Marion schools: 67 new COVID-19 cases amid bus driver shortage
Marion County Public Schools, which recorded 67 new COVID-19 cases this past week, is fighting through a bus driver shortage that has been exacerbated by the pandemic.
School district spokesman Kevin Christian said the district has 270 bus drivers. Before the pandemic, the district has been experiencing about 10 percent absences on any given day.
But I’d say that’s double now thanks to COVID-19 cases and direct contacts, Christian said. As a result, some drivers double- and triple-up on routes, which creates delays in getting students to school and home.
Christian added that we always need bus drivers, not just now because of COVID.
Florida schools stop to recognize top teachers
A roundup of Florida education news from around the state.
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Chardae Duffy was named Hillsborough County s Ida S. Baker Diversity Teacher of the Year during a live-streamed celebration of educators. Several Florida school districts recognized their top teachers at events on Jan. 21. 2020. [ Hillsborough County school district ]
Published Jan. 22
Teachers across the state and nation have had it rough the past several months. Theyâve often struggled to cope with ever-changing rules and regulations established because of the coronavirus pandemic, finding themselves needing to improvise as they go. Flexibility and creativity has been the name of the game. All along the way, theyâve attempted to gain protections from the virus for themselves and their students. Many have felt under-appreciated. The teacher of the year honor barely can scratch the surface when it comes to giving educators their due. But itâs a step
“Three months ago, the Marion County School Board removed the Sanford Harmony social emotional learning or SEL program because of how it countered gender stereotyping .A Baptist pastor told them its lessons on gender norms blurred the lines between ‘boyness and girlness.’ On Thursday, the board struggled to replace that free and highly rated curriculum for its students in kindergarten through fifth grade.”
“The crackdown follows a deadly traffic accident last weekend at NW 17th Avenue and West University Avenue. Sophia Lambert, 18, a UF sophomore, died and five others were hospitalized after a car crashed into another moving vehicle while turning onto 17th Avenue.”
West Ocala town hall meeting features news updates and calls to action
Ocala city leaders, a state representative and a member of the Marion County School Board spent close to two and a half hours Thursday night speaking, listening and answering questions from people at a forum held at the MLK First Responder Campus Community Room in west Ocala.
City Councilman Ire Bethea opened the meeting by telling the approximately 40 men and women in attendance about major developments coming to the west side of Ocala. Bethea said business leaders are inquiring about the community as they re purchasing properties with the goal of bringing economic development to the area.
Thursday, January 21, 2021 by Joe Byrnes (WMFE)
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Marion County School Board Chairwoman Nancy Thrower speaks during a meeting on Thursday. Image: MCPS video
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Three months ago, the Marion County School Board removed the Sanford Harmony social emotional learning or SEL program because of how it countered gender stereotyping.
A Baptist pastor told them its lessons on gender norms blurred the lines between “boyness and girlness.”