Timber Creek High School will continue to have all classes being remote learning through Friday, Nov. 20, 2020.
Originally, the Timber Creek campus was announced to be closed from Nov. 11 through Nov. 17, with students returning to school in-person on Nov. 18. However, under advisement from the Tarrant County Public Health department and data from staffing and student cases, it was decided to continue the all-remote instructional setup until Nov. 20.
Following Nov. 20, students in Keller ISD have a Thanksgiving/Fall Break before returning on Nov. 30.
“This decision was not taken lightly. The three-day extension, followed by the Fall Break, will hopefully slow the spread in our school and among our families,” Principal Michelle Somerhalder said in an e-mailed statement to staff. “Please be mindful that large holiday gatherings outside of your immediate family are not recommended by our health officials. The Fall Break provides us an opportunity to reduce the number of cases in our community – please put the health and safety of yourself and others first.”
Read the full statement by Mrs. Somerhalder here:
Good afternoon, Falcon Family,
As you know, Timber Creek High School transitioned to all-Remote Learning for five instructional days with the expectation of returning to campus tomorrow, Wednesday, November 18; however, we will now remain in an all-Remote Learning environment through the end of day, Friday, November 20.
After closely monitoring the data and working with Tarrant County Public Health, it was determined that this three-day extension was necessary due to a continued inability to appropriately staff the building as a result of the continued increase in both staff and student positive COVID-19 cases.
This decision was not taken lightly. The three-day extension, followed by the Fall Break, will hopefully slow the spread in our school and among our families. Please be mindful that large holiday gatherings outside of your immediate family are not recommended by our health officials. The Fall Break provides us an opportunity to reduce the number of cases in our community – please put the health and safety of yourself and others first.
We will continue to focus on the following:
- Physically separating from one another to help stop the spread of the virus.
- Fogging the campus. Through this method of cleaning (only possible when a building is empty), we are able to expand our sanitization efforts.
- Monitoring cases and evaluating the data from Tarrant County Public Health. Please be aware that we will resume sending out campuswide communication and updating the District’s COVID-19 Dashboard upon our return, beginning Monday, November 30.
In case you missed it, please click here to review our guide to help your student prepare for Remote Learning. Further information will be coming pertaining to extracurricular Athletic and Fine Arts events.
I’m wishing you a happy and healthy Fall Break and look forward to seeing you soon.
Stay well!
Michelle Somerhalder
Principal
Timber Creek High School
Additional details for this story will continue to be updated here. All information below is from the past version of this story.
PREVIOUSLY: Below is the message sent to families from Timber Creek High School Principal Michelle Somerhalder on Nov. 10 at the start of the closure.
Falcon Families,
After careful consideration and concern for the safety and health of our community, we will be closing Timber Creek High School for the TEA-allowable five instructional days and transitioning to Remote Learning beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, November 11.
We anticipate that we will return to school on Wednesday, November 18, but will be closely monitoring the data and working with Tarrant County Public Health to determine if an extension is necessary.
Please know that this decision was extremely challenging, but following meetings with Keller ISD administrators and evaluating the high number of students and staff in quarantine along with the increasing number of positive cases, we knew this transition was needed.
During this five-day transition we will be focusing on the following:
- Physically separating from one another to help stop the spread of the virus.
- Fogging the campus. Through this method of cleaning (only possible when a building is empty), we are able to expand our sanitization efforts. HVAC filters will be changed out.
- Monitoring cases and evaluating the data with Tarrant County Public Health. We will be asking our community to email Tami.Finley@kellerisd.net and Loriann.Simpson@kellerisd.net to report positive cases so we can track these numbers and continue to make data-driven decisions.
On the first day of our transition – Wednesday, November 11 – we will conduct asynchronous learning and start online Remote Learning on Thursday, November 12. Please click here to review our Remote Learning Guide to help your student prepare for Remote Learning. This afternoon, we will be distributing devices in the library to students who need them. Students who were absent and did not receive a chromebook during the initial distribution will be able to pick up a device at the Keller ISD Annex located at 10310 Old Denton Road on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm. In order to receive one, students will need to show their student ID badge.
As you know, the purpose of transitioning to Remote Learning is to stop the spread of COVID-19. Further information will be coming pertaining to extracurricular Athletic and Fine Arts events. We will also cancel our Veteran’s Day drive-through and on-campus events. Curbside meal pick-up for the community will not take place from TCHS during this time; however, it will continue from the other high school campuses, as usual. Students who attend Keller Center for Advanced Learning (KCAL) are allowed to attend in-person KCAL classes as long as they are not in quarantine or positive for COVID-19. However, these students will have to find their own transportation, as shuttles will not be running between Timber Creek and KCAL during this period. A Remote Learning opportunity at KCAL will also be available.
Today, we are operating on a regular school-day schedule with lunches and transportation provided as usual.
Every decision we are making is in the best interest of everyone’s safety and well-being. Thank you so much for your amazing support.
Sincerely,
Michelle Somerhalder
Principal
Timber Creek High School
