The corridors of Fort Bend schools will be bustling with staff and students.
It’s almost back-to-school time.
The corridors of Fort Bend area schools will soon be bustling with students, but after two years of COVID-19 interruptions, parents and children are relieved to have a more "normal" start to the school year.
However, the recent school shooting at a Uvalde, Texas elementary school still weighs heavily on everyone’s mind. Fort Bend ISD students will notice several safety enhancements when they return to campus in addition to other major changes.
Starting in August 2022, a clear bag policy will be in place for all non-campus district facilities, though guests who require the use of medical items or equipment can have their bags screened for admittance. This policy will be strictly enforced at all district sports facilities including Hall Stadium, Hopson Field House, Mercer Stadium, Wheeler Field House, Cook Natatorium and the Aquatic Practice Facility.
Additionally, the Texas Education Agency introduced new requirements after the deadly mass shooting in Uvalde to improve the level of safety at all Texas public schools. This semester, within the first 10 days of school, students will have had four major drills that will train them on what to do in an active shooter situation.
The FBISD school board also approved $4.4 million in fencing for all elementary schools and state-of-the-art weapon detection systems in a pilot program at athletic stadiums. The district already has security vestibules in schools, RhinoWare door locks on all classroom doors and additional key card readers, which help staff avoid the need to prop open doors.
Student meal prices have increased by $0.75 for breakfast and $0.25 for lunch. Breakfast meals will be $2, elementary lunch will be $2.75 and secondary lunch will be $3. Students at campuses listed under the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision will continue to receive breakfast and lunch meals free of charge.
Students can expect to see SMART Interactive Flat Panels in all classrooms. The devices can be described as a touch screen white board that helps teachers interact with their students. They will replace outdated equipment.
The Barrington Place Elementary campus will be closed for the 2022-23 school year due to a mold infestation. The non-airborne mold was identified in June 2022, according to the school website. Students and staff will be placed in classrooms at Sugar Mill, Meadows and Lakeview elementary schools.
Juhi Varma is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She primarily covers Fort Bend County.
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