8 staff members at Spessard Holland Elementary in Bartow test positive for COVID-19
Days before the students return to campus in Polk County, one elementary school reported at least eight cases of COVID-19 among its staff members.
Tampa schools are addressing social and emotional learning this school year
With virtual school, students lost a connection to teachers and the school community. The non-profit, Frameworks of Tampa Bay, is working with schools this year to help students open up.
Despite hiring 70 foreign teachers, Polk has more than 100 open positions days before new school year
Polk County had to hire more than 700 teachers this year due to the pandemic and more people retiring, so it brought in teachers from overseas. But they are still short 130 teachers less than a week before students return to school.
Summer camp at Clearwater Marine Aquarium is hands-on learning experience
Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers educational programs for all ages during summer breaks. Kids who attended summer camp at the aquarium this year learned all about marine life.
Florida students who oppose masks could get private school vouchers
Florida students could soon use state-backed vouchers to transfer to private schools if they object to wearing masks in classrooms, as Gov. Ron DeSantis and state education officials argue that decisions about masks should be left up to parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pasco County superintendent wants school year to be as normal as possible for students' wellbeing
Over in Pasco County, school leaders are ready for the new semester, but as COVID cases rise and masks mandates are banned, the superintendent explains how they will work around the obstacles to ensure a safe school year.
Hillsborough County unveils back-to-school safety plans as students, teachers head back to class amid pandemic
Five days after the governor’s executive order barring school mask mandates, Hillsborough County’s superintendent says he’s not defying it.
Florida Education Association backs school districts on mask requirements
The Florida Education Association teachers union is backing school districts trying to work around Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order that bars schools from requiring students to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Law requiring panic alert systems in schools goes into effect this year
After 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff was killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre, her mother championed a law requiring Alyssa's Alert panic button systems in all Florida schools. Starting this school year, they're required across all 67 districts.
Tutors help students bounce back from the COVID slide
Students are sharpening their skills before the start of school – an important extra step this year after a year of learning during a pandemic.
Some Florida school districts look to move forward with masks, despite governor's order
At least four Florida school districts are trying to work around Governor Ron DeSantis’ executive order barring school boards from requiring students to wear masks because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Target offering debt-free education program for employees
Target is launching a debt-free education assistance program for more than 340,000 frontline workers, the Minneapolis-based retailer announced Wednesday.
Bay Area schools finalize back-to-school COVID protocols
Florida schools are reopening with little to no guidance from the state, leaving some teachers, students, and parents left to their own devices when it comes to COVID-19 safety.
Sarasota County school officials plan for rising COVID-19 cases as school begins
Sarasota County school officials say they are worried about the new school year after the health department reported its highest number of COVID-19 cases in kids, averaging 30 a day over the last week in the county.
Florida pediatric COVID cases continue to rise ahead of first day of school
Doctors at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital say every week sets a new benchmark for children hospitalized with COVID-19.
Two Florida school districts drop mask mandates after DeSantis threatened to withhold funding
Two school districts that had mandated masks for students because of COVID-19 are reversing course after Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Friday barring such mandates.
Tampa cultural arts center helps youth learn creative skills through free programs
Prodigy Cultural Arts is an after school program through the University Area CDC.
DeSantis threatens to withhold funding from school districts who mandate masks
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order that blocks school boards from requiring students to wear face coverings, and withholds funds from "noncompliant" school districts that decide to impose mask mandates.
Ten-day back-to-school sales tax holiday begins
Florida's 10-day tax-free holiday began Saturday and plenty of parents started stocking up on school supplies.
DeSantis signs executive order making masks optional in schools to 'protect rights of parents'
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Friday barring local school districts from forcing students to wear masks when classes resume next month even as the state's coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to skyrocket toward levels not seen since before vaccines became widely available.