Florida Orders All Schools To Reopen In August

July 7, 2020

Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran has ordered all public schools in the state to reopen in August while offering “the full panoply of services” to students and their families.

“There is a need to open schools fully to ensure the quality and continuity of the educational process, the comprehensive well-being of students and families and a return to Florida hitting its full economic stride,” the emergency order released Monday states.

The order requires that all public schools reopen in August at least five days a week and provide all services that are required by law, including in-person instruction and services for students with special needs.

“Required services must be provided to students from low-income families, students of migrant workers, students who are homeless, students with disabilities, students in foster care, students who are English-language learners, and other vulnerable populations,” the order states.

Both public school districts and charter school boards must submit their reopening plans to the Florida Department of Education that show how they will fully open and offer all services to all students. They will also be required to project the number of students that are expected to continue with remove learning as was used after the March statewide shutdown.

“Although it is anticipated that most students will return to full-time brick and mortar schools, some parents will continue their child’s education through innovative learning environments, often due to the medical vulnerability of the child or another family member who resides in the same household,” the order says.

School districts are also instructed to follow any executive orders from Gov. Ron DeSantis along with any advice from state or local health officials.

Tap or click to read the full order.

Comments

64 Responses to “Florida Orders All Schools To Reopen In August”

  1. One Voice on July 25th, 2020 11:12 pm

    Hazard pay!!! Give all teachers and drivers hazard pay to keep them here.

  2. One Voice on July 25th, 2020 11:10 pm

    It’s your right to not let your kids go to school. However mandatory means you have to sign in everyday. Online is different. People get lax unlike class room teaching.Its more convenient not easier. And when you go to work if you trust your child to log on instead of jumping in the pool or going off with freinds play games. Then good for you!

  3. Lee on July 9th, 2020 6:41 pm

    @ Cathy- I’m a teacher and in favor of everyone in schools wearing masks. Most healthcare experts still say that masks are necessary to stop the spread. I’m assuming most people get advice on serious health issues from medical experts, not politicians. Not only is our state still seeing rising numbers, but we dont even know all the ramifications of this virus yet. Hospitals are now seeing permanent lung damage in young people who were asymptomatic, scientists are warning about brain damage, and there are concerns not just for pregnant women, but for newborns. Schools are petri dishes; we dont need to make students guinea pigs.

  4. Scott on July 9th, 2020 6:33 pm

    I wish this were not an election year, we would be over this by now!

  5. Government is just that on July 9th, 2020 5:54 pm

    @ Chris

    “ Unfortunately Biden will not be President soon enough to be able to stop this before many people die”

    Wait wait… you really think that a president can stop the spread of a contagious disease??? At best policy can be proposed but even then a proposal isn’t a guarantee. In today’s political climate the only thing a change of president would do to this pandemic is change the way certain media outlets report it. We are blaming this all on government when recommendations have been proposed, funds have been made available, and forces have been mobilized. If you want more than that from a government you’re in the wrong country jack.

    NorthEscambia is a dying breed of unbiased straight facts reporting.

  6. Willis on July 9th, 2020 3:56 pm

    @Hmmm
    Breath , its alright. Ask the parents that suddenly found themselves trying to be the teacher. You’re worth more than you’ll ever be paid. But you know you do some of it for a reason other than pay.

    Can’t get around this being a mess and everyone will do the best they can.

  7. Chris on July 9th, 2020 9:35 am

    If schools fully reopen the spreading o f Covid-19 probably will get a lot worse then it is even now. Student or teacher gets infected not only will the infect others at the school, the could affect everyone in their own homes too. One person could infect over 100 people in a day without even knowing it if schools reopen.

    Trump and Florida should be help personally accountable for anyone who gets infected and dies by reopening the schools.

