El Paso, Ysleta, and Socorro ISD Cancel Classes for Papal Visit
El Paso's three largest school districts have chosen to shut schools and administration offices down on Wednesday, February 17 because of the pope's planned visit to Juarez.
In a statement posted on its website, YISD cited "the potential detrimental financial impact" the anticipated amount of absences would have on the district, as well as the "increased demand for substitute teachers" as the reasons for the one-day district wide closure.
El Paso and Socorro school officials said safety and security was the main motivation for their decision to shutter classes for the day.
EPISD will modify its school calendar and use President's Day, February 15, as a makeup day. However, if a student whose family has already made plans misses school on the 15th, it will be considered an excused absence and he or she will be able to make up work, according to a post on the official EPISD Facebook page.
Ysleta will announce its plan for instructional time lost later in the week.
Students in the Socorro school district will not have to make up the school day as the district will remain in compliance with the state-mandated instructional minutes for the school year.
El Paso Catholic Schools and UTEP officials announced last Friday they would be cancelling classes on the day of the papal visit. There is no word at this time on how El Paso Community College plans to handle that day.