Category: COVID-19

The Round Rock ISD COVID testing site located at the the Raymond E. Hartfield Performing Arts Center is closed. Testing is no longer available at this location. 

We are encouraged by the news that the Round Rock-Austin area appears to be past the peak of the Omicron variant surge, according to news from Austin Public Health, and we are certainly experiencing improving conditions on our campuses. To help sustain this trend, our COVID protocols remain in place, including masks, social distancing when possible, enhanced air filtration, and closing classes if there are a significant number of epi-linked COVID cases. We will evaluate again on Feb. 18, whether to adjust protocols, including allowing visitors to return to campuses.

We are excited to welcome students back to campus tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 5. On Dec. 30, a COVID-19 protocol update was emailed to families, informing that masks will continue to be required in Round Rock ISD facilities. Additionally, we will continue to limit visitors on campus due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in Williamson and Travis counties and across the state and nation.

With classes resuming in Round Rock ISD on January 5, students, staff and families can help prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 by getting boosted if eligible, getting tested prior to returning to school at Round Rock ISD’s COVID-19 testing site, or at any of several community sites, and by wearing a mask when on campus and facilities.

With the welcome news that COVID-19 vaccines are now available for children ages 5 to 11, we are amending our COVID-19 protocols to allow for a more traditional school environment. Beginning on Jan. 19, we will once again allow visitors on our campuses and transition to strongly encouraging mask use for all students, staff and visitors while at campuses and district facilities.  

The Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD) announced Monday, November 15, that the health authority will be using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Data Tracker for determining risk-based phases in Williamson County. Due to this change, Round Rock ISD is dropping to Orange/Stage 4 on the District’s Mask Matrix. Masks are still required in District schools and facilities in this phase. 

Round Rock ISD is partnering with vaccine providers in November to offer COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5-11 years old.  Parents or guardians must register their child for an appointment prior to the clinic visit and are asked to bring insurance information and medical/prescription cards, if they have one.

With the welcome news that COVID-19 vaccines have received emergency use authorization for children ages 5 to 11, Round Rock ISD will end the current Virtual Learning Program at the close of the Fall Semester.

Late Thursday (Sept. 16), Round Rock ISD learned that a judge in Williamson County signed an order temporarily prohibiting the District from enforcing its mask requirement. On Friday, Sept. 17., the Third Court of Appeals, issued a hold on the order, meaning Round Rock ISD can continue with its mask requirement.

The mask requirement, which includes an opt-out exemption for specific health or developmental justifications, was approved by the Board of Trustees with an expiration time and date of 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 17. The Board intended to consider an extension of the requirement at its meeting this week. Unfortunately, the meeting was disrupted by attendees and the Board had to adjourn the meeting before Trustees were able to discuss masks. The meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, September 22, which was the earliest possible opportunity. In the meantime, we are asking our staff, students and visitors to continue to abide by our current mask requirement.

Round Rock ISD, in partnership with Austin Public Health (APH), will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Sept. 13 for individuals aged 12 and up at the Raymond E. Hartfield Performing Arts Center.