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A suburban Houston public school district announced on Monday it has canceled recess and all outdoor activities for the remainder of the current academic year, per a report from Houston ABC affiliate KTRK.
The Friendswood Independent School District (FISD) said it made the decision in response to what officials described as a “domestic situation.”
Among the events scratched are Senior Sunset, Bales fifth grade celebration at the city’s Stevenson Park, Splash Day and athletic practices aside from recess.
“We understand this news may be disappointing for your children, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused,” the district wrote in a letter to parents. "Our students and staff's safety and well-being are always our top priority.
“In light of the current situation, it is essential to exercise an abundance of caution,” the correspondence added.
FISD, which is at least 25 miles south of Downtown Houston, serves the Galveston County portion of Friendswood, as well as a small part of Brazoria County.
According to the district’s website, it educates approximately 6,065 students.
KTRK reported that FISD didn’t go into specifics as to what the domestic situation in question was.
“While we understand that this decision may be met with disappointment, we want to assure you that we are committed to creating a safe and secure environment for all our students,” officials told families and staff. “We believe taking proactive steps to ensure their well-being is necessary, even if it means canceling an outdoor event(s) students and staff eagerly looked forward to.”
The last day of class districtwide is Thursday and commencement exercises for the Friendswood High School Class of 2023 are slated for Saturday at Grace Church in Houston.
Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of the fatal mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde that claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers, but it’s unclear if that also factored into the cancellation.