Mr. Graham and the La Porte administration established.”
Dr. Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas Southern University. He also holds a master’s from Prairie View A&M University and a doctorate in education from Baylor University.
In addition to serving on the state board for the Texas Association of School Boards Risk Management Fund, he is also a member of the UIL Legislative Council and the Texas Association of School Administrators Executive Board.
“While Dr. Jackson and I are but professional acquaintances, he is known amongst his peers as a child and family-centered professional gentleman,” Superintendent Graham said. “I would be hard-pressed to imagine someone better suited for La Porte and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
Dr. Jackson and his wife Tanya are the parents of son Braelin, a sophomore at Texas College, and daughter Bailey, a high school freshman.
“We are really excited about our move to La Porte, and we can’t wait to become a part of Bulldog Nation,” he said.
First, thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these difficult circumstances. We know that this has been a disappointing and stressful experience for all of you. Please be assured that we are working to provide a safe and memorable experience for our graduates.
Governor Abbott this week announced revised guidance for high school graduations. We have evaluated his options and, based on the governor’s guidance, the LPHS graduation plan will be as follows:
We will continue with our current plan for a hybrid ceremony. However, we will now be allowing a limited number of guests to accompany students to the filming. This will require social distancing measures, strict limitations on the numbers of individuals in the facility at any one time, and medical screening of all guests. Complete plans for this process will be forthcoming. We will leave the tentative July 18 in-person ceremony date in place, with the hope that conditions improve, allowing the lifting of restrictions. However, please understand that conditions at that time may cause us to adjust — or possibly cancel— the ceremony, pending word from federal, state, county and city governments at that time.
In reaching this decision, we considered the following regarding each of the options presented by the Texas Education Agency (TEA):
Option 1: Virtual Ceremony - We believe our current plan of a hybrid ceremony to be preferred over a virtual ceremony.
Option 2: Hybrid Ceremony - The video ceremony that we have been planning would be considered a hybrid ceremony. We have a plan in place that can be implemented while still observing social distancing practices to keep all participants safe. We also believe that we can now allow parents to observe their students crossing the stage. District personnel will be producing a video of this ceremony to be aired on the night of our originally scheduled graduation.
Option 3: Vehicle Ceremony- We believe that the layout and size of our facilities prevents this from being a viable option for LPHS.
Option 4: Outdoor, In-Person Ceremony - The restrictions set forth by the TEA make this option difficult for LPHS. Logistical issues would be numerous due to requirements for social distancing of students and guests both inside and outside the stadium and medical screening all individuals at entrances. Additionally, the number of guests per graduate would be significantly limited.
We believe that we have developed a plan that will allow us to honor our graduates while keeping both graduates and guests safe. I hope that the addition of guests at our filming will help to make the ceremony a more memorable experience for graduates and parents alike.
Sincerely,
Carlin Grammer, La Porte High School principal
Candace Pohl, The Academy of Viola DeWalt High School principal
April 30
Native Texan, Oscar winner surprises La Porte ISD staff during online meeting
It’s not often that a school staff meeting features an address from an Oscar winner.
But that is exactly what happened Thursday morning, when more than 900 La Porte ISD employees — meeting online — received a surprise drop-in visit from Matthew McConaughey.
“I’m a public school son. My mom taught in public schools for thirty-something years,” the actor, 50, told the group. “What a valuable occupation y’all have. What you do as an educator … that’s never going to go out of style.”
Online meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic are widely becoming the new norm. In the public education sector, those virtual gatherings are needed more often than not. It is also safe to say that most of those meetings aren’t quite as exciting as the one La Porte ISD held Thursday.
“That was amazing. It made my day and put a smile on my face,” said Misti Prock, RN, College Park Elementary School’s nurse. “What a kind man to give his time to talk to us.”
McConaughey, also a University of Texas professor, said he shared teachers’ concern about maintaining contact with students during these times, and encouraged the La Porte ISD staff to remain steadfast in their efforts.
“Let’s all remember that we are going to get out of this. It’s going to pass, and we’ll be looking at this situation of our lives in the rearview mirror … and our students will as well,” McConaughey said.
“Keep your head up. We’ll get out of this on the other side, because that’s just what we’re gonna do.”
Congratulations to the 2020-21 Campus Teachers of the Year. These honorees were selected by their peers and will be considered for the District Teacher of the Year honor in the coming weeks.
