CCISD campuses to stay closed for remainder of school year, Gov. Abbott reopening state parks and some business services

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The Copperas Cove Independent District will remained closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott held a noon press conference on Friday, during which he made the announcement. TEA concurred with the governor’s order to keep Texas schools, closed, both public and private.

CCISD superintendent Joe Burns released a letter to CCISD families Friday afternoon, updating the parents about how distance learning will continue through the last day of school, May 28.

The district will continue the instructional packet pickups as well as the grab-and-go breakfast and lunch meal program, along with Five-Pack Fridays that provides meals for the weekend.

Another big date coming up – commencement, set for May 29 – was addressed, with Burns stating that the district is working on plans for a virtual graduation ceremony for the graduating seniors from CCHS and Crossroads High School. Burns said that campus administrators will be contacting seniors as plans are finalized.

The district is also working on a plan for students and parents to retrieve student belongings from campuses, or return items to school.

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to our students, their families, and our employees for the manner in which you have responded to the COVID-19 crisis. You have been supportive, encouraging, and attentive to the needs of each other. We miss our students and wish them the very best during this challenging time,” Burns concluded.

The governor also announced today that Texas state parks will be reopening on Monday, April 20.

Visitors must wear face coverings, have to keep a 6-foot distance from people outside their group, and there can't be gatherings larger than five people.

One week from Friday, retail outlets may reopen to offer "retail-to-go" — meaning the stores can make deliveries to customers' cars outside their location or to customers' homes. These retail stores are not considered “essential services” and had been closed for business due to the governor’s executive order GA-14.