Closing the schools

Students won’t return to classrooms until next academic year

Ashley Hunter
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Parents around the state who were hoping their child would return to school before the end of the 2019-2020 school year should settle in for a few more weeks of remote and virtual education.
On Saturday, April 18, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the newest COVID-19 plans of the state, including the complete closure of schools through the end of the current school year.

According to Gov. DeSantis, Floridian K-12 schools will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year as a protective measure against the spread of the potent coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Our K-12 schools will continue with distance learning,” DeSantis said at a news briefing last Saturday, adding that his office has heard from parents around the state, all with differing opinions on how the return to school should be handled.

Some parents, Gov. DeSantis said, voiced concern about sending their children back to school, while others would have liked to see their children return to the classroom as quickly as possible.

Gov. DeSantis added that his office looked at the current projections for Florida education, and felt confident about the decision to keep schools closed until the next academic year.

“We’ve got pretty good momentum for distance learning,” said Gov. DeSantis. “It’s obviously not the ideal situation but given where we are in the school year, we felt that it was the best decision to go forward.”
At Jefferson Somerset, the county's only public school, Principal Cory Oliver issued an official response to the governor's closure of public schools.

“We have come a very long way as a community with how we educate our children. Our expectations are high, and with that, we have put into place a great deal of support to help our students maximize their potential,” said Oliver. “Right now there seems to be a high level of anxiety coming in from students and parents alike given the closure of schools for the remainder of the year and we just want to say it’s going to be alright. Just keep pushing, and keep showing us your best. We are confident you can be successful.”

Oliver also stressed the continuance of Jefferson Somerset's support of its teachers, students and parents.
“Continue to ask questions, or ask for support, just don't ever give up. We may have come a long way, but we have a lot more to accomplish together,” encouraged Oliver. “Together we can continue to perform at high levels and help our students realize their dreams. Whatever it takes! Stay safe and remember we love you.”
Jefferson Somerset also confirmed that it will be continuing to provide its school lunches to students; see page 12 in this newspaper edition for more information on pick-up times and routes.

Jefferson County Superintendent of Schools Marianne Arbulu, on behalf of the school district office, issued a comment as well.

“On Saturday, Governor DeSantis extended school closures through the rest of the school year and from a health and safety factor, I applaud the Governor’s decision. While it is always preferable to have our students in school actively engaged in learning, to reopen the schools for two or three weeks does not make sense,” said Arbulu. “The district is working with Somerset administration to develop alternative graduation and end of year activities – our graduates deserve recognition for their efforts, and a tangible memory of the first real milestone in their young lives.”

Arbulu added that the school district and Somerset are making plans for the next academic year as well, including the necessary remedial work that she feels students will need after several months out of the classroom setting.

“It is unrealistic to take students out of the classroom yet expect [them] to maintain instruction at the same pace. Teachers play such a great role in our student’s lives – when we remove them from the equation, to any degree, instruction suffers,” adds Arbulu. “Nonetheless, I am confident in the abilities of our staff, both administrative and instructional, to get our schools reopened in the fall and resume the high level of instruction we have come to expect of our public schools. Go Tigers!”

ECB Publishing, Inc. reached out to Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) to inquire about their plans for the remainder of the school year and end-of-year graduation.

Principal Richard Finlayson confirmed that the private school acknowledges the governor's recommendations for both public and private schools, and ACA plans to continue following those suggestions.

This means ACA Warrior students will continue to receive educational instruction virtually and remotely; the private school has not yet announced any graduation plans to the public.

This decision by the governor has led Florida into being one of the 27 states that has issued orders for their public schools to remain closed through the end of the current academic year; other states include Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.