TISD Extends Spring Break

TYLER — Tyler ISD is joining other educational entities in extending its spring break due to coronavirus. According to its website, “As a precaution, Tyler ISD, along with other school districts in Smith County, have decided to have a Community Mitigation Period for the week of March 16-20, 2020. Schools will remain closed for students and staff during this time as we assess the situation in our community as travelers return from spring break. Community Mitigation Periods are intervention strategies recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help slow the potential spread of illness in communities, like COVID-19.”

The statement continues, “We are taking these steps out of an abundance of caution. Public health officials have not yet made this a requirement for public institutions. Nevertheless, given all we know at this time, and what we can anticipate based on the information Tyler ISD has received from local, state, and national agencies; including NETHealth, Texas Health and Human Services, Texas Education Agency and the Centers for Disease Control, we believe this is the most prudent course of action at this time.” You can go to https://www.tylerisd.org/Page/33112 to read the latest information from the school district.

Tyler ISD Food Services will provide FREE curbside meals March 16-20 to all Tyler ISD students. Meal pick up locations will be at Boulter, Hubbard, Moore, and Three Lakes middle schools, Caldwell Arts Academy, and Griffin Elementary School. This will be a walk up/drive up style service with pick up near the back door area of the kitchens. Children 18 and under must be present to receive meals. Any student age 18 or younger can participate and pick up meals at any feeding site, regardless of what school they attend.

To help with production purposes, families are asked to call between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. with the number of meals needed and the selected pick up location. Families can call 903-262-1106 or 903-262-1107. All meals will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily.

The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) will also be distributing free emergency food assistance boxes. ETFB staff and Mentoring Alliance volunteers will be on hand to distribute the boxes. Each household will receive a box of non-perishable food items and (pending availability) produce items. The distribution schedule is as follows: Monday/Wednesday/Friday – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Boulter Middle School, Caldwell Arts Academy, Griffin Elementary School. Tuesday/Thursday/Friday – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Hubbard, Moore, and Three Lakes middle schools. All sites will receive boxes on Friday to help alleviate the meal gap that some families may experience during the weekend.