Distancing will keep classes online for a while longer

All that talk about reopening Florida might have you think schools are ready to resume classes on campus. Not quite yet. They’re preparing for online summer courses, with many other related activities also migrating to the internet. That gives officials a chance to prepare for the return, including how they’ll pay for everything. Read on for that and more Florida education news.

This competition is so much better live. But the Pinellas County scholarship for performing arts students has migrated to the internet like everything else during social distancing.

Stay home for summer school. Pasco County’s program will target struggling students, and will differ from the current remote learning model in key ways.

Ideas for reopening schools keep coming. Leon County superintendent Rocky Hanna floats four possible scenarios for the fall, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

Still working online? Seminole State College offers helpful tips on how to stay focused.

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Graduation day is almost here. Polk County high schools will conduct commencement in person in June at a social distance, the Ledger reports. • Seniors at several Florida high schools are demanding more than a virtual experience, Florida Phoenix reports.

Online struggles persist. About 5 percent of Citrus County students did not stay connected to school during distance learning efforts, the Citrus County Chronicle reports.

Still in business. Students in Collier County’s Taste of Immokalee program expand their sales from home during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Naples Daily News reports.

The calendar remains the same. Brevard County schools will not extend the school year to make up for time missed during an extended spring break, Florida Today reports.

The game is over. Florida Tech cancels its football program as a cost-saving measure. More from Florida Today.

How bad will the budgets get? Almost half of the nation’s school districts face massive cuts, Education Week reports. See how the publication rates your district’s financial future. • Meanwhile, Florida government leaders are taking a wait and see approach to amending the state’s spending plan, the News Service of Florida reports.

How much money should charter schools get? A Manatee County School Board member proposes the district share its local-option tax revenue with charters based on their proportional size, whether it goes up or down, the Bradenton Herald reports.

Safety first. The Marion County school district prepares to use walk-through metal detectors at select events, including School Board meetings, the Ocala Star-Banner reports.

Did you miss yesterday’s roundup? Here’s the link.

Before you go ... Here’s a cheerful take on how a Canadian school plans to tackle in-person learning when students return to campus. At least one person I know thought this was a spoof because of the teacher’s over-the-top enthusiasm. Jumping jacks, anyone?

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