Advertisement

Schools choices can help students thrive, even in a pandemic

A roundup of Florida education news from around the state.
 
Rebecca Kohler, communication and regulation partner, Pasco County Schools, left, and autistic high school student Grace Falleur, 14, of Land O' Lakes, center, the bell schedule between algebra and art classes while on Oct. 14, 2020, at J.W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey.
Rebecca Kohler, communication and regulation partner, Pasco County Schools, left, and autistic high school student Grace Falleur, 14, of Land O' Lakes, center, the bell schedule between algebra and art classes while on Oct. 14, 2020, at J.W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Published Dec. 4, 2020

Sometimes, inspiration arises from the most unusual places. Like a virus pandemic. While many families worried about all the implications of COVID-19 on their children and schooling, one had a different perspective. They viewed the situation as offering opportunities that they might never otherwise have discovered. And it’s paying off for their daughter. Read on for that and the rest of today’s Florida education news.

The pandemic forced many schools to close during the spring. It also prompted schools to devise new models, such as remote live learning, which helped Grace Falleur make the transition to public high school and the challenging curriculum she craved.

Families are making decisions for second semester. Personal experiences with the virus can color their views, WJXT reports. • Central Florida school districts are working on their plans, including letting families know what their choices will be, WKMG reports. • Orange County schools have encouraged struggling students to return to classrooms, but those who are coming back aren’t always the ones who have fallen behind, WKMG reports. • The Sarasota County school district plans to offer blunt warnings to parents whose children are faring poorly online, the Herald-Tribune reports. • Martin County schools are also pushing to get more lower-performing students back on campus, noting students in online courses have a lower average grade point than those attending in person, WPEC reports.

The CDC suggested that quarantines can be shorter than 14 days. Bay County schools won’t be changing their rules unless that approach is made official by the Florida Department of Health, the Panama City News Herald reports.

Talk is centering on the vaccine, and who will get it. Miami-Dade County superintendent Alberto Carvalho told parents he’s working to ensure that the district gets enough shots for students, WTVJ reports. He suggested the vaccination might become mandatory for reentry to school.

Florida officials are discussing whether to require students to receive a COVID 19 vaccination. They're also looking at whether teachers would be among the groups to receive the first wave of doses. [ HANS PENNINK | AP ]

The coronavirus is not the only health concern for students. Broward County schools launched a 12-part video series to teach children about AIDS prevention, WLRN reports.

Who will lead the charge on education in Tallahassee? The state Senate released its committee member lists.

What to do about Veterans Day? The Lake County school district has asked parents to weigh in whether students should attend classes for the holiday or not, the Daily Commercial reports.

No guns allowed. Even as he nears retirement, FSU president John Thrasher vowed to fight proposals to allow weapons on university campuses, the News Service of Florida reports.

Getting there is half the battle. The state Department of Transportation plans to increase warning signs around school zones in 13 counties to improve student safety, the Gainesville Sun reports.

The Alachua County School Board is looking for an interim superintendent. Members told superintendent Karen Clarke, who said she would retire in the summer, to leave immediately, and began discussing temporary leader possibilities while preparing for a search, the Gainesville Sun reports.

From the court docket ... Petit theft charges against Marion County’s outgoing deputy superintendent are expected to be dropped, the Ocala Star-Banner reports. The charges stem from the official using school employees to bring district-owned tables and chairs to his home for a wedding.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s the link to yesterday’s roundup.

Before you go ... Okay, teachers. Schools are preparing for second semester, with thousands of children planning to return to classrooms instead of learning remotely. Do your conversations about scheduling with principals sound anything like this?

Principal's Trying to Address a Return to School

Principals always throw the curve balls....

Posted by Devin Siebold - Comedian on Wednesday, December 2, 2020