Fort Bend ISD: What you need to know about the district’s 2020-2021 school plans

Fort Bend ISD plans on offering both face-to-face and virtual instruction for the 2020-21 school year. On Monday, July 13, the school district announced the first part of the school year will be 100% online “in order to give students, parents and staff an opportunity to adjust to online learning and safety procedures.”

Safety and health protocols are still being finalized and some pressing questions remain unanswered at this time.

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Here’s what to know so far for the upcoming school year:

Calendar

The first day of school is scheduled for August 12, 2020.

The calendar was board approved on January 21, 2020, before the coronavirus pandemic.

The district is considering modifications that will be discussed with the school board for possible action.

Click here to view the 2020-2021 school calendar.

Measures underway or being considered

School schedule

  • The school district announced it will begin the school year 100% online “in order to give students, parents and staff an opportunity to adjust to online learning and safety procedures.”
  • FBISD schools will phase in face-to-face instruction with small groups.
  • The district has not yet determined the length of the school day.
  • The district is working to provide the usual, full-length school day.
  • The district is considering staggered entry and dismissal of students and staff.
  • The instructional program for all grade levels will include some components of online learning in order to allow students and staff to be prepared to shift to full-time online learning if necessary.
  • Class sizes may vary depending on the school a student attends and how many square feet a classroom is.

Extracurricular and non-academic activities

  • No in-person extracurriculars will occur during the period of distance learning at the start of the school year. This will include Athletics and Fine Arts.
  • Fine arts and PE will be a part of the instructional program, along with co-curricular and extra-curricular activities to the fullest extent possible.
  • Fort Bend ISD will comply with guidance issued by the UIL.

PPE

  • All staff will be required to complete a daily health assessment prior to reporting to work.
  • All staff, students and visitors will undergo a non-contact temperature check prior to entering FBISD schools and facilities.
  • Face coverings will be required of all staff, students and visitors
  • The district intends to have full infection-control measures in place which will include the use of masks and face shields at some points in the day.
  • The district expects to take temperatures of students and staff.
  • The district may ask for parents to provide a wellness check to verify the health condition of their student(s).

Measures not addressed yet

  • Transportation
  • Meal services
  • Partitions

Instruction methods offered

Fort Bend ISD plans to offer face-to-face and full-time virtual instruction through a remote synchronous and asynchronous format.

All students will begin the school year participating in at-home, online learning for an unspecified period.

Once health and safety procedures are finalized, the district plans to gradually transition students to face-to-face instruction and will welcome phases of small groups back into its schools.

Pre-registration is for the 2020-21 school year is expected to begin on July 22.

Face-to-face

Classrooms will utilize a ratio of 45 sq ft per student. Class sizes may vary depending on the size of the room.

Virtual

Remote Synchronous Instruction: Two-way, real-time/live, virtual instruction between teachers and students when students are not on campus.

Remote Asynchronous Instruction: Instruction that does not require having the instructor and student engaged at the same time. The student is required to be engaged daily with work and the teacher is required to give daily feedback.

Survey

Parents received an email with the link to a survey to be completed in June.

Recent updates

Fort Bend ISD is expected to host a live stream with superintendent Charles Dupre on July 15.

Do you have questions about Fort Bend ISD’s plan?

Fill out the form below and we’ll work to find the answer to your question.

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