School Mask Policies, Graduations, Proms, Sports: FL Patch Survey

FLORIDA — Since last spring, coronavirus has impacted every facet of life as we know it, including how our children learn.

At the start of the pandemic, most schools around the country, including in Florida, quickly pivoted to virtual learning last March or April. Since then, many districts have allowed students to resume in-person learning, though most still offer virtual opportunities.

Sports, clubs and other activities, as well as milestone events, such as graduations and proms, have been impacted by COVID-19. And many schools have also required students, teachers, staff and visitors to wear masks on campus.

In Florida, the effects of the pandemic are still felt in our schools. With graduation and prom season upon us, many schools are making decisions about which safety protocols to implement for these events. In Sarasota County, for instance, dancing has been banned at proms and seating charts will be created for them.

Many schools still offer virtual and in-school classes or continue to ask students to wear masks. This could change, as Florida’s Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran recently sent a memo to district superintendents telling them that face masks should be voluntary in the 2021-22 school year, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend wearing masks in schools to slow the spread of COVID-19. With the commissioner’s recommendation, though, school boards across the state will be making decisions on this controversial topic that has led to lawsuits against at least five districts — Sarasota County Schools, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Indian River County School District, Brevard Public Schools and Lee Public Schools — in the state.

To gauge how Floridians feel about COVID-19 safety protocols in the schools, Patch has created a reader survey, which will be open through Monday at noon.

Share your thoughts about face masks in schools, virtual learning, vaccines, graduations and proms, and more.

The survey is meant not to be a scientific poll, but only to give a broad idea of public sentiment.

Take part in our anonymous survey: