As Miami skyline soars, developers footing bill to accommodate new students
As high-rise towers go up across several Miami neighborhoods, the Miami-Dade school district is working to ensure developers pay for the school expansions needed to serve the students who will be living in the new developments.
DeSantis mentions ‘The Hill We Climb’ controversy at Miami-Dade County Public Schools
The Miami-Dade school district is responding to criticism over a decision to move a poem written by Amanda Gorman, the National Youth Poet Laureate, which was delivered at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, to a school library section aimed at older readers after a parent complained.
Miami-Dade school moves Biden inauguration poem after parent complaint
The Miami-Dade school district is responding to criticism over a decision to move a poem written by Amanda Gorman, the National Youth Poet Laureate, which was delivered at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, to a school library section aimed at older readers after a parent complained.
Miami-Dade Public Schools offering take-home, rapid COVID test kits to employees, students
Miami-Dade County Public Schools has partnered with the county and health department to offer students and employees free, take-home, rapid COVID test kits on a first come, first served basis at select locations on Thursday.
Masks required for all adults at Miami-Dade public schools; masks highly encouraged for students
All adults will be required to wear face masks inside any Miami-Dade County Public School facility, while students are highly encouraged to wear masks as they return to classes next Monday, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said Thursday.
Students seen wearing masks despite relaxed mask mandate at Miami-Dade public schools
Citing a decrease in COVID-19 infections, Miami-Dade County Public Schools is following Broward County Public Schools’ lead in easing coronavirus restrictions.Beginning Tuesday, wearing masks is optional for students at Miami-Dade’s traditional middle schools and high schools, as long as they bring a signed parental opt-out form.
Miami-Dade school board member favors Carvalho’s support of face mask mandate
The School Board of Miami-Dade County is likely to side with Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s recommendation to implement a universal face mask mandate with a medical opt-out, a school board member said on Wednesday.
Miami-Dade to require face masks on public school buses
The school boards of both Miami-Dade and Broward counties have decided to postpone making a decision about whether or not public school administrators will be requiring teachers, students, and staff to wear face masks indoors during the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.
Broward school district conducting cybersecurity investigation into what caused online learning outage
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward County Public Schools is conducting an internal investigation into what caused an outage on Monday when students were not able to connect to their teachers and into classrooms for online learning. The school district released a statement Friday that said they were “approaching the incident with the utmost seriousness”. Broward schools internet outage text to parents and guardians (Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.) In September, Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ online learning was disrupted when a South Miami High School junior launched a cyberattack on their system. AdIn January, Broward County Schools experienced widespread internet issues on the first day of a return to online learning after a winter break.
Teen gets probation but no jail for hacking Miami-Dade schools
MIAMI – The teen who confessed to hacking Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ online learning system in the fall was sentenced Friday to one year of probation, with a judge also requiring him to enroll in a program for troubled youth. Last month, Oliveros reached a deal in court to avoid jail time, but the official sentencing didn’t come until Friday. He responded: “That’s what I plan to do, your honor.”The first couple days of online learning in Miami-Dade were full of issues when access was blocked to one of the platforms the district was using. Oliveros, who was 16 at the time, was eventually arrested and confessed to what school officials called eight different distributed denial of service (DDOS) cyberattacks. And I apologize to my deepest condolences to everyone that has been affected by this in any way.”
Video captures what appears to be teacher slamming student to the ground
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – An explosive moment at a local high school is documented on cell phone video. In the video, an adult appears to be slamming a student to the ground before blurting out an expletive and telling the student to “calm down.”It happened on Tuesday at South Dade High School when a fight broke out around 12:30 p.m. In the video, one teenager appears to have another in a headlock before adults try to break the fight up. “The safety of students and employees remains a top priority at Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The District is conducting a thorough review of the actions taken by a school employee who attempted to separate an altercation involving several students.
