Students who will be starting the school year with digital learning will be expected to engage with their teacher and with their peers, using a computer, for the length of the school day. There will be time for breaks during transition from one content area or learning activity to another, as well as for recess and lunch. In addition, students will need to engage in a special area/block class each day, at the designated time in the schedule. Your child's teacher will communicate the daily schedule to you, prior to August 24, the first day of school. During breaks, recess, and lunch, we encourage students to be physically active and take a break from the computer screen.

As our school district strongly values parental choice, we are offering three options so that parents can make the best decision for their children and family.  Our plan does not include a blended option or alternating day schedules for students, which prove hard to manage for working parents. In addition, many parents count on their school to provide a healthy breakfast and lunch for their children while in school.  

Yes, while masks will be mandatory and five washable cloth masks will be provided to each student by the district, children can wear any mask as long as it is not distracting (ex: no profanity, etc). Face shields will be allowed in addition to wearing a face mask. The district will work with its Deaf and Hard of Hearing students so that they can learn through lip reading and other accommodations.  Schools and teachers will work with other ESE children who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) regarding mask accommodations. 

Absolutely! The goal is for the district to provide the necessary supports to ensure all learners experience a year and a half worth of growth from their personal starting point. Teachers and paraprofessionals will receive detailed guidance to meet the specific needs of English language learners and students receiving ESE services, and work with students individually and in small groups to provide the needed support. The TEAMS platform has a new message translation feature that lets users translate Teams messages into the language specified by their personal language settings, which will greatly aid students whose primary language is not English. 

Flexibility will be key to the district’s success as we move through the new conditions we find ourselves in. Parents will need to give their school at least a week’s notice if they want their child to transition from digital learning to face-to-face learning.  The district will adhere to the state’s class-size mandate for both its in-person classes allowing for social distancing and its digital classrooms.     

Classrooms will limit the sharing of textbooks and books as much as possible and as supplies allow.   

Parents will need to communicate to their school’s administration starting the week of September 8 if they wish to select a different option for their child. It will require a week’s notice to make the change. 

Yes, teaching and instruction as part of digital learning will be more structured than what took place at the end of last school year.  Students will log on at specific times for live lessons and also be able to view recorded lessons by teachers. 

The district will continue to provide all the supports and accommodations outlined in students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and their 504 Plans. Teachers and paraprofessionals will have the ability to provide help and support for students individually or in small groups. 

State assessment requirements will be the same no matter which back-to-school option parents select. As it stands currently, students will have to take the assessments in person and we will make arrangements at that time for in-person testing.  

Students will utilize their own school supplies and not share them with their classmates. 

For digital learning (Option 2) students, the district will provide a laptop and hot spot if they are needed. Students who enroll in Osceola Virtual School (Option 3) should have their own laptop and access to strong WiFi.  

State guidelines do not allow for a digital learning option for VPK students.   

The Florida Commissioner of Education’s Executive Order 2020-EO-06 states that upon reopening in August, all school boards must open brick and mortar schools at least five days per week for all students, subject to advice and orders of the Florida Department of Health, local departments of health, Executive Order 20-149 and subsequent executive orders. 

Any student who needs to quarantine will be transitioned into the digital platform so that learning can continue. Principals will work with students and parents on their individual situations. Parents are asked to request a prearranged absence for the trip so that plans can be made for when they are out of school.   

The district has a comprehensive cleaning and sanitizing plan in plan for our custodial teams across the district.  You can find it here.

Schools will provide all the services and support required in a child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) no matter if they are in face-to-face or digital learning. 

There is no set timeframe for Option 2. Students will be able to transition from digital learning to face-to-face instruction when parents feel comfortable as conditions with the pandemic improve or a vaccine is developed. We cannot guarantee a seat in the same classes or with the same teacher when a student wishes to return on campus, and it will require a week’s notice to make the change. 

Yes.

Five Osceola schools serve as polling locations. Voters will be utilizing a different entrance than students and staff and will not be in contact with them while on campus. The area used for voting will be deep cleaned at night to ensure safe conditions for students and staff the next day. 

The district will not put more students in either face-to-face classrooms allowing for social distancing or digital classrooms than the maximum that the state’s class-size amendment allows. 

The school district will work closely with the Department of Health on a case-by-case basis for contact tracing to determine who has been in direct contact with the individual for notification purposes. The Department of Health will advise the district if there is a need at any point for a school closure. 

In this case, the district would work with the Department of Health for contact tracing and the student would either need to provide a doctor’s note stating he or she has had a negative COVID-19 test or the student would need to quarantine for 14 days. The student could move to digital learning throughout the quarantine time so that learning can continue.   

Master schedules will not be built for students based on location/neighborhoods. 

