INSIDER
Fort Bend ISD elementary schools will have armed security officers on all campuses. Do parents think it’s safe?
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD elementary schools will have armed security officers on all campuses. Do parents think it’s safe?Fort Bend Independent School District announced Tuesday that all 51 elementary schools will have armed security officers on campus when students return from winter break, but what do parents think about the new measure?
Fort Bend elementary schools to have armed security officers on all campuses
Read full article: Fort Bend elementary schools to have armed security officers on all campusesFort Bend Independent School District announced Tuesday that all 51 elementary schools will now have designated armed security officers on campus when students return from winter break.
Do you have questions for Fort Bend ISD leaders after departure of former superintendent?
Read full article: Do you have questions for Fort Bend ISD leaders after departure of former superintendent?Community members and parents have been asking questions regarding the abrupt departure of the former superintendent of Fort Bend Independent School District.
FBISD names sole-finalist for new superintendent following Dr. Christie Whitbeck’s retirement
Read full article: FBISD names sole-finalist for new superintendent following Dr. Christie Whitbeck’s retirementThe Fort Bend Independent School District is set to announce a new superintendent following the abrupt retirement of Dr. Christie Whitbeck.
Clements High School teacher arrested, accused of sex trafficking in Georgia
Read full article: Clements High School teacher arrested, accused of sex trafficking in GeorgiaWhile the district did not release the name of the teacher arrested, they said he was taken into custody Wednesday on a warrant out of Georgia for trafficking persons for sexual servitude.
Fort Bend ISD superintendent says she was given choice by board to either retire or be terminated
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD superintendent says she was given choice by board to either retire or be terminatedDuring her last board meeting as the Fort Bend Independent School District Superintendent, Christie WhiteBeck answered some questions regarding her sudden retirement.
Fort Bend ISD’s superintendent retires, unexpectedly; Here’s why that’s important to parents and students
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD’s superintendent retires, unexpectedly; Here’s why that’s important to parents and studentsParents and guardians who have children that attend school in Fort Bend County may soon see daily changes after the superintendent shared that she would soon be stepping into retirement in an unexpected announcement on Friday.
Houston area mother’s fight to hold school accountable for daughter’s assault may go to US Supreme Court
Read full article: Houston area mother’s fight to hold school accountable for daughter’s assault may go to US Supreme CourtA Houston area mother is suing the Fort Bend Independent School District; claiming educators failed to protect her daughter from another student. The lawsuit reads this woman’s daughter was sexually assaulted twice by the same classmate, even though safeguards were in place to ensure neither student was unsupervised.
Mother claims Fort Bend ISD violated IEP protocol, resulting in daughter’s sexual assault
Read full article: Mother claims Fort Bend ISD violated IEP protocol, resulting in daughter’s sexual assaultA Houston area mother is suing the Fort Bend Independent School District, claiming educators failed to protect her daughter from another student.
Mother suing FBISD after she said district failed to protect her daughter from student who sexually assaulted her
Read full article: Mother suing FBISD after she said district failed to protect her daughter from student who sexually assaulted herA Houston area mother is suing the Fort Bend Independent School District, claiming educators failed to protect her daughter from another student.
Parents allege abuse at Fort Bend Co. school after bruises were found on child with autism; District denies allegation
Read full article: Parents allege abuse at Fort Bend Co. school after bruises were found on child with autism; District denies allegationKimberly Pittard looked on as her kids played at the Waterside Estates playground across the street from Oakland Elementary School near Pecan Grove.
Fort Bend voters will decide on tax rate that will generate $35M for pay raises and security officers at schools
Read full article: Fort Bend voters will decide on tax rate that will generate $35M for pay raises and security officers at schoolsThe Fort Bend Independent School District is one of the highest achieving districts, but school officials say the starting pay for teachers is the lowest in the area.
2 Fort Bend ISD students arrested after bringing firearm to campus
Read full article: 2 Fort Bend ISD students arrested after bringing firearm to campusOfficials from a Fort Bend Independent School District campus said two students were arrested after being found in possession of a firearm on Wednesday.
Fort Bend ISD calls for $35 million tax rate election to increase pay for teachers, staff
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD calls for $35 million tax rate election to increase pay for teachers, staffThe Fort Bend Independent School District Board of Trustees decided on Monday to call for a November tax rate election to increase pay for teachers and other staff.
