Austin ISD classes will be held remotely for the week following Thanksgiving break, according to a Nov. 25 announcement by the district.

In a letter to parents, Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said the decision to conduct classes online from Nov. 30-Dec. 4 will allow the district students and staff to identify positive cases during the seven-day incubation period for COVID-19 following the holiday weekend. She said that the extra week of virtual learning will "increase the likelihood" of conducting classes uninterrupted for the last two weeks of the current semester. The district will also be providing free COVID-19 tests to staff and families Dec. 2-4.

"Today, following a meeting with city and county officials along with Austin Public Health, I have decided to move to 100% remote instruction for one week only," Elizalde said. "We will resume on-campus instruction Monday, December 7th."

The letter also states that the district is not planning a similar shift to virtual learning after the upcoming winter break holiday at this time.