Around the state: Hurricane Helene closures continue across the state as the storm heads toward Florida, fathers are honored in Miami-Dade, a transportation issue has been solved in Collier and a charter school in Leon is allowing elementary aged kids to play sports. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Helene-related closures: University, college and public school closures and cancellations abound this week as Hurricane Helene heads toward Florida. Some institutions opted for a half day on Wednesday with plans to remain closed until Monday. Tampa Bay Times. Florida Department of Education. WFLA. Citrus County Chronicle. WBBH. Main Street Daily News.
Miami-Dade: Officials in this school district are focusing on fathers who play a major role for schools and students. On Tuesday, the school board kicked off a special celebration of “Fathers in Education Day” at Pinecrest Elementary School. The event was founded 10 years ago by the Fatherhood Task Force of South Florida. WSVN.
Hillsborough: The rate of students receiving high school diplomas instead of a certificate of completion has improved by 75%, according to the Hillsborough County school district. A certificate of completion is given when all course requirements for a diploma are fulfilled but the student lacks the requirements for graduation. Spectrum News.
Pasco: School officials were under fire on Tuesday soon after they announced classes would take place on Wednesday, despite Tropical Storm Helene. Some asked why the district didn’t follow the lead of its neighboring counties and close schools to allow time for preparation. Superintendent Kurt Browning said it didn’t make sense to cancel classes and lose a day of instructional time. “Why would I want to close schools when today is going to look like yesterday?” Browning said. “If parents are concerned about a bright sunny day, then keep your children home.” Tampa Bay Times. Meanwhile, a telehealth program implemented in Polk public schools more than two years ago has been used 11,308 times, with mental health therapy sessions rising in the second year and physical health visits declining in year two. LKLD Now.
Brevard: The principal of a Palm Bay Christian school and his wife are accused of stealing almost $50,000 that was supposed to be spent on students. WKMG.
Collier: Students at Marco Island Charter Middle School will have a school bus again after weeks without public transportation. In June, Collier County Public Schools stopped providing bus service to them, so the school has opted to purchase two brand new buses of their own. “I think this is a great step forward for the school and for our families here,” said Principal Margo Heidenreich. Fox 4 Now.
Leon: A charter school in Tallahassee is allowing elementary aged students to play sports. Renaissance Academy is a free K-8 public charter school and the only public school, charter or not, to offer the chance for elementary school students to play school-sanctioned sports. “A lot of parents were proud and happy and were like, hey finally, my child can do something other than the typical after school programs,” said Desirae Edmonds, a coach for Renaissance Academy. WCTV.
Indian River: School board members are putting into motion a raise for Superintendent David Moore. The school board voted 4-1 on Monday to start salary negotiations with Moore, who has been in the job nearly five years. The board could vote on a raise in October. TC Palm.
Opinions on schools: AmeriCorps has been a critical asset that has provided committed and engaged citizens willing to serve their schools and communities in a times of enormous need. If Congress does not act, though, AmeriCorps’s participation could drop significantly — or even go away altogether. This would impact hundreds of thousands of students at a critical time. Robert Balfanz and Kevin Huffman, the 74th.
