Health and Safety Protocols 

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    Student and family health and safety are our highest priorities. FBISD has created a COVID-19 Advisory Committee comprised of local health officials, infectious disease experts, pediatricians, and mental health professionals to implement safety protocols to support you and slow the spread of COVID-19. Educational materials have been developed in partnership with our COVID-19 Advisory Committee based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas Education Agency, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines. 

    Cleaning Protocols 

    • Fort Bend ISD’s approach to providing a safe learning environment for all students and staff involves frequent and ongoing cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting of campuses and District-level buildings. Cleaning and disinfecting are part of a broad approach to preventing the exposure and spread of infectious diseases in schools. The process of cleaning combined with disinfecting effectively work to minimize the spread of infection. 
    • Comprehensive cleaning protocols have been developed following CDC, TEA, and OSHA guidelines. They include continuous cleaning throughout the day, with emphasis on high traffic, high exposure areas (e.g., restrooms) and high-touch surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, handrails). 
    • Disinfectants used by custodial staff are on the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). 

    Reducing Surface Contact 

    Implementing proactive measures to minimize the contact with surfaces in high-traffic areas and frequently visited areas can further reduce the spread of germs and other pathogens. The District will implement restrictions for use of water fountains and academic lockers. When possible, doors will be opened by the classroom teacher to ensure students have limited contact with doorknobs as feasible.  

    Air Filtration 

    As part of our overall pandemic response plan, FBISD is upgrading air filtration systems district/campus wide. These upgrades will improve the capacity of our air filtration systems to capture between 90 – 98% of particulates. 

    We will begin to phase in upgraded air filters in August, and it will take approximately six months to upgrade the entire District. 

    Wellness Monitors and Checks 

    Wellness monitors have been hired across the district and will be stationed at all campuses to support health and safety functions. Wellness Monitors will be positioned at designated entrances and exits and have multiple roles, including, but not limited to: 

    • Confirming daily symptom check-ins 
    • Performing noncontact temperature checks 
    • Providing facial coverings on the initial entry day and then on an as needed basis 
    • Supporting contact tracing   

    Proactive Precautionary Measures: 

    Above all, stay home if you are sick or feel ill. 

    Handwashing 

    • Everyone is expected to routinely wash hands for at least 20 seconds.  
    • Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol will be provided to staff for personal use and in classrooms. 

    Face Coverings 

    • To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, facial coverings will be worn by all medically and developmentally able staff, students and visitors. All staff/students will receive a reusable cloth facial covering provided by the District. 
    • View the Tips for Wearing a Mask video from Johns Hopkins Medicine for details. 

    Social Distancing 

    • In accordance with CDC and TEA guidelines, social (physical) distancing is a key strategy in reducing the spread COVID-19. The District has implemented social distancing protocols in all buildings. Every effort will be made to ensure everyone is able to keep a minimum of six feet of distance from one another in all situations.  

    Diagnosis, Exposure & Communication Protocols 

    • Per CDC and TEA guidance, classrooms or buildings may be closed for cleaning and disinfection throughout the year if needed. 
    • Each campus will have a COVID Crisis Team to assist in conducting contact tracing. Contact tracing is a process of supporting patients and warning contacts of exposure in order to stop chains of transmission. The COVID-19 Crisis Team on campuses will include the nurse, campus administrator, counseling staff, and attendance-related staff. All campus and District-level COVID Crisis Teams will complete a COVID-19 Contact Tracing training offered by Johns Hopkins University. 
    • The District will follow CDC, TEA, and County guidelines for reporting diagnosed and suspected cases, including protocols to support notification of parents and the school community. 
    • Self-quarantine is required if you exhibit symptoms or have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Self-isolation is required if testing positive for COVID-19. 

    Additional Resources