Round Rock ISD cancels all extracurricular activities

Round Rock ISD cancels all extracurricular activities

By Community Impact Newspaper Staff Friday, 01 May 2009

Round Rock ISD announced April 30 that all extracurricular activities and school field trips are suspended until May 11. The Visual Arts Scholastic Event, or VASE, scheduled for May 9 and the Hispanic heritage event scheduled for May 2 are both postponed. All out-of-district trips or events involving more than one campus scheduled after May 10 will be reviewed pending the swine flu status.

States and schools throughout the U.S. are taking measures to decrease the risk of spreading swine flu. On April 29, at the recommendation of Dr. David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, and in consultation with Texas Education Agency Commissioner Robert Scott, the University Interscholastic League announced that its schedule of events will be altered due to the outbreak of the swine flu in Texas. All UIL competitions are suspended until May 11.

RRISD Superintendent Jesús Chávez issued a statement April 30 that said there is potential for the swine flu to spread rapidly. Flu vaccines administered in the fall or winter of 2008 do not protect against swine flu and there is not a human vaccine for the illness.

"Due to our population density, school district communities are susceptible to the spread of illness," Chávez said in the statement. "We ask you to be more conscious of your health habits and those of your family members in the coming weeks. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating, and cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze. Utilize a waterless hand washing product if and when you are unable to access hand washing facilities. Keep your hands away from your mouth, eyes and nose. If you cough or sneeze into a tissue, deposit it in a trash can; do not place it on any surface that others might touch. Do not come to work or class if you have any of the following symptoms: a sudden fever, body aches and pains, coughing and/or fatigue."

People who have swine flu may also experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and/or a runny nose and sore throat. The majority of the patients with this flu have reported that the symptoms are mild and they have recovered fully. If students, family members, faculty and/or staff experience any of the symptoms of swine flu they should call their personal healthcare providers for guidance regarding evaluation and treatment.

RRISD is working with City of Round Rock, Williamson County and state health authorities on this matter, and Chávez said district staff will continue to monitor the situation in the U.S. and in Mexico.

For more information about swine flu, visit http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.