2020-21 Campus Teachers of the Year:
James H. Baker Sixth - Jeff Collier
Bayshore Elementary - Kelsey Smith
College Park Elementary - Lynnsey Jackson
DAEP - Gloria Solomon
Heritage Elementary - Kimberley West
Jennie Reid Elementary - Kelli Llewellyn
La Porte Elementary - Shannon Fanning
La Porte H.S. (core) - Sarah Kotasek
La Porte H.S. (non-core) - Adrian Wiltz
La Porte Jr. High - Amy Woodall
Lomax Elementary - Denise Pool
Lomax Jr. High - (Donna) Faith Miller
Rizzuto Elementary - Courtney Prewitt
The Academy of Viola DeWalt - Jessica Emmons
April 22, 2020
Dear La Porte ISD Students, Parents and Community,
The end of a student’s senior year is traditionally one filled with excitement as well as anxiety as they prepare for the next stage of their lives. We absolutely understand your disappointment and frustration with the uncertainty that lies with COVID-19 and those cherished senior events that mark the end of one stage and the beginning of another.
Our circumstances have required us to not only plan a video graduation ceremony that complies with local and state orders, but also to plan traditional commencement exercises for 8 p.m. on July 17 and 18, for The Academy of Viola DeWalt High School and La Porte High School, respectively. The traditional ceremonies would, of course, be contingent upon circumstances and any local orders at that time.
All along, the purpose of the planned video graduation has been to honor our students while complying with local and state orders as they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic. After much discussion and consultation with local and state governmental agencies, the district has determined that the best way to ensure our seniors a graduation ceremony would be to create a graduation video. Our hope is that our graduates can watch the ceremony with their loved ones.
We absolutely understand that this is not an ideal situation.
As explained in the Texas Education Agency commissioner’s April 21 statewide call, traditional graduation ceremonies are currently prohibited. He also cautioned that the ability to gather and do traditional graduations in the future remains conditional at best. Through the district’s lawyers and those at TEA, our video plan was explained in detail and approved. This allows us to bring small groups of students to school to complete this project.
In the last few days, many of you have reached out to the district to express concern, and we are appreciative. It is important to understand that there are those who have expressed their favor of a later ceremony, while some people have expressed concerns about a later date because their student might not be able to attend due to military, college, or professional obligations. To that end, this makes the video production all that more important to us. And frankly, as the commissioner noted in our call, no one can guarantee that a traditional graduation could occur.
The last thing the district desires for our senior class — a group that we greatly admire — is to make any of them feel slighted or minimize their accomplishments. We would hope the video graduation project to further validate and memorialize their accomplishments. These students have experienced a multitude of challenges, beginning with Hurricane Ike. Their academic career has included challenges brought on by Harvey, the ITC fire, and now the COVID-19 pandemic. Our seniors continue to exhibit perseverance and determination as they complete their academic experience at La Porte ISD.
It is our hope that you all will remain safe and well.
Respectfully,
Carlin Grammer
La Porte High School Principal
Candace Pohl
The Academy of Viola DeWalt High School Principal
Lloyd W. Graham
Superintendent of Schools
April 21, 2020
We've posted a go-to page for La Porte ISD seniors with useful information. Please bookmark it, because it will be updated regularly. Access it here.
April 20, 2020
2020 Graduation
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent closure of school facilities, this year’s ceremonies for La Porte High School and The Academy of Viola DeWalt High School will be recorded in advance and broadcast on May 28 and 29, respectively.
Candidates for graduation will report to the LPISD Bulldog Centre at a time to be scheduled later, where they will be able to walk the stage and receive their diplomas.
While this is a departure from our traditional ceremony, we are excited to be able to recognize our graduates and their outstanding accomplishments. Candidates for graduation will be contacted in the coming days regarding details for the event.
La Porte High School Prom
Unfortunately, the 2020 prom is canceled.
More information regarding other events will be posted in the days to come.
April 17, 2020
Dear La Porte ISD Stakeholders:
Per Governor Greg Abbott during his press conference this afternoon, all La Porte ISD campuses and offices will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. We will, however, continue our Educational Outreach Learning for the duration of the school year. Our meals-to-go program will continue throughout the summer.
We are proud of our graduating classes from La Porte High School and The Academy of Viola DeWalt High School and are committed to acknowledging this significant achievement with graduation ceremonies appropriate to our circumstances. While it is uncertain at this moment as to how — or when — we will celebrate this milestone, we are diligently exploring all options and expect to have an announcement by Tuesday afternoon.