    Unfortunately Biden will not be President soon enough to be able to stop this before many people die

  8. Lee on July 8th, 2020 5:51 pm

    Masks should be mandatory. One in five teachers here are 55 or older. In some areas it’s one in four. Many other school staff are also in the at risk group due to age. We already have a teacher shortage, and many will retire early if they don’t feel safe. Schools were already having trouble finding subs. Considering that many subs are senior citizens, it’s not likely they will want to be in a classroom of kids, especially if masks are optional. We are still in the first wave of this virus. By the time the second wave hits, we could also be dealing with the seasonal flu, etc. Countries that are being successful in getting back to school got their COVID-19 numbers down FIRST. The US is leading the world in cases. We obviously need to stop bragging about our ranking in the world and do something about it.

  9. Hmmm on July 8th, 2020 2:28 pm

    For those of you complaining about schools opening, keep your kids at home. You have that choice. And instead of complaining, present a logical and viable solution. Your complaining is not doing anyone any good. If you think you are so smart, you run the show.
    And as far as those making comments about teachers being overpaid, say that to the face of a teacher and see what kind of response you get. I am a teacher and you said that to my face, I would slap you. Those who have never worked in education, you try it for a week. You will think twice about saying we are overpaid.

  10. Rufus Lowgun on July 8th, 2020 1:08 pm

    Remember when DeSantis and Trump assured us we could reopen bars and restaurants and massage parlors and hair salons and beaches safely and responsibly? How did that work out? They are now saying the same thing about schools. The approach seems to be “hey, you’re kid probably wont’ die, so what’s the problem”? Left unaddressed is what happens when your kids bring covid-19 home to their parents and grandparents.

  11. Colleen on July 8th, 2020 11:57 am

    To Cathy,

    I am a teacher, and I am against mandatory masks. When did we become a nation of lemmings? We should not so easily give up rights and choice to government officials, as they are difficult to get back. Visit other countries and see how they live, and you will see why freedom is so precious, and we should be teaching this to our students.

    In addition, the information we are given is constantly in flux. It has changed numerous times, so I will not make a decision when I do not have good data.

    Furthermore, if some are fearful, they have every right to wear a mask or even stay home, but they do not have the right to impose their choices on those who do not agree.

  12. Lee on July 8th, 2020 11:50 am

    If schools reopen while hospitalizations are rising, we should expect even more cases. If someone at a school tests positive, they and everyone they were in contact with will have to isolate for 14 days. If a student attended all 7 class periods, they would be in contact with every student in those classes. Say there are 20 kids in a class, that’s 140 kids, plus 7 teachers. To 147 we add a few other contacts – cafeteria workers, maybe the librarian, the nurse, maybe a custodian. Then there would be other kids in the cafeteria. And some classes have aides or students are sent to a speech class, etc, so those workers could be exposed. Haven’t even factored in bus exposure or big groups like PE classes, band, etc. Our district already has trouble finding subs and many of those we have are at risk due to age. Having even a couple teachers out is a big problem. Typically, classes would be split and sent to other classrooms, so a 6th student could end up spending their math period in an 8th grade math class. However, distancing recommendations would preclude that. And we haven’t even gotten into flu and all the other bugs that make people sick, how few custodians schools have, etc. Reopening schools while our state is seeing record numbers of COVID cases and rising hospitalizations is foolish. And our county wont even require masks??? Wonder what school looks like for the Desantis and Trump kids.

  13. Mom of 2 on July 8th, 2020 1:06 am

    @common sense… I have! We have been in quarantine since March. Pick up grocery orders, no play dates or trips out, no family gatherings (thank God for FaceTime), nothing that you listed. It can be done and should be done! Stop trying to act like it’s so hard to stay home. My husband has been working from home but I leave for work (home care worker). I go to work (masked), sanitize after I leave their house, change clothes, wash hands, clean cell phone when I get home. I have 2 kids who did just fine distance learning because their parents and teachers helped them. You have lazy parents who want the schools open as babysitters. One mom on this post said she’s a single mom who works full time so she doesn’t want to help her son with schoolwork. WHAT?! I work full time too and am on call 24/7 and I still help my kids. I get that it’s tiring and we are not trained for this, but it’s where we are at right now. These are the parents who blame everything on the school/teacher when their child fails. The teacher are there to teach, not raise your kids. Also, what is so bad at peoples homes that its torture for you stay home with your family? This has honestly brought my family so much closer.

