Harvey: Pasadena ISD Announces Classes Will Resume On Sept. 11

PASADENA, TX — Students in the Pasadena Independent School District will be returning to the classroom on Sept. 11, nearly two weeks after Hurricane Harvey pummeled the Texas coast.

Pasadena ISD Superintendent DeeAnn Powell announced the update on the district’s website on Sept. 3, adding that some students could be attending classes on other campuses until damages can be repaired. (Want to get daily news updates and other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Pasadena Patch morning newsletter.)

One of the hardest hit campuses was Thompson Intermediate, which will be attending classes in a section of Beverly Hills Intermediate until repairs are completed.

Williams Elementary and Frazier Elementary also sustained some damage from Hurricane Harvey, and custodial staff and maintenance crews are working to ensure those campuses are ready when classes begin.

“Overall, the district endured Harvey well, although many of our campuses received minimal roof or rising water issues. Our maintenance and custodial staff are working diligently to ensure our campuses are ready to welcome everyone back Monday, Sept.11,” Powell said in her statement.

RELATED: Pasadena ISD Return Date Uncertain As District Assesses Damage

Powell added that parents who have students on those campuses will be alerted if there are any changes.

In the meantime, custodial staff and maintenance have removed all the wet carpet from the affected campuses, and disinfected the floors, she said.

Other campuses will have floor tiles replaced, and of course the air quality is beingt tested at all campuses to ensure there were no contaminants as a result of the flooding, to ensure student safety.

The district will also be providing free breakfast and lunch to all Pasadena ISD students during the the month of September, according to the district’s website.

Because the district is starting later, Pasadena ISD is one of several school districts in the Houston area required to apply for a waiver from the Texas Education Agency for missed days.

Other Houston area districts that will start later include:

• Houston ISD
• Clear Creek ISD
• Spring ISD
• Dickinson ISD
• Fort Bend ISD
• Lamar CISD

"When students return to school, we know many of them will have their individual Harvey stories, unique needs, and will require time to heal," Powell said. "As we always do in Pasadena ISD, we will listen and care for each child. All campus counselors are on hand to help our students during this troubling time."

A Community Rebuilds: Lino Saldana looks at a pile of debris in front of his flood damaged home on Sept. 5, in Houston, Texas. Over a week after Hurricane Harvey hit Southern Texas, residents are beginning the long process of recovering from the storm. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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