To slow the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in our community, all in-person classes at Richardson ISD schools have been canceled indefinitely beginning March 23. This action follows advice from the Dallas County Health and Human Services department and is in the best long-term interest of our RISD community.

Click here to watch the latest update from RISD Superintendent Dr. Jeannie Stone | en español about picking up essential items from schools, at-home learning, and meal services for students while the district is closed.

RISD school front offices will be staffed on Monday and Tuesday (March 23-24) to allow employees and parents to pick up essential items left at school before Spring Break.

Essential items include student devices to aid in at-home learning, prescription medications, musical instruments, and teaching supplies for educators.

To ensure appropriate social distancing measures, please follow the school-specific procedures shared by the campus to pick up any essential items, or otherwise, call the school front office before visiting Monday or Tuesday.

Beginning Monday, March 23, breakfast and lunch meals will be delivered to selected areas around RISD, two times a day. Meal drop off locations and times are being finalized, and will be published, sent to parents and posted on the RISD website before the weekend.

March 23-24 will be used to prepare RISD teachers for the at-home learning model, and March 25-27 will be used to acclimate parents, students and teachers to how at-home learning will work.

At-home learning for students in grades PK–2 will not require a student device, but one could be used if desired. More information will be provided to parents and students with specifics related to at-home learning by grade level.

Parents without home access to the Internet can consider these free opportunities from area providers:

• AT&T
• Charter Spectrum
  
• Comcast Xfinity
  
• Additional information from the Texas Cable Association

While no RISD students or staff members have yet been confirmed with a case of COVID-19, that may change as more people are tested and community transmission of the virus continues. Local health authorities will alert RISD if a student or staff member is confirmed with the virus, and the district will inform parents and staff at that school.

As a reminder, health authorities believe that a person is most contagious while symptomatic, and coming into contact with a person who does not yet have symptoms poses little to no risk.

At this point of the outbreak, any person with fever, cough, or shortness of breath should self quarantine and consult with their medical provider, regardless of whether they have come into contact with a person known to have a confirmed case of COVID-19.