Such classrooms will remain closed for 10 days, during which time the students will continue to receive online instruction.
As of Sept. 22, a total of 17 classrooms across HISD’s elementary schools are closed, according to Superintendent Celina Estrada Thomas.
Thomas said implementing a similar policy for middle schools would be tricky.
"Kids move around six or seven times a day, so you can't pinpoint certain classes," Thomas said.
Instead, the district is monitoring the infection rate across the entire sixth grade population at its middle schools. If the sixth grade infection rate at a middle school ever exceeds 10%, the district will consider closing the entire grade for 10 days.
HISD currently has no plans to close grades or classrooms for students beyond sixth grade.
"We are not considering any closures for kids seventh grade and up because those children have the option of being vaccinated," Thomas said.
