Police need help finding murder suspect - Page 3
Fort Bend Christian Academy Director of Fine Arts Robert Sanders was recently recognized for his artwork at The Rising Eyes of Texas exhibition. Read the story inside today on Page 8. (Contributed photo)
WEDNESDAY • APRIL 22, 2020
Abbott orders schools to remain closed
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 44 • No. 87
Governor unveils plan to ease state restrictions By Adam Zuvanich AZUVANICH@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Students in Texas will not be able to return to school this year, which is forcing area school districts to reassess and reevaluate their plans. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Friday that included the continued closure of all schools in the state for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year, a measure aimed at promoting social distancing and slowing the spread of COVID-19. Fort Bend County officials have reported 799 COVID-19 cases among county residents, with 18 deaths, as of Monday. “The team of doctors advising us has determined that it would be unsafe to allow students together at school for the foreseeable future,” Abbott said. Abbott’s order applies to public and private schools as well as colleges and universities, which can continue to engage with students remotely and in online settings. Most campuses in Texas, including those in Fort Bend ISD and Stafford MSD, have been closed since mid-March and conducting classes virtually. FBISD, the area’s largest school district, has implemented a distance learning program that students can access online. At-Home Learning, which can be accessed at fortbendisd.com/ domain/17285, has tools, videos and curriculum to keep students engaged. FBISD Superintendent Charles Dupre said revised strategies include near-term, mid-range and long-term planning. In the short-term, he said the district will consider all students finished with school on what would have been the last day of school May 28. Graduations are being scheduled for July at Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land, though the dates have yet to be determined. Dupre said he is also hopeful to be able to provide seniors some sort of final awards ceremonies as well. “We want to give them every experience we can. It just won’t be on the same scale,” Dupre told KHOU. The district has temporarily moved away from letter grades toward teaching a set of established “priority standards,” or themes officials say are most important for students to learn as foundational elements
SEE SCHOOLS PAGE 5
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott addresses reporters during a news conference last Friday. (Photo from Twitter)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a wide-ranging executive order last Friday that aims to reopen businesses across the state as its communities, including Fort Bend County, continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Starting this Friday, April 24, Abbott said retailers in Texas will be allowed to operate with to-go services, much like restaurants have been doing for the last month in Fort Bend. The governor also said he wants doctors and hospitals, which have focused the majority of their resources to treating COVID-19 patients, to soon resume
elective procedures since Texas hospitals have available bed capacity. Abbott ordered state parks, which have been closed, to reopen Monday. The governor also announced that all schools in Texas will remain closed for the rest of the 2019-20
SEE RESTRICTIONS PAGE 7
Bridging the gap
Fort Bend County Judge KP George faces his computer during a virtual conference call with county leaders on April 17. As the community remains hunkered down inside their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, George has used technology to conduct virtual town halls with local, state and federal leaders to provide residents with relevant, up-to-date information. (Photo from KP George Facebook)
George connecting community virtually during pandemic By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Communication has been at a premium for many residents of Fort Bend County as they stay hunkered down at home amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The county’s highestranking elected official is using technology to try to shrink that gap between community members and connect one of the United States’ fastest-growing counties. So far, the reviews appear positive. Earlier this month, County Judge KP George held virtual town-hall meetings
KP George
with Fort Bend's school leaders and then COVID-19
Mental Health Task Force leader Dr. Asim Shah, who discussed mental health during the pandemic. George also released customized video messages to constituents who celebrated Passover, Easter and the Hindu holiday Hanuman Jayanti. “Communication was always a priority for me,” George said Monday. “Under the circumstances, I thought this happened to be the best way to communicate with people of our community now and moving forward.” More than 1,000 viewers tuned into the two town halls, with more than 400 of
them submitting questions during the webcast. George has conducted dozens of video conferences over the last six weeks using Zoom, which offers online chat services through a cloud-based, peer-to-peer software platform and is used for tele-conferencing, telecommuting, distance education and more. “The best thing to do is one-on-one, looking them in the eye and talking to them. This is something we are pursuing to perfect,” George said. “We don’t think everything was perfect, and we are learning each time we do things – and people are responding
to it.” In addition to the virtual town halls, George has utilized the technology for conferences with federal, state and local leaders such as Missouri City Mayor Yolanda Ford, who said George’s method has been a boon to residents and leaders alike. “Missouri City values its partnership with elected officials across the region, including leaders at the national and state level and those in Fort Bend and Harris Counties,” Ford said. “The virtual conference
SEE CONNECT PAGE 8
County opens COVID-19 testing site to all By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Dupre
Visit www.FortBendStar.com
Fort Bend County Judge KP George announced last Wednesday that the county-operated COVID-19 testing site is open to all residents, regardless of whether they are exhibiting symptoms of the upper-respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. County health officials have reported 799 cases
of COVID-19, including 18 deaths, among county residents. As of Monday, the county had tested 1,452 people at its site, which launched March 30. “I want to thank all the hard-working Fort Bend County and Access Health employees who are working around the clock to make our community safer for families and especially those most vulnerable to this terrible virus,” George said in a
news release. Under the county’s expanded testing policy, residents can call 281238-2363 to receive a unique identification code and to schedule a time and date for the free, drive-through test. They must bring the code with them to the appointment. Previously, residents had to be screened in order to determine if they
SEE TESTING PAGE 3
BOOK YOUR TELEVISIT APPOINTMENT
ONLINE Detox - Weight Loss - Preventive Care - Lifestyle Health
Fort Bend County has opened its COVID-19 testing site to all residents. (Contributed photo)
Located on the top banner of our website
PATIENT PORTAL Providing convenient 24/7 access from the comfort of your own home
MEDWINFAMILY.COM