While we work together to complete our academic year virtually, we are also constructing a plan for summer school, for those who need it, and are working on a plan to begin the 2020-21 school year. We will make those announcements as warranted, and we encourage you to remain in contact with your campus and our district through the website and social media channels.
Throughout these unprecedented times, the La Porte ISD family has worked tirelessly to help ensure that our children remain fed — nutritionally, educationally and emotionally. We are eternally grateful to our employees, who help us with our efforts, and we truly appreciate the support of our community. This is not the first time the La Porte ISD community has experienced an unforeseen natural disaster. And though, unlike a hurricane, we cannot yet see a clear end to this crisis, I do know that we will get through it together.
Respectfully,
Lloyd W. Graham
Superintendent of Schools
April 15, 2020
La Porte ISD is very sensitive to the needs of our community in these difficult times. We understand that our Educational Outreach Learning program presents new challenges for students, and we have adjusted our grading policy to better meet the needs of our students. You may view the adjusted grading policy here.
April 8, 2020
Parents and Staff:
La Porte ISD has been notified that a staff member who works at La Porte Jr. High School has had direct exposure to an individual with a suspected case of COVID-19. Everyone who was present at the time has been ordered to self-quarantine for two weeks. Additionally, access to all campuses is prohibited until further notice.
La Porte Jr. High School has been deeply sanitized since we received information about the employees’ potential exposure. Though schools and offices have been closed since March 7, all La Porte ISD employees and students are instructed to continue to follow CDC guidelines and recommendations and to practice social distancing.
Based on the information that we have gathered, it has been determined that the end of the 14-day incubation period for anyone possibly exposed on campus to the staff member is April 16.
La Porte ISD is continuing to monitor this situation and will provide additional information as needed.
Respectfully,
Lloyd W. Graham
Superintendent of Schools
The schools serving grab-and go meals will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday. Extra meals will be provided at the Thursday meal pick-up to enjoy during the holiday break. Grab-and-go meals will resume on Tuesday, April 14 at 11:00 am.
If your child needs a computer or internet access to participate in our Educational Outreach Learning program, please call 281-604-7070
Beginning Monday, April 6 children do not have to be present for parents to pick up meals. But, for each meal picked up, any of the following must be shown daily:
Student ID card
Student report card
Attendance record from parent portal of the school website
Birth certificate
An official letter or email from the school listing the enrolled child
Packaged meals include lunch and breakfast for the following day, and are available drive-thru style weekdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the following locations:
James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus (Enter the campus from Underwood.)
College Park Elementary School (Enter the campus from Luella.)
La Porte High School (Enter the senior parking lot from Fairmont.)
April 2, 2020
Dear La Porte ISD Parents and Staff,
La Porte ISD has been notified that a female professional faculty member in the age range of 30-39 who works at College Park Elementary tested positive for COVID-19 on April 1. She was not feeling well on March 4 and decided to go to the doctor. At that time, the doctor was unable to diagnose for a particular illness. She returned to work a routine schedule on March 5 and 6.
College Park Elementary has been deeply sanitized and all schools and offices have been closed since March 6, 2020, which was the last school day prior to spring break. All La Porte ISD employees and students are instructed to continue to follow CDC guidelines and recommendations and to practice social distancing.
Based on the information that we have gathered, it has been determined that the end of the 14-day incubation period for anyone possibly exposed on campus to the employee is
March 20, 2020.
La Porte ISD is continuing to monitor this situation and will provide additional information as needed. We hope for a successful recovery for our La Porte ISD staff member.
Respectfully,
Lloyd W. Graham
Superintendent of Schools
La Porte ISD
March 31
Texas Governor, the Honorable Greg Abbott, this afternoon issued an essential services order that directly affects the operations of La Porte ISD through at least May 4 of this year.
While it remains uncertain as to when any school district will be able to re-open and resume normal operations, there is no doubt that we will remain closed through the month of April. While we retain hope we will not rely on it.
During the week of April 27, La Porte ISD will assess the data and the situation as they exist at that time and render a decision as to the balance of the school year — unless some other local, county, or state official effectively removes the decision from our hands.
Until such time as we might reopen, we will continue to maintain and refine our educational outreach learning program. We will also continue to serve to-go meals – breakfast and lunch – at our designated campuses.
As we have since the beginning of this situation, La Porte ISD will continue to communicate situational updates, as they become necessary. Be assured that we are committed to providing services to all children, and we wish you well.
