NOTIFICATION OF CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASE ON CAMPUS
08/23/2021
Dear Parent/Guardian,
In keeping with Spurger ISD’s practices to respond to COVID-19, we are notifying all student families that a student member who was lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 was present on the HS campus on 08/20/2021. You are receiving this notice, because you or your child was present on the campus in the two days prior to the onset of the individual’s diagnosis of COVID-19. Due to privacy requirements, we will not be releasing the name of the individual or details that may identify him or her.
Any of the following symptoms indicate a possible COVID-19 infection:
Temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher when taken by mouth;
Sore throat;
New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (or, for students with a chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline);
Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain; or
New onset of severe headache, especially with a fever.
If you or any member of the HS School community does begin experiencing any of these symptoms in a way that is not typical, we encourage you to contact your physician. We encourage anyone in the HS School community who is lab-confirmed to have COVID19 to please notify our school by contacting (409) 429-3464.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to huttop@spurgerisd.org or visit our website at https://www.spurgerisd.org/ .
Sincerely,
Morgan Wright
A Reminder for Families:
If your household experienced a reduction in income after June 30, 2021 or did not complete an household application in SY 2020-2021, now is the time to complete the household school meal application to determine eligibility for the Summer P-EBT benefit. Submit this form to your child nutrition department before August 28, 2021, to demonstrate eligibility for Summer P-EBT.
Summer PEBT provides a $375 to supplement a family’s food budget during the covered summer period with a EBT benefit card.
Eligible families are encouraged to demonstrate eligibility for a one-time summer Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefit by submitting the household school meal application before August 28, 2021. P-EBT for the 2020–2021 school year (August 2020 to June 2021) was for families with children who were certified for free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program and families with children born after Aug. 1, 2014, who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits. Eligibility for these benefits has already been established and cannot be updated at this time.
Link to Flyer explaining the wide range of benefits from completeing the application.
https://5il.co/xknq
Additional Information for Schools and Families
The deadline to apply for P-EBT benefits through https://yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/PEBT. (The link is case sensitive.) is September 13.
We are so honored to be a Distinguished High School and excited about all the things that come with that title! #wearewpiratepride #axeemjacks
BIG things are happening for Spurger ISD !
Spurger High School is recognized as a SFA Distinguished High School.
Spurger FFA would like to thank the school and community for your support of our Ag Chapter as we prepared to represent Texas at the National Level. In May the Nationals decided because of the Covid outbreak to have a virtual preliminary contest on August 11. Our chapter worked very hard to prepare, but unfortunately were not ranked in the top 18 states which will advance. We will, as a FFA Chapter, continue to work toward representing our school and community to the best of our ability.
Junior High and High School Parents!!
In order to help with our after school traffic flow, we ask that all car riders be picked up at the Minter Gym Parking lot after school. Thank you for your help in this matter.
We would like to thank Texas Farm Bureau Insurance for the donation supporting our students at Spurger Elementary and Spurger High School. We really appreciate it!
Over the last two weeks, we’ve had several businesses and community members donate to our students and teachers. We’ve received school supplies, items for our seniors and back to school teacher gifts! We are so excited about what this year holds and just want to say thank you!
Thank you to Mrs. Theresa Crosby, Shelby Frazier with Canyon Moon Photography, 515 Nutrition, Katrina Wright with American Real Estate, Mrs. Sandra Holcomb, and Mr. Pete Baker. Your kindness and thoughtfulness will not be forgotten! #PiratePride
Good Luck to the State Champion Forestry Team they started national competition today.
Strong Start 2021
Return to Learn and Continuity of Services Plan
The conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic are continually evolving, therefore the District’s Return to Learn and Continuity of Services Plan will be constantly evaluated and adapted as needed. Key points are included below. To review the entire detailed plan, please visit the District website at.
1. Spurger ISD will abide by all current Texas Governor Orders and guidance provided by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Currently Texas is under Executive Order GA-36 issued on 5/18/21, which prohibits governmental entities and officials from mandating face coverings. Students, staff and visitors are encouraged to wear masks or face coverings but are not required to do so.
2. Spurger will continue to implement infection control measures including, but not limited to, frequent cleaning and increased sanitation measures by custodians/transportation/maintenance staff, student/staff access to disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer throughout the school day, use of air scrubbers in campus buildings, social distancing when possible, use of personal water bottles versus water fountains, etc.
3. Students and staff are expected to self-screen for COVID and other contagious illnesses each morning before coming onto campus. If sick or experiencing symptoms, students and staff should notify their appropriate campus, remain home and/or seek medical care. The District will continue to implement isolation and sanitization protocols for student and staff who become sick or experience symptoms at school.
