ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County school leaders are hosting a “Local School Wellness Workshop” on Tuesday to help parents better understand new lessons being added to middle and high school classrooms across Florida.
Starting this school year, a new state law requires students in grades six through 12 to receive instruction on the social, emotional and physical effects of social media. The curriculum covers topics such as misinformation, addiction and how to recognize and report cyberbullying or predatory behavior online.
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Parents say the effort is an important step in helping students navigate the digital world safely.
“I think it’s great awareness for kids to hear it from folks other than their parents,” said Branden Nelson, a parent. “I think it’s a combined effort from parents and other leaders in the community along with school, just to help drive awareness around the issues with it.”
The Florida Department of Education is making the state-approved instructional materials available online, and districts like Orange County Public Schools are required to notify parents once those materials are posted.
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Tuesday’s workshop will give parents a chance to review that content and ask questions before lessons begin in classrooms across the district.
“When parents talk about it and discuss it, it’s actually meaningful to them,” said Jack Francis, a grandparent and high school coach. “I think it’s a phenomenal idea. I think they should do it in the rest of the country.”
The Local School Wellness Workshop begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the OCPS district office.
District leaders say additional sessions could be scheduled based on parent feedback.
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