Sonal Bhuchar Elementary among 3 new Fort Bend ISD schools welcoming students for the first time
Read full article: Sonal Bhuchar Elementary among 3 new Fort Bend ISD schools welcoming students for the first timeAs students in Fort Bend ISD return to the classrooms, three brand new schools within the Fort Bend Independent School District welcomed students for the first time Wednesday morning.
Willowridge HS ‘Lady Eagles’ honored for ‘Cinderella Story’ season
Read full article: Willowridge HS ‘Lady Eagles’ honored for ‘Cinderella Story’ seasonTiffany Collins, head coach of the girls basketball team at Willowridge High School, and her “Lady Eagles” squad were honored for a hard-fought season which earned them the nickname of Fort Bend ISD’s “Cinderella Story.”
Inside Fort Bend County May 6 bond election: What to know about the propositions, what’s at stake for Fort Bend ISD
Read full article: Inside Fort Bend County May 6 bond election: What to know about the propositions, what’s at stake for Fort Bend ISDAn election will be held in Fort Bend County Saturday for a $1.26 billion bond decision.
‘It’s kind of normal now’: Shooting outside Fort Bend ISD middle school abruptly ends soccer game
Read full article: ‘It’s kind of normal now’: Shooting outside Fort Bend ISD middle school abruptly ends soccer gameA shooting outside a Fort Bend Independent School District middle school during a soccer game has parents and students sounding off Friday night.
Fort Bend ISD elementary school teacher accused of sexually assaulting child in Brazoria County, district says
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD elementary school teacher accused of sexually assaulting child in Brazoria County, district saysAn elementary school teacher at Fort Bend Independent School District was arrested on campus Thursday after being accused of sexually assaulting a child in Brazoria County, according to the district.
Adult charged after handgun found inside student’s backpack at Fort Bend ISD elementary school, district says
Read full article: Adult charged after handgun found inside student’s backpack at Fort Bend ISD elementary school, district saysCharges have been filed against an adult after a handgun was found inside a student’s backpack Tuesday at a Fort Bend Independent School District elementary school, according to the district.
No serious injuries after ‘multiple physical altercations’ reported at Hightower High School, FBISD says
Read full article: No serious injuries after ‘multiple physical altercations’ reported at Hightower High School, FBISD saysHightower High School was placed on “hold” after officials with the Fort Bend Independent School District said multiple physical altercations happened on campus Friday afternoon.
Football ready! Fort Bend ISD’s Mercer Stadium boasts fresh, new look after $11M in upgrades completed
Read full article: Football ready! Fort Bend ISD’s Mercer Stadium boasts fresh, new look after $11M in upgrades completedFort Bend Independent School District’s Mercer Stadium now has a fresh, new look. Renovations cost nearly $11 million and were paid for with funds from the 2018 Bond, according to the district.
School graduations being held at Toyota Center; Concerns over proximity to NRA meeting, protests
Read full article: School graduations being held at Toyota Center; Concerns over proximity to NRA meeting, protestsFort Bend Independent School District holds high school commencement ceremonies in busy downtown Houston close to the National Rifle Association convention and protests.
FORT BEND ISD AQUATICS: Reaching All Areas of The Community, and At All Ability Levels
Read full article: FORT BEND ISD AQUATICS: Reaching All Areas of The Community, and At All Ability LevelsWHETHER YOU REALIZE IT OR NOT, IF YOU GREW UP IN FORT BEND, YOU CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF A CITY DREAM SET IN MOTION OVER 60 YEARS AGO. THE SUGAR LAND LIONS CLUB HAD A GOAL OF ENDING THE PREVENTABLE DEATH OF DROWNING BY TEACHING ALL THE CHILDREN OF SUGAR LAND HOW TO SWIM. TO DO THIS, THEY NEEDED A POOL.
KPRC 2 Senior Scholarship: Emilee McCoy’s future as an Aggie is bright thanks to her hard work in high school
Read full article: KPRC 2 Senior Scholarship: Emilee McCoy’s future as an Aggie is bright thanks to her hard work in high schoolThe eighth $2,500 scholarship winner of the year is Emilee McCoy who will be graduating this spring from Kempner High School in Fort Bend Independent School District.
KPRC 2 Senior Scholarship: Demeri Duplechain is an outstanding scholar and athlete
Read full article: KPRC 2 Senior Scholarship: Demeri Duplechain is an outstanding scholar and athleteCongratulations to Aaliyah Tezeno, KPRC 2 and American Furniture Warehouse's first senior scholarship winner of 2022!