  14. Mom of 2 on July 8th, 2020 12:54 am

    @Trisha… you are absolutely right. I HAVE kept my kids at home for MONTHS! My family has been in quarantine since early March and we continue to stay in quarantine. I have taken them to the store 1 time only and they wore masks and that was so they could get out of the house and it was a small store. We order our groceries for pick up. I leave the house for work only, I do home care and I always wear a mask and hand sanitize as soon I leave a patients house. I change my clothes and wash my hands immediately when I get home and wipe down my cell phone. I am high risk and my patients are high risk and I don’t have the luxury of not working. So NO I won’t be sending my kids to school in the fall as it puts me and others around me at risk even though they are very well versed in the proper protocol to prevent Covid. There are WAY too many people in Florida who don’t wear masks, do whatever they want, and don’t care about other people getting sick. If everyone had been doing what my family has been doing for the last few months then we wouldn’t be having this discussion. I don’t think the people who “want to get back to normal” realize they are the ones prolonging this mess. Our Governor is letting the people down, the same people he’s supposed to be protecting. Distance learning is the way to go… if Harvard can do it, why can’t we?

  15. Lee on July 8th, 2020 12:13 am

    All teachers are not the same. Many do not belong to the union and are very hard working ( which is impossible to know if you are not married to one) conservative, patriotic, thoughtful, caring Christians, who go above and beyond what is required of them.It is unfair and unjust to judge all by the attitudes of others. All public school teachers are not pushing Marxism. They are not paid to go to workshops, trainings, and conferences after school hours! Their salary is divided into 12 months. They do all of this, plus family nights and sometimes field trips that start before the sun comes up and return well after dark! No extra pay. Still required to be at school the next day too!

    Get more involved in your child’s education and at their school, check over YOUR child’s homework with them and help them study! Get to know teachers at your child’s school and then request a teacher for your child.

    Finally, if you can read this….you owe a heap of gratitude to several selfless, patient elementary school teachers.

  16. Good grief people on July 7th, 2020 11:33 pm

    I agree with Common sense. It’s time to get back to school. If you are scare for your child or someone at home getting the Covid 19 for heaven safe just keep them home and Home School them.  And one of these comments is just ridiculous. Talking about the Teachers getting a raise. Well they deserve it. Sounds like you have a problem because being an ESSENTIAL WORKER you haven’t got any extra money. Well it was way past time for them to get a raise. Thank you to all the Teachers out there for being there for all these children. God bless each one and keep you safe.

  17. DG on July 7th, 2020 11:02 pm

    SF: I am a teacher in Escambia County. I have been teaching for 15 years this school year. I do not know how you think teachers are overpaid. For teachers in Escambia County we are underpaid for everything that we have to do on a daily basis. During the time we were having to work from home I would have to call or at least try to reach out to parents on a daily basis. I would make 30-40 phone calls daily and I would be helping students past my allotted work hours. Every school district will not have the financial means to pay starting teachers the $47, 500 that the governor talked about for teachers. If it wasn’t for teachers then who would teach the students what they need to learn because in my experience not many parents will take the time to help their children.

  18. SF on July 7th, 2020 10:18 pm

    How tragic. Overpaid teachers may actually have to go to work. There are people with far more dangerous jobs that don’t even have a choice. The teacher unions have pushed for these ridiculous raises and our Governor has caved in to it. That being the case it is real simple! GO EARN YOUR MONEY! The ESSENTIAL WORKERS HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN ANYTHING!

  19. Cathy on July 7th, 2020 9:31 pm

    Malcolm Thomas is not requiring masks. This will put all students and staff at an even greater risk. To the teachers and staff out there- I am curious, are any of you against mandating masks in schools? I see one teacher posted that she is very concerned, and I feel for her. Please contact your school board members and Malcolm Thomas.

