University of Florida reverses, to have in-person classes
The University of Florida will open its upcoming semester with in-person classes, reversing itself within hours of telling students the term might begin online because of the state’s renewed COVID-19 outbreak.
Biden calls Florida school superintendents who defied DeSantis' anti-mask rules
President Biden called several Florida school district superintendents to praise them for doing “the right thing” after their boards implemented mask requirements in defiance of Gov. Ron DeSantis' ban on mask mandates in schools amid growing COVID-19 infections.
Biden admin backs Texas, Florida districts on mask mandates
President Joe Biden’s administration on Friday offered its full-throated support for local cities and school boards in Texas and Florida that are defying orders by their Republican governors that prohibit mask-wearing mandates in schools.
Florida judge to decide on challenge to DeSantis’ ban on mask mandates in schools
The mask showdown continues Friday inside of a Florida courtroom as parents face off against Governor Ron DeSantis, challenging his executive order against mandating masks inside of schools.
National Education Association supports vaccine mandates, COVID-19 testing
The nation’s largest teachers’ union issued a statement on Thursday supporting the use of FDA-authorized vaccines or regular COVID-19 testing for all public school educators.
Non-profit Saddle Up Riding Club calling on community to help save part of program
A riding club that has served Pinellas County's horseback riding community for almost 20 years is looking for help from that community to keep part of the non-profit program alive.
440 students told to quarantine in Palm Beach County just 2 days into new school year
Just 2 days into the school year, Palm Beach County sent 440 students home to quarantine after 51 students and staff tested positive for COVID-19. The district requires masks -- but allows parents to opt out their children, per Gov. DeSantis' order.
Four Broward teachers die of COVID-19, days before school year begins, union says
Four teachers have died of COVID-19 in Broward County in a 24-hour period, just days before the school year begins, the local teachers union confirmed. All of the educators were on summer break when they got the virus, and at least three of the four were not vaccinated.
As COVID-19 cases rise in schools, health officials say it’s going to get worse before it gets better
Across the Bay Area, COVID cases are quickly beginning to pile up in schools.
'COVID fee': 2 colleges in West Virginia, Alabama billing unvaccinated students
A college in West Virginia and another in Alabama will be charging students unvaccinated against COVID-19 hundreds of dollars in extra fees this fall.
‘A success story’: Lakewood Elementary teachers in St. Pete first to receive $1,000 bonuses
After going from an "F" school to an "A" school, the teachers of Lakewood Elementary in St. Pete were among the first in Florida to receive their $1,000 bonus.
Broward school board becomes latest to defy DeSantis by imposing mask mandate in schools
The Florida Department of Education is threatening to withhold the salaries of the Broward County superintendent and the members of the school board after they became the latest county to defy Gov. Ron DeSantis' executive order barring mask mandates in schools.
Alachua schools stay course on mask requirement despite threats
Two school districts that faced pressure from Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran about their attempts to require students to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic have given vastly different responses to the state.
With masks optional, Pinellas students head to campus on first day of school
The new school year is officially underway in all of the Bay Area as classes in Pinellas County begin Wednesday.
Sarasota schools: No field trips, visitors for 30 days due to COVID-19
Due to the increased community spread of COVID-19 in Sarasota County, school officials have suspended field trips and visitors for 30 days.
University of Tampa to construct 105-foot-tall bell tower
It’s called Ars Sonora. The bell tower will be 105 feet tall with 63 bells, played with a piano-like keyboard. It’s the largest such musical sculpture in the world and not even a music professor knows exactly how it will sound.
CARES Act funds could be used to pay salaries of school officials who impose mask mandates: White House
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday that CARES Act funds could be used to pay school administrators whose salaries were withheld over imposing mask mandates in school districts.
Hillsborough still tracking mask opt-outs as students return to school
The district will send principals and teachers daily updates on which of their students submitted the “opt out” form. But if they see a child who isn’t on their list without a mask, they won’t initially enforce the mandate.
Could parents sue if a child gets COVID-19 from an unvaccinated teacher? Legal experts weigh in
As children return to school, parents are concerned with how best to protect their child from COVID-19. Legal experts say even if a child does get sick, it’ll be hard to place the blame on educators.
First day of school is here for many students across Bay Area
A lot of alarm clocks rang for the first time in months as students in nearly every Bay Area district returned to class Tuesday morning.