Hundreds of Local Parents and Children Attend "Unmask Our Children Rally" by James Coulter Several children play outside and in the gym during P.E. They are required to wear masks as they run laps in the Florida heat. One boy is scolded for pulling his mask down from over his…
On April 14, Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran issued a memo, requesting that school districts with mandatory face mask policies revise them to be voluntary for the 2021-2022 school year.”
Corcoran said in the memo issued to all 67 Florida school district superintendents that the Florida Department of Education has reviewed the health data of districts with a mandatory mask policy and found that “the data shows us that districts’ face covering policies do not impact the spread of the virus” and that “broad sweeping mandatory face covering policies serve no remaining good at this point in our schools.”
He added that face masks “may also impede instruction in certain cases, especially for those with disabilities and English language learners who benefit from viewing a teachers’ face and mouth.” He also said wearing a mask in school should be left up to families as an individual choice.
LAKE WALES A 68-year-old school bus attendant and a 15-year-old Frostproof Middle/Senior High student face felony charges after Polk County sheriff’s deputies say they got into a fight on a school bus Wednesday afternoon.
Deputies say special needs substitute bus attendant Algarene Richards was possibly videotaping Jayvyn McFadden because he had his feet on a bus seat. Richards later told deputies that McFadden told her he was going to take her phone, to which she responded, “Go ahead” or “Take it.”
Deputies, who viewed a video of the incident, said McFadden can be seen taking Richards’ phone. They say Richards is then seen on the video punching McFadden in the face with a closed fist. McFadden then grabbed Richards, who fell to the ground with McFadden still holding her arms.