The big story: For years, many Florida elementary school teachers have complained that the state’s reading requirements have crowded out other important topics, social studies top among them.
As lawmakers have pushed to add more lessons to the mix, such as 9/11 history and anti-communism information, the pressure has grown to find time to fit it all in. Pasco County schools this year decided to create a humanities block for the youngest grades, combining social studies and reading as often as possible.
Many educators raised concerns about how to give the approach better than lip service. The district created detailed plans and offered several trainings to get everyone ready. So far, some teachers said, it’s making a difference.
“Since we’ve been integrating it into the classroom, the students have shown a light about learning, and they want to learn more,” second grade teacher Shaunna Lubecki said. Read more here.
Hot topics
Board elections: One Pinellas County school board seat remains in play. It’s become a battle between moderate and more conservative Republicans. • Flagler County School Board member Sally Hunt has submitted her resignation letter, but timed it so Gov. Ron DeSantis will appoint her replacement rather than voters selecting that person, Flagler Live reports.
Campus crowding: The Manatee County school district announced plans to build five new schools in the next three years to tackle crowding in the bustling eastern portion of the county, the Bradenton Herald reports.
Ethics: The Florida Commission on Ethics rejected a complaint about Hillsborough County School Board member Karen Perez attending a dinner with the Cuban ambassador last year, Florida Politics reports.
Sex ed: The state Department of Education has told the Orange County school district it may not use a sex education curriculum that discusses contraception or shows human reproductive anatomy, the Orlando Sentinel reports. As a result, the district is abandoning its curriculum in favor of state-adopted textbooks that focus on abstinence.
Security: Child psychologists offered advice to parents on how to talk to their children about the threats being made at their schools, WMFE reports. • Orange County schools are revisiting the idea of adding metal detectors to schools as worries rise about weapons and threats, the Orlando Sentinel reports. • The Jefferson County school district expanded its clear bag requirement beyond events only to include schools and buses, WCTV reports.
Taxes: The St. Johns County school district is asking voters to extend their local-option sales tax and establish a local-option property tax to bolster the district’s budget at it copes with growth, WJXT reports.
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Catch up on top stories before rush hour
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Vouchers: The expansion of taxpayer funded vouchers is making it easier for private Christian schools to get started in Florida and other states, Associated Press reports.
From the police blotter … Days after saying he would publicly shame students who threaten schools, Volusia County’s sheriff did not perp walk a teen arrested on that charge — but only because the teen has autism, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. “My promise to publicly show others who make these threats still stands,” Sheriff Mike Chitwood said.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to Friday’s roundup.
Before you go … RIP Tito Jackson.