5 Austin-area coronavirus-related education stories to know

Beginning April 6, Lake Travis ISD will offer a list of remote electives for students. (Brian Rash/Community Impact Newspaper)

Now is the chance to help your local community succeed. Become a Patron by contributing to Community Impact Newspaper and gain daily insight into what's happening in your own backyard. Thank you for reading and supporting community journalism.

By Community Impact staff | 11:30 AM Apr 10, 2020 CDT

Readers might have missed these five recent education-related stories from the Austin area.

Dripping Springs ISD extends registration period for kindergarten and pre-K students

Dripping Springs ISD has extended its deadline to register kindergarten and pre-K students for the upcoming school year to May 1 in response to altered operations due to COVID-19.

Austin ISD approves new grading policy for coronavirus-impacted spring semester

Austin ISD will switch to a “pass or incomplete” grading policy for classes during its current spring semester instead of a traditional A-F grading scale.

Round Rock ISD employee who worked curbside meal distribution tests positive for COVID-19

A Round Rock ISD employee who prepared and distributed curbside meals at Anderson Mill Elementary School in Northwest Austin has tested positive for COVID-19, the district announced April 6.

Lake Travis ISD set to offer electives through its remote learning platform

Lake Travis ISD launched its remote learning platform March 26 following school closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite district closures remote services continue for students with disabilities at Eanes ISD

With no clear end to the district’s closure, Eanes ISD staff continues to serve its students through a remote learning platform, including students who fall under the special education department.

Amy Rae Dadamo, Iain Oldman, Olivia Aldridge and Nicholas Cicale contributed to this report.

By Community Impact staff

MOST RECENT

Dell Children's Medical Center sleep lab

Dell Children’s Medical Center doubles size of pediatric sleep program

The newly expanded, six-bed sleep lab at Dell Children’s now has the ability to offer diagnostic sleep studies and therapeutic studies for children with potential sleeping disorders.

An orange virus graphic that reads "Today's coronavirus data updates"

Travis County reports 753 new coronavirus cases July 8

The Austin MSA is still hovering near Stage 5 risk with 67 new hospital admissions in the past day.

Education Austin President Ken Zarifis hosted an online press conference with Austin ISD teachers July 8. (Screenshot courtesy Education Austin)

Austin ISD teachers demand keeping classes online for start of school year

Education Austin says that keeping all classes online is in the best interest of district employees, students and families.

2020 census: Bureau prepares nonresponse follow-up field operations

For individuals who have not responded to the 2020 census, one of about 500,000 census takers will visit the their household between Aug. 11-Oct. 31.

The YMCA of Greater Austin was one of thousands of entities in Austin to receive a loan through the Payroll Protection Program. Statewide, over $40 billion was loaned to more than 382,000 recipients. (Design by Shelby Savage/Community Impact Newspaper)

Area businesses get PPP loans, One Love Tattoos aims to make a mark and more: Business, community news from Central Texas

Read the latest business and community news from Central Texas.

Capital Metro celebrated its 35th anniversary serving the Austin area July 1. (Courtesy Capital Metro)

Central Austin business anniversaries: Capital Metro celebrates 35 years and more

Local real estate company Urbanspace is also celebrating 20 years in business.

A new art installation called Parkspace was installed in Austin parks before the Fourth of July weekend. (Courtesy Jen Konrad)

New art installation in Austin parks encourages residents to enjoy outdoors, keep distance

The installation, called Parkspace, features painted squares in city parks, each located 6 feet apart from each other.

Cultivate is a new company from brothers Nathan and Luke Heath that helps local residents get started with an at-home garden. (Courtesy Cultivate)

New service to help residents grow food at home now operating in Austin area

Cultivate was started by two brothers who want to help support more small farms by helping home gardeners get started growing food.

Dr. Mark Escott, Austin-Travis County interim health authority, said in a July 8 news conference that officials are "desperately trying to avoid" both overcrowding hospitals and shutting down the economy with another shelter-in-place order. (Courtesy ATXN)

If new shelter-in-place orders are needed in Austin, local officials hope to have 'productive dialogue' with Gov. Abbott

With area ICU beds at 85% capacity, officials are preparing the Austin Convention Center to accept hospital patients and are calling on health professionals from around the country to assist in Texas.

Stage 5 is not triggered by an exact number but could be triggered anywhere above 70 hospitalizations per day over the past seven days, depending on the recent rate of the increase. (Courtesy Travis County)

With 74.8 new hospitalizations per day over past week, Travis County could move into coronavirus risk Stage 5

Under Stage 5, Austin Public Health could suggest only essential businesses remain open.

A screen capture of a virtual meeting of the Travis County Commissioners Court, feauring Gerald Daugherty and Sam Biscooe sitting in the courtroom

UPDATE: Travis County postpones public discussion on Tesla economic incentives until July 14

County commissioners will continue discussions on Tesla with economic development staff at their next regular voting session.

The Texas Education Agency released guidelines about on-campus activities, attendance requirements, and health and safety precautions for the 2020-21 school year. (Courtesy Adobe Stock)

Texas Education Agency issues guidelines for 2020-21 school year

The guidelines address on-campus activities, attendance requirements, and health and safety precautions that should be enforced at Texas schools this year.