FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Superintendent Robert Runcie said Friday afternoon that he was proud of the way public schools reopened to about 12,500 students in Broward County.
Runcie said the district’s ability to continue to keep the schools open will depend on how parents and guardians are protecting their children from coronavirus infections.
“Do those health and wellness checks in the morning,” Runcie said in a message to parents. “Please be cognizant of the interaction your child is having out in the community.”
The next round of students will arrive at Broward public schools on Tuesday and Thursday. Students from 3rd to 6th grades and 9th-grade students will return on Tuesday. Students in 7th, 8th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades will return on Thursday.
“Our teachers have expressed that it was one of the hardest days that they had in their careers,” said Anna Fusco, the president of the Broward Teachers Union.
She said some teachers struggled with making sure students were wearing their face masks. Others had difficulty with showing them new hygiene routines, she said.
“Of course, the synchronized piece was a struggle,” Fusco said.
Runcie said the return of the students in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st and 2nd grade was a success. He also said he plans to have a nurse in each school by next week.