January 21, 2022
Dear LISD Staff and Parents,
In Lockhart ISD, we have a practice of meeting challenges head-on, fueled by the commitment to our Lions to be #LockedOnExcellence so that we are #UnLockingPotential to the fullest extent. I am incredibly proud of our staff’s dedication and teamwork, especially these past two weeks during the Omicron surge. I am also proud of parents’ partnership and support in working with us by monitoring their children, reporting symptoms and cases, and ensuring we’re all working together for our Lions.
As staff absences due to COVID-19 have skyrocketed, our healthy staff have stepped up to step in for them to ensure we are doing everything to protect the continuity of learning and services. Our HR department staff have been working around the clock processing staff COVID-19 intake forms while also working to coordinate substitutes. Our Curriculum and Instruction department staff have provided steady quality class coverage during a time in which they are also balancing district instructional priorities. Our central office staff, non-instructional staff, and Carver instructional aides have been reallocated to provide additional support in classrooms.
Our nurses are short-staffed, and those who are healthy are working really hard to continue taking care of our students. Our campus staff are working outside of their typical duties to provide coverage for others while still trying to maintain critical campus functions for which they are responsible. Our team of substitutes continues to be dedicated to answering the call, so long as they remain healthy themselves.
Our transportation is short-staffed, and our healthy bus drivers are working hard to provide all the support that is possible. Even so, we have had to close bus routes. Our custodians and maintenance staff are working hard to take care of our facilities to ensure they provide the best environment for our students and staff. Our child nutrition staff are focused on maintaining quality nutrition services for our Lions, but they are also impacted.
Our after-school program and Cub House staffing are impacted, and their healthy staff are being reallocated to protect the care that our parents and staff depend on.
This is what we do in Lockhart ISD. We step up to the challenge, and we do it together.
But, as a leader, I must also prioritize having a #LockHeartForPeople, taking care of the people we serve. Right now, we have reached a point where I have to make a decision to do just that. The student attendance rate is at a record low at 73%. The instructional pace has been significantly affected by increasing and revolving student absences. At the moment, we have 671 students in quarantine. A total of 91 staff are currently out for COVID-19-related reasons. Our substitute fill rate is 39%. Bus routes continue to be closed, and our child care development center for our staff’s children is on the verge of having to close some of its classrooms, which would result in even further staff absences.
For these reasons, Lockhart ISD will be closed on Monday, January 24, and Tuesday, January 25. This pause is primarily intended to allow students and staff who have been ill to get better and return. Further, we hope to provide time for healthy staff to rest to prevent burnout and to help slow the spread of the virus.
These two days will not have to be made up. Extracurricular activities will not be interrupted during this closure. We will reopen Wednesday, January 26.
This is not the action we wanted to take, but it is the action that is necessary. If you have any concerns, feel free to reach out to me. I hope you and yours are able to use this time to rest, reset, and prepare for our next leg in this challenge.
Sincerely,
Mark Estrada
Superintendent of Schools
Lockhart ISD
—
21 de enero de 2022
Estimado personal y padres de LISD:
En Lockhart ISD, tenemos la práctica de enfrentar los desafíos de frente, impulsados por el compromiso con nuestros Leones de estar #FijadosEnLaExcelencia (#LockedOnExcelence) para que podamos #DesbloquearPotencial (#UnlockingPotential)al máximo. Estoy increíblemente orgulloso de la dedicación y el trabajo en equipo de nuestro personal, especialmente en las últimas dos semanas durante la oleada de Omicron. También estoy orgulloso de la colaboración y el apoyo de los padres al trabajar con nosotros al monitorear a sus hijos, informar síntomas y casos, y garantizar que todos trabajemos juntos para nuestros Leones.
A medida que las ausencias del personal debido al COVID-19 se han disparado, nuestro personal saludable ha intervenido para ayudarlos a garantizar que estamos haciendo todo lo posible para proteger la continuidad del aprendizaje y los servicios. El personal de nuestro departamento de recursos humanos ha estado trabajando las 24 horas procesando los formularios de admisión de COVID-19 del personal mientras también trabaja para coordinar los sustitutos. Nuestro personal del departamento de Currículo e Instrucción ha brindado una cobertura de clase constante y de calidad durante un tiempo en el que también están equilibrando las prioridades de instrucción del distrito. Nuestro personal de la oficina central,no personal instruccional, y asistentes de instrucción de Carver se han reasignado para proporcionar apoyo adicional en las aulas.
Nuestras enfermeras tienen poco personal y las que están sanas están trabajando muy duro para seguir cuidando a nuestros estudiantes. El personal de nuestras escuelas está trabajando fuera de sus deberes típicos para brindar cobertura a los demás mientras intentan mantener las funciones críticas de la escuela de las que son responsables. Nuestro equipo de suplentes continúa dedicado a responder la llamada, siempre y cuando se mantengan saludables.