  20. Bonnie Exner on July 7th, 2020 7:40 pm

    This coming from the man whose wife was one of the biggest investors in charter/ choice schools in south Florida..AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE..” FOLLOW THE MONEY “!..parents I would think 2 about sending your child off to school in August especially if they have any kind of underlying illness…social distancing sounds good in theory but is impossible in reality..and if a child or his teacher tests positive for CVD 19,will the 14 day isolating be in effect..and where are you going to get subs that will commit to a 14 day stent??

  21. John Doe on July 7th, 2020 6:36 pm

    Meanwhile, cases of covid-19 are rising among employees of Escambia County School District. One employee who I choose not to name came back to work 2 days early from quarantine and just this past week, another employee in the same office tested positive for the virus. I would not feel safe sending my kids back to school and I would recommend you think about it as well.

  22. Educate on July 7th, 2020 5:56 pm

    This comment is for those who speak highly against sending your students back to school come August. If you are opting to keep your children at home, please choose the virtual platform where a teacher will be interacting/teaching your child; because after suffering through your grammar mistakes and misspellings, I worry about your child’s future if you are the one offering to educate from home.

  23. Rufus Lowgun on July 7th, 2020 5:14 pm

    “we know why the schools are opening ….teachers need a paycheck……..it isn’t about the children”

    Do you actually know any teachers? It doesn’t sound like it. Teachers think this is a horrible idea too.

  24. .aranda on July 7th, 2020 5:07 pm

    I for one am thankful that school will continue as normal. My son has learning disabilities and almost failed due to school being let out 3 months early. I am a single full time workimg mother and I can not hold his hand and help him with his work. I have had his older sibblings try to help but he cant stay focus and they got over whelmed! My son will not be able to pass a whole school year doing it on his own!
    Dont forget that our bodies were born to develope its own antibodies and resistance to new viruses. He can wear amask if thats what it takes for school to resume but i do recommend the ones with built in filters and breathing ventilation to prevent lung infections.

  25. Nikki on July 7th, 2020 5:05 pm

    There is so many opinions and i understand all of them but at the end of the day like someone told me earlier its your kids you do what you think is best for your own and thats the bottom line. There is always gonna be some kind of conflict and somone to try to have something bad to say or call someone lazy or just be ugly in general because they think their opinions are better than the next man . We all want our kids safe and healthy. Praying for everyone is all i have been doing especially for my family even the ones i dont talk to much . In these times we need to love each other more and let go of things that don’t really matter and focus on what does. My decision to keep my child safe the way i think is appropriate is my choice and its no better than anyone else’s. We all matter to someone and alot of people matter to us especially our babies. I hope everyone stays safe.

  26. Freedom on July 7th, 2020 4:55 pm

    Let the kids have some normalcy. They’re rarely the ones who get sick. Yes you the parent may get sick, but I hope most parents would find this to be an acceptable risk to allow their children to live normal lives.

  27. Barbara Agerton on July 7th, 2020 2:49 pm

    Schools reopening is going to be a disaster,we know why the schools are opening ….teachers need a paycheck……..it isn’t about the children………..

  28. Susan on July 7th, 2020 2:37 pm

    There is a 16 year old girl from Pace on a ventilator at this minute. A 20 year old young man from Pensacola shared his experience with Covid the other day. These are just the families that have come forward. Opening the schools is,a totally political move to “prove “ everything is ok before the election. I will be at my school working with the little ones but if it doesn’t feel safe, I tell you what, I am not in the military and I will stay home.

  29. Kane on July 7th, 2020 2:13 pm

    Where to even start……..Those that run the school system can’t stop school shooters so how the hell are they going to prevent the spread of a virus? Ever hear of lice or the flu or even the common cold? As a parent of two I am well versed in all of those abominable things. They spread through schools faster then wild fire, if you have one child with headlice then you have a classroom full of them. There will be no stopping this covid-19 once the schools reopen.

