Enrollment Management at SCE

Due to continued growth in the area, Sienna Crossing Elementary School (SCE) is only accepting new students in grades 1 through 5 who live within a two-mile driving distance of the school – and therefore would be ineligible for bus transportation to Sienna Crossing ES. Effective June 30, 2020, and until further notice, all newly-enrolling students in grades 1-5 within the Sienna Crossing ES attendance boundary and who live beyond the two-mile driving distance** will be re-directed to enroll at Jan Schiff Elementary School (SE), with transportation provided to Schiff ES.  Kindergarten students inside and outside of the two-mile area will be allowed to enroll at Sienna Crossing ES.  

Effective June 30, 2020, and until further notice:

• Kindergarten students who enroll after June 30, 2020, and first through fifth-grade students who live within two miles of the school will attend Sienna Crossing Elementary.
• All first through fifth-grade students who enroll after June 30, 2020, and live outside of the two-mile area will attend Schiff Elementary.
• Students living in the area most recently rezoned from Schiff to Sienna Crossing will be able to apply for an elective transfer to Schiff.

**NOTE: The two-mile driving distance (area) is defined as two or more miles from the assigned school as measured through the FBISD Transportation routing system. The distance a student lives from their assigned school is determined by measuring the shortest route that may be traveled on public roads as defined by the FBISD Transportation routing system, www.fortbendisd.com/busroutelocator.

February 28, 2020

TO OUR SIENNA CROSSING ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY:

Earlier this week, FBISD released an announcement regarding the “cap and overflow” plan that will be implemented for Sienna Crossing Elementary (SCE) beginning in the 2020-21 school year. Regretfully, this communication was vague and ambiguous, causing confusion within the community about how cap and overflow would be implemented. At the Regular Board Meeting on February 24, the Board was clear in our intent to cap and overflow in a limited manner and only for students who are not currently enrolled at SCE. I am writing to you now on behalf of the Board of Trustees to ensure clear communication about how cap and overflow will be implemented.

At our February 24 Board Meeting, we were notified that, due to the overutilization at SCE, the district will limit new enrollment at SCE until the opening of a new elementary school to relieve student enrollment. Accordingly, cap and overflow will be implemented in the 2020-21 school year for all first through fifth grade students enrolling at SCE after June 30, 2020, and who do not reside within the two-mile driving distance of SCE. Those newly enrolled students (after June 30, 2020) who live outside the two-mile driving distance of SCE will attend Schiff Elementary. Additionally, students living in the area most recently rezoned from Schiff to Sienna Crossing will have the opportunity to apply for an elective transfer to Schiff. Applications will be considered and approved in order by date based on available capacity. Families eligible for this elective transfer will receive a separate letter from FBISD with application details.

The two-mile driving distance (area) is defined as two or more miles from the assigned school as measured through the FBISD Transportation routing system. The distance a student lives from their assigned school is determined by measuring the shortest route that may be traveled on public roads as defined by the FBISD Transportation routing system. 

To summarize, effective June 30, 2020 and until further notice:

• Kindergarten students who enroll after June 30, 2020, and first through fifth grade students who live within two miles of the school will attend Sienna Crossing Elementary.
• All first through fifth grade students who enroll after June 30, 2020, and live outside of the two-mile area will attend Schiff Elementary.
• Students living in the area most recently rezoned from Schiff to Sienna Crossing will be able to apply for an elective transfer to Schiff.

Unless unanticipated growth requires additional relief at SCE, we expect the cap and overflow to Schiff Elementary to remain in effect until the opening of Elementary School 55, which is scheduled to open August 2024, pending voter approval of bond funding for the new school.

We understand that these decisions do affect families, which is why we are determined to ensure you have the most accurate information. To assist with this goal, we have created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that is posted on the FBISD website at www.fortbendisd.com/enrollmentmanagement.

Please be assured that our Board will continue to work closely with FBISD district administrators to ensure the very best learning experiences for all of our students. If the FAQ does not answer all your questions, please submit questions via Let’s Talk.
Sincerely,

Jason Burdine
President, Board of Trustees
Fort Bend Independent School District