SMSD began collecting this data on August 2, 2021 and it will be updated throughout the 2021-22 school year. This information is also reflected above in "Total Active Cases":

Early Childhood Center

Student(s): 1
Employee(s): 0

Elementary School

Student(s): 0
Employee(s): 0

STEM Magnet Academy

Student(s): 0
Employee(s): 0

Middle School

Student(s): 0
Employee(s): 0

High School 

Student(s): 0
Employee(s): 0

Facilities (Administration, Maintenance, Transportation, Child Nutrition)

Employee(s): 0

Stafford MSD’s Safe Return to Learn Plan which includes information about the ESSR Relief Funds, our academic program to address learning loss, and basic COVID 19 procedures for the 2021-22 school year.  Additional specifics are forthcoming as we continue to receive information from TEA, CDC, and other critical agencies/entities.

08-18-21 SMSD COVID-19 Update Letter (English)

08-18-21 SMSD COVID-19 Update Letter (Spanish)

Return to Learn Plan

At this time, there is not a mask mandate in force at SMSD. However, due to an increase in positive COVID-19 cases, SMSD is strongly encouraging vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to wear masks for the safety all especially while engaging in indoor activities and in close proximity with others.

SMSD is following current CDC guidelines for individuals that have been fully vaccinated.  The CDC considers an individual to be fully vaccinated when it was been two weeks since their second dose (Pfizer or Moderna), or two weeks since their single dose (Johnson & Johnson). 

Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine after an exposure to COVID-19, so long as they do not develop symptoms. 

Due to an increase in positive COVID-19 cases, SMSD is encouraging vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to wear masks for the safety all. 

For more information, click here. 

Stafford  MSD is following the guidance of the Fort Bend County Health & Human Services, which is working closely with the CDC, local governments, and health care providers to prepare for and respond to the evolving COVID-19 situation.  Stafford MSD also has a COVID-19 Contact Tracing Department.

Our entire staff has been trained on procedures and has access to PPE equipment as needed. Additionally, our Maintenance department is cleaning schools, district offices, school buses, and other common areas as often as possible.

SMSD COVID-19 POLICIES

The Contact Tracing Department is our first response team on all COVID-19 cases and exposures.  They follow up with staff, parents, and students to provide additional information and resources. They are focused on enforcing quality policies and protocol related to quarantining and testing. 

According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported. These range from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

For more information on COVID-19 symptoms, click here. 

According to the CDC: 

• People who are physically near (within 6 feet) a person with COVID-19 or have direct contact with that person are at greatest risk of infection.
• When people with COVID-19 cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe they produce respiratory droplets. These droplets can range in size from larger droplets (some of which are visible) to smaller droplets. Small droplets can also form particles when they dry very quickly in the airstream.
• Infections occur mainly through exposure to respiratory droplets when a person is in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
• Respiratory droplets cause infection when they are inhaled or deposited on mucous membranes, such as those that line the inside of the nose and mouth.
• As the respiratory droplets travel further from the person with COVID-19, the concentration of these droplets decreases. Larger droplets fall out of the air due to gravity. Smaller droplets and particles spread apart in the air.

For more information on the spread of COVID-19, click here. 

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a covered trashcan.
• If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

SMSD does not require a quarantine after domestic/out of state travel within the US. 

If you are traveling internationally and are not vaccinated, it is critical that you quarantine and take a negative PCR test on Day 5 following your return.   You must present a negative PCR test before returning to campus. 

If you are traveling internationally and are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been two weeks since your second or final vaccine dose), you do not need to quarantine before returning to campus, but it is recommended by the CDC that you take a negative PCR test on Day 5 after your return. 

All SMSD staff must communicate and report their international travel to their supervisor and Human Resources. 

For more information about CDC travel guidelines and restrictions, click here and here.

If your child was sent home from school, the campus nurse will give them more information on when they may return.  Your child will have been sent home with what SMSD refers to as either "Red Zone Symptoms" or "Yellow Zone Symptoms" 

If your child is at home and has these symptoms, do not send them to school as they will be sent home. If you have questions, you can contact your student's campus nurse. 

The sites below contain multiple sites for testing at no cost. SMSD does not recommend getting the Curative Saliva PCR tests based on statements made by the FDA.

• Fort Bend
• Houston

School closures are one of several options available to district leadership to control the spread of COVID-19, and if recommended by the CDC or other health authorities. It is possible that areas of campus can close in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and minimize risk of exposure. Stafford MSD Contact Tracing Department will monitor all cases and communicate daily updates with parents and staff.

If you need a signed work excuse or explanation of your child's COVID-19 related quarantine or illness, please email the contact tracing team at covid@staffordmsd.org.

The following resources are available to help the public stay informed about COVID-19.

• Fort Bend County Health and Human Services. https://www.fbchealth.org/ncov/
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov/COVID19
• Texas Department of State Health Services  www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
• Who Health Organization  https://www.who.int/

We will continue to utilize the School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) which includes teachers, parents, and health professionals. As an advisory committee, the SHAC provides advice on coordinated school health programming and its impact on student health and learning.  School health focuses on health and physical education, a healthy school environment, health and nutrition services, counseling services, staff wellness promotion and parent and community involvement. The advisory council members serve as health advocates and only present information to the School Board and Superintendent and are not a decision-making or policy-enforcing committee.

If there are any parents who are interested in serving on the SHAC COVID-19 Ad-Hoc Subcommittee, send your name, child’s name, child’s grade level, email address, and contact phone number to: Carolyn Finley cfinley@staffordmsd.org.