Community Corner
Polk County Youth Fair Will Be Mostly Virtual
Polk County Public School will limit its involvement in the upcoming Youth Fair for coronavirus safety precautions.
POLK COUNTY, FL — The Polk County Youth Fair is scaling back to mostly a virtual event this year, a news release said.
Fair organizers will make many of the events viewable online in partnership with PGTV (the county’s 24-hour-a-day cable channel, which will be livestreaming many of the fair’s events on YouTube). To view these live feeds, visit www.pcyf.net and click on the “PCYF Watch Live” link.
In addition to turning virtual, Polk County School District will limit its involvement in this year's fair due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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“We understand the significance of the Youth Fair, but this is a very critical time in the pandemic," Deputy Superintendent John Hill said. "Everyone, on an individual and an organizational level, must do everything possible to help stop the spread of the virus."
Pre-pandemic, the teachers were allowed to assist at the fair during school hours. This year, employees will not be authorized to participate in an official capacity beyond transporting student projects to the event site after school hours. Any employees who choose to participate beyond this will not do so as representatives of the district; their involvement will be outside the course and scope of their official duties.
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“We have consulted closely with health department officials about participation by district students and employees," Hill said. "This year, the district will not authorize official participation by employees, or participation by students during school hours."
Students' families will need to follow procedures at their school for requesting an excused absence for the specific time/day they are involved in the fair.
For those who do choose to attend the fair, Hill emphasized the need to wear face coverings, wash their hands frequently and maintain social distancing.
The fair takes place Jan. 23 to Jan. 29 at the Polk County Agricultural Complex, 1702 U.S. Highway 17 S., Bartow.
For more information, visit the fair’s website at www.pcyf.net, call 863-519-1046 or email PCYF@ad.ufl.edu.
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