LA VERNIA, Texas — La Vernia ISD said the district's high school closed early Wednesday after being notified a student with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 attended the prom.
A letter sent home to parents alerted them that other students might have had close contact with the infected person. Students were sent home at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday and the school plans to keep students home until May 18. Remote learning will be offered until May 18.
Monica Garza had a junior and senior attend the prom. She said she and her husband were shocked after receiving the news about the temporary closure of the school.
"I am happy the school did what they could to mitigate the spread quickly as possible," she said.
School officials said 430 students attended the prom at an event center in Floresville. The mother said there was no hesitation in sending her kids to this year's prom.
"Both kids are fully vaccinated," she said. "So that helped with the decision.”
Garza, however, is worried about future school events—especially for her senior, Candace.
"I am glad they acted quickly to possibly save graduation," Garza said. "Graduation is an important date coming up on the 28th (of May).”
High school students will now have to go back to remote learning until May 18.
Melinda Mercado has a 10th grader who attends the high school. Her daughter did not attend the prom.
"I don’t have any concerns that she was possibly exposed to somebody who attended prom," she said.
Mercado said she is content with the actions from the school district.
"This is our reality," she said. "This is something we have been dealing with the past year. So, anything COVID related or anything with the school shutting down, it comes as no surprise anymore.”
Below is the full letter sent to parents by La Vernia ISD administrators.
Dear La Vernia High School Students, Parents, and Community,
We have been notified that a student with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 attended the LVHS Prom. You are receiving this letter because your child may have had close contact with the infected person. Out of an abundance of caution and our continued commitment to safety, we have made the decision to:
1. Send students home early for the instructional day on May 12, 2021.
2. Keep students at home beginning May 12 through May 18, 2021.
3. Convert La Vernia High School from face to face instruction to remote instruction via Google Classroom or Canvas from Wednesday, May 12 through Tuesday, May 18.
When communicating with others, LVISD will keep personal and medical information confidential. We are providing the following information to ensure your child’s safety and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19:
● Monitor for symptoms: Monitor your child’s health, follow the CDC guidelines for people who have had close contact and contact your child’s primary care physician if your child develops symptoms.
● Quarantine: Your child is directed to not enter any district building or campus until May 19, 2021. Your child is eligible for virtual instruction during this time. ● Close Contact Tracing: If you or your child are aware of others who attended Prom but are not enrolled students at La Vernia, please share this possible exposure information. Thank you all for your commitment to mitigation practices and communication with the High School. Please read the Question & Answers below to help plan for your child’s virtual instruction. Will there be classes May 12th through May 18th? Yes, but only in a remote, off-campus learning setting. Teachers and staff will be on campus to assist students with their online instruction. Please review the Remote Learning Schedule that includes the Regular Bell Schedule How long will La Vernia High School be in this remote learning mode? Wednesday, May 12th through Tuesday, May 18th.