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Orange County high school metal detector pilot fizzles out, but random searches still on the table
Read full article: Orange County high school metal detector pilot fizzles out, but random searches still on the tableOrange County high school students will not need to pass through metal detectors every morning, but the schools themselves and events related to them will still be subject to random searches, according to a district spokesperson.
Here’s when Central Florida schools will reopen after Hurricane Ian
Read full article: Here’s when Central Florida schools will reopen after Hurricane IanAfter Hurricane Ian moved through the area, Central Florida schools announced how they are handling the storm’s aftermath and when they will be reopening.
Osceola County school district using international program to hire teachers
Read full article: Osceola County school district using international program to hire teachersThe Osceola County school district superintendent said students can expect to see some new faces at the start of the school year thanks to an international program that’s getting results for them and bringing diversity into the classroom.
COUNTY BY COUNTY: What schools in your district are doing to keep students safe
Read full article: COUNTY BY COUNTY: What schools in your district are doing to keep students safeIn light of the tragic Texas elementary school shooting, News 6 asked Central Florida officials about the safety measures in effect to keep students, teachers and staff safe.
Bus drivers needed: Osceola School District hosts job fair ahead of summer
Read full article: Bus drivers needed: Osceola School District hosts job fair ahead of summerThe Osceola School District will hold a job fair to hire 40 more bus drivers and 140 additional bus attendants for the upcoming 2022-23 school year.
Osceola County Schools discuss with authorities recommendation of resource officers wearing cameras
Read full article: Osceola County Schools discuss with authorities recommendation of resource officers wearing camerasLeaders with Osceola County Public Schools met with law enforcement on Thursday to discuss the recommendations of a resident advisory committee.
Chronic absenteeism a problem for some Osceola virtual students
Read full article: Chronic absenteeism a problem for some Osceola virtual studentsOSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Osceola County Superintendent Dr. Debra Pace said district officials have seen an increase in chronic absenteeism among students at home doing distance learning. She said with the distance learning option this year, available as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, school leaders are seeing some students miss class at a significant rate. “We’ve identified students with between five and 50% absences for the first semester, that we are now launching a very aggressive communication campaign,” Pace said. The number of students is 4,687 to be exact, according to Pace. She said with distance learning and students not being in the classroom, it’s harder to get them to engage in a full day of school remotely.
Osceola County schools consolidating meal distribution sites
Read full article: Osceola County schools consolidating meal distribution sitesA Hillsborough County lunch room worker holds up food while parents wait in a line Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at the Brandon High School in Brandon, Fla. Hillsborough County Schools have stopped daily breakfast and lunch pickups for students and are distributing a week's worth of food one day a week. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Osceola County Public Schools announced Tuesday it’s consolidating its curbside meal program to fewer schools. The school district says it intends to provide free breakfast and lunch to virtual learning students through the rest of the semester but will be adjusting its curbside meal program next month. Elementary schools and Zenith Accelerated Learning Academy serving times are 9-9:30 a.m., middle school serving times are 10-10:30 a.m. and high school serving times are 3:30-4:30 p.m.District officials say Tuesday meals will be bundled with two breakfasts and two lunches per child. Current student ID card, birth certificate or any state-issued ID or passport are acceptable, OCPS officials said.
Osceola County gives $2.2. million in Cares Act funding to schools
Read full article: Osceola County gives $2.2. million in Cares Act funding to schoolsOSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Osceola County Commissioners gave Osceola County Public Schools $2.2 million in Cares Act Funding on Thursday. School officials said the money will be used for all sorts of programs like ESOL, STEM and job training for students. HAPPENING NOW: Osceola County giving 2.2 million dollars in federal cares act funding to help @Osceolaschools amid pandemic @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/UDAKRORO3G — Ezzy Castro (@EzzyCastro) October 15, 2020“3,800 laptops goes a long way because as students continue to enroll in our district, there remains a need for laptop devices,” Pace said. Pace also explained the number of cases in schools remains low right now and that all schools are open. [CORONAVIRUS BRIEFING: Daily ClickOrlando.com newsletter delivered to your inbox]Though the Cares Act funds from the county will not be used for personal protective equipment for classrooms, Pace said the school district is using it’s own funding to buy those supplies.
Deadline nears for Orange, Osceola County parents to change their kid’s learning option
Read full article: Deadline nears for Orange, Osceola County parents to change their kid’s learning optionOrange and Osceola County Public Schools want those who want to make a change to do so before the deadline. Chairman Kelvin Soto with Osceola County Public Schools said the district wants to be prepared for students who opt to make a change. Officials with Orange County Public Schools and Osceola Public Schools are asking parents if they want their child to switch options they should call the school their child attends by Sept. 18. Latasha Byrd said her daughter attends Orange County Public Schools and was originally enrolled in LaunchEd. Chairman Soto said Osceola County Public Schools will repeat a similar process for the spring.
More than 450 asked to quarantine across Osceola County Public Schools
Read full article: More than 450 asked to quarantine across Osceola County Public SchoolsOSCEOLA, Fla. In the first two weeks of the fall semester at Osceola County Public Schools, more than 450 people who came into contact with a person positive with COVID-19 were asked to quarantine by the Florida Department of Health, according to the latest report from the school district. Since the school week ending in Aug. 24, more than 36 schools have had students and/or staff asked to quarantine. A total of 26 students and 14 staff have tested positive for the respiratory illness as of the week ending in Aug. 31, according to the district. A majority of the people in quarantine are connected to a small number of schools, most of the schools with a high number in quarantine are high schools. However, the campus has been closed since Aug. 28 when 12 staff tested positive for the virus.
A look inside Osceola County classrooms ready to welcome students amid COVID-19
Read full article: A look inside Osceola County classrooms ready to welcome students amid COVID-19A look inside Osceola County classrooms ready to welcome students amid COVID-19Published: August 12, 2020, 7:18 pmDesks are spaced 4 feet apart and are all facing the same direction at Osceola County Public Schools.
A look inside Osceola County classrooms ready to welcome students amid COVID-19
Read full article: A look inside Osceola County classrooms ready to welcome students amid COVID-19OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. Desks are spaced 4 feet apart and are all facing the same direction at Osceola County Public Schools. Superintendent Dr. Debra Pace said schools are also keeping track of where students sit. She said they will be using seating charts in the classrooms and on the buses so that they can keep track of who students interact with. The superintendent said they've worked this summer to stock up on supplies to ensure every classroom and hallway is equipped. In addition to cleaning supplies, Pace said they have also upgraded the air circulation in the schools.
Everything you need to know about Osceola Countys back-to-school plan
Read full article: Everything you need to know about Osceola Countys back-to-school planOSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. As Florida continues to see a surge in coronavirus cases, Osceola County school leaders are working to welcome students back for the 2020-2021 academic year with adjusted learning options. Heres what you need to know about the districts back-to-school plan:Start date: Aug. 24The Osceola County School Board voted Tuesday night to delay the start of the school year from Aug. 10 to Aug. 24. *NOTE: Traditional VPK and ESE VPK will only be offered face-to-face due to the state restricts digital to 25% of the program, according to the school districts website. Middle and high school students will follow one-directional signs in hallways and on stairways. The Osceola County School Districts full Back-to-School Guide for Parents and Students can be found below or by clicking here: English | Spanish