Instead of ‘Pomp and Circumstance,' Class of 2020 graduates with pandemic and protest
Instead of ‘Pomp and Circumstance,’ Class of 2020 graduates with pandemic and protest
The generation born into the chaos of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks will unceremoniously crown their high school experience in a historically trying year. Gone also are the senior superlatives that matter to those who worked for them. End-of-year competitions for thespians, robotics engineers, future lawyers and orators. Athletic championships for spring athletes. Proper farewells, send-offs, goodbyes and thank-yous to the teachers who made it all possible. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida educators want staggered school schedules amid virus
Florida's largest association of educators called Tuesday for changing how schools operate in the era of the coronavirus — including staggering school schedules, suspending active-shooting drills and imposing social distancing rules on buses and campuses. The discussions come amid preparations for the state's 2.9 million public schoolchildren to return this fall after being shut out of classrooms nearly three months ago by the pandemic. More from the AP and the Center Square.
SAT testing cancellations leave families in Bright Futures limbo
With SAT and ACT testing dates canceled due to COVID-19, many high school graduates in Florida are wondering how they’ll be able to qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship in time. Right now CollegeBoard is giving fall SAT registration priority to students in the class of 2020 or 2021 who do not have an SAT score. Later this week, registration will open to all students, likely causing a scramble for anyone hoping to take the exam as soon as possible. [Source: Florida Times-Union]
Florida college creates program to help businesses reenter the marketplace
Out of all the coronavirus business-related data points, one stings Chris Westley the most when he considers the challenges companies face in a post-pandemic world. The statistic: At least 40% of businesses forced to close because of a disaster never reopen, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The dean of Florida Gulf Coast University’s Lutgert College of Business in Fort Myers, Westley doesn’t plan to sit idly by while that ominous nugget comes to fruition. [Source: Business Observer]
Judge allows lawsuit over school safety panel
A circuit judge on Wednesday refused to toss out a lawsuit alleging that a state school-safety commission created after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School violated an open-government law. March for Our Lives Florida, the state branch of a national organization formed by students after the 2018 school shooting, Florida Student Power Network, Dream Defenders and individual plaintiffs accuse the commission of violating the state law by holding an October meeting at a “remote resort” with parking rates of $18 to $32 and deterring members of the public from speaking. [Source: WLRN]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Indian River State College presidential applicants down to eight; interviews in late June [TCPalm]
Indian River State College's new president will be selected from a pool of eight candidates — a field that includes Frank Brogan, former Florida commissioner of education, lieutenant governor and Martin County School District superintendent. The presidential search committee Tuesday announced its semifinalists.
› Pasco eSchool leader named top national ‘digital principal’ [Tampa Bay Times]
Accolades keep rolling in for Pasco eSchool principal JoAnne Glenn. Glenn, the Pasco County district’s 2020 principal of the year, on Wednesday was recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals at one of three Digital Principals of the Year. The award focuses on school leaders’ creativity in using new technology to advance learning.
› JTA, FSCJ partner on education, autonomous vehicle testing [WJXT]
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority and Florida State College at Jacksonville have agreed to expand JTA’s autonomous vehicle program with testing and educational initiatives on FSCJ campuses. “As we continue to develop our autonomous vehicle program, it is vital that higher education and the workforce of tomorrow is included in that conversation,” said JTA Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel P. Ford Sr.
› Sarasota schools superintendent committee winnows field [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
No baggage. Experienced. Ready to hit the ground running. Those are the attributes the Sarasota School Board’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee want in the district’s next superintendent. “Let’s not forget the context,” former Sarasota County School superintendent Wilma Hamilton said, reminding her fellow committee members of the unique challenges that COVID-19 will present the future superintendent.