Latest news with #LeanderIndependentSchoolDistrict
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Texas school bus carrying over 40 students crashes on 1st day of school
A school bus carrying over 40 children and one adult on the first day of the new school year rolled over onto its side in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, leaving 12 injured, officials said. The bus was carrying students from the Leander Independent School District in northwest Austin in Travis County. Austin-Travis County emergency services were dispatched to the scene on Nameless Road in Travis County just after 3:15 p.m. local time. MORE: School bus driver speaks out after rescuing 15 students from burning bus Officials said there were 42 children and one adult on the bus at the time. Photos from the scene show the yellow school bus rolled over into an embankment surrounded by trees, with the vehicle appearing to have significant damage. Of those injured, 12 people were transported from the scene to a local hospital and the remaining people were taken to a reunification center for further evaluation and to be reconnected with family. MORE: 15 injured when school bus overturns in New Jersey One individual has a life-threatening injury and two others have potentially life-threatening injuries, Austin-Travis County officials said during a press conference Wednesday evening. The rest have non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. It has not yet been released whether the adult on board was among those transported. ABC News' Irving Last contributed to this report. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
12 injured in school bus rollover in Texas county reeling from flooding
Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Twelve people, nearly all children, were hospitalized Wednesday after their school bus rolled over in Travis County, a region still reeling from flooding one month ago. Authorities said during a press conference that the bus was transporting 42 children and one adult, presumably the driver, of the Leander Independent School District, primarily from Bagdad Elementary School, about 26 miles north of Austin. Sgt. Billy Ray, public information officer for the Texas Department of Public Safety, Highway Patrol Division, told reporters that they received calls about the rollover at about 3:15 p.m. CDT. The preliminary investigation shows that the bus was traveling south down 22100 Nameless Road, when "for an unknown reason," the vehicle left the right side of the roadway, causing it to roll over, he said. Of the 12 people hospitalized, one appeared to be the driver, whose condition was unknown. Among the remaining injured, one person suffered life-threatening injuries while two others suffered potentially life-threatening injuries, authorities said. Eight EMS ambulance units and two helicopters were deployed to the scene, transporting the injured to Dell Children's Medical Center, Texas Children's Hospital North Austin Campus or Dell Children's -- Cedar Park. Authorities said the dispatch of the helicopters does not reflect the severity of the injuries suffered, but rather the distance the ambulances had to travel to the crash site in rural Travis County. Ray identified the bus as a 2024 Blue Bird that was equipped with seatbelts. Bruce Gearing, LISD superintendent, explained that students are required to wear seatbelts when the bus is equipped with them. He said this incident compounds the pain Travis County is already feeling from last month's flooding, which destroyed nearly 200 homes and killed at least 10 people. "This part of our Leander ISD family has been through so much already this summer with the floods, and this tragedy this afternoon has really breaking our hearts," he said. "We want each of those students and their families to know that our prayers are with them, our thoughts are with them and we will do everything that we can in our power to support them. We will be here for all of those students who were affected and their friends and families as much as we can." A reunification center was established at Round Mountain Baptist Church where all other students on the bus who did not require hospital transport were taken. Asked about the driver, Gearing described him as "one of our seasoned bus drivers." It was the second school bus to suffer a traffic incident in Texas on Wednesday, and the third in a week. On Wednesday morning, a bus from the Cleveland Independent School District "was involved in an accident and came to a rest on its side," the district said in a statement. All students were safely removed from the bus and provided medical attention, it said, adding that they were taken to a local hospital "out of an abundance of caution." And a few days earlier, a bus transporting Cleveland High School and Cleveland Ninth Grade Center students was involved in a crash and "came to rest on its side in a ditch," the CISD said in a statement. All students were evacuated and received immediate medical attention, with some transported to local hospitals for evaluation of minor injuries, it added.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Multiple injuries after school bus carrying over 40 kids crashes on 1st day of school
A school bus carrying over 40 children and one adult on the first day of the new school year rolled over onto its side in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, leaving 12 injured, officials said. The bus was carrying students from the Leander Independent School District in northwest Austin in Travis County. Austin-Travis County emergency services were dispatched to the scene on Nameless Road in Travis County just after 3:15 p.m. local time. MORE: School bus driver speaks out after rescuing 15 students from burning bus Officials said there were 42 children and one adult on the bus at the time. Photos from the scene show the yellow school bus rolled over into an embankment surrounded by trees, with the vehicle appearing to have significant damage. Of those injured, 12 people were transported from the scene to a local hospital and the remaining people were taken to a reunification center for further evaluation and to be reconnected with family. MORE: 15 injured when school bus overturns in New Jersey One individual has a life-threatening injury and two others have potentially life-threatening injuries, Austin-Travis County officials said during a press conference Wednesday evening. The rest have non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. It has not yet been released whether the adult on board was among those transported. ABC News' Irving Last contributed to this report.