    Parents that depend on schools as free daycare you say you have to “work to make the ends meet” well what is going to happen when your child infects you and you can’t work anymore? Then someone else will have to take care of your child. Probably a family member but if as you say you have no one then the state will take them. That sounds a lot worse then having them miss a little school. When your child gets infected and has to be quarantined at a hospital away from you then what will you tell them? “I’m sorry I sent you to school” is all you’ll be able to tell them.

    To the “drink from the hose” group, you wouldn’t say that about Polio would you? This isn’t a cold your body does not always make “antibodies” that prevent you from getting it again it also spreads fast and easily. It does things like form blood clots that can kill you. The flu never did that.

    The government needs “things to get back to normal” they are trying to prevent another “Great Depression”. Notice the bars are closed again even though there was no shut down order by the government. No instead there was a “can’t consume alcohol” order put out by the Bureau that regulates Permits. That’s called a “softball response”. You get a few complainers but no outright protests because there was no official closure order.

    Things will never be “normal” again this virus is changing the world in a way we can’t fully see or affect.

    My child who still attends school will not be going back. This would be his Senior year. Instead he will finish his education online, safe at home were he can be protected. Because before all else the most important duty a Parent has is to protect their child.

  30. J. Talle on July 7th, 2020 1:51 pm

    Here is why I choose to send my kids back to school:

    June 23, 2020 UK headline: “Five children have died of coronavirus in UK.” 44,391 adults had died in the UK as of that article’s date. Tragic, but only FIVE kids died. Wish more states reported kids’ numbers.

    My kids are more likely to die from a car wreck than catch covid, much less die from covid. I’m more likely to die in a car wreck than from covid, yet I drive my car as safely as possible anyway.

    When others had the luxury of lockdown (and horror of no income), as an essential worker my spouse has worked wearing PPE in contact with confirmed covid positive people. For months, we’ve expected to catch covid. Hasn’t happened or maybe we just never had symptoms.

    Current anti-body tests have a high failure rate. Lockdown couldn’t stop covid killing elderly in nursing homes where they ought to be safe. The vaccine won’t be here tomorrow and they don’t do inoculations.

    I protect our vulnerable family members from exposure by putting myself at risk to do their shopping (with a mask by choice, not forced). We visit from outside their screen porch and miss hugging them.

    They do not want nor ask anyone to deprive themselves of living a normal life as safely as we can. We aren’t oysters.

  31. Citizen on July 7th, 2020 1:42 pm

    Not gonna happen.

  32. Jw on July 7th, 2020 1:36 pm

    Wake up Florida!! This is beyond irresponsible. There are so many reasons why I couldn’t possibly list them all. I am anxious to see the Escambia School District’s operational plan for this really stupid decision. These are children that will be subject to known hazards that can’t be properly avoided by adults. We are supposed to protect and care for our children and I for one will. Show up for in person school…not a chance in h. I will not participate in this mindless political decision not will my children.

  33. Anonymous on July 7th, 2020 1:26 pm

    I will not be returning my grandson to school due to the medical vulnerability of his uncle in the same house with severe asthma. Plan to provide online learning for him and many communication emails with the teachers. If I was a teacher I’d go on strike. This is stupid since kids are the biggest germ carriers.

  34. David Huie Green on July 7th, 2020 1:23 pm

    COVID-19 is a real nuisance.

    No matter what you do, you will suffer from its effects — some a couple of weeks, some more than 7 weeks and some we don’t know how long yet because they are still suffering and it’s only been a little over a half a year for them.

    Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.,” but some things take more comforting and longer than others.

  35. Amanda on July 7th, 2020 1:09 pm

    You can ORDER school’s to be open as you wish. You can’t make people follow your orders, try as you may. Teachers can make decisions as can parents. . You can’t order the normalizing of a pandemic. A more reasonable solution is needed .Put aside politics and try harder. What you do now will be there for all prosperity to see.

  36. pencil on July 7th, 2020 1:01 pm

    Who are the parents and teachers who actually feel safe doing this?

    Get them open before the election is the plan so that there’s a semblance of normalcy and probably shut things down again the next day.

  37. Concerned Parent Molino Elementary on July 7th, 2020 12:34 pm

    This is so ridiculous, there is NO WAY to properly social distance or sanitize the way it should be. Your putting families and teachers at risk. I feel the students should do distance learning as they did in March. The teachers and children should not be subject to this type of health risk when it’s other means for the teachers to teach. You all are not following CDC guidelines your following your own like the president. This is utterly sad and very heartbreaking.

  38. Guy on July 7th, 2020 12:27 pm

    My child will not be back in that school or school bus with what’s going on right now. There’s no way to social distance children like that in a closed space. It’s just impossible. It makes me sad because kids need that interaction but maybe they can do what they did at the end of the school year. We still have the chrome books and although no one kind of knew the structure of things because it was so new, we all made it work and it did work. At least teachers had a go at it and could consider doing it until things are better? I just can’t leave my son to the wolves. He’s innocent. I care about his week being too much for that

  39. Mary on July 7th, 2020 12:02 pm

    As a mother of 5, I cannot say that I agree with this. My children will not be returning. The schools are overcrowded and there isn’t a guarantee that my children will be safe. These are our children we’re talking about. It’s our jobs to protect them.

  40. Trisha on July 7th, 2020 11:48 am

    There are many questions that need to be answered. However, the people who run our schools are intelligent individuals. Everyone wants to stay safe and protect their families, school officials included. So tell me, those of you who are so vocal about not sending your children to school. Are you saying you have kept your children confined to your house? No trips to the grocery store, no trips to Walmart, no “play” dates with their friends? Surly you have had your child wear a mask when going out in public! Surely you have taught your children how to behave and actually listen to the bus driver and other adults. Surely you have explained to your children the importance of washing hands and staying as safe as possible?? Our children need quality education. As seen in the comments, many are probably not suited to teaching their children Math, Science, History, English and written punctuation.

  41. Common sense on July 7th, 2020 11:40 am

    I just have a question…..to all of those freaking out because the schools will be open, how many of you actually kept your kids at home these several months? No Walmart trips, so socializing with friends or gathering with each other? No family get together a or trips to the beach, swimming pools, creeks etc? I’m sorry but as a mom and caregiver I don’t believe them being in school is any different than walking around Walmart where folks don’t even know how to wear the mask properly, go around with gloves on touching everything and then adjusting their masks with the gloves hand, eating with gloves on or wearing their mask around their neck instead of over their face. Yes it’s scary and yes it has caused many people to be gravely ill or even die. It’s horrible! But locking ourselves away in fear is not gonna do us any justice. Teach your kids the importance of masks and hand washing, trust their teachers and staff to do the best of their abilities to keep them safe and move on.

  42. Mark on July 7th, 2020 11:01 am

    I can already see the amount of lawsuits against the school district this will cause, especially if they are not following CDC guidelines to the “T”.

  43. Susan Barnes on July 7th, 2020 10:57 am

    I really don’t understand with them saying bow bad it is now you still aren’t having restaurants opening. Church’s not open yet but its ok to put children all together somethings not right here

  44. Steve on July 7th, 2020 10:56 am

    Maybe the teachers can change classes instead of the students moving
    Around 5-7 times a day. At least for the first couple months.

  45. Kathi Iannone on July 7th, 2020 10:28 am

    People….we have to get back to the business of living. There is a long list of diseases and viruses that have come out that we didn’t have a vaccine or a cure, and we are still living life day to day. We still have the flu, smallpox, chickenpox, HIV/Aids, Rotavirus, Rabies. Yes, people are still getting sick but the death rate has decreased. This is the new normal. This virus isn’t miraculously go away! It is our responsibility to teach our children good hygiene, eating healthy, exercise to grow strong bodies to be able to fight infection and disease. I absolutely do not want myself, my children or anyone I love to die either. But we cannot stay locked down in our homes from this virus forward. The economy must move and the only way for that to happen is people have to work and live life.