The majority of the district’s school buses do have air, but not all of them do. The Department of Health provided a recommendation that our school buses travel with the windows down to allow for extra air circulation. 

The district will provide the same level of support for ESE students as outlined in their Individualized Education Plan no matter if they select face-to-face learning or digital learning.  

The infectious disease doctors who served on the Back-to-School Task Force provided guidance for our custodial cleaning and sanitizing plan, which allows for the cleaning of hard surfaces in classrooms every night. Elementary students will not share desks.  Cleaning supplies will be provided in every classroom.  

These parent meetings will be held virtually via Teams. 

The district will work with the Department of Health for contact tracing and to make appropriate notifications about the need to quarantine.  Every school has an electrostatic sprayer, which will be used to fully clean the buildings, as part of the district’s cleaning and sanitizing protocol.   

The district believes that the best learning environment for all students is face-to-face with a teacher.  We also realize that providing parents with options allows for parents to choose what education should look like for their child during these uncertain times. The district remains committed to ensuring access and equity to high-quality instruction for all students. Mobile devices and hotspots will be available for student check-out if there is a need to ensure learning can continue for all students without interruption. In addition, digital teachers and face-to-face teachers will plan and work together on the delivery of the grade-level, viable curriculum. 

The district’s plan does not include a “blended” model for both face-to-face and digital learning for a student. 

Students who are participating in digital learning will work with their principal to discuss in-person participation in after school activities.  

The district will work with the Department of Health on contact tracing and notify all parents whose child has had direct exposure with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19. 

Osceola Virtual School is more flexible and allows for students to complete lessons on their own schedule. Digital learning will follow the same schedule as if the student was at school for face-to-face learning. 

We are currently waiting on additional guidance for band and chorus and will update when we know more.  

Digital learning teachers will have no more than face-to-face teachers, which follow the state guidelines on class-size mandates. 

Each school will set up distribution times for students to pick up their masks before school starts on August 10. The masks are already prepackaged in sets of five, so no extra handling of the masks themselves will take place. We will have disposable masks on-site if a student forgets his/her mask.  

Students will need a laptop or iPad and access to the internet to participate in digital learning.  

We will provide the necessary books for students and will set up distribution times at schools for students to pick up books. 

CTE, adult education, and NeoCity Academy will be using Canvas. Primary grades will begin in Teams and shift to Canvas over time as we provide training for our teachers to use this system. 

We will have disposable masks on-site to provide students and we will work with parents on expectations if it becomes a reoccurring event.  

No. The order states five day a week face-to-face instruction  must be offered as one of the option along with our alternatives, which are digital learning and virtual school. We have confirmed that students who opt to do digital learning will count towards FTE, which means we will receive funding for them as a full-time student. 

Students will only be allowed to remove their masks when eating or drinking or when at recess or PE and practicing social distancing. Students will wear their masks when on the school bus, while in class, or moving around campus.

Yes. Teachers for both options will be following the same lesson plans which are developed around state standards and district curriculum pacing guides. Digital and face-to-face teacher will be collaborating in online professional learning communities (ePLCs) to ensure consistency and quality of instruction.  

While not all courses may be offered through digital learning this year, there will be enough courses available for students to meet their course requirements.  

All district-managed public schools will be offering digital learning. 

We will work with the health department to determine who would need to quarantine in each situation. If a student needs to quarantine, they would be set up with digital learning during that time. For any students who do not need to quarantine, a substitute teacher will be placed in the class to continue face-to-face instruction. 

At this time we do not have the additional resources to provide protective screens between desks, which is why we are implementing the use of masks and social distancing.  

At the start of the school year, expectations will be shared with all students. If students do not comply with these expectations and are not following the Student Code of Conduct, the school administration will work with parents to address the situation and apply appropriate discipline.  

Teachers and administrators will work with students on the expectations for following one-way hallway transitions and social distancing. Students will also be required to wear their masks. 

Progressive discipline will be followed and if students continue to not adhere to expectations, they will be moved to the digital learning platform.  

The state has confirmed we will receive full FTE funding for students who choose the digital learning option. We still must offer face-to-face learning as it has been mandated by the Florida Department of Education. 

You can view our full cleaning and sanitizing guidelines here.  

Please visit our Back-to-School Guide for Parents and Students. There are clear guidelines for cafeteria protocol found within.  

Please visit our Back-to-School Guide for Parents and Students. There are clear guidelines for bus protocol found within.  

If you have been approved through Choice, you will do digital learning with your Choice school.  

We will work with the Osceola County Health Department in regards to the need for contact tracing and any school closures.  

We will be working to educate and guide our teachers on the importance of these expectations, including an extra day of paid training dedicated to these new protocols. We encourage you to talk with your child's principal if you feel like these expectations aren't being followed and a schedule change will be considered.  

No. 

