Schools closed for storm: Schools across north-central and northwest Florida are closing because of Hurricane Michael, which is forecast to become a major hurricane by the time it hits somewhere in the Florida Panhandle Wednesday. Schools in Leon, Franklin, Gulf and Wakulla counties are closed today through Friday, as are several charter schools and universities in the Tallahassee area. Dixie, Gadsden, Suwannee, Madison, Liberty, Calhoun, Holmes and Taylor county schools are closed today through Thursday. Okaloosa, Citrus, Jackson, Jefferson, Gilchrist, Walton and Bay county schools are closed today and Wednesday, and Levy Wednesday and Thursday. Madison County schools are closed today. Schools in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Washington counties release early today and are closed Wednesday. Associated Press. Florida Department of Education. Tallahassee Democrat. WFSU. Pensacola News Journal. Northwest Florida Daily News. Panama City News Herald. WEAR. Foster Folly News. WXSR. Citrus County Chronicle. Ocala Star-Banner. Gainesville Sun. WJHG. WTXL. NorthEscambia.com. WCJB. WMBB. The approach of Hurricane Michael prompts the cancellation of this week’s scheduled meetings of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission. Stoneman Douglas resource officer Scot Peterson was scheduled to testify. The next meetings are scheduled for Nov. 14-15. Sun-Sentinel.
Medical marijuana rules: While several Florida school districts have adopted policies to allow students to get legally prescribed medical marijuana treatments at schools, a policy adviser for several districts is recommending against districts creating such rules because the Florida statute violates federal law. In a letter to his district clients, Neola president Dick Clapp, writes that “Neola is concerned that if a district adopts a policy in response to (the Florida law) and the federal government decides to strictly enforce existing federal law, the district would be in a position to lose federal grant funds.” Gradebook.
School security: The state of Florida launches its new app for students, teachers and others to use to report suspicious activity in schools. FortifyFl was developed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Department of Education with input from survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shootings, and was made available Monday for multiple platforms. WOKV. WOFL.
Sex education: Only eight states mention consent in sex education classes at schools. Florida is not one of them. Orlando Sentinel.
Special training benefits: A new study of 60 U.S. elementary schools in 10 states, including Florida, concludes that specific training for teachers who work with autistic children leads to greater involvement and achievement by those students. “This study is one of only a few demonstrating the efficacy of a treatment for school-age children,” says Amy Wetherby, director of the Florida State University Autism Institute and a study author. Disability Scoop.
District’s legal bills: The Leon County School District spends almost $500,000 a year on legal bills. Lawsuits are handled by a third party administrator, Preferred Governmental Claims Solutions, which decides whether it’s cheaper to settle a suit than to fight it. Tallahassee Democrat.
Dual enrollment: About 2,000 Sarasota and Manatee students and their parents are considering their options for advanced coursework since the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota will no longer hold the classes at schools in the counties. Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Anti-bullying measures: Central Florida school districts have developed anti-bullying programs and tips for preventing and reporting bullying, which are available on their websites. WKMG.
School’s international dorm: North Broward Preparatory School is opening a 300-room international dorm for middle and high school students. The new building will consolidate the school’s foreign students, who had been placed in several locations, and has study rooms, a medical clinic, laundry facilities and round-the-clock adult supervision. Sun-Sentinel.
Personnel moves: Eric “Matt” McDermott, who has been a teacher and administrator in Pasco County schools since 1996, is named principal at Wesley Chapel High School. He replaces Dee Dee Johnson, who transferred to Pasco Middle School. Gradebook.
Teaching certificate revoked: A former Estero High School history teacher has his teaching certificate permanently revoked for making unwanted advances and engaging in explicit sex talk with a female student. Christopher Rohling, who was 23 at the time, resigned in May 2017 after the student reported him to another teacher. Fort Myers News-Press.
Substitute dies in crash: A substitute teacher in Palm Beach County dies on the way home after school when her car ran into a truck. Sheriff’s deputies say Eileen Kleinman, 81, might have had a “medical event” that led to the crash. Sun-Sentinel.
Students hit by vehicles: A 5-year-old walking to school in Deerfield Beach was hit by an SUV and trapped briefly under the vehicle. She was hospitalized with cuts to her face and some second-degree burns, but the injuries are not considered life-threatening. Broward deputies are investigating. Sun-Sentinel. A 13-year-old riding his bike to Oakridge Middle School is hit by a vehicle. Troopers say his injuries are minor. Naples Daily News.
School janitor arrested: A janitor at Charlotte High School is arrested after allegedly showing a 16-year-old student pornographic videos on his phones and asking him if he could help send the videos to a friend. Lawrence Williams, 72, is charged with showing obscene material to a minor, which is a third-degree felony. Charlotte Sun.
Opinions on schools: I do not believe most parents are ambivalent about their child’s education. But most parents are busy and burdened with work and family, so the Marion County School District has to find ways to make it easy, convenient and welcoming for parents to take part. Brad Rogers, Ocala Star-Banner. Now is the perfect time to be a teacher in the Sarasota County School District. The state of Florida is ranked fourth in the nation for K-12 student achievement, according to the highly reputable Education Week 2018 Quality Counts survey. Sarasota County is the third-ranked school district in the state based on school grades and academic success, and the average teacher salary is $54,000. Sarasota County Superintendent Todd Bowden, Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Student enrichment: Twenty-one Lee County students have a Q&A with astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor, who is aboard the International Space Station. She was passing 250 to 300 miles above southwest Florida during the chat. Fort Myers News-Press.
