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Students, parents prepare for start of online learning amid school closures

View a county by county break down below

Monday is the first day of remote learning for every Central Florida school district, except for Sumter County, which started online learning last week.

Many students, parents and even teachers told News 6 the online learning process is new territory for them and they're hoping for the best.

Melynee Foster is a fourth grader at Ace Elementary School in Orange County. She said she's nervous about the process.

"A little, because I don’t know if I’m going to be that focused on the learning," said Foster.

She has advice for others kids about the process.

"You probably want to power off your phone and try to get focused," said Foster.

Many parents told News 6 they have their concerns too.

"I’m a little nervous, but I think we’ll do good with it," said mother of three Odelsia Foster. "I want to make sure that we are on task and I am able to help them with some of today’s learning."

Meantime, many Central Florida school systems are working to make sure things will go smooth Monday. For example, on Sunday the Seminole County Schools Superintendent shared a video on Twitter of advice for remote learning from the 2021 teacher of the year. In Orange County, school leaders posted a website aimed at helping parents during this virtual transition.

For a county by county breakdown of plans for your child’s school district, see below.


Orange County

Teacher-facilitated distance learning for PreK-12 students will begin March, according to Orange County Public School’s website. County officials say your student’s teacher will communicate the specifics.

Prior to March 30, the county is offering online educational activities for students to work on over the break and get acclimated to the remote learning style. Click here to access them.

The county is also offering offline options for some students and other options to those without internet access at home. Click here for more information.

Seminole County

Distance learning begins March 30 for students in Seminole County, according to the school district’s website. Windows computers, Chromebooks and Apple devices should all be compatible with SPCS’ curriculum. Students in need of a device may be able to check out a laptop from the county through Friday, while supplies last. Free WiFi is also being offered to families without internet connection at home. Click here for more information and all other updates from Seminole County Public Schools.

Osceola County

The Osceola County school district will also transition to digital learning the week of March 30, according to its website. All online learning resources will be available through the county’s ClassLink platform -- which students are already familiar with -- using the student’s ID number. Students who do not know their ID number should call the district’s Digital Learning Hotline at 407-870-4037.

Elementary and middle school students who don’t have access to a digital device will be given paper packets, which will be available in their school’s front office starting March 30. Completed packets will be returned when school reopens, according to the district.

Click here for information about internet connectivity and to see what other resources are available to students and families.

Brevard County

Remote learning will begin March 30 in Brevard County. According to Superintendent Mark Mullins, each school’s principal will provide specifics on how students will learn from outside the classroom. Mullins said in this video that principal’s are prepared to meet families’ varying levels of need to provide curriculum to students.

Mullins said your child’s school should be your first point of contact during the distance learning period. Click here to visit the county’s website.

Volusia County

Virtual learning will begin March 30 for students in Volusia County, according to the school district. The week before remote learning begins, a limited number of iPads and laptops will be distributed to students who do not have access to the proper technology at home. Click here for checkout details.

Internet connection and paper packets will also be made available to students as needed. Get more information on those resources and everything else you need to know about the district’s plan here.

Flagler County

Teachers will be contacting students with their login details and other information needed to participate in distance learning on March 30, according to Flagler County school district officials.

According to the district’s website, most relatively new devices with an internet connection will suffice during the online learning period. Click here for a list of ways to prepare your device for distance learning.

Anyone who needs to pick up a device for their student or has virtual learning-related questions should fill out this form.

Marion County

At last check, Marion County school officials said they were working on their distance learning plan and online platforms to make them available to students next week.

On the district’s website, officials said, in part:

“Not all 43,000 MCPS students have reliable Internet service at home, nor do they all have devices to use. The district is investigating options to make devices and mobile “hot spot” services available to students in underserved-Internet areas of Marion County. More details on these plans will be announced when finalized.”

Click here for updates regarding Marion County’s distance learning plan.

Polk County

Online learning is set to begin March 30 in Polk County. Prior to that date, Polk County Public School officials are deploying 60,000 devices to students to help facilitate remote instruction, according to the school district’s website.

District officials have asked teachers to contact Polk County students with specifics. In the meantime, click here for details from the school district regarding their online learning plan.

Sumter County

Due to the county’s early spring break, the Sumter County School District began distance learning on March 23. Click here for details on their plan and the phone number to reach their technical support hotline.

Lake County

Distance learning begins March 30 for Lake County students. Here is a link to the county’s complete distance learning plan.

The district has issued a form for parents to complete regarding their student’s need for devices. Parents of students who need a device to participate in remote learning are asked to complete the form this week. Click here to access the form.

To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.


About the Author
Jerry Askin headshot

Jerry Askin is an Atlanta native who came to News 6 in March 2018 with an extensive background in breaking news.

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