No. Parents are expected to take student temperatures before sending students to school. Student temperatures will be taken at random each week or if deemed necessary.  

All cleaning agents used in our schools are screened and approved by the state

Yes, contact your school's guidance counselor to plan and consider Osceola Virtual School for the flexible virtual school needs.  

We are still working out the exact details but we are planning to provide a limited number of sites where students will pick up meals each week (rather than daily) via a drive-through system.  

Charter schools are in control of their own plans but must submit them to the Osceola School Board upon completion and Dr. Pace will then submit them to the Florida Department of Education.  

We will continue to utilize substitute teachers as needed or move students to digital learning if necessary.  

Principals are looking at start and end times for teachers along with bus arrival times and the need to limit large student gatherings.  

No. Outside air causes an increase in humidity and mold. We will be working with our HVAC team on AC operation and air quality.  

Student schedules will be available at the beginning of August, which will provide digital learning students with a structure for how their school day will be. Our curriculum instruction and media and instructional technology teams are still currently working on the exact details for digital learning, but please understand it will be a much more structured option then when we did digital learning in the spring. 

We will continue to offer Before the Bell and Extended Learning and they too will follow the district guidelines for wearing masks, limiting large groups, and social distancing.   

Please talk with your guidance counselor.  

Students will be required to wear their masks, space apart in the cafeteria and face the same direction, and principal's may possibly add more lunch times to allow for smaller groups.  

Yes, elementary students will continue to receive recess on a daily basis. During the first week of school, teachers will go over social distancing and mask guidelines for on the playground.  

Please contact your child's guidance counselor.  

Principals are determining if additional lunch periods will be needed in order to reduce the number of students in the cafeteria at one time.  

The district is purchasing supplies and wipes so that students can wipe down their desks and keyboards prior to using them.  

Contact tracing will be used to identify students or staff members who may need to self-quarantine for 14 days. Students will transition to digital learning during the self-quarantine period using the Teams or Canvas platform. 

Students will be able to take breaks and have lunch. Students will still be able to participate in block or elective classes, which will be tailored to the digital learning platform.  

We will look into other areas that will allow for social distancing. Parents can be assured that social distancing protocols will be maintained in all classrooms.  

The district will be offering a virtual open house for all students on Friday, August 7. We are looking at some alternative ways students can meet their teachers, including introduction videos.  

Not all classes will be available for digital learning.  

Social workers, guidance counselors, and school psychologists are available and we will work with local mental health providers as needed. We are also looking into additional training for all staff. 

Yes, teachers will be trained on how to respond to questions in a digital environment. They will also be able to assist students on how they can ask questions.  

The school nurse will have a designated isolation area in the event that a child or a staff member comes to school and presents COVID-19 symptoms. The student will remain in that area until a parent can be reached and arrangements are made for the student to be picked up as soon as possible.  

This is a very important question. We are awaiting further direction from the state.  

No, the district does not have the resources available to provide UV systems. We will be working with the HVAC Team to ensure proper airflow.  

We will do our best to provide as many classes online as possible but not all classes will be available. The school will work on a case-by-case basis to meet student needs.  

We will work with our energy team to provide lower set points.  

The deadline to register with Osceola Virtual School for full-time enrollment for first semester will be Friday, July 24, in order to ensure students have access to their curriculum materials prior to the beginning of school.  Students in grades 6 - 12 wishing to enroll with OVS on a part-time basis for one or more courses may continue to do so through August 28, 2020, on a space available basis.  

All students on IEPs will have their goals/accommodations monitored and met during digital learning just like they were at school for face-to-face instruction. 

Yes, students will be allowed to check out books in the media center.  

If the state closes schools, all students will return to digital learning.  

Digital learning in August will be much more structured than the end of last school year.  It will model a traditional school day with teachers instructing with live lessons and also recording them. Students will be required to log on at certain times for the classes/subjects being taught. If parents and students are looking for more of a self-paced option guided by a teacher, you would want to select Osceola Virtual School. Both options will include instruction from certified, school-district teachers.

Digital learning in August will be much more structured than the end of last school year.  It will model a traditional school day with teachers instructing with live lessons and also recording them. Students will be required to log on at certain times for the classes/subjects being taught. If parents and students are looking for more of a self-paced option guided by a teacher, you would want to select Osceola Virtual School. 

Students will be able to transition from digital learning to face-to-face instruction when parents feel comfortable as conditions with the pandemic improve or a vaccine is developed. We cannot guarantee a seat in the same classes or with the same teacher when a student wishes to return, and it will require a week’s notice to make the change.

School district staff will be working with all students with disabilities to encourage the use of face masks and exercise proper hygiene, particularly when social distancing is not an option. The importance of this will be conveyed through modeling by classroom staff, consistent practice opportunities, and social stories, as appropriate to a student’s individual needs. Additionally, the ESE Facebook site and website have links to a social story and video lesson for parents who wish to start practicing with their child at home.

