Federal judge refuses to block DeSantis mask order

A federal judge Wednesday rejected a request by parents of disabled children to block Gov. Ron DeSantis’ efforts to prevent school districts from requiring students to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Environmental Education program helps Hillsborough County students get back to nature

Since 1969 more than 328,006 grade-school students in Hillsborough County schools have experienced Nature’s Classroom, an outdoor environmental education program located on 365 acres of land along the Hillsborough River.

Florida appeals court reinstates stay, allows school mask-mandate ban to continue

A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal reinstated a stay of the ruling by Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper, clearing the way for the state to try to block school districts from requiring students to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

LAUSD now requiring all eligible students be vaccinated against COVID-19

The Los Angeles Unified School District, one of the nation's largest school districts, has passed a vaccine mandate that requires all eligible students aged 12 and up be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to attend in-person classes. 

Hillsborough County extends school mask mandate for 30 days

The Hillsborough County School Board voted Thursday evening to extend the district's mask mandate for 30 days. 

Illinois police warn parents against popular back-to-school photo trend

With back-to-school in full swing, safety experts and law enforcement are urging parents to be mindful of what they share in regards to a popular social media photo trend with kids – as it could make them easy targets for predators.

LAUSD proposing vaccine mandate for all eligible students ages 12 and up

If the proposal passes, eligible students aged 12 and up would be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend in-person classes.

Florida judge rules against governor, allowing school districts to require masks without being penalized

A Florida judge ruled Wednesday that the state cannot enforce a ban on public schools mandating the use of masks to guard against the coronavirus, while an appeals court sorts out whether the ban is ultimately legal.

Most parents want online or hybrid learning for students, survey finds

A new survey found most parents want their kids to return to in-person learning but were still concerned about the chances of students becoming infected with COVID-19.

Therapy dog helps students at Southeastern University cope with stress

The college fall semester is underway and one out-of-state addition to the faculty staff at Southeastern University has all of the students vying for a spot in her class.

Judge makes ruling official: Florida can't ban school mask mandates

As of Thursday, 13 school districts, representing more than half of the state’s students, have moved forward with student mask mandates that allow exceptions only when parents present doctors’ notes.

‘When is this going to stop?’ Driver shortage has many school bus drivers taking on extra routes, shifts

Finding drivers has always been difficult, but with COVID-19, it has gotten even harder. Along with stretching to cover unfilled positions, drivers now have to pick up the routes of fellow workers who are sick or quarantined.

Mask mandate complies with state law, Hillsborough school district tells commissioner

In a letter filed late Wednesday, the Hillsborough school district says it believes its mask mandate is consistent with the law and will remain in effect now that quarantines and cases are going down.

Hernando County school board passes mask mandate with parental opt-out

The Hernando County School Board decided to impose a mask mandate for students and staff, however, members stopped short of joining other Bay Area districts in only allowing exceptions for students whose parents provide a medical exemption form. 

Despite judge’s ruling, Florida threatens more districts over school mask mandates

The state of Florida is now warning school board members in Hillsborough and Sarasota counties that they could face a financial penalty for imposing mask mandates amid the current COVID-19 spike, despite a judge’s ruling last week.