ORLANDO, Fla. — Central Florida public schools, private schools, colleges and universities are either closing or making scheduling changes amid the coronavirus pandemic. How is your local school addressing the issue? Read updated information below:
Sumter County Public Schools
Sumter County will resume classes on March 23.
Seminole County Public Schools
All schools will be closed an additional week beyond Spring Break and return on March 30. State testing will also be delayed by two weeks. Extracurriculars and the KidZone and Beyond Spring Break Camp have been canceled.
Orange County Public Schools
The Florida Department of Education said all schools will close for an additional week beyond their spring break and will return on March 30.
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State testing will also be delayed by two weeks and all extra-curricular activities will be suspended for that time. However, SATs are still on as scheduled for Saturday.
The school district said the spring break extension will not affect its facilities and offices, only schools.
COVID-19 UPDATE: A superintendents conference call with the Governor and Chancellor just ended. After new direction from @CDC, @EducationFL announced all schools will close for one additional week beyond their Spring Break and will return on March 30. (1/3)
— OCPS News (@OCPSnews) March 13, 2020
Marion County Public Schools
Because of coronavirus concerns, Marion County Public Schools will close all schools for two consecutive weeks effective Friday.
The district will be closed through March 27.
All extracurricular activities have been canceled during that time.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, @EducationFL directs districts to close schools for two consecutive weeks effective immediately. MCPS will now be closed March 16-20 for Spring Break + March 23-27. More info regarding employee work schedules forthcoming. pic.twitter.com/2NTTJAxcBa
— Maier Moments (@MarionCountyK12) March 13, 2020
Volusia County Schools
Volusia County Schools said Friday that it is extending its spring break by an additional week because of coronavirus concerns.
The school district will be closed from Friday until March 29. Classes will resume March 30.
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All extracurricular activities will be canceled during the next two weeks.
Testing will be delayed for two weeks, the district said.
Officials said anyone who travels on a cruise must self-isolate for 14 days upon returning.
Flagler Schools
Flagler Schools said Friday that Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran said all schools must take an additional week off because of coronavirus.
Students will not report to school until March 30. All extra-curricular activities across the state are also postponed for 14 days.
Read: Coronavirus: Which Orlando theme parks are closed, and for how long?
"A decision such as this is not an easy one to make," Flagler County Superintendent James Tager said. "I understand this will put pressures on many of our families, but the Flagler Schools team will be working to determine what, if any services, we can give our families the week following spring break."
The school district said the Florida Department of Education is pushing back all state testing by two weeks.
Brevard Public Schools
Brevard Public Schools said Friday that any student, faculty member or staff member who goes on a cruise or travels to another country must self-isolate for 14 days upon return, and all field trips and overnight athletic events have been canceled through April. Classes resume on March 30.
BPS to follow direction from @EducationFL & @HealthyFla
— Brevard Schools (@BrevardSchools) March 13, 2020
• Any students, faculty/staff who go on a cruise, anywhere, must self-isolate for 14 days upon return.
• Any students, faculty/staff who go on foreign travel, to any country, must self-isolate for 14 days upon return.
Marion County Public Schools
Out of an abundance of caution for students, staff and the community, and because of safety concerns related to COVID-19, all extracurricular events and activities for students in Marion County Public Schools through March 24 have been canceled or postponed. Classes resume March 30.
This includes extracurricular and sporting competitions, club-based outings, district events and events attracting more than 250 people.
Click here for a list of events.
Out of an abundance of caution, and for the overall health and well-being of our students, staff, and entire community, ALL school-based and extra-curricular activities in MCPS are cancelled or postponed through March 24. pic.twitter.com/BnZQlcmURs
— Maier Moments (@MarionCountyK12) March 12, 2020
READ: Coronavirus: Know the facts directly from the CDC
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida said Wednesday classes are moving online, beginning Monday.
Students are asked to not return to campus for two weeks.
Click here to read more information.
UCF will move to remote instruction effective Monday, March 16, to minimize health and safety risks to the UCF community as students and faculty prepare to return from Spring Break.
— UCF (@UCF) March 11, 2020
Rollins College
Rollins College said Wednesday that it is moving to online classes for the remainder of the semester.
"Professors will continue to teach their classes on their current schedule," Rollins College President Grant Cornwell said. "Instead of meeting in person, classes will meet online. We will make every effort to ensure that seniors graduate on time and all students continue to make progress towards their degrees."
Cornwell said spring sports schedules will be cancelled.
Click here to read more information.
In response to COVID-19, President Grant Cornwell has announced the College will transition to virtual, synchronous learning beginning March 23 through the remainder of the semester.
— Rollins College (@rollinscollege) March 12, 2020
Please read the President’s message for all available details: https://t.co/QebQmpGWka pic.twitter.com/oLFvBfL04h
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Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University said it will switch to remote instruction for two weeks, beginning March 23.
Officials said in-person classes are expected to resume April 6.
Click here to read more information.
Coronavirus Update: FAMU shifts to remote instruction for two weeks on Monday, March 23. In-person classes are expected to resume on Monday, April 6. The University will remain open for business. More info at: https://t.co/7Ll7Hd4ORJ. pic.twitter.com/ftkC7H7tzh
— FloridaA&MUniversity (@FAMU_1887) March 11, 2020
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Bethune-Cookman University
Bethune-Cookman University students are being directed not to return to campus from spring break for at least two weeks, school officials announced Thursday. Students are being notified through email blasts and B-CU’s website and social media channels.
“All of us are confronted with an unprecedented global health issue,” said B-CU president E. LaBrent Chrite in a statement. “We are taking our lead from the State University System of Florida (SUSF) in order to be proactive and help keep our students healthy.”
B-CU students are directed not to return to campus from spring break for at least two weeks to secure student health and safety during the Coronavirus outbreak. Face-to-face classes are tentatively scheduled to resume March 30th. Online classes will be available next week. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Fg384YFjo7
— Bethune-Cookman (@bethunecookman) March 12, 2020
Valencia College
Valencia College will resuming classes Monday, but the college said it is working with faculty to move as many classes as possible online after their return from spring break.
Click here to read more information.
Follow up to 10 am coronavirus update: While we are resuming classes as scheduled on Mon., March 16, we are working with faculty to move as many classes as possible online after their return from spring break. More info: https://t.co/N7mpGaQjci or check your college email pic.twitter.com/augf31V8Fm
— Valencia College (@valenciacollege) March 12, 2020
Seminole State College
Seminole State College announced Friday that it is moving classes online effective Monday, March 16.
Click here to read more information.
We continue to monitor the ever-evolving Coronavirus situation. We are putting plans in place to minimize the impact to our college community. We will have an update this afternoon. Please continue to check https://t.co/eXC3nJY3y0 for the latest information. pic.twitter.com/2IV6ds7wgq
— Seminole State (@SeminoleState) March 13, 2020
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