Multiple school districts in the San Antonio area have announced they will be temporarily canceling classes this week due to staffing shortages.
The cancellations were announced this week as the COVID-19 surge fueled by the omicron variant keeps students, teachers, bus drivers and other school staff at home.
Recommended Videos
School closures have been reported in all parts of Texas, but here are the closures close to the San Antonio area:
- Comal ISD: Classes for Tuesday, Jan. 18 have been canceled in an effort to slow down COVID-19 infections and give students time to “reset” and “re-calibrate.” However, athletics, fine arts and other extracurricular events and practices will still take place. Classes are expected to resume on Wednesday, Jan. 19.
- Gonzales ISD: Classes for Tuesday, Jan. 18 have been canceled due to a large number of teacher illnesses. Classes are expected to resume on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Athletic events will continue as scheduled unless otherwise notified.
- Ingram ISD: The holiday closure has been extended through Wednesday, Jan 19. Class is scheduled to resume on Thursday, Jan. 20.
- Medina ISD: Superintendent Kevin W. Newsom said with key staff members in quarantine, schools will be closed from Tuesday, Jan. 18-Thursday, Jan. 20. Students and staff will also have Friday, Jan. 21 off because of a previously scheduled closure. Classes are expected to resume on Monday, Jan. 24. There will be no remote learning during the time off. Student activities will resume during the time off if enough students can participate.
- Runge ISD: Runge ISD, on its Facebook page, announced due to a surge in employee absences, they too will be closed from Tuesday, Jan. 18 to Friday, Jan. 21. Classes in Runge ISD will resume on Monday, Jan. 24. The district said a new instructional calendar will be presented indicating new dates for students. Basketball games scheduled for Tuesday are canceled and an update on games scheduled for Friday will be announced later in the week, the district said.
- Sabinal ISD: For Sabinal ISD, classes will be canceled from Tuesday, Jan. 18-Wednesday, Jan. 19. Superintendent Richard W. Grill said the closure is due to staff and student shortages, and it will help mitigate the spread. “As we have stated before, we cannot effectively teach our students when so many are out, or when so many of our teachers and staff are out,” he said. “Closing schools is a difficult decision to make, and I apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause; however to mitigate the spread of this virus has led us to this decision.”
- Uvalde ISD: According to the Uvalde CISD district’s website, classes will be canceled beginning Tuesday, Jan. 18 through Friday, Jan. 21. Hal Harell, superintendent of schools, said this cancelation will give staff and students time away to restore their health. “As always, the health and safety of our school community is our top priority. We continue to urge everyone to do their part in curbing the spread of the virus. Thank you for your continued support and partnership during this difficult time,” Harell said. Classes are expected to resume Monday, Jan. 24.
Read also: