JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Saying they are prepared for whatever may happen with the opening of the 2021 school year, Duval County School Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene says they are preparing for the opening of school in August with a plan now in place, however the plan will be flexible.
“It is very challenging because we want to make our schools safer. We want to make it as safe as possible for our employees to come back and our students to come back. This goes far beyond just what happens in the classroom,” Greene said. “Even though the research is telling us that the impact is is not as great for children, but children go home to families. They go home to grandparents, they go home to parents. Our employees go home to their families and they may be taking care of parents. And it is that balance that we have to strike of how can we get back to some sense of normalcy. But at the same time, address these concerns. And that’s why we have offered options.”
Greene told Jacksonville’s Morning News that they have decided to require face requirements on buses and in the hallways during transition periods, but if the Jacksonville mask mandate continues, they will require for everywhere inside the buildings.
She also addresses the concerns of the Republican National Convention happening after school starts. Greene says schools will still open on August 10.
“There is always an opportunity for conversation. Every day we get new information that gives us an opportunity to make a change in the plan. And as we get closer, I think that decision really has to be made much closer to to the beginning of school year. We still have a little over a month before school begins.”
The full comprehensive plan from DCPS will be published on their website on Monday.
LISTEN: DCPS Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene on Jacksonville’s Morning News
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