Miami-Dade schools lose 3 employees to COVID-19 in just 2 weeks, union says
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – The union that represents bus drivers, food service, security, maintenance and custodial staff at Miami-Dade County Public Schools is mourning the deaths of three employees from COVID-19 in a span of just two weeks. Phyllis Leflore, president of the AFSCME Local 1184, said that maintenance worker Larry Williams died last weekend. She says his colleague notified the union that he had been admitted to the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19 about a week prior. NEW—AFSCME Local 1184 President says another M-DCPS district employee has died of #COVID19 - Maintenance Worker Larry Williams. This comes after the passing of M-DCPS school bus driver Donna Blatch ▶️👇 Her family says she died last Tuesday after testing positive for Covid-19.
Miami-Dade school bus drivers mourn loss of colleague who contracted COVID-19, want more done to keep them safe
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Friends and family members are mourning the loss of a Miami-Dade County Public Schools bus driver who died after contracting COVID-19. Outside a bus terminal Tuesday morning, friends of MDCPS bus driver Donna Blatch offered a prayer to her grieving children. “Her just calling me, just calling me.”Miami-Dade schools bus driver Donna Blatche and her three children, Marcqise, Shatoria and Kanika. (WPLG)Donna’s colleagues are also frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic, and they explained that bus drivers continue to struggle with the fear of exposure. It read:“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Ms. Blatch, an incredibly dedicated bus driver and veteran Union member.
High school basketball team’s season saved after COVID protocols had initially forced forfeit
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Coral Gables High School boy’s basketball team will be allowed to continue its season after initially being forced to forfeit a playoff game over the weekend because of COVID-19 safety protocols. “It means everything to them, especially our seniors, to get to this level, to compete for a state championship,” said Marcos Molina, a Coral Gables assistant coach and father of one of the team’s playersMolina said Coral Gables’ players and coaches were tested Thursday and had no positive cases. However, Christopher Columbus High, whom the Cavaliers recently played, reported players testing positive, triggering a 14-day quarantine for Coral Gables and a forfeit of their regional playoff game Saturday. A spokeswoman for the school district said Monday they were working with the Florida High School Athletics Association to see if they could resolve what they had called a “fluid” situation. Broward County Public Schools was happy to work with officials at Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Florida High School Athletics Association to make this opportunity available for the student-athletes,” BCPS said in a statement.
North Miami Senior High School lockdown lifted following ‘police investigation’
NORTH MIAMI, Fla. – A spokeswoman with Miami-Dade County Public Schools confirmed Wednesday that North Miami Senior High School had been placed on lockdown “as a precaution due to an active police investigation.” The lockdown was lifted around 2 p.m.She said there was an additional police presence on campus as a precaution. Local 10 News received reports that someone made a threat toward the school, however authorities and school officials have not yet confirmed that information. No other details were immediately released. Click here to receive breaking news alerts from Local10.com.
Additional COVID-19 testing dates announced for children in Miami-Dade County
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade County Public Schools has partnered with the University of Miami Health System to offer additional COVID-19 testing dates for children ages 4-18 in Miami-Dade County. The health system’s Pediatric Mobile Unit will be placed at various school parking lots throughout the month for testing. Those wishing to have their child tested are encouraged to make an appointment, although walk-ups are welcome, as well. February testing dates and locations will be announced in the near future. Below is a list of testing dates and locations for January:
COVID-19 cases at Florida schools | Updated list
Despite safety measures, thousands of schools across Florida have confirmed COVID-19 cases. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Florida’s health department has posted its latest list of verified COVID-19 cases among students and staff at primary and secondary schools across the stateThe Florida Department of Health releases a weekly report on cases dating back to Sept. 6. The latest — published Wednesday and included at the bottom of this page — shows cases confirmed through Dec. 19. View and download the state’s latest report on COVID-19 in schools below:(If you cannot see the chart above, click here.) NOTE: Miami-Dade County Public Schools maintains its own separate dashboard showing cases among students and employees attending in-person learning.
Coronavirus vaccine: Carvalho asks DeSantis to prioritize teachers
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is asking Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration to make sure teachers and school staff have priority access to the coronavirus vaccine after healthcare workers and first responders. In a Tuesday letter to Dr. Scott A. Rivkees, Florida’s surgeon general, Carvalho wrote that teachers’ priority access to the vaccine and to more reliable coronavirus testing is critical. Ron DeSantis visits Donald Trump at White House vaccine summitDeSantis said Tuesday during Trump’s administration summit on the coronavirus vaccine that he will first have it distributed to Florida’s long-term care facilities’ residents and to hospitals. It’s unlikely that DeSantis will introduce a vaccine mandate since he did not impose a statewide face mask mandate.
