School District of Manatee County still requiring masks, social distancing despite Gov. Ron DeSantisâ executive order Teacher concerns in Manatee County schools. (Source: WWSB) By ABC7 Staff | May 3, 2021 at 10:18 PM EDT - Updated May 3 at 10:18 PM
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - The School District of Manatee County will still be following COVID-19 protocols, despite Gov. Ron DeSantisâ executive order on Monday.
On Monday, DeSantis signed an executive order invalidating local COVID-19 ordinances beginning July 1.
In a statement, school officials said the district is seeking âlegal clarification on Gov. Ron DeSantisâ executive order.â
The school district posted the following on Twitter:
The School District of Manatee County is offering an opportunity for students who are 16 and older to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
In partnership with MCR Health, students can schedule appointments from 4-7 p.m. April 29. Students can get vaccinated at Bayshore, Braden River, Lakewood Ranch, Manatee, Parrish Community, Palmetto and Southeast high schools.
Parents or students who are 18 years old must fill out a consent form and bring it to the appointment. Face masks will be required to enter the school, and students must bring a student ID.
Students will receive the Pfizer vaccine, and the second dose will be given May 20. There is no charge for the vaccine.
2,500 District employees who are 50 and over
3,000 Vaccines given March 15 and 17 to employees of any age
1,900 Vaccines given March 8-14 to employees who are at least 50 years old
200 District employees 65 and over who already have been vaccinated
Thousands of other School District of Manatee County employees have had the opportunity to get vaccinated, whether through the district or going to a pharmacy, since DeSantis said educators who are at least 50 years old could be vaccinated and later expanded eligibility to all educators.
In partnership with MCR Health, the Florida Department of Health Manatee and state officials, the district will have had 5,100 vaccines made available to its employees to date.
Braden River High School’s cast of “Little Shop of Horrors” was in the middle of rehearsal last March when Director Ricardo Robinson-Shinall was told they wouldn’t be returning to school due to COVID-19.
Luckily, he was given a year extension for the rights of “Little Shop of Horrors,” and his students will be able to perform the show live and virtually in April.
How to Donate
How to donate to Lakewood Ranch High School s theater program: Visit ManateeSchools.Revtrak.net. Minimum donation is $5.
How to donate to Braden River High School s theater program: Visit OnTheStage.com.
The problem for the school’s theater department, along with several other high school theater departments including Lakewood Ranch High School, is funding.