Fort Bend ISD makes classroom changes amid COVID-19 pandemic

Mycah Hatfield Image
Monday, February 1, 2021
Fort Bend ISD campuses make changes due to pandemic
Fort Bend ISD school officials are making major changes to classrooms on several different campuses. Some schools will go back to face-to-face learning soon, while others pivot to online learning after growing COVID-19 concerns.

MISSOURI CITY, Texas (KTRK) -- We know during the COVID-19 pandemic that there are a lot of things parents are concerned about when it comes to their children and schools.

That's become something on the top of school officials minds as they work to stop the spread of the virus while keeping up with the educational needs of the community.

Nine Fort Bend ISD schools will move to virtual learning on Monday. That's three more campuses than last week.

Will my child be back in the classroom or will they be learning online? Districts across the country like Fort Bend ISD continue to adapt to the pandemic.

Those schools plan to continue with online learning until at least Feb. 5, the district said.

"Following careful consideration, the decision has been made for Austin High School, Barbara Jordan Elementary and Oakland Elementary to pivot from face-to-face instruction to online learning effective Monday, February 1, 2021, through the remainder of the week," Fort Bend ISD officials said in a statement. "The District has also decided for James Patterson Elementary, Oyster Creek Elementary, Madden Elementary, Hodges Bend Middle School, Christa McAuliffe Middle School and Dulles High School to extend their pivot to online learning for the week of February 1-5."

RELATED: Parent worries Fort Bend ISD COVID-19 cases are under-counted

For the following Fort Bend ISD campuses, students will transition to face-to-face instruction and return to the classrooms on Feb. 1:

  • Pecan Grove Elementary
  • Ridgemont Elementary
  • Ridgemont Early Learning Center

  • Travis High School
  • Willowridge High School
  • James Reese Career and Technical Center

Fort Bend ISD has an enrollment of more than 77,100 students at more than 90 campuses, according to district data.

As of Friday, there were 310 active COVID-19 cases among students and staff.

SEE ALSO: Houston-area school districts reviewing guidance after concerns of online students failing

Rebecca Kahn is a Fort Bend ISD parent.

Kahn said she is getting her two children ready to return back to school in-person tomorrow after they recovered from COVID-19.

"The kids are doing a lot better," Kahn said. "They've both made a full recovery."

She first spoke with ABC13 last week to voice her concerns.

She said after her children tested positive for COVID-19, she told the school, but the district didn't notify the other students in their classrooms right away.

After her story aired, she said she got a call from her children's school.

"I trust the school district. The principal of the school contacted me as soon as I expressed my concerns," Kahn said. "We were able to work through where the kinks in the system are. I do think that there's always room for improvement."

A Fort Bend ISD spokesperson told ABC13 on Sunday the district continues to face staffing shortages due to the pandemic and referred to the school district website for the latest on school changes.

WATCH: ABC13's 'COVID-19 and Our Schools' town hall

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED: In the video above, ABC13 took YOUR questions to school leaders and health experts on how districts are preparing amid COVID-19, and how they intend to address concerns about student access to the internet, computers and other technology.

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