Students will receive services that are designated on the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP), regardless of whether they are face-to-face or digitally.  The delivery of services will look different due to the setting the student is in.

Our School Nutrition Services Department is looking into this but no decision has been made at this time.

Unfortunately, not all courses and subjects will be offered digitally in Option 2 – digital learning. We will offer all content areas (i.e. English, Math, Social Studies, Science), but what is offered digitally and virtually will be dependent on student requests.

Unfortunately, not all IB courses and subjects may be offered digitally in Option 2, and Osceola Virtual School does not have IB courses. Much will depend on student requests and staff availability. District leaders are currently working with the Principals at Gateway and Celebration High School to plan for IB classes in both face-to-face and digital settings.

Yes, face masks are mandatory and required for all students and staff at every school. 

Yes, students will need to wear their mask for the majority of the day. Students will be able to remove masks when eating or drinking or at recess or PE and practicing social distancing.

Desks, tables, and computer stations will be spaced four-feet apart and will face in one direction in classrooms. Tables will face in one direction, and will be spaced at least four-feet apart. At outside tables, no more than four students may sit at any one table.

All students will wear masks and adhere to social distancing. Students in grades VPK - 5 will remain with their classmates all day; special area teachers will travel to them, when possible. Middle and high school students will follow one-directional signs in hallways and on stairways.

No. For everyone’s health and safety, access to campuses will be limited to students and staff members only. While we love our school volunteers, we will not utilize their service on campuses until further notice.

The district will have hand sanitizer available for student use in many areas of the campus, including the cafeterias.

The school nurse will have a designated isolation area in the event that a child or a staff member comes to school and presents COVID-19 symptoms. Parents will be contacted to pick ill students up immediately. Contact tracing will be used to identify students or staff members who may need to self-quarantine for 14 days. Students will transition to digital learning during the self-quarantine period using the TEAMS or Canvas platform.

We will be working closely with the Department of Health regarding incidents of potential exposure. As the situations warrant, parents will be notified.  

Parents who will be picking up a child for early dismissal due to illness or a medical appointment will be expected to call the front office when they arrive at the school and remain in their vehicle in front of the main office. A staff member will bring the child to the vehicle, check your identification, and assist you in signing out the student. There is no dismissal within 15 minutes of the regular end of the school day, and only parents, guardians, or other individuals identified on the student's contact list, with appropriate identification, will be allowed to leave with the student.

Upon the early closing of school buildings at the end of last school year and the switch to digital learning, every school was cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized immediately top to bottom. In addition,  the custodial staffs were able to get a jump start cleaning and repairing in preparation for the coming school year. This includes cleaning everything from the ceiling down to the floor, and everything in between. Carpets are being cleaned, and hard floors are being mopped, stripped and re-waxed. Everything is being dusted, and walls wiped down. Restrooms are scrubbed, cleaned and sanitized. Cabinets, appliances and equipment, lockers and locker rooms, athletic facilities, cafeterias and storage rooms are all being scrubbed, sanitized and reorganized. All furniture is scrubbed and cleaned, and windows, upholstery, and blinds are given a thorough cleaning. Kitchens are scoured daily during the school year top to bottom and before students arrive will be re-cleaned completely. Any portion of each facility that is used for any summer program will be cleaned daily while in use and will be re-cleaned and sanitized prior to students and staff returning.

Yes. The district uses a variety of safe chemicals to achieve its cleaning goals. The district employs the use of electrostatic sprayers as surfaces are cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized. Once school starts, an increased cycle of wiping down surfaces with disinfectant will continue as long as COVID-19 or any issue is still present. The district has been and will continue to completely disinfect any area where a person is reported to have had any symptoms prior to reopening that space to any other persons. 

Yes, parents will need to make a request for bus transportation if it is needed for a student to transition to face-to-face learning.  It will require a week’s notice for bussing service to be provided.

We are having to rethink our traditional school Open Houses because of the need for social distancing. At this time, schools are making plans for virtual Open Houses so that students and parents can get information to start the school year off with success. No matter whether you select face-to-face learning or digital learning, you will hear about your school's virtual Open House and be invited to participate.

Yes. At the School Board Meeting on July 14, the Osceola School Board approved to delay the start of school to August 24. The updated Academic Calendar can be found at www.osceolaschools.net under the “About Us” link at the top of the webpage.

Our ESE Department is working with individual schools to determine how to best meet each student's needs. Unfortunately, the paper packets limit the ability of the teacher to adapt lessons, instructional techniques, and tasks to ensure students are able to achieve mastery of the standards. Please contact your child's school for further assistance.