Nuestro transporte tiene poco personal y nuestros conductores de autobuses saludables están trabajando arduamente para brindar todo el apoyo posible. Aun así, hemos tenido que cerrar rutas de autobús. Nuestros conserjes y personal de mantenimiento están trabajando arduamente para cuidar nuestras instalaciones y garantizar que brinden el mejor ambiente para nuestros estudiantes y personal. Nuestro personal de nutrición infantil se concentra en mantener servicios de nutrición de calidad para nuestros Leones, pero también se ven afectados.
Nuestro personal del programa extracurricular y el personal de Cub House se ven afectados, y su personal saludable está siendo reasignado para proteger la atención de la que dependen nuestros padres y el personal.
Esto es lo que hacemos en Lockhart ISD. Estamos a la altura del desafío, y lo hacemos juntos.
Pero, como líder, también debo priorizar tener un #CorazonParaLaGente (#LockHeartForPeople), cuidando de las personas a las que servimos. En este momento, hemos llegado a un punto en el que tengo que tomar la decisión de hacer precisamente eso. La tasa de asistencia de los estudiantes está en un mínimo histórico del 73%. El ritmo de instrucción se ha visto significativamente afectado por el aumento y rotación de las ausencias de los estudiantes. Por el momento, tenemos 671 estudiantes en cuarentena. Un total de 91 empleados están actualmente fuera por razones relacionadas con COVID-19. Nuestra tasa de sustitución es del 39 %. Las rutas de autobús continúan cerradas y nuestro centro de desarrollo de cuidado infantil para los hijos de nuestro personal está a punto de tener que cerrar algunas de sus aulas, lo que resultaría en más ausencias del personal.
Por estas razones, Lockhart ISD estará cerrado el lunes 24 de enero y el martes 25 de enero. Esta pausa tiene como objetivo principal permitir que los estudiantes y el personal que han estado enfermos se mejoren y regresen. Además, esperamos proporcionar tiempo para que el personal sano descanse para evitar el agotamiento y ayudar a frenar la propagación del virus.
Estos dos días no habrá que recuperarlos. Las actividades extracurriculares no se interrumpirán durante este cierre. Reabriremos el miércoles 26 de enero.
Esta no es la acción que queríamos tomar, pero es la acción necesaria. Si tiene alguna inquietud, no dude en comunicarse conmigo. Espero que usted y los suyos puedan usar este tiempo para descansar, reiniciar y prepararse para nuestra próxima etapa en este desafío.
Atentamente,
Mark Estrada
Superintendente de Escuelas
Distrito Escolar Independiente de Escuelas
![LISD Board Recognition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1642555175/lockhartisdorg/j9b9tpnzphwjgpuwos1p/2022BoardRecognition.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1642555175/lockhartisdorg/j9b9tpnzphwjgpuwos1p/2022BoardRecognition.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1642555175/lockhartisdorg/j9b9tpnzphwjgpuwos1p/2022BoardRecognition.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1642555175/lockhartisdorg/j9b9tpnzphwjgpuwos1p/2022BoardRecognition.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1642555175/lockhartisdorg/j9b9tpnzphwjgpuwos1p/2022BoardRecognition.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1642555175/lockhartisdorg/j9b9tpnzphwjgpuwos1p/2022BoardRecognition.jpg","width":2200}])
![20KStipends presented to Texas State Teacher Residents]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1642555441/lockhartisdorg/o1i6yojlwzy105f5as3f/20KStipends.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1642555441/lockhartisdorg/o1i6yojlwzy105f5as3f/20KStipends.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1642555441/lockhartisdorg/o1i6yojlwzy105f5as3f/20KStipends.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1642555441/lockhartisdorg/o1i6yojlwzy105f5as3f/20KStipends.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1642555441/lockhartisdorg/o1i6yojlwzy105f5as3f/20KStipends.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1642555441/lockhartisdorg/o1i6yojlwzy105f5as3f/20KStipends.jpg","width":2200}])
![Common Sense Recognized School Banner]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1642518426/lockhartisdorg/qlwgirdm2nlzyjklz3y1/commonsense.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1642518426/lockhartisdorg/qlwgirdm2nlzyjklz3y1/commonsense.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1642518426/lockhartisdorg/qlwgirdm2nlzyjklz3y1/commonsense.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1642518426/lockhartisdorg/qlwgirdm2nlzyjklz3y1/commonsense.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1642518426/lockhartisdorg/qlwgirdm2nlzyjklz3y1/commonsense.jpg","width":1242}])
