Editor’s Note – On July 16, the Duval County School Board asked the district to consider some alternatives to the back to school plan, and present updates to the Board on Thursday, July 23. (Read more about this announcement on the district’s Back to School website.)
The information below from July 14 is being preserved for historical purposes. However, it may change. Please continue to visit www.duvalschools.org/backtoschool and TeamDuval.org for updates.
Note – Even though there may be changes to the final plan, parents whose preference is to have their children in at-home learning either through Duval HomeRoom or through Duval Virtual Instruction Academy can still register for those options. See this page to learn how to register for at-home learning through Duval HomeRoom. See this page to learn about virtual education through Duval Virtual Instruction Academy. Click elementary, middle, or high to learn more about these options.
July 14, 2020 – The COVID-19 era is often called “fluid” because conditions change rapidly. A fluid body of water, like the St. Johns River, requires a bridge to cross and so does the fluid pandemic situation.
Team Duval’s reopening plan serves as a bridge between how the district ended last year – online – to how it is beginning Aug. 10 – with online, at-school and hybrid options.
The plan was scheduled to be released the first week of July but was revised due to the Florida Department of Education’s executive order on July 6. It now includes options for at-school learning for all grade levels five days a week beginning Aug. 10 for elementary and after Labor Day for secondary. It also includes a Duval Homeroom option for all grade levels.
“Our goal is to provide children with the best educational experience possible with an enrollment option that fits your family’s needs while taking steps to slow the transmission of COVID-19,” said Dr. Greene. “With courage, flexibility, and understanding, Team Duval will get through this pandemic together.”
The full, comprehensive plan is available on the district’s website at www.duvalschools.org/backtoschool. It includes enrollment options, safety precautions, transportation guidelines, and athletics information. Below are important highlights.
- All students have choices about how they return to learning
These choices include in-school options, distance learning through Duval HomeRoom and fully virtual learning through the Duval Virtual Instruction Academy. - Elementary students have a full week in-school option beginning Aug. 10
We have better capabilities to maintain social distance and isolate classrooms of students in elementary schools, and elementary school students cannot stay home alone if parents need to go to work. - In-school option for middle and high: Hybrid on Aug. 10. Full week in school after Labor Day
Jacksonville is hosting a major national event in August. There is no way to estimate the impact of that event on the local COVID-19 situation. Social distancing in secondary schools is not possible with the number of students in these schools. Therefore, all middle and high school options for in-school education will begin school on a “hybrid” schedule. During the week, students will be at school on some days and at home learning online the other days. The district, working with the Department of Health – Duval, will seek to return middle and high school students to a five day a week in-school schedule following Labor Day. - Students in all grade levels have the option for Duval HomeRoom
Duval HomeRoom means you remain enrolled in your school and you have online access to similar classes you would take at school. This option is now available for middle and high school students, as well as elementary students. The electives available at the secondary level may be limited. Registration for Duval HomeRoom is now open in FOCUS and will run through July 24. - Face coverings required on bus and in school
The best way to slow the transmission of COVID-19 in a school setting is to require all staff and students to wear face coverings throughout the day. Pre-K through second grade students will be issued a clear plastic face shield, which may be used in addition to or instead of a cloth face covering. Students with disabilities or medical conditions that prevent a face covering may also use a clear plastic shield or another reasonable accommodation. Face coverings will not be required in P.E., recess, band, music and other classes in which the facial covering is an obvious impediment to learning activities.