March 26
To-go meals soon to be available without children present
La Porte ISD will continue to provide free to-go breakfast and lunch to every student 18 and younger, and we anticipate that — soon — children will not have to be present in the vehicle to receive meals.
The USDA announced on March 26 that children would no longer have to be present, and we await clear instructions from the Texas Department of Agriculture, which regulates our operations.
We are glad to serve you and we look forward to making to-go meals more convenient for you in the near future.
March 25 began the soft roll-out of our Educational Outreach Learning program, where our children can study, work with their teachers, and complete assignments from home. If you need instructions on logging in, please see them below. If your child does not yet have a technology device or internet access, please know that our Technology Department is working diligently to have those available over the next few days. — Either way, our teachers are being flexible during the roll-out of this program, and your child will not be penalized for turning in a late assignment.
To access the program first, go to lpisd.org and find your campus website under the SCHOOLS tab at the top of the page — then click on your child’s school.
Once you’re on the school website, click on the Education Outreach tab in the upper right corner. That’s it.
You’ll see assignments listed by grade level on elementary sites, and by subject and teacher on all other sites. — Note that if you’re using a portable device, you might have to access the page through the three horizontal lines that indicate a menu on mobile browsers.
If you have questions about your assignment, please contact your teacher directly. For technical support, please call 281-604-7070.
We understand how challenging this will be and we are asking for your patience. We want to assure you that we are committed to providing services to all children. We look forward to serving your children and we wish you well.
If your child needs a computer or internet access to participate, please take our survey here.
La Porte ISD will offer virtual (online) instruction for all students beginning Wednesday, March 25, as we strive to continue our educational mission. As you know, we modified our operations after Spring Break to help flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many staff members, since then, have worked tirelessly to build an effective on-line system of instruction, and to ensure that it is accessible to everyone.
How will Educational Outreach Learning work?
Weekly lesson plans will be posted on each campus website. Parents and students will find a new tab on the campus website labeled Educational Outreach. Under that tab, parents and students will select the student(s) grade level and/or subject areas to access the lesson plans.
What if I need a computer? Or internet access?
If your child(ren) needs a computer and other means to access our Educational Outreach Learning program, please fill out this survey at your very earliest convenience. Someone will then be in touch with you to arrange for pickup of all necessary equipment.
And finally, a few words from Superintendent Lloyd W. Graham As we all undertake this endeavor and those things that may yet come, I am reminded of FDR as he set out in the face of the Great Depression, “It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.” We are all trying and no doubt we will not be inerrant, but as always we will err on behalf of the child and on the side of safety.
Please follow us on Twitter @lpisd or visit lpisd.org for the latest La Porte ISD information.
March 20
Beginning Monday, March 23, the Nutrition Department will be handing out lunch and the next day’s breakfast during lunch pick up, 11 a.m. – 12:30 pm.
The district will continue to provide free meals at La Porte High School, James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus, and College Park Elementary School through April 10.
Our Instructional Technology Center, at 9832 Spencer Highway, is serving as the pick-up point for electronic devices to be used by students during our COVID-19 educational outreach. This will take place — by appointment only — until every child's technology needs are met.
If you've not already, please fill out the educational outreach survey in the section below.
What will happen next...
La Porte ISD will prepare a device for your student.
You'll be contacted with an appointment time to pick up the device.
As we are doing with our breakfast/lunch program, devices will be distributed outside of the building; we are setting pickup times to help us avoid congregating.
We at La Porte ISD are doing our part in the nationwide efforts to lessen the spread of COVID-19. Nonetheless, we are still here to serve our children. We need your help in our efforts to develop an educational outreach plan. Thank you for completing this survey, your response is critical.
La Porte ISD to suspend normal operations through at least April 10
La Porte ISD Superintendent Lloyd W. Graham has announced that La Porte ISD will extend the suspension of normal district operations through at least Friday, April 10 in an effort to support the nation’s need to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. A decision to resume normal operations thereafter will be made during the week of April 6.
The Houston area continues to see an increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and health officials report that this number is expected to continue to increase as more testing is made available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has outlined the need for all communities to implement a social distancing protocol. The president has publicly shared that the community should not gather in groups larger than 10 people. La Porte ISD will remain flexible as leaders plan for long-term delivery of instruction and continue to navigate the many details of this unprecedented situation.
