ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The deadline looms for parents to submit their preference on whether to allow their children back into the classroom or opt for remote learning next semester.
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Superintendent Dr. Debra Pace said the Osceola County school district is ready to bring back students.
“In order to plan for the second semester, schedules have to be adjusted, bus routes have to be adjusted, more food products have to be ordered,” Dr. Pace said.
After the release of the state’s emergency order to continue allowing all learning options to remain on the table, districts are planning.
“It is still a jigsaw puzzle that requires a lot of juggling as we have said to be able to accommodate student requests,” Dr. Debra Pace said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Osceola County said 1,400 students will be returning to face-to-face instruction for the second semester from being digital for the first semester.
“I think six months ago when we were launching our plans for August, all of us felt like ‘surely by December this is going to be better perhaps things will be back to normal,’” Dr. Pace said.
During Orange County’s school board meeting district leaders evaluated how they will provide in-person classes next semester. Plus, how to manage students falling behind academically.
“Schools are reaching out individually to students and families where we know there is a struggle where that child’s academic or emotional success,” Orange County Superintendent Barbara Jenkins said.
Volusia County has not set a deadline for parents to submit their choices. On Tuesday, the school board met to discuss how to implement plans ahead of the second semester.
The deadline for Osceola County has been set at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday. Orange County confirms their deadline for parents to make a selection is 4:59 p.m. on Wednesday.