Miami-Dade school leaders see issues with COVID-19, and with online learning
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Medical officials joined members of the Miami-Dade School Board on Monday to present data on COVID-19 positivity rates, hospitalization, mortality, morbidity and ICU bed usage. Carvalho also addressed some other issues the district is seeing with online learning. “As a result of online learning, there are many students who have simply disappeared from our rolls across the county. School board members also talked about vaccines and asked doctors whether school staff members should be prioritized in receiving vaccines once they are available — something that hasn’t yet been determined. Broward County’s school board is scheduled to meet Tuesday.
Miami-Dade County public school was operating without clean running water
UPDATE: On Friday, a Miami-Dade County Public Schools spokeswoman said running water was back at Carol City Middle School. “The Department of Health rescinded the boil water notice for Carol City Middle School, following the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer work done to one of their water lines,” District Director of Communications Natalia Zea wrote in an email. Again, at no time were students without clean, bottled water for drinking and handwashing.”ORIGINAL STORY: Carol City Middle School students in Miami Gardens haven’t had clean running water since Tuesday. The problem at the school began with a damaged pipe, and the Miami-Dade County Water & Sewer Department issued a boil-water notice that also affected neighboring properties. Having access to clean running water is more than a basic human right, and the children in the neighborhood really need a safe and welcoming school to stay on the right path.
State supports public school online learning to remain through Spring 2021
It was an update that Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho welcomed. “That’s why today we are celebrating.”Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho visits classrooms on Monday, Oct. 5. Miami-Dade County Public Schools requires students to wear face masks to school. What are we doing and how are we protecting our community?”On Wednesday, Hernández-Mats released a statement saying teachers and educational staff are in favor of online learning to remain through Spring 2021. She also said the state’s support of online learning isn’t enough to deal with the gravity of the public health crisis.
Nearly 1,000 South Florida schools have reported coronavirus cases since September, state says
The Florida Department of Health releases a weekly report on coronavirus cases at schools across the state dating back to Sept. 6. The latest report — released Wednesday and included at the bottom of this page — shows cases confirmed through Nov. 14. Separately, Miami-Dade County Public Schools maintains its own dashboard showing cases among students and employees attending in-person learning. The health department’s weekly reports on COVID-19 in schools have been criticized by some as incomplete, as they only include cases confirmed by the state, not all that have been reported locally. Local educators have said that parents are notified of cases at their children’s schools before cases are certified by the state.
Coronavirus cases at 800+ schools across South Florida confirmed by state
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – An additional 152 primary and secondary schools in South Florida confirmed COVID-19 cases last week, raising the number of schools with verified infections to 827 across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties. That’s according to data from the Florida Department of Health, which releases a weekly report on coronavirus cases at schools across the state dating back to Sept. 6. The latest report — released Wednesday and included at the bottom of this page — includes cases confirmed through Nov. 7. According to the state, 15 students at Fort Lauderdale High School had cases confirmed last week (Nov. 1-7), the most of any Broward school. Local educators have said that parents are notified of cases at their children’s schools before cases are certified by the state.
Schools in Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe closed Monday due to Tropical Storm Eta
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade County Public Schools announced earlier Sunday that schools would be closed, but Broward County Public Schools first announced they would be conducting classes virtually. Earlier in the day, a robocall went out from Superintendent Robert Runcie alerting parents that school on Monday would be online-only. Now, BCPS is canceling all classes due to concerns of possible widespread power outages to the district’s eLearning environment. In Monroe County, all schools will be closed on Monday (including virtual), with plans to open on Tuesday if conditions allow, according to Kristen Livengood, public information officer for Monroe County. Get the latest on Tropical Storm Eta by clicking here.
