RECONNECT SAFELY / RETURN STRONG: #HISD’s reopening plan has launched! All students will begin the school year virtually on Sept. 8! Virtual instruction will continue for six weeks through Friday, October 16. Visit https://t.co/cNmsyGx2iH for info! #ReconnectSafely #ReturnStrong pic.twitter.com/Lurr9N37Sk
— Houston ISD (@HoustonISD) July 15, 2020
The plan as it is set would have students returning to school virtually on September 8th and continuing virtual instruction for six weeks— until October 16th. This decision comes after the rise of COVID-19 infections across the state, but especially in the Houston area.
With this announcement, there are to be no extracurricular activities— to include sports like football— until at least October 19. This could still be subject to change depending on the positive coronavirus cases in the state and area. Here’s a deeper look at what this will look like for fine arts and sports: This is major news for Houston area football.
Here's what the @HoustonISD 2020-21 reopening plan notes about extracurricular & fine arts activities. @HISDAthletics @uiltexas #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/XyrUlC0Gu1
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) July 15, 2020
October 19 is roughly around the time that would be considered week 9 of the Texas high school football season in what is typically a 10-game, 11 week season. It’s possible that there would be no way for Houston area football to play a season should there be a 2020 Fall season.
The UIL still has not announced any updates to the 2020 season. With camps tentatively to open on Aug. 3rd, it would be hard to imagine this happening with all of the other schools announcing their intentions to delay openings until after Labor Day weekend.
It will be interesting to see if the season is delayed until after October, with a shortened schedule. Or, if they move the 2020 season to the start of 2021 with a Week 1 in January.
