Second semester is coming. Florida schools seek something more ‘normal’

The coronavirus pandemic forced many educators and children into learning models that many weren’t prepared to handle. Along the way, everyone tried to adapt. But while some initiatives worked out for certain groups, others still struggled. As second semester arrives, school leaders, teachers, students and parents continue to look for ways to make the experience more successful. Read on for the latest on that story and other Florida education news.

Education leaders say students and teachers need a more traditional approach to learning in the second semester. In Broward County, that means eliminating the mixing of in-person and online students in the same classes, as much as possible, WFOR reports.

Many teachers were unprepared for the technology demands that 2020 would place on them. They’ve had to learn as they go, supporting one another along the way, the Villages Daily Sun reports.

Students also helped one another survive the pandemic. At one Palm Beach County high school, an online gaming club grew into a virtual homework and social connection hub, WPTV reports.

Parents at a Duval County charter school thought their children would have an online option in the second semester. They’re scrambling for solutions after the school announced it was canceling its virtual courses, WJXT reports. • A second charter school in the Jacksonville area moved all its students to virtual classes because of a spate of positive virus cases, WJXT reports.

Some Leon County students are still waiting for a Chromebook to support their learning. The district’s order was delayed, but the final distribution is coming by the end of the week, WTXL reports.

Keep it clean. Two students at a Manatee County charter school face disciplinary action after exposing classmates to pornography during an online class, the Bradenton Herald reports.

A Bay County elementary school closed for a week because of a COVID-19 outbreak. It’s the second time in four days the district has shut down a school, the Panama City News Herald reports.

Gulf County students will have their holiday arrive a few days early. The district decided to shorten its semester because of coronavirus cases, WMBB reports.

Will Florida students face standardized state tests this spring? Short answer, yes, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

About 36,000 Florida children are committed under the Baker Act each year. Many school and law enforcement officials say changes are needed in the system, which is being used in ways that weren’t imagined when it was created, WFSU reports in a new series.

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Some legislative proposals just keep coming back. A controversial measure that would require Florida universities and colleges to hold annual “intellectual freedom” surveys is again in the hopper for lawmakers to debate, the Center Square reports. • So too is a bill that would have public schools supply feminine hygiene products in in restrooms, Florida Politics reports.

‘It really changed my life.’ Bay County school district officials reflect on how a shooting in their school board meeting 10 years ago affected them, WJHG reports.

Dismissed. The Florida Commission on Ethics finds insufficient evidence to sustain a complaint that an Alachua County School Board member harassed and bullied the district’s transportation director, the Gainesville Sun reports.

From the police blotter ... A Pasco County high school assistant principal resigned after his second DUI arrest in three months.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s the link to yesterday’s roundup.

Before you go ... Black Eyed Peas. Shakira. Nearly 70 million views in just over a week. Need I say more?