Mask mandates: Pasco and Pinellas County schools will continue the mask mandates for students. Tampa Bay Times.
Class for the ages: A former high school teacher held a Zoom class for former students, some of whom are now as old as 47. Ocala Star Banner.
Brick and mortar: When school began in Citrus County back in August roughly 4,100 students opted for online learning. That figure has now dropped by 900 as more and more students decide to return to in-person learning. Citrus County Chronicle.
Horsing around: A Lecanto freshman won big at the American Paint Horse Association World Show in Fort Worth, Texas. She returned home to Florida with several first place ribbons. Citrus County Chronicle.
Debate team: Students participating in leadership training with I Am A Star Foundation in Jacksonville debated the pros and cons of opening schools to in-person learning. Florida Times-Union.
Mentoring students: The Straight and Narrow Project has mentored more than 4,000 Jacksonville students in the past two years. WJXT.
Corona concerns: The Broward Teachers Union president was escorted out of the school board meeting by security after an off-topic heated exchange about teacher concerns over contracting the coronavirus. Sun Sentinel. Calusa Elementary in Boca Raton saw six students and one staff member test positive for the coronavirus this week, prompting concerns and an investigation by the district. Palm Beach Post. Alachua County schools have seen coronavirus cases rise, but district officials say it has not yet caused a school to close. Gainesville Sun. The Broward County schools superintendent expressed concerns about the virtual classroom order expiring in January. WTVJ.
The show must go on: Corbett Preparatory School theater students put on a socially distanced show. WTVT.
Agriculture class: The pandemic may have reduced the number of volunteers and animals on the farm, but it hasn’t ended the agricultural program at Silver Sands. Daytona Beach News Journal.
Face freedom: State Sen. Joe Gruters wants to propose a scholarship for students in districts with mandated mask wearing so they can attend eligible private schools instead. WTSP.
Pay raises: Orange County Public Schools and the local teacher union haven’t reached an agreement yet on teacher pay raises. Orlando Sentinel.
Election day: Students in Miami-Dade will get a day off on election day as 196 public schools serve as polling places for the election. Miami-Herald.
Football: High school football starts this week in Broward, but what rules will be placed on parents and fans? Sun Sentinel.
School choice: Nationally about 68.8 percent of students attend their assigned neighborhood school, the rest enroll in schools of choice. In Florida, that figure is down to 54.8. redefinED.
