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November 2, 2020
Bandera ISD confirms four positive Coronavirus cases
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi Goode
The Bandera Prophet
This afternoon, Bandera ISD Superintendent Dr. Jerry Hollingsworth reported the district has four confirmed positive cases and 21 people quarantined because of exposure.
Hollingsworth said in a Facebook video that all future communications with regard to the virus will come through the superintendent’s office, likely in the form a letter sent home with students.
“We’re doing really, really well, even with four cases,” Hollingsworth said. “We have had a few days, a week or two, where we had zero positive cases on the books.”
Hollingsworth said previous to today, the highest number of confirmed cases in the district was three at one time. He credited parents for their diligence checking children’s temperatures, monitoring for symptoms and keeping kids home if they show possible signs of illness.
“Wearing of masks, social distancing when possible, washing hands and using hand sanitizer - those things for us have worked, so we’re going to continue to do those things,” he said, adding although the numbers continue to increase on a national level, “we have been very fortunate in Bandera to see relatively low numbers.”
On Oct. 29, Bandera Middle School Principal Patrick Sizemore sent a notice stating a member of the BMS learning community received a confirmed diagnosis. He said Health and Human Services had been notified, and the district could not comment on the health condition of staff or students.
“Bandera ISD has identified and notified others who may have been exposed and place these individuals on a mandatory 14-day quarantine,” Sizemore said in the notice. “Parents have been notified by phone and in writing if their student was identified as having been exposed; and enhanced sanitation of areas of the building occupied by the affected person has already begun.”
Hollingsworth said the best way for parents to stay in touch with happenings districtwide was via Remind, which sends notifications to cellphones.
“We are learning through this process,” Hollingsworth said. “We’re having school, we’re having debate tournaments, we’re able to participate in marching band, and cross country is going on to regionals. We’re very pleased with how things have gone on.”
Hollingsworth said in a Facebook video that all future communications with regard to the virus will come through the superintendent’s office, likely in the form a letter sent home with students.
“We’re doing really, really well, even with four cases,” Hollingsworth said. “We have had a few days, a week or two, where we had zero positive cases on the books.”
Hollingsworth said previous to today, the highest number of confirmed cases in the district was three at one time. He credited parents for their diligence checking children’s temperatures, monitoring for symptoms and keeping kids home if they show possible signs of illness.
“Wearing of masks, social distancing when possible, washing hands and using hand sanitizer - those things for us have worked, so we’re going to continue to do those things,” he said, adding although the numbers continue to increase on a national level, “we have been very fortunate in Bandera to see relatively low numbers.”
On Oct. 29, Bandera Middle School Principal Patrick Sizemore sent a notice stating a member of the BMS learning community received a confirmed diagnosis. He said Health and Human Services had been notified, and the district could not comment on the health condition of staff or students.
“Bandera ISD has identified and notified others who may have been exposed and place these individuals on a mandatory 14-day quarantine,” Sizemore said in the notice. “Parents have been notified by phone and in writing if their student was identified as having been exposed; and enhanced sanitation of areas of the building occupied by the affected person has already begun.”
Hollingsworth said the best way for parents to stay in touch with happenings districtwide was via Remind, which sends notifications to cellphones.
“We are learning through this process,” Hollingsworth said. “We’re having school, we’re having debate tournaments, we’re able to participate in marching band, and cross country is going on to regionals. We’re very pleased with how things have gone on.”