Back to School: 8 Central Florida districts head back to school today
Students, teachers and staff at eight different school districts in Central Florida head back to school Thursday. Read live updates below:
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
8:30 a.m. update:
Breaking in Brevard County: Classes at Eau Gallie High School are canceled today due to a power outage, BPS officials announced on social media.
The district said that staff is on campus and will assist any students who need help returning home.
All after-school activities have also been canceled for today.
Officials said they expect Friday to be a normal school day.
Eyewitness News spoke to BPS Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell earlier this morning.
Click below to hear his advice for the first day of school.
8:15 a.m. update:
Channel 9′s Sam Martello will be there as OCPS’ superintendent welcomes back students at Dommerich Elementary in Maitland.
More than 200,000 Orange County Public School students will return to the classroom today. Superintendent Vasquez will speak at Dommerich Elementary School and welcome students back at 9 a.m.📚 pic.twitter.com/jvEJVnNvos
— Sam Martello (@sammartellotv) August 10, 2023
7:55 a.m. update:
In Lake County, district officials said a new school security system is ready to be fully implemented.
Superintendent Diane Kornegay said the infrastructure for the system was installed last year.
The system is equipped with panic buttons that will be worn by school staff members, to alert if health or safety issues arise.
Kornegay also said the district can notify law enforcement of larger-scale emergencies faster than making a 911 call.
7:25 a.m. update:
SCPS just celebrated the kickoff of the 2023-24 school year with the ceremonial bell ringing at Crooms Academy of Information Technology in Sanford.
6:45 a.m. update:
Brevard County heads back to school today.
Buses hit the roads before sunrise to begin picking up students.
Channel 9′s Mel Holt has been monitoring activity throughout the district and is currently in Palm Bay.
She’s expecting to catch up with Superintendent Mark Rendell shortly.
You can watch her LIVE updates all morning long on Eyewitness News.
It's back to school in Brevard County for more than 70,000 students this morning. And we're live in Palm Bay where @BrevardSupt Mark Rendell will be making an appearance later today. #WFTV #BacktoSchool2023 pic.twitter.com/T553RepGx6
— Melonie Holt (@MHoltWFTV) August 10, 2023
6:20 a.m. update:
In Osceola County, the new school year begins with a brand new superintendent.
Dr. Mark Shanoff told Eyewitness News he’s excited to get started.
READ: Osceola County school year begins with new Superintendent in place
Osceola County district officials are also reminding parents and students that it has deactivated its “Here Comes The Bus” app until Sept. 11.
5:40 a.m. update:
Seminole County Public Schools buses are starting to roll out.
Channel 9′s Q McCray has you covered in Seminole County and will continue to bring you live updates all morning long.
It’s the #firstdayofschool for most Central Florida students. Seminole County Public Schools bus drivers are hitting the roads right now. We will be chatting with one them as they get ready. Watch @wftv this morning for more. pic.twitter.com/zgg22VFzCv
— Q McCray (@QMcCrayWFTV) August 10, 2023
5:15 a.m. update:
Excessive heat warnings will remain in effect Thursday as most of Central Florida heads back to school.
Be sure to tune into Channel 9 and TV27 now to watch Brain Shields’ live updates on today’s dangerous heat and rain chances.
>>> DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APPS <<<
4:45 a.m. update:
Orange County Public Schools said parents and students could experience delays in busing Thursday morning and for the first few weeks of school.
They are encouraging parents who can do so to drive their students to school. Read more here.
OCPS also is reminding families about its districtwide cell phone policy that is now in effect.
School districts in Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Sumter counties will welcome back students, teachers and staff Thursday morning.
Channel 9 is committed to keeping you informed as you head back to school.
Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News This Morning, beginning at 4:30 a.m., for school news you need to know, important traffic updates and your back-to-school forecast.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Read: How to avoid back to school scams that put your money & identity at risk