Parents, please expect a call from your campus principal tomorrow morning regarding an important survey. Meanwhile, please continue to monitor your email, and visit lpisd.org and social media channels for more information on our continuing nutrition program and our pending plans to deliver instruction. The health of La Porte ISD students, staff and community is the district’s top priority and district leaders are working to ensure the community has the most current information available.
March 16
The La Porte ISD business office will remain closed through Tuesday, March 24, after which there will be a modified resumption of activities through at least April 10.
March 16
La Porte ISD will offer to-go breakfast and lunch at no cost during the week of March 16 for all children who are 18 years and younger.
In light of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the packaged meals will be handed out drive-thru style at:
James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus (Enter the campus from Underwood.)
College Park Elementary School (Enter the campus from Luella.)
La Porte High School (Enter the senior parking lot from Fairmont.)
Please note:
Because of state regulations, we can only provide meals to children who are present (in the vehicle).
In the interest of everyone’s health and safety, and staying with CDC recommendations, no one — other than La Porte ISD Nutrition Dept. employees — will be permitted to gather or eat on the premises. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to serving you.
Given the heightened state of concern and the degree of unknowns surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, coupled with the travel traditionally associated with Spring Break and the further uncertainty that causes, La Porte ISD is keeping with its longstanding tradition of erring on the side of caution.
La Porte ISD is canceling school for the week of March 16. This also includes all extracurricular and co-curricular activities — to include all UIL athletics events — beginning Friday, March 13.
A decision about the resumption of classes for the week of March 23 will be made and communicated no later than the close of business on Thursday, March 19. As we have since the beginning of this situation, La Porte ISD will continue to communicate situational updates, as they become necessary.
COVID-19 coronavirus update: March 11
As we anticipate our students’ return from Spring Break travel and look forward to hearing about their experiences, our minds are also on their health, considering news regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Two La Porte ISD employees reported a possible third-party exposure during a Spring Break trip to Washington, D.C. this week after briefly visiting with someone who had handled some paperwork of a co-worker with an unconfirmed case of the virus. The person who handled the paperwork opted to self-quarantine and subsequently reported the situation to those he visited earlier. Please know that this person was exercising caution and, Harris County Public Health has determined that a possible third-party exposure to COVID-19 coronavirus by some La Porte ISD staff members to be low risk, with no further action required.
In an abundance of caution and in light of the fast-moving COVID-19 pandemic, all non-UIL activities and campus-related activities that involve outside visitors are canceled for the two weeks following Spring Break. This includes the Top 100 Academic Achievers event scheduled for March 18. These are proactive steps to help ensure the health and safety of students and staff.
La Porte ISD officials have maintained close contact with local, state, and federal officials regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, including participation in numerous conference calls with experts. The district will additionally participate in a March 16 statewide event during which concerns and potential solutions will be addressed among public health, healthcare, emergency management, and education sectors. Though cases in Harris County are relatively few — with no confirmed cases to date in La Porte — our actions correspond with recommendations of government health experts, who are calling for social distancing, in addition to everyday personal hygiene practices.
Per our protocols announced prior to Spring Break, anyone who has traveled to an advisory area, or believes they might have come in contact with the coronavirus, is expected to self-quarantine for 14 days.
For more information about COVID-19, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 (coronavirus) page, or contact your health care provider. If you have specific questions about La Porte ISD’s protocols for dealing with contagious illnesses, please feel free to contact the school nurse at your child’s campus. We appreciate your continued support in maintaining a healthy learning environment for our children.
COVID-19 coronavirus update: March 5
La Porte ISD is committed to the health and safety of our students and staff. The COVID-19 coronavirus is spreading quickly in many parts of the world and has a growing potential to disrupt international travel. With spring break just around the corner, we want to provide information to you from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) related to travel to countries where there is widespread community transmission of COVID-19.
As of March 5, 2020, the CDC has identified four countries for which it has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice. A Level 3 Travel Health Notice is one that recommends that travelers avoid all non-essential travel to the particular country. The four countries are China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy. A person who travels to or through those countries while a Level 3 Travel Health Notice is in effect is to stay home and monitor his or her health for 14 days after the person leaves that country. We encourage everyone in our community to go to the CDC’s website for factual, up-to-date information regarding COVID-19. The following is guidance from the CDC to consider before traveling:
See CDC traveler’s health notices at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel for up-to-date guidance and recommendations relating to travel to specific countries.