Shortages of certain foods, products creating challenges for Fort Bend ISD food service, district says
Read full article: Shortages of certain foods, products creating challenges for Fort Bend ISD food service, district saysThe Fort Bend Independent School District said a shortage of certain foods and products is creating challenges for its food service.
Fort Bend ISD to offer limited virtual instruction to qualifying students. What parents need to know if their child is eligible
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD to offer limited virtual instruction to qualifying students. What parents need to know if their child is eligibleFort Bend ISD began offering limited remote instruction for students in grades Pre-K through 6th grade due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.
Fort Bend ISD lifts mask mandate for students, staff days after it went into effect
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD lifts mask mandate for students, staff days after it went into effectFort Bend Independent School District announced Saturday that its mask mandate for students and staff has been lifted.
2 more Fort Bend ISD elementary schools to temporarily make full or partial switch to virtual learning
Read full article: 2 more Fort Bend ISD elementary schools to temporarily make full or partial switch to virtual learningFort Bend Independent School District announced Tuesday that Oakland Elementary School will join Pecan Grove Elementary School in temporarily switching from face-to-face to virtual learning. Drabek Elementary will also do so, but only for its Pre-K students.
Former Fort Bend ISD teacher admits to torturing, killing cats to ‘feel powerful,’ court documents say
Read full article: Former Fort Bend ISD teacher admits to torturing, killing cats to ‘feel powerful,’ court documents sayA 29-year-old Sugar Land man has admitted to torturing cats and then killing them, according to court documents.
Fort Bend ISD board announces next steps in nationwide search for new superintendent
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD board announces next steps in nationwide search for new superintendentThe Fort Bend Independent School District’s Board of Trustees announced the next steps in their nationwide search for a new superintendent during a board meeting Monday.
3 years after discovery of Sugar Land 95, debate on how best to tell their story continues
Read full article: 3 years after discovery of Sugar Land 95, debate on how best to tell their story continuesSUGAR LAND, Texas – February marks three years since the first human remains were discovered at the construction site of a new Fort Bend Independent School District school. Over the course of several months, 95 unmarked graves were found and the people buried there would become known as the Sugar Land 95. The laws changed and now we’re able to maintain it.”AdOverall, Dupre praised the handling of the discovery. He said the district is erasing history by not using names of any of the men involved in establishing convict leasing in Sugar Land. ‘Nothing ... done in good faith’Three years later, some have said that the district is still ignoring the wishes of community stakeholders.
12 Fort Bend ISD schools going online due to COVID-19 issues, staffing
Read full article: 12 Fort Bend ISD schools going online due to COVID-19 issues, staffingHOUSTON – Fort Bend Independent School District announced that it is changing from in-person to online learning at 12 campuses on Monday due to COVID-19 staffing issues. The data shows a significant impact on the district’s ability to properly staff the campuses, causing a disruption that would prevent FBISD from continuing face-to-face instruction at this time. The district said it has upgraded its previously listed campuses from Level 2 (yellow) to level 3 (red), according to FBISD COVID Response Plan. Fort Bend ISD said it intends to return to face-to-face instruction when it can and promised a status update at the end of next week. It is also important that you monitor for symptoms, stay home and see a physician if you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.
Fort Bend ISD superintendent Charles Dupre to announce resignation
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD superintendent Charles Dupre to announce resignationHOUSTON – Fort Bend Independent School District Superintendent of Schools Charles Dupre will announce his intention to resign by December of 2021, he confirmed to KPRC 2 on Monday. “Over the last few years (my wife and I) talked more and more about other opportunities," Dr. Dupre said in an interview. In 2018, Fort Bend ISD was awarded the 2018 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award as the best school district in the large district category, and Dupre was named the Region 4 Superintendent of the Year and finalist for Texas Superintendent of the Year in 2019. During Monday night’s board meeting, Fort Bend ISD said staff will recognize three retiring trustees and newly-elected trustees will be sworn in to begin a three-year term. “The district has come a long way since Dr. Dupre returned to us eight years ago,” said Jason Burdine, FBISD’s outgoing board president.
Construction worker dies after falling off roof of FBISD middle school
Read full article: Construction worker dies after falling off roof of FBISD middle schoolSUGAR LAND, Texas – A construction worker is dead after police said he fell off a roof while working at a middle school in the Fort Bend Independent School District. The incident happened around 4 a.m. Wednesday at the First Colony Middle School in Sugar Land, according to authorities. According to a statement sent out by the school, the worker was on the roof of the building when he fell approximately 30 feet and suffered severe injuries. Parents and other members of the First Colony Middle School community were notified of the incident, according to a district spokesperson. Emergency responders were called to First Colony Middle School just before 5 a.m. this morning to assist a construction worker who fell from the building, but sadly, the worker did not survive.