4. Students and staff who have tested positive for COVID will follow District protocols for isolation as indicated on the back of this letter. The District will notify individuals determined to be in “close contact” with confirmed cases, however quarantining for close contact is no longer required. Parents/Guardians/Staff have the option to quarantine for close contact if they choose to do so.
5. As of the end of the Texas Legislative Session on May 31, 2021, the Texas Legislature has not approved funding for remote learning of any kind. Therefore remote learning options will NOT be offered at Spurger ISD for the 2021-2022 school year.
6. As the Texas Legislature did not provide funding for remote learning, students who must isolate due to confirmed COVID or who choose to quarantine for close contact, will be considered “absent” from school and must comply with District procedures for missed instruction and make-up work. While considered an excused absence, state compulsory attendance guidelines must still be met for credit and grade-level promotion.
7. Staff members who must isolate due to confirmed COVID or who choose to quarantine for close contact will use state and/or local leave days as designated by the District.
8. Spurger ISD will start the year restricting visitor access during the school day to only those essential for school operations. As the year progresses, we are hoping to be able to remove restrictions and begin providing limited access for special activities and events on the campuses during the school day.
9. Students who ride the bus will be picked up/dropped off at their designated location only. No other students will be allowed to ride the bus to and from school (i.e. friends going home with another student, etc.)
Please feel free to contact the appropriate campus administrator if you have any additional questions or concerns after reviewing the detailed District Strong Start Plan for 2021-2022 on the District website.
Please take note of some of the procedural changes for the High School. We can’t wait to see you all!
Spurger Elementary will be open for Meet the Teachers on Friday, August 6th, from 1-3.
Here's another familiar face! Welcome aboard Mr. Caleb LeBouef! He will be teaching our chemistry and physics classes. He shares, “I returned to my hometown of Spurger a few years ago with my wife and our dog Beaux. 2020 was a difficult year but I consider myself blessed because it was last year that my wife and I welcomed our daughter Charlotte to our family. During my time at Spurger High School, I have worked as a paraprofessional and coach. I am excited to begin my teaching journey at my alma mater, and look forward to a great year.”
Welcome aboard Mrs. Tracy Graves! Mrs. Graves will be teaching our JH history classes! She writes, "I am a graduate of Lamar University and have been teaching for over 20 years. I have been married to my wonderful husband for 28 years and together we have raised two amazing children. I love to travel, read and convince students that history is fun!" We are so happy to have you!
Check out the school supply list for the JH/HS. If a class isn't listed, they will receive their list during the first week of school! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pk1W0Mm0Z7kCCXmOiFIxNeNiAAWptS3JUqr-UyRk-70/edit?usp=sharing
Please take note of the updated dress code for the 21-22 school year.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q02O_6vpZe8kt13YIfKrFZVAzS7yBXtS/view?usp=sharing
Ahoy!! Welcome to Ms. Pamela Carpenter! Ms. Carpenter joins us at the JH and will be teaching 7th grade math and will provide some of our STAAR support! Ms. Carpenter states, "I’ve worn many hats during my 22+ years in education, and have had the opportunity to teach in several content areas across a number of grade levels. Regardless of my role, my goal has always remained the same – to connect with my students and help them realize their full potential as life-long learners. I’m excited to be a part of the Spurger ISD team, and I look forward to building positive relationships in the classroom, the district, and the community." Welcome aboard!
Next on our is list of new crew members is someone that may look a little familiar to you! Welcome aboard Mrs. Amy Shumake! We are excited to have her in our ELA dept at the junior high. Here is what Mrs. Shumake shares, "My life is full and blessed with 4 daughters and 3 grandchildren (and one on the way!!). I have taught reading for 22 years, and I am excited to return to Spurger ISD to continue teaching reading to great kids. I’m looking forward to 2021-2022!" Help me welcome Mrs. Shumake!
We are so excited here at Spurger High School! We are getting a few new faces joining our Pirate Crew and we will be introducing them to you throughout the next few weeks! I'd like to start with introducing you to Mrs. Chesney Wright. She will be joining us to teach our business/financial math classes here at Spurger High School. She writes, "My name is Chesney Wright and I have been a teacher for 8 years. I am a wife and a mother to two teenage daughters. Prior to teaching I was an accountant, but I always had a desire to teach since I was a little girl. I love to cook, paint, work in my yard, Bible journaling, and am always looking for a reason to use my glue gun or glitter something! I love Elvis, Jimmy Buffett, music from the 70s and 80s, old movies, the ID Channel, Christmas and dogs! I am a sinner saved by God's grace and a proud Texan. Also, I am so excited to be a part of the Spurger Pirate Family and am looking forward to this new journey!" Please help me welcome Mrs. Wright to our crew!
The 21-22 school year is upon us! Spurger JH/HS running start will be held on August 6th, so please make plans to attend. Also, please make sure you complete your online registration before you attend on this day to help things run more smoothly. We look forward to seeing you there!
