NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Pasco County Schools has announced its plans for reopening school in August.
What You Need To Know
- Pasco Schools releases plans for return to school in August
- District offering three options for students
- WATCH: Pasco Schools Reopening Plan
In recent weeks, Pasco sought input from families and staff to learn what their comfort level and priorities were for the start of the school year. The district conducted focus groups and gathered ideas, thoughts, and concerns.
The huge response made it clear that parents, students, and staff were very interested in how the district would handle the return to school.
Primary among their concerns were cleanliness at school and the need for options. Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning made the announcement Thursday.
The county will take a multi-pronged approach, giving parents and students three options:
• Traditional – A return to campus and classroom with the standard school schedule and bell times. This option includes a heavy emphasis on health and safety precautions. Students will practice safe social distancing to the greatest extent possible. Schools will use signage and consistent communication to discourage the gathering of large groups of students. Students will be expected to wear masks or cloth face coverings on the school bus, but masks will not be required in classrooms.
• mySchool Online – Virtual learning with a connection to the student’s enrolled school. This option requires that students follow the standard school schedule and bell times. It features lessons and virtual interaction with teachers during each class period – all conducted online.
• Virtual School – Online learning through Pasco’s nationally recognized Pasco eSchool. This model offers flexible scheduling and is taught by Pasco County teachers. Students work at their own pace can do school work during non-traditional hours.
Parents can go onto the school system's web site to make their decision by July 1.
Browning said social distancing will be in place at all campuses. He added santizing will be a priority and masks will be required on buses and optional in classrooms. Also, gatherings will be limited.
Students will be allowed to switch plans after completing a current semester.
The Pasco school year begins on August 10.
The district website includes an introductory video from Superintendent Browning, a fuller description of the three options, as well as a set of FAQs. The website URL is https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/reopening
Sign up now for one of our newsletters that will show up in your inbox every weekday at 1 p.m. The newsletters highlight the most important stories of the day that you need to know for your area.