Fort Bend, Conroe ISD will offer limited virtual learning option for some students

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — School districts in the greater Houston area are coming up with options for families who may not be 100% ready to send their students back to the classroom amid the newest COVID wave.

Last week, newly appointed Houston ISD’s superintendent Millard House II said that he would be proposing a mask mandate as students return to class, despite Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders.

Now, two area districts have taken precautions a step further by back-pedaling on the decision to have all students on campus for in-person learning this fall.

On Saturday, officials from Conroe ISD announced they would be offering a limited virtual learning program to some students, similar to most of last year’s semesters.

In-person classes are still set to begin on Wednesday, Aug. 11, while the online program will not start before Aug. 23.

Students in grades Pre-K through sixth are eligible for the virtual program, which will only last one semester. Parents will have to fill out an application on behalf of their child before Tuesday, Aug. 10.

According to the district’s website, state lawmakers did not approve funding for virtual learning for the entire 2021-2022 school year during the most recent legislative session.

The website also indicated that the decision was made based upon the current COVID resurgence in the area.

On Sunday, Fort Bend ISD followed up by announcing a similar program for families that aren’t ready to send their kids back to class yet.

In-person classes will still begin on Wednesday, Aug. 11, and the new virtual program will launch later this month.

Online learning will have limited-enrollment for those who are interested, and school officials said more information will be sent out to families on Monday.

FBISD also noted the surge of COVID as a reason for their decision.