Students in eight Central Florida counties headed back to school on Wednesday.
The 2022-23 academic year officially got underway in the following counties: Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, Sumter, Marion and Flagler.
Students who attend Volusia County Schools will start classes on Monday, Aug. 15.
5:00 p.m. update:
As students head back to school in Brevard County teachers are focused on helping students bounce back after some students fell behind while learning from home during the pandemic.
Administrators say the challenge this year will be keeping the excitement of the first day of school alive and overcoming a pandemic learning loss.
See what teachers are doing to help students get back on track in our story below:
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4:30 p.m. update:
Orange County Public Schools superintendent said the new school year went off without a hitch on Wednesday.
Superintendent designate Dr. Maria Vazquez was at Roberto Clemente Middle School for the first day, greeting students.
“We’re off to a great start,” Vazquez said.
However, a new school year means navigating new and ongoing challenges. See our interview with Vazquez in the interview below:
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3:40 p.m. update:
Students across Central Florida are closing out their first day of the 2022-2023 school year as they board buses to head home.
Channel 9 is recapping the day LIVE on Eyewitness News at 4 p.m. Click here to watch LIVE.
READ: Local school districts work to adapt to Florida’s new laws
Volusia County Schools will address safety at 5 p.m. ahead of its new school year that kicks off Monday.
Channel 9 will have a crew at the news conference and will provide updates on Eyewitness News. Click here to watch LIVE.
12:30 p.m. update:
Volusia County Schools announced it will talk about school safety Wednesday evening as the county prepares for students to return to the classroom.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
School is set to resume in Volusia County on Monday.
Channel 9 will have a crew at the news conference and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.
9 a.m. update:
At Oviedo High School, a ceremonial bell ringing has officially ushered in the new school year in Seminole County.
8:15 a.m. update:
Students are arriving to their first day of class around Central Florida.
Photos: Central Florida students head back to school
7:45 a.m. update:
Students begin to arrive at Coquina Elementary School in Titusville.
At Aloma Elementary School in Winter Park, students kick off their school day at 8:45 a.m.
7:15 a.m. update:
Drone 9 was flew over Leesburg High School and saw the drop-off line starting to build.
6 a.m. update:
Some parents in Seminole County have reported technical issues with the school bus route app. Channel 9′s Q McCray is talking with SCPS officials to get updates.
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Original Story:
We finally made it, Central Florida!
The 2022-2023 school year has officially begun.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Thousands of students in eight local counties are waking up, putting on their backpacks and hopping onto school buses.
READ: Here’s when schools start across Central Florida
Eyewitness News knows there’s a lot happening on the roads and in classrooms Wednesday, so we have you covered.
Watch Eyewitness News This Morning for complete coverage of traffic, weather, and live updates about your district.
READ: Back to school forecast: Hot and drier conditions in Central Florida
READ: Back-to-school digital dangers, what parents can do to protect kids online
Our team of reporters is out and about following the latest happenings this morning and Drone 9 will bring you live aerials from several local counties.
Be sure to stick with WFTV.com as buses roll out and students head back to school!
And click below to check out a collection of stories and in-depth coverage in our Back to School section!