RICHMOND, Texas – As Fort Bend Independent School District students and staff return to classrooms on Tuesday after the long break caused by Harvey's floodwaters, one school won’t reopen after suffering extensive damage.
Students and staff members of the flood-damaged Juan Seguin Elementary will head back to school split between two campuses. Kindergarten through second-grade students and staff will be housed at James Patterson Elementary, while third through fifth-grade students will be housed at David Crockett Middle School.
"We wanted to make sure the students and staff experience a successful start to the 2017-18 school year, regardless of where they attend class each day," FBISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Charles Dupre said. "I am thankful for the way our FBISD community has rallied to support this school community, and the way Patterson Elementary and Crockett Middle School are welcoming the Seguin family into their buildings. Although Hurricane Harvey has disrupted the beginning of our school year, we are doing all we can to minimize the impacts on teaching and learning - our educators are eager to get back to doing what they do best each and every day."
The district also announced on Thursday that repairs to Goodman Elementary, which experienced flooding in parts of the building, were ahead of schedule and classes would start on time.
The district said that shortly after the hurricane made landfall, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting to declare a weather emergency and expedite the process of securing contractors.
Dupree announced Monday that the board would file a waiver to excuse the days missed due to Hurricane Harvey.
FBISD Board takes official action to file waiver for school days missed due to Hurricane Harvey=No make up days in FBISD! pic.twitter.com/h9RXJfZtdQ
— Charles Dupre (@superdupre) September 12, 2017
Support for other displaced students
Fort Bend ISD campus and district staff members returned to campuses Friday to help register and enroll displaced students. Due to storm and flood damage, many families were forced out of their homes and into shelters, hotels and relatives' homes.
Under the federal McKinney-Vento Act, displaced students may be eligible for free meals, transportation and other services. The district said it encourages families to contact or visit campuses for assistance.
Other resources for FBISD staff and families can be found on the FBISD website.