Can Florida schools conduct business as usual during coronavirus?

It’s just been a couple of days since Florida school districts began remote instruction. Districts got the word to close their buildings less than a month ago. Everyone is trying to get to a point where it feels like business as usual. They’re even calling it the ‘new normal.’ But is it? Can it be? Read on for that and more Florida education news.

How do you conduct business and keep social distancing? The Hillsborough County School Board gave it a try. Lots of sanitizer and space were involved.

Have you been Zoom-bombed yet? It’s happening more and more as the teleconferencing site gains popularity in remote learning. Here’s how to prevent the worst offenses.

So the state recommended schools stay closed through April 30. After a day’s delay, more districts agreed to follow the suggestion, WLRN reports. But at least one decided to get more aggressive, the Palm Beach Post reports.

Will they get their games in? The FHSAA is seeking creative ways to get spring sports played.

Want more coronavirus news? The Tampa Bay Times is providing all its latest stories about the pandemic online free of charge as a public service. You always could subscribe, too.

With schools closed, some districts still told teachers to report to classrooms. In Nassau County they refused. The district backtracked, Florida Politics reports.

But many school custodians are being asked to show up. They’re a bit nervous about it in Broward County, WPLG reports.

All this news of illness and death can be mentally taxing. Polk County school mental health counselors are ready to help, the Ledger reports.

One Seminole County mom says it’s just too much. She’s asking that school just be stopped for the rest of the year, WOFL reports.

Let’s just call it a pause. Citrus County school district officials hope to allow as many senior activities as possible, the Citrus County Chronicle reports.

Try to do the best we can with the computers we have. Brevard County community partners have stepped in to help the schools acquire laptops, Space Coast Daily reports. • Device distribution continues in Clay County even as courses begin, WJAX reports.

And remember schools and others have meals if you need them. The Duval County school district is expanding its free meal program to include dinners, WTLV reports.

Need something to do? The Florida Board of Education meets via telephone today at 9 a.m. Here’s the agenda and the call-in number and code: 1-800-309-1256, 553536.

Maybe you missed yesterday’s roundup. Here’s the link, just in case you did.

Before you go ... Sitting at home, it might feel like a trip to walk from the computer room to the kitchen fridge. But there’s a whole world out there. And it’s largely empty now. For some perspective, check out the video below to see what some of the major international sites look like without us in them.

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