Brevard County School Board vows to expand COVID-19 testing as parents protest quarantines
Facing angry parents on both sides of the mask mandate divide, Brevard Public School officials told Tuesday nightโs school board meeting that they are working overtime to find testing options for thousands of students who are currently quarantined.
Brevard teachers, substitutes over 65 will get vaccine this weekend, BPS says
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Brevard Public Schools announced Friday it has partnered with the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to teachers, substitutes and other district employees over 65 years old. โWe wish all teachers can get it right now, but this is a great start,โ said Kyle Savage of the Brevard Federation of Teachers. Savage added that itโs great news knowing that was made possible at an event solely for senior teachers and staff from Brevard County schools on Saturday morning. Back in Brevard County, Saturdayโs vaccine event also happened as this 52-year-old reading teacher from Lyndon B. Johson Middle School in Melbourne died last month from COVID-19. More than 300 school employees got the vaccine, according to the district.
School Board rejects mascot policy as Edgewood heads to final vote on โIndianโ mascot
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ The Brevard County School Board on Tuesday rejected a policy allowing it to rein in future changes to school mascots, over the objections of board member Matt Susin. High School is slated for a final vote on a controversial proposal to retire its longtime โIndianโ mascot and nickname, according to Florida Today. โBy putting it into policy, itโs solid and it has to take board action,โ Susin said, calling administrative procedures a โnetherworld.โโWe, as School Board members, itโs our responsibility to govern,โ he said. โI have a hard time with that, as a mascot is a community (and) school unifier, and thatโs what we want from a mascot,โ McDougall said. Susin asked to temporarily halt the Edgewood mascot change in September while the board considered formulating a policy, arguing it had the authority to intervene in the process.
Brevard Schools to work with teachers to make sure they attend COVID-19 vaccination appointment
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Officials with Brevard Public Schools said they will accommodate a teacherโs schedule if they have a COVID-19 vaccination appointment during class. [RELATED: Hereโs how to register for the COVID-19 vaccine in Florida]Brevard County residents 65 and older will start receiving the vaccine on Jan. 4. People who qualify under these priority groups must make an appointment. The county opened a phone line on Dec. 29 for appointments but a day later switched to an online registration system due to demand. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6โฒs coronavirus newsletter and go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.
Golfview Elementary to remain closed for another week due to COVID-19 cases
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. โ Golfview Elementary Magnet Schoolโs campus will remain closed for at least one more week due to COVID-19 cases reported at the school, according to officials with Brevard Public Schools. In Mondayโs update, school district officials said they made the decision to keep campus closed another week so that those infected with the virus can make a full recovery. The initial three-day closure announced last week came after multiple cases of the coronavirus were reported on campus, school officials said. School officials did not disclose how many cases have been reported, only saying it was a โlow number,โ but it could impact many classrooms. COVID-19 cases reported in Central Floridaโs schools can be monitored using this database.
Brevard school enrollment numbers shows drop of thousands of students
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. Numbers from the first day of classes in Brevard Public Schools showed a drop in enrollment of more than 14,000 students. Numbers from Brevard Public Schools show a drop of more than 14,000 students from the same time last year. But school board member Tina Descovich took a different approach to the numbers. That changes the look of Brevard Public Schools.If that continues to maintain, absolutely, Mullins responded. According to a BPS report discussed at the meeting, a worst-case scenario could see Brevard schools losing $22.4 million.
Brevard County students return to school amid coronavirus pandemic
MELBOURNE, Fla. Allison Varney and her son, Austin, were all smiles Monday as they walked to Longleaf Elementary for the first day of school. Varney said shes confident Austin will be safe at school despite the number of COVID-19 cases. Superintendent Dr. Mark Mullins welcomed back students at Longleaf Elementary, along with school principal. This year comes with a lot changes, even with the start of school being delayed, he said. We have a little over 150-160 e-learning kids, but thats quite a few kids coming back into the building, Sherburne said.
First day of Brevard teacher contract talks fizzles with no agreements
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. The first day at the bargaining table fizzled with no agreements and little progress toward the 2020-21 Brevard County teacher contracts, News 6 partner Florida Today reports. With teachers set to return to schools in less than three weeks, leaders from both sides noted the urgency of the talks. "We still need to bargain salary and health insurance and normal things," Skipper said. "If we're still kind of stuck ... that's going to put us dangerously close to when students and teachers are going to be on campus." The safety of our students and staff is our top priority.News 6 partner Florida Today reported on this story
Everything you need to know about Brevard Countys back-to-school plan
BREVARD COUNTY Fla. Brevard County Public Schools has approved its reopening plans amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Brevard County School Board ultimately decided Brevard Superintendent Mark Mullins will have the authority to modify the approved plan throughout the year subject to the ever-changing coronavirus pandemic. Heres what you need to know about the districts back to school plan:Start date: To Be DeterminedThe Brevard County School Board tabled to vote on delaying the school start date Tuesday night during its meeting. Brevard County Virtual School: At-home learning with a flexible schedule. Full or Part-Time Dual Enrollment: Qualified high school students can also add dual-enrollment to their option of preference whether that be combining it with Brevard County Virtual School, e-Learning or in-person instruction at a Brevard County school.
Heres what we know about how Central Florida schools plan to reopen in August
Heres what we know thus far about Central Florida school reopening plans:Brevard CountySince the end of May, Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Mullins has been planning to reopen campuses on Aug. 11. Parents will soon have to choose whether theyd like their child to go back to campus in the fall or continue virtual learning. A draft of the 39-page reopening plan has been posted to Lake County Schools website. Seminole CountySeminole County School Board is set to approve the final safety plan for campuses to reopen on July 14. Sumter CountySumter County students will be able to choose between traditional school, virtual school and another option that is still being developed.
How Central Florida school districts are preparing for Dorian
[RELATED: How to check if your child's school is closed due to Hurricane Dorian]News 6 contacted each school district in Central Florida to ask officials about their Hurricane Dorian plans. Brevard CountyAll Brevard Public Schools will be closed through Thursday due to Hurricane Dorian, including all schools and district offices. "Marion County Public Schools is working with Marion County Emergency Management, monitoring Dorianโs tracks as she approaches. Parents and students can check Orange County Public Schools' Facebook and Twitter for updates. Volusia CountyVolusia County schools will be closed Sept. 3, Sept. 4 and Sept. 5.