Because this situation is changing rapidly, before you travel, we encourage you to check the website for the CDC to find updated guidance for your destinations as well as for those countries you may travel through on the way to your destinations. Level 3 Travel Health Notices may be posted for other countries at any time.
Should employees or students travel to or through any of the countries listed as a Level 3 Travel Health Notice, the District asks that you comply with the guidelines from the CDC. Employees and students should stay at home and monitor their health for 14 days after leaving the identified country. If there is no indication of illness by the end of the 14-day monitoring period, employees may return to work and students may return to campus.
Information for La Porte ISD employees who plan to travel
Employees who travel to or through countries with a Level 3 Travel Health Notice must contact their supervisor to notify the supervisor which of the Level 3 Travel Health Notice countries the employee has traveled to or through and when the employee left the identified country. The supervisor will work with the employee to determine the 14-day monitoring period. The supervisor will be in periodic contact with the employee during the 14-day period. If the employee shows no sign of illness after the 14-day period, the employee will return to the job site. With proper documentation of travel, the 14-day monitoring period will be considered paid leave and will not count against the employee’s accumulated leave time. If the employee develops signs of illness, the supervisor will consult with the employee regarding the use of accumulated leave.
La Porte ISD students who are traveling
Prior to returning to school or riding the school bus, parents of students who travel to or through any of the countries identified with a Level 3 Travel Health Notice must contact the student’s principal upon return to the United States so that the 14-day monitoring period can be determined. Student absences during this time will be excused with proper documentation of travel. The campus will work with the student and parent to provide assignments and resources to help the student attempt to stay current with classroom instruction. The principal will be in periodic contact during the 14-day monitoring period. If the student shows no sign of illness, the student may return to the classroom at the completion of the 14-day monitoring period.
Region 4 Education Service Center, which serves La Porte ISD, has been in consultation with the Harris County Health Department (HCHD) about a variety of issues concerning COVID-19 and the operation of our public schools. The HCHD has advised that students and staff traveling to or through any of the countries with a Level 3 Travel Health Notice should comply with the recommendation to stay home for 14 days after leaving the identified country. The four countries of China, Iran, South Korea and Italy are currently under a Level 3 Travel Health Notice. This situation is fluid and may change with very little notice in the coming weeks. We encourage you to access the information noted above from the CDC anytime you intend to travel outside of the United States in the near future while this public health emergency is in effect.
La Porte ISD has maintained close contact with local and state health officials, and we will continue to receive information from public health authorities about COVID-19. Based on current information, basic health practices can protect against the spread of COVID-19:
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol–based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching one’s eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The district will additionally participate in a March 16 statewide event during which concerns and potential solutions will be addressed among public health, healthcare, emergency management and education sectors.
For more information about COVID-19, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 (coronavirus) page, or contact your health care provider. If you have specific questions about La Porte ISD’s protocols for dealing with contagious illnesses, please feel free to contact the school nurse at your child’s campus. We appreciate your continued support in maintaining a healthy learning environment for our children.
COVID-19 coronavirus update: February 26
As always, we in La Porte ISD share your concern for the health and well-being of our children. We understand that the recent reports about COVID-19 (coronavirus) have caused concern for parents and want to assure you that we are monitoring this situation very closely. We are also keeping track of flu season, which is far more prevalent.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of March 3, reported 60 confirmed cases of COVID-19 detected in the U.S. and classified the immediate health risk level to the American public as low. The agency on February 22 reported at least 32 million cases of influenza, including 310,000 hospitalizations, and classified flu activity as high.
What you should do
The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the single best way to protect against flu. (There is no vaccine currently for COVID-19.) Additionally, the agency recommends the following everyday preventive actions:
Avoid close contact with sick people.
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible.
Stay home if you are sick.
Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that might be contaminated with germs.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60 percent alcohol.
What La Porte ISD is doing
La Porte ISD has strong protocols in place that allow us to respond quickly and efficiently when a student or employee becomes sick with any potentially contagious illness; the health and safety of those in our care is always our top priority.
In addition to maintaining close contact with health officials, the district began a heightened districtwide disinfecting effort in late-January.
For more information, visit the CDC’s web page on influenza or its COVID-19 (coronavirus) page, or contact your health care provider. If you have specific questions about La Porte ISD’s protocols for dealing with contagious illnesses, please feel free to contact the school nurse at your child’s campus. We appreciate your continued support in maintaining a healthy learning environment for our children.
