Houston ISD playgrounds open, in-person outdoor graduations to be permitted article HOUSTON - Houston ISD says all school playgrounds are now open, and in-person outdoor graduations will be permitted this spring. In a statement on Friday, the district said the updates were made "based on an ongoing review of local public health conditions and vaccine distribution efforts." According to the statement, all school playgrounds are open, and recess and is permitted, effective immediately. "Masks must be worn while playing on the equipment and during recess to mitigate the spread of COVID-19," the district stated. Advertisement This spring, HISD says, in-person outdoor gradations will be permitted with an event safety plan and limited attendance to maintain physical distancing.