Fort Bend County voters add 3 newcomers to school board
Read full article: Fort Bend County voters add 3 newcomers to school boardSUGAR LAND, Texas – There’s been a shake-up within the Fort Bend Independent School District school board. Fort Bend County voters have chosen three new faces to represent them and their children on the school board. We’ve never ever had that many people vote in a school board election.”Hamin said she’s excited to get on the board and start advocating for children. Incumbent Kristin Tassin fell short of necessary votes to keep her trustee position 4 seat. Colony Bend Elementary School parent Rachel Hancock said it takes a special person to want to run for a board of trustee position.
Fort Bend ISD issues warning about lookalike district website; What users need to know
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD issues warning about lookalike district website; What users need to knowHOUSTON – Fort Bend Independent School District issued a warning to parents Thursday about a fake website that looks like the school’s page. The district said it received reports of a fraudulent website that looks like the Fort Bend ISD website and is attempting to get password information from users. The official webpage to change your password information is my.fortbendisd.com. “We want to remind staff, parents and students to remain vigilant and pay close attention when typing a web address, clicking a link or visiting a website,” the district said in a news release. “In this case, the fake website has a similar web address; however, the fake web address is missing a period in the URL.”If you accidentally visited or have provided login credentials to the fraudulent website, Fort Bend ISD is encouraging people to change your account password immediately at the official FBISD website my.fortbendisd.com or contact the Customer Support Center at 281-634-1300 for assistance.
Deadline extended for Fort Bend ISD parents deciding between virtual or in-person learning
Read full article: Deadline extended for Fort Bend ISD parents deciding between virtual or in-person learningSUGAR LAND, Texas – The deadline has been extended for Fort Bend Independent School District parents deciding if they want their children to continue virtual learning or head back to the classroom. Ft. Bend ISD Superintendent Charles Dupre said board members wanted to give more parents time to decide. Online learning vs. face-to-face instructionNinety percent of the students enrolled in Ft. Bend ISD has selected which learning model they intend to follow. Teachers, staff & students return to classroomsFt. Bend ISD administrators are still configuring the number of students set to return to each campus. What’s next in Ft. Bend ISDBoard members are set to meet Monday night.
Fort Bend ISD opens learning centers for elementary school students struggling with online learning
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD opens learning centers for elementary school students struggling with online learningHOUSTON – Fort Bend Independent School District has opened up 13 new learning centers across the district to help elementary school students with unique needs. The learning centers are available to the children of district staff, first responders, essential workers and active U.S. military. “Staff is there and there enforcing the masks and social distancing in a very positive way,” said 5th-grade teacher Michael Blasdell. “They are just there to monitor and help, my kindergarten daughter is not reading yet so she needs a little more help logging on to things.”FBISD said about 1,600 students are currently enrolled at the learning centers. The district plans to open more centers next week for middle school and high school students.
Thousands of Fort Bend ISD students on waiting list for learning centers due to short staff
Read full article: Thousands of Fort Bend ISD students on waiting list for learning centers due to short staffSUGAR LAND, Texas – Learning centers in Fort Bend Independent School District are designed to help students with unique needs by providing a safe place for them to do their online learning with adult supervision. Dr. Charles Dupre, Ft. Bend ISD’s superintendent, said the plan to roll out and open these learning centers is not going as smoothly as he had hoped. The demand for a seat is so overwhelming due to the district having trouble getting the learning centers staffed. More than 15,000 parents in the district requested seats but only 1,100 are available right now because of staffing issues. It means 4,000 to 5,000 students who are eligible and fit into the priority category are now on a waiting list.
Fort Bend ISD develops learning centers to help parents who can’t work remotely
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD develops learning centers to help parents who can’t work remotelySUGAR LAND, Texas – Virtual online learning in Fort Bend Independent School District begins Aug. 17. Fort Bend ISD is addressing parents concerns with learning centers. What are learning centers? Designated schools within Fort Bend will serve as learning centers. Who are learning centers for?
