Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 8-21-20

Local
School Starts August 24th
Smart Start Week Kicks Off School Year
Masks For Children 5 And Older:
Hillsborough County Mask Order Still In Effect
Superintendent Addi- son Davis worked tirelessly to reach a resolution with the Florida Department of Educa- tion, but, after lengthy discus- sions, state leaders rejected the district’s proposed school re- opening phased-in models.
The superintendent drove to Tallahassee on Tuesday (August 11th) to discuss the dis- trict’s position. Superintend- ent Davis presented two different phased-in models to ensure to serve the most vul- nerable student population while remaining compliant with the state’s emergency order. Both models were de- nied by the Department of Ed- ucation.
To meet the state’s emer- gency order, Hillsborough County Public Schools will now begin eLearning for all students on August 24th and transition to brick and mortar a week later for those who want to come back on August 31st, as required by the order.
“I went to Tallahassee to advocate for our teachers and students as we work to open schools in a smart and safe manner. The Department of
SUPT. ADDISON DAVIS
Education made it clear that any model outside the emer- gency order would result in a negative financial impact. That reduction in state funds would be detrimental to students’ learning and our organization.
“Let me be clear, our School Board made an in- formed decision substantiated after hearing from local public health authorities. As we move forward, for those families who choose to come back to brick and mortar school, we stand ready with our protocols and procedures using PPE, social distancing, and contact tracing through the local health de- partment,” said Superin-
tendent Davis.
The first week of school is called Smart Start Week, which will allow learn- ers to kick off the 2020-21 school year in the safest man- ner possible. Smart Start Week is not optional; it is the start of the school year. Teachers will record daily attendance, provide expectations for the new school year, and begin the instructional process. It will also allow students to build a foundation for success while becoming acclimated to the new health and safety proce- dures that will begin once they return.
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commis- sioners concluded on Thurs- day (August 13th) during their Emergency Management Meeting that the order for wearing masks is in effect as long as there is an emergency mandate.
Commission Chairman Les Miller said the BOCC Emergency Management group decided that it will not have to vote on the ordinance
Dept., masks will be required of children 5 years and older. Initially, the order was for children 2 and up.
Although the BOCC has no jurisdiction over the School Board of Hillsborough County, Comm. Miller said there was a lot of discussion on the dilemma the School District has been placed in.
“School Board members were following the directions of health officials to open schools virtually for 4 weeks. But the governor and the ap- pointed Secretary of Educa- tion threatened to take much-need funding from the district if they did not follow their directive – to open the brick and mortar.
“They’re setting up the students and staff for failure. We just hope they don’t have the outbreaks that some other counties and states are having.”
The Board of County Commissioners took over the emergency mandates of COVID-19 from the Emer- gency Policy Group (EPG) about 2 weeks ago. The EPG will concentrate more on hurricanes.
week-by-week.
Also, after conferring with
officials of the State Health
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020