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Time of India
New laws in Texas are reshaping student life: Here's how it will impact the new school year
Leander ISD outlines how HB 1481 will impact Texas students in 2025. (AI Image) As students across Texas prepare for the 2025–2026 academic year, a newly enacted state law is set to significantly change daily school routines. House Bill 1481, passed during the 89th Legislative Session, prohibits the use of personal communication devices by all students in public schools during the school day. This law affects over 5.4 million students from kindergarten through 12th grade across Texas public schools, including those in Leander Independent School District (Leander ISD). The district has confirmed that schools are now required to adopt and enforce policies that align with the law, as reported by the Leander ISD. Device ban to be enforced from first bell to last bell According to Leander ISD, students may not use personal devices—including mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, or any electronic communication device—during the school day, defined as the period from the first bell to the last bell. This includes lunch breaks and passing periods. The law mandates that all such devices must be turned off, out of sight, and stored securely, either in lockers, designated pouches, or backpacks. Leander ISD has stated that the purpose of the ban is to eliminate distractions, support student engagement, and improve the learning environment. Students will still be permitted to use devices before and after school hours, including on school buses or during extracurricular activities held after the final bell. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo Exceptions permitted under specific conditions The law does provide exceptions in limited circumstances. As outlined by Leander ISD, device use will be allowed if it is part of a student's Individualised Education Programme (IEP) or Section 504 accommodation. Medical exceptions also apply if a licensed physician certifies the device is necessary for the student's health needs. Additionally, usage will be allowed if required by health or safety laws. Response to violations and disciplinary measures Leander ISD confirmed that its policy will involve progressive disciplinary steps for violations. A student found using a prohibited device will first receive a verbal or written warning. Continued violations will lead to parental notification. Repeated breaches may result in confiscation of the device, which will only be returned to a parent or guardian. Leander ISD has stated that if a device is not retrieved within 90 calendar days following notification, the school may dispose of it. Further violations could result in students losing the privilege of bringing a personal communication device to school altogether and may lead to disciplinary action under the Leander ISD Student Code of Conduct. Use of personal laptops and other devices Personal laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets without SIM cards (cellular capability) are permitted if connected to the Leander ISD WiFi network. However, devices with telecommunication capabilities are banned. Device usage not permitted for specific activities Students may not use phones in the nurse's office, even to update parents about their condition. The school nurse will contact families directly, according to Leander ISD. Recording, photographing, or videoing using personal devices is also not permitted. For class projects requiring media, teachers will provide approved alternatives. Additionally, students cannot use devices to check apps such as Leander ISD Connect (ParentSquare) during the school day. Personal messaging on district devices is also disallowed. According to Leander ISD, communication with parents during school hours must be routed through school staff or the front office. Handling emergencies and unexpected situations Students may use personal communication devices only in emergencies where staff are not accessible. In such cases, Leander ISD stated that the circumstances would be evaluated with discretion. If a student forgets their phone in a pocket but it remains powered off and out of sight, it will not be treated as a violation. However, if the device is visible, used, or makes noise, it will be confiscated. Changes to extend beyond mobile phone use Leander ISD has clarified that smartwatches with communication features are also included in the ban. Only traditional time-telling watches are permitted. Phones must also remain stored during restroom breaks. Students cannot retrieve their phones to notify parents about forgotten items or early appointments. The front office will handle such communications. Broader legislative context and future updates House Bill 1481 is one of 107 new laws from the 89th Legislative Session expected to influence various aspects of Texas public education, including curriculum, safety, discipline, district finances, and daily operations. Leander ISD is prioritising communication on these changes and encourages families to stay informed by reviewing district updates, following official channels, and visiting the Leander ISD website. Further updates will be provided as additional laws take effect. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Yahoo
Cedar Park assistant principal charged with DWI after early morning collision with cyclist
An elementary school administrator in Cedar Park has been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. Marta Alicia Johnson, 51, was taken into custody early Monday morning at Reed Elementary School, where she works as an assistant principal. A Cedar Park police officer was dispatched to the campus at about 7:20 a.m. in response to reports of a collision between a car and a cyclist, according to a Williamson County affidavit obtained by the American-Statesman. The officer found the cyclist laying on the ground and Johnson sitting inside her car. Johnson had "bloodshot red and glassy eyes" and smelled "strongly" of alcohol, the affidavit said. She also was unable to maintain her balance while standing, swaying "from side to side." After Johnson failed a standardized field sobriety test, the officer administered a breathalyzer test, according to the affidavit. She blew 0.282 — more than three times the legal limit. Johnson was charged with one count of driving while intoxicated, a class-A misdemeanor that is punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and a jail sentence of up to one year. Asked to comment, Leander Independent School District spokesperson Crestina Hardie referred the Statesman to a letter the school's head principal sent to parents later Monday. In the letter, Reed Principal Cynthia Griggs said that "the school staff member involved in a Monday crash had been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by law enforcement and the district." According to the affidavit, Johnson told police she had drank two White Claw hard seltzers and gone to sleep at 3 a.m. She also said she had been on her phone at the time of the accident. The cyclist involved suffered an apparent broken arm and small lacerations on his hand, the document stated. A school Facebook post shows Johnson joined the staff at Reed in 2021. American-Statesman staff writer Claire Osborne contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin-area elementary school assistant principal charged with DWI