  46. Wow on July 7th, 2020 10:20 am

    Some adults need a refresher class in sentence structure. You don’t have to start every word with a capital letter, and it is okay to use punctuation.

  47. Shawna on July 7th, 2020 10:19 am

    My child will be returning as long as its not mandatory to wear a mask. For those parents whining about the safety of your child keep your children at home if your so afraid , don’t punish the rest of us parent’s who aren’t afraid to send our children back to school.

  48. Leslie on July 7th, 2020 9:49 am

    We have been doing our children a grave injustice by not exposing them to this “virus” So that they can build antibodies to fight it off. They need to go back to school things need to go back to normal I one hundred percent support this. Social distancing is a joke it is ridiculous and wearing a mask does absolutely nothing for anybody. Stop coddling your children let them live let them drink out of the hose. Let them get dirty let them be kids everybody just needs to stop. We grew up in a time where we played outside all day long where we drink out of the hose and we are just fine. If you don’t want your kids to go to school don’t send them but don’t try to stop other parents who are fine with sending their children to school get off your little soapbox and do what’s best for you and yours I am so over all of this crap.

  49. Nikki on July 7th, 2020 9:40 am

    Luxury? Its such a luxury not having anyone to keep my kids so i can stay at home and cook and clean and do yard work its a luxury not being able to afford a nasty daycare for my kids to go to not knowing what could happen . That was really cute im glad your kid is better than mine . I dont just sit on my butt and say oh yeah i got it made while my ol man goes out and bust his butt for us . Im more concerned for my kids though not what some lady that thinks her crap dont stink has to say because she has to work and her kid is “smarter” or knows what to do . Im sure alot of kids know what to do that doesn’t mean a little mask would keep them from getting sick . They are kids they are gonna play and make a mess and eat their boogers . Some people are more worried about getting under some ones skin then trying to look at this from all sides. Ill sit here on my couch and eat and watch movies all day while my man works for nothing . There is no luxury in not being able to work . I cant stand when you high class folks think yall just know everything its cute and fun to let you think that though thanks for the laugh

  50. GoodForFlorida on July 7th, 2020 9:39 am

    Looking forward to it. Kids need normalcy and structure. Hope AL does the same.

  51. Rational on July 7th, 2020 9:27 am

    Florida, killing someone everyday, now killing our young people. Vote in November to get these idiots out of office. Your life and your child life depends on it.

  52. Nikki on July 7th, 2020 9:26 am

    As a mother of young children and knowing how hard it is to keep a shirt on my son or a diaper on my 2 year old even if masks were mandatory how in the hell would they expect these kids to keep that on their face at school. I see all sides as well but its just not safe if anything its careless thus while situation has been careless every way you look at it.

  53. Bob Klein on July 7th, 2020 9:20 am

    Dear Commissioner,

    i’ve started this email four different times trying to keep it civil. So let me put it this way sir, perhaps you were not a bonehead but this decision and the way that it was presented is boneheaded. I’m not sure where you got your degree in epidemiology but you might rethink this issue. You Sir, are putting thousands of children, teachers, school nurses, support staff, the families of every child that enters the school building, and everyone else that works in the schools at risk.

    Please rethink this ridiculous and dangerous decision.

  54. Doug on July 7th, 2020 8:57 am

    It looks like Jonnie needs to go back to school as well. Somebody skipped grammar class a few too many times

  55. Truth on July 7th, 2020 8:39 am

    This is crazy to send kids back to school with covid cases on the rise, and no end in sight. Distance learning worked good and is the safest for everyone. I know some people think that distance learning has gave teachers a break but that is far from the truth. The truth is that teachers had to work harder to accommodate all their students and make sure they continued their education. As well as teachers with children had to make sure their own kids kept up with their education. I would love to see how the school board mandates CDC guidelines in every school because that is going to be almost impossible. Also how is the school system going to have the man power for every school to help keep everything clean and disinfected when they just had 200 people retire from the school system.