Fort Bend ISD will begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online, district says
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD will begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online, district saysHOUSTON – The Fort Bend Independent School District will begin the 2020-21 school year entirely online, the Board of Trustees decided Monday night. “Fort Bend ISD will begin the 2020-21 School Year 100% online in order to give students, parents and staff an opportunity to adjust to online learning and safety procedures,” officials tweeted. Here’s what you need to know:No in-person extracurriculars will be held during the start of the school year when students are learning entirely online. Engagement in online learning will be required on a daily basis. All staff, students and visitors will undergo a non-contact temperature check prior to entering FBISD schools and facilities.
Fort Bend ISD officer accused of shooting wife during dispute, police say
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD officer accused of shooting wife during dispute, police sayHOUSTON – A Fort Bend Independent School District police officer is accused of shooting his wife during a domestic dispute at a home in southeast Houston, according to the Houston Police Department. The shooting was reported at 3:49 p.m. at a home in the 14200 block of Prosperity Ridge Drive. Police said the accused officer shot his wife in the chest. The couple has three children and one child was inside the home during the shooting, officials said. “As normal protocol, the District’s Human Resources Department and the Fort Bend ISD Police Department will conduct internal investigations and take all appropriate actions when the investigation is completed.
Parents faced with tough decision of whether or not to send kids back to school in fall
Read full article: Parents faced with tough decision of whether or not to send kids back to school in fallHOUSTON – Parents are faced with big decisions in the next several weeks when it comes to whether or not to send their children back to school in the fall. There’s a clear divide in what parents think, with some advocating for school to resume as normal and others who say they won’t send their kids back. “I’ve got one kid in each elementary, middle school and high school,” said Almas Afazeal whose kids are part of the Fort Bend Independent School District. The Houston Independent School District is expected to release its plan for the 2020-21 school year in early July. Who’s going to clean the lunchroom in between lunches?
What 2020-21 school year will look like in Fort Bend County
Read full article: What 2020-21 school year will look like in Fort Bend CountyHOUSTON Fort Bend Independent School District parents now have an idea what the upcoming school year will look like hybrid learning. The 2020-2021 school year in Fort Bend County will begin on Aug. 12 with and without students returning to class. Students can either attend school full-time, learn online full-time or attend school some days and do online learning the remainder of their week. Im one of the parents who I believe my child should stay at home and do online learning. Not the hybrid, just the online learning due to all that we do not know about COVID-19, Jzaugn Pitts said.
Fort Bend ISD student wins national essay contest
Read full article: Fort Bend ISD student wins national essay contestFort Bend Independent School District student Derek Jiang, a rising senior at Stephen F. Austin High School, was named the grand prize winner of the 2019-2020 We the Students Essay Contest, sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute. This go-around, the essay contest prompted its participants to submit essays explaining what civil discourse means to them. Essays were judged on the following criteria: adherence to the submission guidelines, originality, organization, writing style and depth of analysis. In his essay, Jiang used the friendship between Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the late Justice Antonin Scalia as an example of civil discourse. When asked on 60 Minutes how he and Ginsburg got along so well, Justice Antonin Scalia replied, I attack ideas.
Fort Bend school bus carrying students involved in crash on Highway 6
Read full article: Fort Bend school bus carrying students involved in crash on Highway 6FRESNO, Texas – The Fort Bend Independent School District confirms that there has been a bus crash on Tuesday afternoon with kids on board. The bus was taking students home from Lake Olympia Middle School when it was rear-ended by another vehicle on Highway 6 near Teal Bend Blvd, according to FBISD. Two out of the 26 students on the bus were transported to a hospital after complaining of back and neck pain. The bus was not badly damaged. After the two students were transported, the bus continued its route and dropped off the remaining students.
‘Sugar Land 95’ reburied, public memorial planned for spring
Read full article: ‘Sugar Land 95’ reburied, public memorial planned for springSUGAR LAND, Texas – A public memorial is scheduled for this spring for the so-called “Sugar Land 95” who were recently reburied in the Houston area. The “Sugar Land 95” as they have become called, are believed to be African American slaves who were forced to work as part of the Texas Convict Lease System in the late 1800s. Their remains were unearthed in February 2018 during the construction of a Fort Bend Independent School District high school. The symposium addressed the continuing research that is underway, including genealogical and genetic research that could take three to four years to complete. Fort Bend ISD also pointed to this website for more information.
Several hurt when school bus, car collide
Read full article: Several hurt when school bus, car collideFORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – Several students were injured when the school bus they were in rear-ended another vehicle. Fort Bend Independent School District officials said the wreck happened on F.M. The students on the bus attend Elkins High School, officials said. The other 29 students on the bus were assessed at the scene and released. School district officials said none of the injuries was serious.