![NCCC members provide State of Caldwell County overview]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1637372328/lockhartisdorg/uklnvigswtnccx5ktv7n/2021NCCC.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1637372328/lockhartisdorg/uklnvigswtnccx5ktv7n/2021NCCC.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1637372328/lockhartisdorg/uklnvigswtnccx5ktv7n/2021NCCC.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1637372328/lockhartisdorg/uklnvigswtnccx5ktv7n/2021NCCC.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1637372328/lockhartisdorg/uklnvigswtnccx5ktv7n/2021NCCC.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1637372328/lockhartisdorg/uklnvigswtnccx5ktv7n/2021NCCC.jpg","width":2200}])
![Rebecca Pulliam swears in to serve as trustee.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1637027333/lockhartisdorg/l5zddixjqpvdvnpy3q7y/PulliamSwearingIn.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1637027333/lockhartisdorg/l5zddixjqpvdvnpy3q7y/PulliamSwearingIn.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1637027333/lockhartisdorg/l5zddixjqpvdvnpy3q7y/PulliamSwearingIn.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1637027333/lockhartisdorg/l5zddixjqpvdvnpy3q7y/PulliamSwearingIn.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1637027333/lockhartisdorg/l5zddixjqpvdvnpy3q7y/PulliamSwearingIn.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1637027333/lockhartisdorg/l5zddixjqpvdvnpy3q7y/PulliamSwearingIn.jpg","width":2200}])
![Photo of Pres. Michael Wright, VP Warren Burnett, and Sec. Tom Guyton]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1635261856/lockhartisdorg/timarhe4vrxhwbyddd68/CongratulationstoournewLockhartISDboardofficers.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1635261856/lockhartisdorg/timarhe4vrxhwbyddd68/CongratulationstoournewLockhartISDboardofficers.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1635261856/lockhartisdorg/timarhe4vrxhwbyddd68/CongratulationstoournewLockhartISDboardofficers.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1635261856/lockhartisdorg/timarhe4vrxhwbyddd68/CongratulationstoournewLockhartISDboardofficers.png","width":1080}])
![COVID-19 Response Protocol]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1635206682/lockhartisdorg/jcyizmrsmmalhysypz7w/COVIDResponseMatrixHeader.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1635206682/lockhartisdorg/jcyizmrsmmalhysypz7w/COVIDResponseMatrixHeader.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1635206682/lockhartisdorg/jcyizmrsmmalhysypz7w/COVIDResponseMatrixHeader.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1635206682/lockhartisdorg/jcyizmrsmmalhysypz7w/COVIDResponseMatrixHeader.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1635206682/lockhartisdorg/jcyizmrsmmalhysypz7w/COVIDResponseMatrixHeader.png","width":1214}])
![Five students in Lockhart Junior High School's ESL class post with their classmates and teacher in front of a whiteboard.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1634761626/lockhartisdorg/ejivrnrrjpcq8p3lji1z/JuniorHighESLClass.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1634761626/lockhartisdorg/ejivrnrrjpcq8p3lji1z/JuniorHighESLClass.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1634761626/lockhartisdorg/ejivrnrrjpcq8p3lji1z/JuniorHighESLClass.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1634761626/lockhartisdorg/ejivrnrrjpcq8p3lji1z/JuniorHighESLClass.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1634761626/lockhartisdorg/ejivrnrrjpcq8p3lji1z/JuniorHighESLClass.jpg","width":1502}])
![Members of the LISD Business Office Recognized by the Board for CAFR Award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1632786488/lockhartisdorg/ar840002agz9kkuodl5c/LISDGFOA092721.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1632786488/lockhartisdorg/ar840002agz9kkuodl5c/LISDGFOA092721.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1632786488/lockhartisdorg/ar840002agz9kkuodl5c/LISDGFOA092721.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1632786488/lockhartisdorg/ar840002agz9kkuodl5c/LISDGFOA092721.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1632786488/lockhartisdorg/ar840002agz9kkuodl5c/LISDGFOA092721.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1632786488/lockhartisdorg/ar840002agz9kkuodl5c/LISDGFOA092721.jpg","width":2200}])
![Golf Tournament at Plum Creek - Photo by Dana Garrett]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1632775919/lockhartisdorg/rfd1iii71yaj6dr7dd73/2021GolfTournament.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1632775919/lockhartisdorg/rfd1iii71yaj6dr7dd73/2021GolfTournament.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1632775919/lockhartisdorg/rfd1iii71yaj6dr7dd73/2021GolfTournament.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1632775919/lockhartisdorg/rfd1iii71yaj6dr7dd73/2021GolfTournament.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1632775919/lockhartisdorg/rfd1iii71yaj6dr7dd73/2021GolfTournament.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1632775919/lockhartisdorg/rfd1iii71yaj6dr7dd73/2021GolfTournament.jpg","width":2200}])