  56. Steve on July 7th, 2020 8:17 am

    People stop worrying so much. If the schools are going to reopen they must have consulted Doctors and Professionals that know what they are talking about.
    They obviously know the health threats to school children and have weighed it against not going to school. I was just told by a Doctor on here that the mask are just 5% effective…………. Its the other 95% of things that need addressing,.

  57. jordan on July 7th, 2020 8:16 am

    This is the worst thing our state has thought of. With so many states setting daily high in new cases and younger people getting infected including children. See this story:

    https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/texas-coronavirus-cases-top-1-300-from-child-care-facilities-alone/ar-BB16p84K?ocid=HPDHP

    Texas coronavirus cases top 1,300 from child care facilities alone

    In this story 441 of the infected are children.

  58. mat on July 7th, 2020 7:57 am

    To the school district, please answer.
    How is my child going to be kept safe on the already overcrowded school buses?
    The kids are packed onto the busses like sardines with 2 or 3 kids per seat.
    Are masks going to be required and/or provided? Who is going to enforce the wearing of masks with kids from kindergarten thru high school on the busses?

    In the lunch room/cafeteria,
    How is social distancing going to be practiced? The kids will have their masks off because they are eating. Hundreds of kids will be eating and socializing at the same time in an overcrowded room.

    In the hallways at the school,
    When all the classes change from class to class, there are hundreds of kids in the halls at the same time passing each other. How is my child going to be protected?

  59. Brandy on July 7th, 2020 7:20 am

    Some of us don’t have a choice but to send our kids back in order for them to get an education. There are people out there who DO have to work to pay their own bills. We don’t have the luxury of someone doing it for us so we can be stay at home parents. My daughter knows what precautions to take and she will have a mask.

  60. Johnnie on July 7th, 2020 7:10 am

    Sorry to say this but my kids will not return they have lost there mines because u can’t do CDC guides line and I cannot feel save on my kids returning to public school it’s bad enough moms and dad that still are working that if we get exposed to it take it home with out knowing it to our kids but I be dang if I send my kids I guest I just pull all my kids home all three like I have already done with one kid y’all need to get ur act together not only for the kids but the teachers to putting them at risk to

  61. Kim Garman on July 7th, 2020 6:49 am

    As a teacher I am very concerned. I do not see how we can possibly meet CDC guidelines. Escambia county does not even require masks, they are just recommended.

  62. Sherry Ewy on July 7th, 2020 6:35 am

    On this topic, for once, I really do see all sides. A mother can’t be expected to put her child at risk. Other mothers simply have to work to feed that kid. It can’t be helped. This whole situation sucks for everyone. I’m just so sorry for these kids:(.

  63. Gabrielle on July 7th, 2020 3:13 am

    To Be Honest Me Being A Mother Of 2 Kids I Just Don’t Feel Like Now Is The Time Our Kids She Return Just Yet Because I Mean Y’all Dont Even Have A Cure To It We Still Have Love Ones Friends Brothers Sisters Cousins Aunts Uncles Grandmas Grandpas Leaving Us Yall We Us Got To Pray Together For Things To Be Better For Us The True Be Told I Can’t Just Let Mine Go Back To School We Still Got Our Kids Crome Books Teach These Kids From Them I Love Both Of Mine Til Death Do Us Apart Um Speaking Nothing But The Truth There’s Not Nothing To Cure It Just Yet Y’all Please Get This Situation Together . PRAYING FOR MY CITY AS WELL AS UM PRAYING FOR THE OTHER CITIES ALONG WITH THE ONES THAT HAS ALREADY LOST THEM

  64. Nikki on July 7th, 2020 1:54 am

    I can’t allow my baby to go to school and risk it all , his life is more important than anything every childs life is more important than anything. Its very sad these children around the world are suffering and they are so innocent and oblivious to the ugliness in this sad world.