New White House task force report warns of new coronavirus surge in Florida
MIAMI – In a new report, the White House Coronavirus Task Force warned 70% of the counties in Florida are displaying moderate to high levels of community spread. Dr. Aileen Marty, an infectious disease expert with Florida International University, said she is worried about people who might be getting complacent. All rights reserved)Wednesday was the fourth consecutive day that the Florida Department of Health reported more than 4,000 new coronavirus cases. The new task force report also notes there have also been increases in hospitalizations. Marty said South Florida residents need to remember it is still important to wear face masks, hand wash frequently and practice social distancing.
Coronavirus cases confirmed at 675 schools across South Florida
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Miami-Dade County is nearing 300 schools that have confirmed coronavirus cases, and Broward County has reached 200 schools that have students or faculty with infections, according to the state’s latest data. The Florida Department of Health’s weekly report on COVID-19 in primary and secondary schools shows 675 of them with confirmed positive cases across Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach counties since early September. The latest data includes cases confirmed through Oct. 31. According to the state report, Hollywood Academy of Arts & Science had 11 cases newly confirmed last week, including 10 students — the most among Broward schools. Local educators have said that parents are notified of cases at their children’s schools before cases are certified by the state.
Coronavirus: Doctor fears South Florida is ‘on the cusp of a second surge’
MIAMI – Emergency room doctors say this is a crucial time, with South Florida on the brink of a second surge of the coronavirus. “I think we are on the cusp of a second surge,” said Dr. Randy Katz, chairman of emergency medicine at Memorial Regional Hospital. Miami-Dade County Public Schools bus drivers say they are concerned school officials are not letting them know if the students sent home to quarantine were also on their routes. “We have to make sure that once the students are being tested, our bus drivers are being tested,” she said. Miami-Dade’s school district said it is in communication with the bus drivers about positive cases and added that the entire bus fleet is sanitized each evening.
Miami schools special needs teacher arrested, fired for alleged neglect, abuse
MIAMI, Fla. – A Miami-Dade School District elementary school teacher is facing charges for child neglect and abuse after actions she allegedly took against two children at the school. Also, according to a statement from the district, the teacher has been fired. The report said that Marino-Reyes then left the child confined and unsupervised for three to four seconds. Detectives interviewed a witness who said that had seen one child stand up from his desk repeatedly. According to Miami-Dade Public School District, Reyes-Marino had been employed by the district for eight years.
At least 80 schools report coronavirus cases in Miami-Dade County
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Parents of students at G Holmes Braddock Senior High in Miami-Dade County reported receiving a pre-recorded announcement about a coronavirus infection at the public school. The school is not yet listed in the Florida Department of Health’s report on coronavirus infections at both public and private schools in Miami-Dade County. Each of the schools reported six cases, according to the Department of Health. Miami-Dade County Public Schools also maintains a dashboard with confirmed cases self-reported among those attending in-person instruction. Here is a list of the schools in Miami-Dade with infection reports, according to the FDOH:
As MAST Academy reverts to virtual learning, more South Florida schools confirm COVID-19 cases
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – One public school in Miami-Dade County temporarily went back to virtual learning just a week after schools began reopening. MAST Academy closed its campus Monday after two students tested positive for COVID-19. The wellbeing of our students and employees is our top priority at Miami-Dade County Public Schools.”MAST, however, isn’t alone with coronavirus cases. Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ dashboard shows new cases at Flagami Elementary, Royal Green Elementary, North Dade Center for Modern Languages Elementary and two at Coral Park Elementary. When asked why MAST Academy was shut down after the COVID-19 cases, while other schools with positive cases have remained open, Zea noted that high schoolers are moving around more than others at school.
Teacher among those who have tested positive for coronavirus since Miami-Dade schools reopened
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Multiple coronavirus cases have been confirmed since public school students in Miami-Dade County began returning to physical classrooms this week, including the first teacher who has tested positive. Sources told Local 10 News that Wyche Elementary School in Miami Gardens is one of the schools dealing with COVID-19 cases. Cases have also been reported at Holmes Elementary School in Miami and at Poinciana Park Elementary School in northwest Miami-Dade. According to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools COVID-19 dashboard, one employee and three students have self-reported that they have tested positive for the virus. Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said the district initiated the contact tracing investigation immediately upon learning about the positive case.