Westwood Elementary confirms new start day after cleaning mold that delayed school year: Officials

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas (KTRK) -- Westwood Elementary has officially confirmed a new first day of school after mold on campus delayed the school year, Friendswood Independent School District said.

ORIGINAL REPORT: Campus officials report mold inside Westwood Elementary, delaying 2026 school start: Friendswood ISD

Students will return to campus on Monday, August 24, after the school passed environmental tests in 26 areas and met air quality standards, school officials said. Parents/guardians will be allowed to walk their children to class on the first day, the school said.

Westwood teachers and staff can return to school Wednesday, August 19, to prepare the campus, Friendswood ISD said.

According to the district, the delayed start resulted in 4 missed school days. Two are covered by the district's existing instructional minutes, and the district said it will ask the Texas Education Agency for a 2-day waiver to excuse the remaining days from needing to be made up.

Friendswood ISD said Kinder Camp and Meet the Teacher will not be rescheduled because teachers visited their students at home.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Westwood Elementary gets new start date after mold on campus delays first day: Friendswood ISD